AycLive 2024: Hundreds of music lovers flock to festival

Crowds of dancing families lapped up the atmosphere at OakLeaf Sports Field, in Newton Aycliffe, on Saturday (July 27) as the popular jam-packed festival got underway for another year. 

The event - headlined by You To Me Are Everything hitmakers Real Thing -  drew even more crowds than the 2023 instalment, with pictures showing hoards of festival-goers dancing the day and night away. 

From a silent disco to entertainers on stilts, attendees were treated to an array of entertainment across the day while the main stage hosted tribute bands including the Jukebox Vandals and 70s rock band The Turtle Z's. 

There may have been spots of rain throughout the afternoon, but it didn't let families stop having fun, with plenty packing their ponchos, umbrellas, and coats for when the sun was covered over by grey clouds. 

Ashley Scott, 41, said the event had been "great" 

" I literally live just down the road and it's been good to get everyone together, and to see people you haven't seen in years."

Claire Brischuk, 42, said she was impressed, saying there was "a lot more here than last year".

Ashley Scott (middle) and Claire Brischuk (right) at AycLive (Image: THE NORTHERN ECHO)

She said: "The music is very varied too. It's brilliant, there are people of all different ages and people have come out even in the rain!" 

Festival-goer Wayne agreed, saying there was "lots more to do" at the event this year. The 48-year-old dad said: "The music has been great and it's been great getting everyone together. 

"There is a lot more here than last year... the only thing is the weather. But everyone came out anyway - it's a shame it ends at 11pm! 

"It's nice to see people and to get to see people you don't see for months on end. Hopefully, they can do it every year!"

Faye Stephenson said it was a "nice atmosphere" at the event, having only moved to Newton Aycliffe six months ago. "It's nice to see so many people," she said. 

Also in attendance was Katherine Buckley, who was with her husband, two children, and parents. The 42-year-old said: "I think it's really good. 

"It's nice to see everyone and to get back together again, especially after how hard the last few years have been. It's definitely getting more popular - and it's definitely busier than last year." 

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Co-organiser Paul Howarth, who runs the event with Stu McLean, told The Northern Echo backstage that so long as the community supports AycLive, he can see the event continuing for years and years to come. 

He said: "The day has been fantastic. There has been a disappointing few showers but we live in England and you expect these things!

"We are up on numbers from last year and year after year we hope to get bigger and bigger. We want the locals to support us and if they support us, we are happy to continue this annually."