Moovin Festival Announces 2023 Lineup

Manchester’s much loved and boutique celebration of eclectic music and quirkiness is back for another of its cosy and personal gatherings August Bank Holiday Weekend 25th-27th. Lining up at Compstall’s udderly unique Whitebottom Farm for Moovin this year is another mouthwatering mix of returning favourites with  some highly sought after big name debut bookings, throw in some of Moovin’s friends  family with  some musical pioneers, and you have an eye popping line up featuring the legendary electronic innovator Laurent Garnier and house music mainstay Todd Terry alongside the likes of Mr Scruff, Mungo’s HiFi feat Eva Lazarus, David Holmes, Massive Attack’s Daddy G performing  a DJ set, Craig Charles, plus hip hop royalty Big Daddy Kane, Goldie live with his orchestra, Sister Nancy, Chali 2Una from Jurassic5, Children of Zeus, Gilles Peterson, Stanton Warriors, Plump DJs, Jaguar Skills, Krafty Kuts, Freestylers, DJ Paulette, Graeme Park and many more.

There is no escape quite like a trip to Moovin Festival, which is the ultimate way to spend the late summer Bank Holiday. By now well established amongst those who know and famous for its attention to detail, bespoke feel and friendly crowds, Moovin takes place at the eco-friendly Whitebottom farm in the stunning countryside of Etherow Country Park in Compstall, just 30 minutes from both Manchester & Sheffield

It is a wonderful hideaway that you will find through a magical canopy of trees, past a lake with busy waterfowl and into a breathtaking gorge. It is transformed into an adult playground with organic production, world class sound systems and stages including the unique Barn Stage, a large open sided cow shed with bales of hay to relax and chill on.

It is proudly independent with a counter cultural feel and as well as a stellar musical line up its a place to enjoy ethically sourced foods and cocktails, yoga classes, to try some holistic healing treatments and enjoy circus performers, fire, magic, mayhem and more festival fun and surprises to help you forget the outside world for a truly special weekend.

The big news is that French cultural icon and esteemed techno pioneer Laurent Garnier lines-ups for the first time playing an extended set . He is the artist behind the seminal Man With The Red Face anthem, runs the F Comms label. He is a multi faceted eclectic artist whose impact on the music scene is far reaching but above all he is a DJ, a true DJ and has played every major club and festival in the world while making the planet dance for  the last 30 years. Laurent Garnier at Moovin Festival just feels very special!

There is once again a strong d&b show at Moovin with none other than Metalheadz founder and scene pioneer Goldie playing a special show with a full live orchestra that is sure to blow your mind. One of the best mic men in the game in Manchester’s DRS will also be on stage to drop his deeply profound bars with a full band in support. He has been on records with all the greats such as Calibre, Marcus Intalex, Lynx, LTJ Bukem, Icicle and LSB so do not miss. Moovin resident Micky Finn plus the iconic Kenny Ken plus a host of local and upcoming bass heavy acts also play.

Hip hop legend Big Daddy Kane is one of the most requested and talked about acts to perform on the Barn Stage so makes a welcome return to do it all again this year. Other hip hop royalty to play include Chali 2Una from the iconic US outfit Jurassic5, plus local heroes and new school innovators Children of Zeus. 

Funk fans will be glad to hear that 6 Music tastemaker Craig Charles is back again this year, while anything goes when Mr Scruff digs deep into his vast collection. Expect on point world music, jazz and broken beat from the one and only Gilles Peterson, while Massive Attack’s Daddy G also drops plenty of beat-based knowledge and the hugely influential New Yorker Todd Terry serves up one of his house masterclasses.

Then there is the unequalled David Holmes who is famed for his left of centre mix of trip hop, big beat, electronic and rock, plus breakout Manchester star Anthony Szmierek who is a firm 6 Music favourite and introspective poet /hip-hop talent is certainly a name to watch out for plus the turn of Mungo’s HiFi with Eva Lazarus and the one and only Jamaican dancehall DJ and singer Sister Nancy. 

Breaks are well represented by pioneers Stanton Warriors, Plump DJs, Jaguar Skills, Krafty Kuts and Freestylers, and old school house comes from Hacienda Graeme Park while DJ Paulette, who also played the famous club and recently got a lifetime achievement award from DJ Mag, also lines-ups for an irresistible day of music.

​​All this with a focus on new and upcoming talent aswell as the best locals and off the scale performers randomness and surprises helps makes Moovin a very special festival indeed

The clock is now ticking so get Moovin on your tickets because you don’t want to miss this.