Whitehaven Alive made the harbour become an epicentre of musical delight with iconic performances and an ‘electric atmosphere.

The Whitehaven Alive Festival, which unfolded between September 8 and 10, brought an electrifying wave of music, nostalgia, and community spirit to this picturesque coastal town. The festival was a three-day extravaganza, featuring a diverse lineup of artists spanning multiple genres, and it was nothing short of a resounding success.

Kicking off the festivities on Friday, Whitehaven Harbor became the epicentre of musical delight as Sophie Ellis-Bextor and Tinie Tempah took the stage as the headliners.

Sophie Ellis-Bextor, the British pop sensation, took time to explore the market stalls on the harbour and when asked what she thought of the town, she said: “Whitehaven is beautiful, absolutely stunning.”

She made sure to express her admiration of the area to the audience during her performance. Her set was nothing short of lively, and it reached its pinnacle with the iconic 2001 hit, “Murder On The Dancefloor.”

Meanwhile, Tinie Tempah, despite a slight delay due to traffic, made an unforgettable entrance. The crowd erupted as “Written In The Stars” filled the air, a moment etched in the memory of all who were present.

Saturday was another incredible day of music, featuring Jake Bugg and The Vaccines as the headlining acts. Danny Dunnery, The Northern Threads, and Tribes offered their support, captivating the audience with their indie melodies.

Danny Dunnery’s recent EP, released just days before the festival, struck a chord with the crowd. The Northern Threads, beloved by the town, drew in a growing throng of enthusiastic fans.

Jake Bugg’s performance was a dynamic blend of acoustic and electric sounds, taking the audience on a journey through classic indie tunes and his own hits, including the iconic “Trouble Town,” known as the theme song for “Happy Valley.”

The Vaccines, on the other hand, sent the crowd into a frenzy with their timeless hit, “If You Wanna,” drawing thousands to the Mitie main stage for an unforgettable night of indie rock.

Sunday transported festivalgoers back in time to the disco era of the 70s, with a lineup that included Boney M, The Real Thing, and Bjorn Again. These legendary acts had the audience grooving to their timeless hits, invoking an era of glittering disco balls and dancefloor magic.

Of course, Boney M performed “Rasputin”, since becoming a TikTok favourite, something everyone was looking forward to and Bjorn Again had everyone dancing with all the ABBA hits.

The Whitehaven Alive Festival not only celebrated the power of music but also united the community in a celebration of culture and creativity.

Thousands flocked to the festival, including FLYNT’s lead signer, Emma Dockeray, who told The Herdwick News: “The atmosphere in the town has been electric all weekend, it’s been amazing.”

She also commented a stand-out performance for her was The Northern Threads.

As the festival came to a close, it left a lasting impression on everyone fortunate enough to be part of this unforgettable weekend.