Rock legends Hawkwind return to Winter Gardens to headline performing arts festival

Rock pioneers Hawkwind will return to the Winter Gardens to headline the 10th edition of an ever-growing arts festival in Morecambe.

The space rockers, known for their 70s hit 'Silver Machine', will perform a full concert at the historic theatre on Saturday August 8 as part of The Bay Fringe Festival.

This will be followed by an after show party, and the celebration continues on Sunday August 9 with a full day of music and events from noon featuring Hawkwind Friends and Relations’ bands, family friendly activities and a Q&A with the Hawkwind team. 

The band's career spans nearly 60 years and their live shows are legendary.

Fans can expect everything from classic anthems to experimental soundscapes.

The event closes with a special premiere film screening of a live Hawkwind concert.

Hawkwind on stage at the Royal Albert Hall

The return of Hawkwind for the 10th edition of The Bay Fringe Festival follows their first show at the town’s iconic Winter Gardens in 2022, which is credited with helping to secure its future as a music venue for the North. 

There are plans to upgrade the Grade II* listed theatre's capacity, so it can open fully after closing its doors in 1977.

For many years, a group of volunteers have worked tirelessly to raise funds to restore the Winter Gardens as a fully working theatre, bringing regular live entertainment back to its stage as part of their efforts.

“Hosting Hawkwind four years ago gave our funders and the trust faith that we could realise our dream to be a music venue for the North," said Professor Vanessa Toulmin, chair of the Winter Gardens Preservation Trust.

"We are delighted and proud that the Hawkwind family is part of our journey as we move even closer to a fully realised 1600 capacity.”

The Hawkwind concert film premiere closes the festival’s TV and film strand, which also features a retrospective of the iconic 80s BBC comedy The Young Ones with its stars Alexei Sayle and Nigel Planer (below), and a screening of The Shining, followed by a Q&A with the film’s producer Jan Harlan.

The Bay Fringe Festival will encompass everything from cabaret, clowning and comedy to theatre and spoken word with the 10th anniversary programme marking its biggest and most ambitious year to date.

Applications are being welcomed for shows to be included in the programme up until April 1 2026. 

The performing arts festival will take place across Morecambe and Carnforth from July 20 for two weeks, opening with a portrait photographic exhibition of comedians and poets, and the return of the famous comedy crawl around the Morecambe Promenade. 

The TV and film strand will include the screening of the animated Ukrainian film, The Good Soldier Schweik, revoiced by the town’s own West End Players. The classic tale is widely regarded as the first modern anti-war satire. 

The West End Playhouse on Yorkshire Street in Morecambe

There will also be 10 shows created by the local community ranging from stand up to full theatrical performances, developed in workshops running throughout the year.

There will also be a micro-budget film competition, with more details to be announced. 

“I’m delighted to welcome one of the greatest counter culture bands to Morecambe as part of the festival," said Matt Panesh, festival founder and co-host of the Decadent Airwaves poetry show on Beyond Radio.

"We’re all about celebrating the DIY ethos, and presenting art, music and film that shares that spirit as a call to arms to empower the people of Morecambe to get creative.”

Hawkwind: Friends and Relations tickets are priced at £70 plus booking fee for the whole weekend including concert, after party and film premiere. 

They are available HERE.