Forget Glastonbury. Forget Reading. The real festival of the summer is happening in a pub garden just off the A5 near Towcester. And yes, it involves a trailer. Northampton’s own indie heroes, Rolling Thunder, are back for their fourth year running with their homegrown music fest — and they’re headlining. Again. Obviously.
“It’s quite self-indulgent,” laughs frontman Charlie Smith, “but yeah, fourth year headlining. Traditions, you know?”
Oh, and the joy of organising your own festival..
Listen to frontman Charlie Smith and bassist Joel Sweet talk festivals here.
A Stage Fit for Kings… Kind Of
This isn’t your polished, lanyard-waving, £8-a-pint type of festival. This is grit, graft, and a converted trailer in a pub car park. ‘Live by A5’ festival will be held in the garden of Peggotty’s Pub in Towcester and it’s giving the town something to shout about.
“We get the trailer in on the Friday and all the pub regulars chip in — setting up the stage, sorting cables, hanging fairy lights. It’s proper community vibes,” says Joel. “It’s all about the locals. Most of the bands are up-and-coming, young and hungry. It’s rough round the edges but it’s magic.”
The Line-Up: Indie, Heavy, and a Bit of U2
This year’s line-up is pure indie heaven with a dash of chaos. Kicking off around 4pm (yes, free entry, by the way), the bill includes:
- Headswitcher – heavy, loud, probably need earplugs.
- 2HD – older lads, pub circuit royalty, still bringing it.
- The Vandervalls – thumping indie hooks.
- Brut – recommended by another band, so that’s got to count for something.
- Lame – the pre-Rolling Thunder slot. Indie pop goodness.
- Even the covers band – we’re talking Talking Heads, U2… no Wonderwall in sight.
And after the music? Karaoke. Obviously.
Band Life: Glory, Graft and Guitarists on Holiday
It’s been a quiet spell recently, partly thanks to guitarist Ryan swanning off on a five-week holiday. “Selfish,” deadpans Charlie. “We were actually invited to the first round of the Godiva Festival in Coventry — Battle of the Bands thing but as Ryan wasn’t there we couldn’t take part. Gutted.
Before Ryan left, we hammered through some rehearsals. We’ve got a new song nearly ready for the festival. Also working on a new cover. No more Katy Perry. No one likes that. ”
Before Ryan’s sun-chasing sabbatical, the band had a strong run — supporting The Bluetones in London, playing in Nottingham and Sheffield. Now it’s back to the grind: writing new songs, studio time, and dreaming of Truck Festival slots.
Drummers, Jazz Phases, and Shoulder-Sitting Chaos
Do they ever fall out creatively?
“Not really,” says lead singer Charlie. “Josh the drummer is Harry’s cousin. He’s older. He had a phase where he wanted everything in half-time — like, jazzy? I was like mate, come on, just hit the drums like they owe you money.”
And what’s the vibe they’re chasing now?
“Used to be all fast, heavy stuff,” Charlie explains, “but we’re getting braver in the studio. More synths. Bit poppier. Bit dancey. But still can’t stop playing everything at a million miles an hour.”
Falco, Festival Dreams and The Day Jobs
I asked the lads who would be their dream headliner at Live by A5 festival. Joel doesn’t miss a beat:
“Dead or alive?”
He’s given free reign.
“Falco. Bring him back from the dead.”
Or “The Hives. Every time I see them live, it’s chaos. That’s what the spirit of Live by A5 is all about — just pure, sweaty fun. Jumping around, arms in the air, shoulder rides.”
Charlie chips in. “I’m just thinking American or Australian.
Joel buts in: “Michael Jackson.”
“Who’s going to sell the most tickets to our free event?”
And yep — the band all work 9-to-5 – we’re realists. “This is the hobby that we love. But we want it to go somewhere. We want to play proper festivals — Truck, Y Not, whatever. We did Silverstone for the MotoGP — biggest stage yet. I think it suited Rolling Thunder playing on the big stage.”
The Deets
- What? Live by A5 festival
- Where? Peggottys Lounge pub by the A5
- When? Friday 30 August, from 4pm
- How much? FREE ENTRY
- Headline set: 10–11pm
- Afterparty: Karaoke mayhem. Mic drops guaranteed.
So if you like your music local, loud and served with a pint of lager and a shot of pure joy, get yourself down to Peggottys Lounge. Who needs Glasto when you’ve got a trailer and a dream?
For futher details’ check out Rolling Thunder’s facebook page: