Confessional Returns Home: 10 Years of Music Magic in Blackburn’s Holy Trinity Church

Photo Credit: Alex Borg, The Stereo Typist

Confessional is back and is ready to deliver a weekend full of hard-hitting tunes and unforgettable performances, including Freak Slug, Gaol Bird, and Secret Night Gang. Best of all, it’s celebrating its 10th anniversary in the very place where it all began back in 2015 – the Holy Trinity Church in Blackburn. Don’t know what Confessional is? Well, I’m here to get you fully clued up and ready for this year’s spectacular event.

Let’s start at the beginning, shall we? In 2015, Blackburn resident Pete Eastwood, the mastermind behind Confessional, hosted a one-day music festival in the Holy Trinity Church. The event was such a huge success that the festival soon became an annual tradition. Bands, including Red Rum Club, Calva Louise, Brooke Combe and Rianne Downey joined future line-ups as the festival grew in size, both drawing in larger crowds and attracting bands eager to be part of the festival’s growing legacy. Since 2015, Confessional has hosted five festivals at the Holy Trinity Church and two at The Exchange in Blackburn. Two Confessional Takeover events have also been held at The Drummers Arms and The Crypt at Blackburn Cathedral.

Anticipation was high for the line-up announcement this year – the festival’s 10th anniversary event – and the question on everyone’s lips was… who would headline such a big occasion? Not just on the Friday, but the Saturday too?

The Confessional team certainly had the answer, and on the 4^th of July, announced the line-up – receiving praise from fans and bands alike with good reason.

Friday’s line-up consists of some serious local talent, from the alt force of nature that is Ugly Club, to the DIY garage/pop quintet British Birds. It’s certainly going to be a first night to remember. 

Supporting a larger second day of talent on the Saturday, we kick off with the experimental industrial-punk Material Goods, who have been making huge waves recently. They were even added to the Ones to Watch 2025 playlist by BBC Introducing at the end of last year. A great starter for the day!

Also on the bill is the alt-rock spectacular, Freak Slug, who will most certainly have the room at her mercy. But don’t ask me. Ask the people who have streamed music over 70 million times! A must-see! 

So… who are the team members looking forward to? I got the chance to ask a couple of them recently:

‘I’m really excited to see Gaol Bird this year! I’ve watched some of the members perform before when they were part of Cabbage, which we’ve actually had on in the past. I’ve always loved their energy and attitude when I had the opportunity to see them as Cabbage. Based on how they performed in the past, I think we will get something really special!’ – Team Confessional member.

‘Tough one, but I’d say I’m most looking forward to Freak Slug – she’s had some serious acclaim lately with so many million streams, so it’s really exciting to have her on the line-up. Also really buzzing for Gaol Bird – with so many ex-Cabbage members involved, I think they’re going to bring some proper raucous energy to the stage!’ – Team Confessional member.

‘Definitely Gaol Bird. I have a cabbage-shaped hole in my heart after they disbanded. Seeing the front man back with this new outfit should be something special. The Untold Orchestra are an incredible 7-piece band to look forward to and should really finish the weekend off on a high, playing nothing but big tunes and floorfillers!’ – Team Confessional member.

It’s clear that the team are very passionate about their line-up and the festival as a whole. And why shouldn’t they? Confessional is more than just a grassroots music and arts festival; it’s been a main staple for the town of Blackburn over these last ten years, run by a team full of genuine care and passion for live music. 

The two-day festival kicks off on the 12^th of September and weekend tickets are available for £20 – an absolute steal.

See you all there!