6 Gigs Worth Catching in Lancashire This Weekend

Looking for live music this weekend? There’s plenty happening across Lancashire and just over the border, with original bands, grassroots shows, tribute nights and a few very different options depending on what you’re after.

Here are six gigs worth having on your radar from Friday 21 to Sunday 23 August 2026.

1. King Zepha — Vinyl Tap, Preston Friday 21 August King Zepha heads to Vinyl Tap in Preston on Friday night, bringing a mix of ska, rocksteady, jump blues and upbeat live energy. The show runs from 7:30pm until 11pm, with the performance due to start at around 9pm. Venue: Vinyl Tap, Preston Doors: 7:30pm | Performance: 9pm | Age: 18+ Tickets: £10 plus booking fee

2. Pretty Shivers + Beth Blade — The Bureau, Blackburn Saturday 22 August Blackburn Gigs hosts another grassroots night at The Bureau on Saturday, with Pretty Shivers joined by Beth Blade. The show runs from 7pm until 11pm, with tickets available from £5. It’s a strong option for anyone wanting to catch original music in a smaller independent setting rather than a traditional tribute or covers night. Venue: The Bureau, Exchange Street, Blackburn Time: 7pm–11pm | Tickets: From £5

3. Pretty Green: A Tribute to The Jam — The Sound Lounge, Darwen Saturday 22 August Fans of The Jam can head to The Sound Lounge in Darwen on Saturday for Pretty Green, performing two sets built around the band’s back catalogue. Doors open at 7:30pm, with the live show expected to begin at around 8:30pm. Venue: The Sound Lounge, Darwen Doors: 7:30pm | Performance: 8:30pm | Age: 18+

4. Zephyr — Speakeasy, Skipton Saturday 22 August Lancashire indie-rock covers outfit Zephyr make the trip over to Skipton on Saturday night for a live set at Speakeasy. Their set pulls heavily from the indie and alternative side of the 90s and 2000s, with songs from the likes of Oasis, Arctic Monkeys, Nirvana, The Fratellis, The Clash and more. Expect big choruses, familiar guitar tunes and the sort of set built for a busy Saturday-night crowd. Venue: Speakeasy, Skipton Date: Saturday 22 August | Time: 9pm

5. Korn Again — The Continental, Preston Saturday 22 August For anyone wanting something considerably heavier, Korn Again head to The Continental in Preston on Saturday. The Korn tribute act recreates material from across the nu-metal band’s catalogue and offers one of the weekend’s heavier alternatives to the indie, rock and tribute shows elsewhere in the county. Venue: The Continental, Preston Date: Saturday 22 August (Check the venue or ticket listing for the latest support and running-order information before heading down.)

6. The ELO Encounter — Blackburn Empire Theatre Sunday 23 August Sunday night sees The ELO Encounter bring the music of Electric Light Orchestra to Blackburn Empire Theatre. The show starts at 7:30pm and runs until around 9:30pm, with doors opening an hour before the performance. At the time of writing, the show is sold out, although Blackburn Empire is operating a waiting list for returned tickets. Venue: Blackburn Empire Theatre Doors: 6:30pm | Show: 7:30pm Status: Sold out — waiting list available

Something for pretty much everyone: From grassroots original music in Blackburn to ska in Preston, indie rock in Skipton and full-scale tribute shows in Darwen and Blackburn, there’s no shortage of places to catch live music this weekend. And if there’s a gig we’ve missed, North West Noise wants to hear about it! Bands, venues and promoters can submit upcoming shows to be included in our What’s On guide.