THE FERRET is 20!

"The Ferret is 20!" is a series of special events celebrating 20 years of The Ferret in Preston. Between May & August, we'll be presenting a series of shows featuring some of our favourite artists from around the world - as well as grassroots artists from the across the North West & around the UK.

AND, thanks to public funding by Arts Council England, this series of shows will all be FREE ENTRY &/or very low-cost. Our aim is to encourage more people to experience world-class live music in the intimate setting of The Ferret.

We'll be asking you to tell a friend, invite someone who has never been to The Ferret, invite someone who loves live music but hasn't been to a gig in yonks, maybe invite someone who doesn't even realise what's right on their doorstep.

HOME COUNTIES

One of the UK’s most inventive new bands.

+ ONE DIMENSIONAL CREATURES
Calder Valley Alt-Rock // Post-Punk

+ FACE ACHE
Preston Alt-Pop

Friday 14th August 2026

Doors 7pm

The Ferret, Preston

FIRST 50 TICKETS ARE COMPLETELY FREE OF CHARGE!
Then just £5 per ticket (while stocks last).

Claim your free tickets here:

Capacity is limited, so grab a FREE TICKET now to guarantee entry. PLEASE only take as many tickets as you need - if you need to return any tickets, please let us know so other Ferret Friends can use them.

Supported using public funding by Arts Council England.

>>> HOME COUNTIES

Home Counties return with their second album Humdrum (Submarine Cat Records), a sharp, dance-driven evolution produced by Al Doyle of LCD Soundsystem and Hot Chip. Trading guitars for restless grooves and twitchy synths, the band dissect the chaos of modern life with wit and precision. Dual vocalists Will Harrison and Lois Kelly explore jealousy, self-doubt and overthinking across ten hook-laden tracks that balance melancholy and euphoria - wrapping knotty ideas into songs that feel both meticulously constructed and joyfully unhinged. Already acclaimed for their electrifying live shows, Humdrum cements Home Counties as one of the UK's most inventive new bands.

+ ONE DIMENSIONAL CREATURES
Calder Valley Alt-Rock // Post-Punk

+ FACE ACHE
Preston Alt-Pop

The Ferret is 20!

HOME COUNTIES
+ ONE DIMENSIONAL CREATURES
+ FACE ACHE

Friday 14th August 2026

Doors 7pm

The Ferret, Preston

Claim your free tickets at skiddle.com/e/42603214

Capacity is limited, so grab a FREE TICKET now to guarantee entry. PLEASE only take as many tickets as you need - if you need to return any tickets, please let us know so other Ferret Friends can use them.

Supported using public funding by Arts Council England.

_________________

All ages welcome (under 18s must be accompanied by a responsible adult).

Accessible ground-floor venue & facilities.

Dog-friendly venue.

THE FERRET is 20!

"The Ferret is 20!" is a series of special events celebrating 20 years of The Ferret in Preston. Between May & August, we'll be presenting a series of shows featuring some of our favourite artists from around the world - as well as grassroots artists from the across the North West & around the UK.

AND, thanks to public funding by Arts Council England, this series of shows will all be FREE ENTRY &/or very low-cost. Our aim is to encourage more people to experience world-class live music in the intimate setting of The Ferret.

We'll be asking you to tell a friend, invite someone who has never been to The Ferret, invite someone who loves live music but hasn't been to a gig in yonks, maybe invite someone who doesn't even realise what's right on their doorstep.

THE BUG CLUB

Wales // Sub Pop // Wall-to-wall riffs

+ People Person
Manchester // DIY Post-Punk & Indie-Psychedelia

+ El Winstanley
Chorley // Eccentric Bilingual Living Room Pop

Thursday 30th July 2026

7pm - 10:30pm

The Ferret, Preston

FIRST 50 TICKETS ARE COMPLETELY FREE OF CHARGE!
Then just £5 per ticket (while stocks last).

Claim your free tickets here:

Capacity is limited, so grab a FREE TICKET now to guarantee entry. PLEASE only take as many tickets as you need - if you need to return any tickets, please let us know so other Ferret Friends can use them.

Supported using public funding by Arts Council England.

>>> THE BUG CLUB

The Bug Club are a tight-knit, collaborative effort focussed on telling tales of the everyday that we often take for granted, shot through with humour and riffs-a-plenty.

If you've somehow managed to miss the hype, now's your chance to fix that. Welsh indie duo The Bug Club have been quietly (and sometimes very loudly) becoming one of the UK's most exciting guitar bands. Armed with razor-sharp riffs, brilliantly offbeat lyrics and enough wit to keep you grinning between songs, they've built a cult following that's rapidly outgrowing the word "cult."

