Ayclive Festival 2025

Ayclive Festival 2025: Unforgettable Moments, Record Crowds & the North East’s Best Party Yet

Ayclive 2025 has come and gone, but what an unforgettable third year it turned out to be! Once again, Newton Aycliffe became the beating heart of live music in the North East as thousands of festival-goers came together for a weekend packed with unforgettable performances, joyful memories, and boundless energy.

A Record-Breaking Weekend for Ayclive

What an incredible weekend it was! From Newcastle to Hartlepool, Middlesbrough to Darlington, Bishop Auckland to every corner of County Durham—fans flocked to OakLeaf Sports Field on Friday 25th and Saturday 26th July for our two-day festival extravaganza. Soaking up the atmosphere at Ayclive’s 2025, crowds smashed our previous attendance records, with 2,000 people joining us for Saturday’s main event alone—the biggest turnout yet! The energy on the field was incredible all weekend. We’re so grateful to our amazing festival family for making it our best year ever.

Friday Night Kicks THE WEEKEND Off in Style

This year, Ayclive burst into life early with an electrifying Friday night opener. Running from 6pm to 11pm, the field pulsed with excitement as Clubland Reborn brought their iconic dance anthems to the headline slot, keeping hundreds of fans bouncing late into the evening. Kicking things off, some of the North East’s most popular resident DJs, Martin Guy, DJ Gibson, and Nathan Abbott warmed up the crowd, spinning classics and underground hits that had the festival buzzing from the very first beat. Friday evening, we again welcomed all party people aged 14 and over—resulting in a lively, welcoming, and safe introduction to the festival weekend.

SATURDAY : A Musical Journey Through the Ages

The main stage lineup at Ayclive 2025, proudly sponsored by Primex Plastex UK, provided a seamless stream of entertainment, reaffirming the festival’s reputation as one of the North East’s most anticipated live music events. The Overthinkers opened the day with just the right energy, setting a lively tone that carried through every performance. Tamla Allstars followed, filling the air with classic soul and Motown grooves and delighting both fans and fellow performers. The band themselves commented on the warmth of the crowd and the outstanding welcome from organisers, sound crew, and backstage staff.

As the day unfolded, the legendary Merseybeat group The Fourmost transported audiences back to the swinging 60s with their timeless hits, while Skaboom UK turned up the tempo, igniting the festival with their infectious ska rhythms. Next, That’s So 90’s had everyone on their feet, dancing and reliving some of the decade’s most memorable tunes. Kaiser Monkey Killers then delivered a high-energy tribute to iconic British indie bands, further electrifying the atmosphere. The day reached another high as The Breakfast Club, returning by popular demand, showed once more why they are perennial crowd favourites, ensuring the celebration continued until the very last note.

The excitement reached a fever pitch as Nik Kershaw took to the stage to headline Saturday night, sending the crowd wild with classics like “I Won’t Let the Sun Go Down on Me,” “Wouldn’t It Be Good,” and “The One and Only.”

Community, Colour, and Family Fun

But Ayclive is about much more than music. Across the festival grounds, families enjoyed a vibrant array of activities—from silent discos and circus workshops to face painting, glitter stations, fairground rides, and majestic stilt walkers. There was something for everyone and plenty for young festival-goers to explore while parents relaxed and soaked in the atmosphere.

Local talent shone brightly this year, with Newton Aycliffe’s own Cassandra Bowtell treating the Circus Disco Tent to two fantastic performances on Saturday. It’s a core Ayclive mission to showcase homegrown artists and inspire the next generation of musicians and performers, keeping the spirit of live music thriving in our community.

Eats, Drinks, and Festival Comforts

Ayclive festival-goers were spoiled for choice with an eclectic and delicious range of food vans, tasty treats, and a bar kept brimming with an array of drink choices. Many guests commented on how well-stocked, friendly, and efficient the service was this year, with an extra shout out for the bar staff who kept smiling through it all.

Praise also poured in for the spotless facilities, dedicated security teams, and the unsung heroes—our army of volunteers—who ensured everyone felt welcome, safe, and informed throughout the event. Their hard work and passion are what make the festival experience so smooth and enjoyable for all.

The Heartbeat: You, the Crowd

None of this would be possible without the energy, warmth, and support of the Ayclive crowd. The feedback already flooding social media makes it all worthwhile. Just a handful of the comments we’ve received:

“Thank you for a brilliant day yesterday. Was my first Ayclive and I’ll definitely be back next year.” – Maria

“We had a fantastic time both Friday and Saturday. Thank you for another excellent event, looking forward to next year already!” – Sarah

“Fantastic day and very well organised, big shout out to all the bar staff who kept smiling in what must have been a long day for them!!! Looking forward to coming for a third time next year!” – Don

It’s your laughter, your dance moves, and the joy you bring to the field that fuel this event and inspire us to keep raising the bar.

A Huge Thank You to Our Friends of the Festival

Of course, none of what makes Ayclive so special would be possible without the unwavering support of our incredible sponsors. Their generosity allows us to bring world-class acts, keep ticket prices fair, and invest in the facilities and experiences that matter most to our community. From helping us light up the stage to ensuring families from across the North East can make lasting memories together, our sponsors are true partners in making the magic of Ayclive happen each year. We are deeply grateful for their commitment—not just to Ayclive, but to the growth of live music and community spirit in Newton Aycliffe and beyond.

If you enjoyed every note, smile, and shared moment this weekend, please join us in showing a little love to the amazing local businesses and organisations who help bring the music and magic to life, including Husqvarna (main event sponsor), Prime X Plastics (main stage sponsor), McDonald’s Newton Aycliffe (VIP sponsor), Securicorp (security sponsor), Clear Brew, Kingswood Group, Ashcourt Group, Gestamp Aycliffe, Livin, Great Aycliffe & Middridge Partnership (GAMP), Aycliffe Town Centre, Great Aycliffe Town Council, Holiday Inn Darlington – North A1M, Jct.59, Newton Press, INEOS Newton Aycliffe, Aycliffe Radio, Bewick Pharmacy, Northumbrian Water, whose contributions form the backbone of this festival’s success.

Looking Ahead: Bigger, Bolder, Better in 2026

As we close the book on Ayclive 2025, our eyes are already on the future. We’re committed to making each year bigger and better—bringing in even more unforgettable acts, bigger crowds, and new surprises for loyal festival-goers and newcomers alike.

Don’t miss out—follow us on social media for all the latest photos, band highlights, and news, sign up to our email list on the homepage to be first in the know about Ayclive 2026, early bird tickets, and special offers, and help us keep the Ayclive spirit alive by spreading the word to your friends and festival crew.

THANK YOU for another year of memories, music, and magic. We truly couldn’t do it without you—and can’t wait to see you all again in 2026!

Book Your Tickets Now

You know the vibe. The incredible atmosphere, the non-stop fun, the great people. We’re working hard behind the scenes to make Ayclive 2026 our best event yet. If you’ve got the worm, you can grab your ticket for the very lowest possible price. There’s only a limited number available, so be quick!