Written by: Jack Connor
Date: 22nd August 2025

Nestival is the absolute pinnacle of the year for Brindle Distillery and Cuckoo Gin fans! Three days jam-packed with local live music, tasty eats, and incredible drinks.

Being honest, my first thought in writing this is simply to say a huge thank you to everyone who made the event so special. To the thousands of customers who came down to dance, drink, sing, and eat. To our Friends of the Nest vendors who provided bakes, sweet treats, gifting bits, and the much-needed coffee! To our sponsors who ensured the event ran smoothly—providing glassware, wristbands, bins, and so many other parts that don’t go unnoticed. And finally, to our team: your effort was exceptional. You put our Nestival customers first, providing top-quality service and drinks, all with smiles on your faces.

For us, Nestival doesn’t begin a week before—it starts a full year out. The planning of artists, bands, stock, tables, chairs, stages, speakers… countless hours, days, and weeks go into an event that lasts only three days. But honestly, we wouldn’t have it any other way. Why? Because we care so much about what we’re creating for our community. We want every single person walking through the gates to have the best possible experience—and to leave with pride that something so special is happening right on their doorstep.

On a personal level, I can’t put into words how much Nestival truly means to us. It’s the event that brings together everything we think is great about our venue. To host a three-day music and gin festival on a farm in the middle of Brindle is something I’ll forever cherish. And this is only the beginning of what will become a phenomenal event for years to come.

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Day 0 – Thursday

Thursday is so special to me. Nobody else might think it, but this is Day 0: the day when everything happens and nothing happens. It’s the day we prepare to hit it hard on Friday. Our final team meeting takes place, the atmosphere is calm yet full of anticipation, and all of the year’s hard work pulls together.

It’s also the day the beer gets tapped and the cocktails get shaken—so our team gets to enjoy a drink before the big weekend begins.

Locking up at 8pm as the sun set was a real moment of reflection—thinking about how far we’ve come since the very first Nestival, the very first Nest Night, and all the incredible events we’ve hosted since. Each year we learn, improve, and refine. By Thursday night, we were ready to serve, raring to go, and buzzing with excitement.

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Day 1 – Friday

Friday marked the true start of an unforgettable weekend. The morning brought moody skies, drizzle, and even the threat of a storm. But by 12pm, when the doors opened, the sun shone and the drinks flowed.

We kicked things off with local acoustic duo Duckworth and Duprez—beautiful tones to set the mood. Next came Wigan lads Tom Byrom and Andy Mack, both debuting at Nestival and both guaranteed to be back in 2026 after blowing us away.

The perfect 6:15pm slot belonged to Connor Banks and Aiden Grey on piano. Country anthems mixed with floor-fillers brought the energy up before Jake Heaton stormed the stage. The dancefloor was full and buzzing.

Then came our headliner: the incredible Jonny Oates and his band. From Dolly Parton to Tracy Chapman to Luke Combs, the cowboy hats were out, the line dancing was in full swing, and Friday closed on a high.

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Day 2 – Saturday

A huge shoutout to the volunteers who turned up bright and early to litter-pick and reset the site—you’re absolute legends.

Fuel came in the form of one of the best things I’ve ever eaten: a pizza sandwich from Fratellis. Alongside Fratellis, MELD and Jimmy from the renowned Nasi Lemak served up amazing street food to keep everyone going.

Music started strong with Liz Long, Alex Johnson, Steven Nicholson, and Steven Walton with his epic guitar solos, before Deep Down Brass roamed the farm with their tuba, sax, trumpet, and drums, surprising and delighting the crowd. Paddy Slater and Pals followed—though he admitted to being nervous, you’d never have guessed. They absolutely smashed it, and the crowd loved every moment.

Headlining the night, the infamous Under the Covers Band delivered 90s and 00s classics, keeping everyone dancing until late.

Meanwhile, our wine collab with Elisa from Morr Wines was such a hit that we were nearly sold out by 11pm! And for those who made it into the hidden rave room—what a vibe! DJ Steven Nicholson kept the party going while we reset for Sunday.

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Day 3 – Sunday (sponsored by Bowker MINI)

Sunday was, without doubt, one of my personal highlights. After the overwhelming success of Friday and Saturday, the rain poured down—but spirits were high. Once again, our volunteer litter-pickers braved the weather and kept things spotless.

Sunday was all about the kids: mini golf, silent discos, and Disney singalongs. Seeing the joy on so many young faces was priceless. One highlight was Rachael Green leading singalongs—not just Disney hits but 00s classics and even a Jet2 advert jingle! You truly never know what to expect at Nestival.

A massive thank you to Bowker MINI for sponsoring the day. From the MINI silent disco to the treasure trail and showcasing their new cars, they brought fun for the kids and parents alike.

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Nestival 2025 was a phenomenal success. I honestly can’t put into words how eclectic and special this festival is. Trust me when I say this: 2026 will be even bigger and better—the planning has already begun.

See you on the yard.

Big love,
Jack and the Distillery Team x