The British Country Music Festival is leaving Blackpool after seven years and will return in 2027 with a new name, a new home in Manchester and an expanded programme designed to put songwriters and music discovery at its heart.
Organisers Martin and Marina Blore have announced that the festival will become Song City, the UK & International Country and Americana Festival, launching at Manchester Central from 27–29 August 2027.
The move marks the end of an era for The British Country Music Festival, which has become closely associated with Blackpool’s Winter Gardens and has built a reputation for showcasing homegrown country, Americana and roots artists alongside international performers.
The 2026 event, held earlier this month, was the final edition under The British Country Music Festival name and the last to take place in Blackpool.
In announcing the change to supporters, the organisers described it as “a new chapter” while stressing that the team and the principles behind the festival will remain.
“Same values, same team, more stages, more catering options, and enhanced VIP packages.”
From Blackpool to Manchester
Song City will take over Manchester Central, the landmark former railway station in the heart of the city, giving the festival another large Victorian indoor setting while significantly changing its surroundings.
For a festival which has increasingly positioned original songwriting and artist discovery at the centre of its identity, the organisers see Manchester’s musical heritage as an important part of the move.
They said songwriters involved with the festival were “very excited” about relocating to a city internationally recognised for its contribution to music.
The new location also places the festival within Manchester’s extensive public transport network, while organisers say information about accommodation and travel packages will be provided to existing festival supporters in the coming weeks.
More stages and more than 100 artists
The change goes considerably further than simply relocating the existing festival.
Plans announced for the inaugural Song City include four stages and more than 100 artists, with the event described as a music discovery festival championing UK and international country, Americana and roots singer-songwriters.
Manchester Central’s Central Hall will become the main stage, while a new theatre will provide a home for acoustic performances.
There will also be fringe events and showcases around the festival, alongside dance classes and immersive experiences. The entire main festival will remain indoors, continuing one of the practical advantages familiar to regular attendees of the Blackpool event.
Organisers are also promising an expanded VIP offering, including a dedicated VIP lounge, while the venue will provide a mixture of tiered, cabaret-style, standing and dancing options across its different spaces.
Weekend ticket holders will be able to leave and return during the festival.
Song City 2027 at a glance
Where: Manchester Central, Manchester
When: 27–29 August 2027
Music: UK and international country, Americana and roots
Stages: Four
Artists: More than 100 planned
Main stage: Central Hall
Also planned: Acoustic stage, showcases, fringe events, dance classes and immersive experiences
Songwriters Expo: 25–26 August 2027
Songwriters Expo added ahead of the festival
Perhaps the biggest expansion of the concept comes before Song City itself begins.
Manchester Central will host a new Songwriters Expo on 25 and 26 August, immediately preceding the three-day festival.
Unlike Song City, the Expo will not be restricted to country and Americana. It is being developed for independent songwriters working across all genres and is intended to help artists understand and navigate the modern music industry.
That initiative builds upon an element which has long distinguished The British Country Music Festival: its emphasis on original singer-songwriters rather than concentrating solely on established headline names.
“The songwriters remain at the heart of our festival,” Martin and Marina said in announcing the move.
The combination effectively creates five consecutive days of songwriter-focused activity at Manchester Central, beginning with the industry-facing Expo before moving into the country and Americana festival.
The end of the Blackpool chapter
For regular festival-goers, leaving Blackpool will inevitably represent a substantial change.
The British Country Music Festival has spent seven years developing its identity at the Winter Gardens, with the historic building and its collection of performance spaces becoming part of the character of the weekend itself.
Organisers acknowledged that some supporters will be sorry to see that relationship end, but say they hope the move will allow the event to grow while retaining the atmosphere and support for independent artists established during its Blackpool years.
They are also inviting festival-goers to suggest both previous performers they would like to see return and artists who have yet to appear at the event.
The first Song City line-up has not yet been announced but “Founders” tickets are now on sale.
What is already clear is that this is being positioned as much more than The British Country Music Festival transplanted to another city. With a new identity, four-stage format, more than 100 artists planned and the addition of a two-day Songwriters Expo, 2027 will begin a markedly different chapter for one of the established events on the UK country and Americana festival calendar.
