HIT South Cumbrian all-dayer DogFest is set to return in the August bank holiday weekend.

By Karl Steel ( email )

The fifth instalment of The Black Dog pub's popular event promises to be the biggest so far, and tickets are already being snapped up.

The venue, between Dalton and Ireleth, includes an outdoor stage, and bars both inside and outside, with the opposite field now set aside for parking.


Beckah Llloyd of Shallow Waters A line-up, packed with the finest local talents, covers a wide variety of genres, from psychedelic rock to acoustic folk, while there will be, as ever, an enviable line-up of real ales on offer.

Acts so far confirmed to appear include well-established blues band Admiral Jellicoe, with top Barrow rock covers acts the Sun Kings and Orinoco featuring highly on the bill.

Talented young trio Serene will be showcasing their self-penned material, which echoes legendary bands such as Pink Floyd and Led Zeppelin, with pop punk upstarts Fight For Friday, and highly-rated outfit The Shapes are the best of the up-and-coming bands on the bill.
Jamie Bosanko

Experienced blues band The Blue Lakes, unplugged folk act Shallow Waters, Paper Cranes' Jon Dawes, acoustic duo Mac and Sam, and solo artist Jamie Bosanko are the other names already announced.

Landlady Christine Corkhill says: "We're really excited about this year's DogFest, and a lot of effort has gone into making this the biggest and best one yet.

"We have live music every week, but DogFest is the big one for us, so of course I'm looking forward to it."

The outdoor stage will be put to the test the Friday before, with respected local covers act Shed Sessions playing a warm-up show for DogFest, playing a set of classic tracks from across the eras.

DogFest returns on Sunday August 28, running from noon until 11pm. This year there will be off-road parking, a tented "chill zone", picnic areas, a bottle bar, and a burger shack, alongside the pub's usual set-up.

Tickets are available now from The Black Dog.