Unforgettable Moments, Record Crowds, made Ayclive 2025 the North East’s Best Party Yet . . .
What an unforgettable third year it turned out to be! Once again, Newton Aycliffe became the beating heart of live music 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
Audience members flocked to OakLeaf Sports Field on Friday 25th and Saturday 26th July for the two-day extravaganza. Soaking up the atmosphere at Ayclive’s 2025 edition, crowds smashing our previous attendance records, with nearly 2000 people joining us for Saturday’s main event alone – the biggest turnout yet! And, coming from all corners of the UK as well as a couple from California, USA.
Friday Night Kicks Off in Style
This year, Ayclive burst into life early with an electrifying Friday night opener from 6pm to 11pm, the field pulsed with excitement as Clubland Reborn brought their iconic dance anthems to the headline slot, keeping hundreds 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.
A Musical Journey Through the Ages
The main stage line up, proudly sponsored by Primex UK, provided a seamless stream of entertainment, 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 staff.
As the day unfolded, the legendary Merseybeat group, The Fourmost, transported the audience back to the 60s with their timeless hits; Skaboom UK turned up the tempo, igniting the festival with their infectious ska rhythms. 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 BritPop 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 Riddle”, “Don Quixote” and “I Am 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 very own Cassandra Bowtell treating the Circus Disco Tent to two fantastic performances on Saturday. It’s a core Ayclive mission to showcase home grown 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 local and international drinks. 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 inspires 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), Primex Plastics (main stage sponsor), McDonald’s, Newton Aycliffe (VIP sponsor), Securicorp (security provider), Newton News ClearBrew (bar), Kingswood Group, Ashcourt Group, Gestamp, Livin, Great Aycliffe & Middridge Partnership, Aycliffe Town Centre, Great Aycliffe Town Council, Holiday Inn Darlington, Newton Press, INEOS, 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, 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.