Click Here

to listen live now
(opens new page)

About (FAQs)

Friends of Mine began as a club night for new bands and singer-songwriters in Manchester, England, in 2004. FOM rapidly gained a cult following, putting on shows at nearly every venue in the city, and by 2009 there were residencies in Liverpool and London. In 2011 FOM comes out from the underground to stage its first green field festival on 20th, 21st, 22nd May.

"With the festival being right on Manchester's doorstep and so many local acts - both big and small - being involved, it's the ideal opportunity to bring BBC Radio Manchester's two biggest celebrations of the area's sounds, Manchester Music and Introducing in Manchester, to the site to get involved.
We're looking forward to bringing a weekend of brilliant music to the people of Greater Manchester and beyond who aren't lucky enough to be in the field live." - Chris Long, Producer of BBC Introducing in Manchester

"THE big Manc music event of 2011 is shaping up to be Friends of Mine Festival. FOM promoters have already cemented their place in Manc affections - but with next May's inaugural Fomfest, they are effectively making the leap into Manc music immortality" - David Sue, Manchester Evening News, 30th Dec. 2010.

Add/Upgrade your booking
Want to Upgrade or Add to your existing booking click here!

Alcohol
There will be a minimum of five licensed bars on the Festival Site serving the full range of alcoholic beverages including hand-pulled real ale, all at reasonable prices.

Those attending are permitted to bring their alcohol for their own use onto the site provided there are no bottles.

Animals
No animals or pets of any kind will be allowed on site except for guide dogs.

Camping
General camping is located in Campsite 1. Disabled and VIP Camping is located in Campsite 2, in addition to further General Camping.

Hot Showers and segregated (male/female) toilets can be found in both campsites.

No fires or tin-foil BBQs are allowed. Camping Stoves and BBQs with legs are permitted.

Camp Closure
The campsites must be emptied by 1pm Monday 23rd May.

Children
Two children aged 13 or under per supervising adult will be admitted free of charge. All children must be accompanied by an adult.

Disabled
There will be a designated disabled campsite, with showers, and toilets. We are committed to providing equal access to as many people as possible. Once you arrive at the site there will be designated parking for blue badge holders and those who may have mobility issues. This parking will be as close to the main arenas as possible. Whilst there are a number of pathways around the site, this is an outdoor event and some of the site is laid to grass - mobility scooters will be permitted on the site as will all types of wheelchair - you should come prepared for undulating terrain. At the main stage there will be a raised area for wheelchair users to ensure a view of the stage. This may be repeated at smaller arenas and stages, but this will be governed by space constraints. Our bars will include a lowered area for wheelchair users and our staff will be on hand all around the site to assist you with information and assistance as required

Lost Property
A lost property tent will be located next to the First Aid tent between arenas 1 & 2.

On-Site Facilities
There will be a minimum of 5 licensed bars, 15 food stall plus the Festaurant (a sit-down meal service brought to you by some of Manchester's finest restaurants), in addition to 40+ market stalls including a 24 hour Spar shop in each campsite.

Toilets and showers will be strictly segregated by stewards and in separate male and female locations.

Opening Times
The site opens at midday on Friday 20th May 2011 (when all concessions will also open), and must be emptied by 1pm Monday 23rd May.

The Main Stage runs 3pm Friday 20th - Midnight; Saturday Midday to Midnight; Sunday Midday to 11pm - with 3 additional stages running concurrently in addition to The Comedy Tent and The Houseparty.

Recycling
FOM Fest in partnership with Biffa waste aim to recycle 90% of all festival rubbish.

We're 100% Carbon neutral and 100% litter cleared from the land. Not so much as one crisp packet will enter landfill from Fomfest

VIP
The benefits of upgrading to VIP passes are:

VIP Parking - exclusive queue-free access and departure
Access to VIP Camping Area - separated and stewarded from the main campsites, and more spacious.
Unfettered Lake and Hall Views
Festibarrows transportation of all luggage from Car to campsite - details to follow
Exclusive access to lakeside VIP Champagne Lounge
Free Programme

Smoking
Outdoors only. No smoking in any indoor arena, bar, marquee etc.

Transport
Car - The A34 runs past the site directly from the M6 and from Manchester. Full address: Capesthorne Hall, Siddington, Cheshire, Sk119JS. Ample parking will be provided on-site but must be purchased through www.fomfest.com in advance.

Train - Shuttle Buses will operate from Macclesfield Station. Return Bus shuttle tickets priced £9.50 must be purchased in advance.

What to Bring?
As a minimum, we suggest: Tent, Sleeping Bag, Warm and Cold weather clothes, Sun Cream, Waterproofs and wellies, sun hat and glasses.

Most items can be purchased on site.

Work at the Festival?
Please contact sam@fomfest.com

Local Accommodation
Macclesfield is 5 minutes from the festival site.

For a great list of accommodation try this great link: http://www.iknow-northwest.co.uk/chester_cheshire/macclesfield/all_prices/all_types/all_specialities/

Artist?Want to play at FOM FEST 2011?

Click below for a chance to get on stage! Sorry this now finished

"Do you have caravans for hire? I don't fancy towing one!"
or "I want to come,but I hate camping.Is there a more comfortable alternative?"

You can hire a caravan from Bingo Caravans who are onsite during the festival providing a much more luxurious festival experience.

Make a booking with Bingo Caravans for Friends of Mine festival and you can just turn up- your caravan will be ready and waiting.

Bingo Caravans was started because although the owners really enjoyed festivals, they know what makes them hard work. The simple comforts of a caravan with running water, a roof, a stove and beds will make Friends of Mine a more comfortable experience.

All the caravans are equipped with bedding, kitchen equipment, gas bottles, 20 litre solar showers and chemical toilets.

Visit their website to choose your caravan and make your booking now!

Charity

Friends of Mine is proud to announce Trekstock as our principle Charity partner. Trekstock engages with young people by fundraising through fashion and music and donates its profits in support of Cancer Research UK's research into cancers that affect children and teenagers. Trekstock aims to raise awareness of cancer in young people, ensure young people with cancer get the information they need about their disease and raise money to help fund specific research into the cancers which specifically affect this age group.

Trekstock was founded in 2006 and since then has raised thousands of pounds and awareness for young people with cancer through one-off collaborations in music and fashion, with national PR in titles such as Vogue, Elle, Grazia, Cosmo NME, Sunday Times Style, Time Out, The Daily Mail and invaluable support from world famous artists and celebrities; Katy Perry, Kings of Leon, Oasis, Alan Carr, to name a but a few!

Registered Charity No. 1132421