Stage At The Lake is a new deal for Calderdale and a very exciting one at that. Held in the stunning environs of Shibden Park in Halifax, it runs across four days from Thursday 13th to Sunday 16th August 2026 and covers an impressive range of cultural genres – theatre, comedy and music.
Kicking off on Thursday 13th there’s a Summer Night of Musicals, featuring songs from hit shows Les Miserables, Wicked, Matilda and more, plus The Seedling’s Play Garden, where you’ll encounter Mr Bloom’s band – garden adventures and family rave guaranteed.
The Saturday is billed as Proms night while rounding off the Sunday is a Brassed Off special. Sandwiched between all that, on Friday 14th August, there’s open-air comedy and Debut At The Lake, the daytime (10am-4pm) live music showcase featuring a host of emerging local talent, all topped off with a big-name headliner, British rapper and producer Lady Leshurr.
The bill of local acts has been curated by Calder Groove Youth Music Collective, alongside some of the region’s finest grassroots music venues. Let’s take a look at the line-up in full.
Lady Leshurr
Not a local name, of course, but certainly a household one. Topping the bill, she is one of the UK’s most dynamic and engaging figures in hip-hop, acclaimed for her sharp lyricism and genre-blending rap/dancehall soundclash.
Born Melesha Katrina O’Garro, she is particularly known for her viral Queen’s Speech freestyle series, winning The Celebrity Circle and reaching the semi-finals of Dancing on Ice!
A Day On Venus
Another hefty name at the upper end of the line-up, A Day On Venus bring London-bled neo-soul, an eclectic horn section and irresistible club grooves.
Herbie May
Guitarist in famed indie locals The Lounge Society, Herbie is now forging his own path as an uncompromising solo performer – and all under the umbrella of his own record label, Red Licorice Records. Expect glimpsed influences of Kurt Vile, Lou Reed and Gram Parsons.
Doogle
With a sound that was shaped on the busking scene and nods to artists such as Neutral Milk Hotel and Pinegrove, Doogle delivers high-energy indie-folk-pop at its veritable finest.
The Incident
Super-naturally talented, 70s revivalists, born entertainers… The Incident are here for your glam rock soul. Give it up. Just give it up.
Grow
Highly-skilled four-piece on Grayston Unity Records, perpetually harnessing rock vibes and sultry jam grooves in the varied veins of Neil Young, Floyd, The Verve and more.
Adelaide Taylor
Supremely gifted young songwriter, marrying the nonchalance and simplicity of new-folk heroes like Aldous Harding with the emotive pop force of someone like Regina Spektor.
Billy Billy 5P
Adorable, spaceship-enterprised sonic retro thrusters and gig regulars at local haunts The Puzzle and The Golden Lion. Witness the Milky Way’s least likely inter-planetary psych-pop group.
Dan Loops
Acoustic rap artist known for blending witty lyricism with intricate guitar work and live loops.
Daphne Jay
The youngest performer on the bill. Aged just 13, Daphne is a truly unique and prolific songwriter, pianist and guitarist.
Dan’s Girlfriend
Party time! Sax-tooting, rock-toting vanguards with delicious melodies and bundles of bounce.
Sons of Latona
Four-piece alternative rock band taking inspiration from metal, indie and everything inbetween.
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