NME said of their 2024 release On the Intricate Inner Workings of the System…., “…its 11 songs crackle with incisive melodies and funny pop culture-addled lyrics – they reference The Great Escape’s Virgil Hilts one minute, and move on to the horror of Lonsdale slip on daps the next – but they’re in and out in under 26 minutes. Zero fat.”

Hailing from Caldicot in South Wales and now flying the flag for legendary label Sub Pop, The Bug Club serve up infectious indie rock that's equal parts garage swagger, clever songwriting and glorious chaos.

Their latest record (“Every Single Muscle”) gives the band an excuse to continue their never-ending tour and feed their baying fans, engorged and expectant thanks to this band’s relentless record-releasing hot streak, a new batch of typically playful, riff-laden, smart Bug Club Tunes.

+ People Person
Manchester // DIY Post-Punk & Indie-Psychedelia

+ El Winstanley
Chorley // Eccentric Bilingual Living Room Pop

The Ferret is 20!

THE BUG CLUB
+ People Person
+ El Winstanley

Thursday 30th July 2026

7pm - 10:30pm

The Ferret, Preston

Claim your free tickets at skiddle.com/e/42587534

Capacity is limited, so grab a FREE TICKET now to guarantee entry. PLEASE only take as many tickets as you need - if you need to return any tickets, please let us know so other Ferret Friends can use them.

Supported using public funding by Arts Council England.

_________________

All ages welcome (under 18s must be accompanied by a responsible adult).

Accessible ground-floor venue & facilities.

Dog-friendly venue.

THE FERRET is 20!

"The Ferret is 20!" is a series of special events celebrating 20 years of The Ferret in Preston. Between May & August, we are presenting a series of shows featuring some of our favourite artists from around the world - as well as grassroots artists from the across the North West & around the UK.

AND, thanks to public funding by Arts Council England, this series of shows will all be FREE ENTRY &/or very low-cost. Our aim is to encourage more people to experience world-class live music in the intimate setting of The Ferret.

We'll be asking you to tell a friend, invite someone who has never been to The Ferret, invite someone who loves live music but hasn't been to a gig in yonks, maybe invite someone who doesn't even realise what's right on their doorstep.

RAE MORRIS

Blackpool-born Alt-Pop songwriter returns to the place it all began.

+ Audrey’s Dance
+ Dave Shurr

Fri 24th July 2026

Doors 7pm

The Ferret, Preston

FIRST 50 TICKETS ARE COMPLETELY FREE OF CHARGE!
Then just £5 per ticket (while stocks last).

Claim your free or £5 tickets here:

Capacity is limited, so grab a FREE TICKET now to guarantee entry. PLEASE only take as many tickets as you need - if you need to return any tickets, please let us know so other Ferret Friends can use them.

Supported using public funding by Arts Council England.

>>> RAE MORRIS

Returning to the Ferret for the first time in more than 10 years, Blackpool born singer-songwriter Rae Morris is bringing new material to the place where it all began.

Whilst attending sixth form college, Preston became an important stomping ground; honing her craft of live performance in venues and bars around the north-west. After being signed to Atlantic records aged 19, Rae went to on release three studio albums of critical acclaim, touring extensively with the likes of Bombay Bicycle Club, Tom Odell and Jungle. As Rae's music evolved towards a more experimental, alt-pop sonic, reminiscent of artists such as Tori Amos and Patti Smith (with whom she had the pleasure of sharing a festival stage with), one thing that has always remained is her ability to tell a deeply personal story using the piano and voice. As she writes songs for her next body of work, a Ferret homecoming couldn't be more perfectly timed. Expect reflections on motherhood and identity with a hefty dose of northern appreciation!

>>> Supporting Rae Morris we’ve got some Ferret friends joining us!

Audrey's Dance are returning after working on their new album which is out soon! They last played the Ferret in 2024 so we’re buzzing to have them back on the stage.

And DIY Indie musician and producer, Dave Shurr who last visited us in 2023!

Rae, Audrey’s Dance and Dave are all deeply connected to The Ferret, so we’re incredibly excited to have a beautiful night full of friends and gooooood times.

The Ferret is 20!

RAE MORRIS
+ Audrey’s Dance
+ Dave Shurr

Friday 24th July 2026

Doors 7pm

The Ferret, Preston

Claim your free tickets at skiddle.com/e/42530577

Capacity is limited, so grab a FREE TICKET now to guarantee entry. PLEASE only take as many tickets as you need - if you need to return any tickets, please let us know so other Ferret Friends can use them.

Supported using public funding by Arts Council England.

_________________

All ages welcome (under 18s must be accompanied by a responsible adult).

Accessible ground-floor venue & facilities.

Dog-friendly venue.

THE FERRET is 20!

"The Ferret is 20!" is a series of special events celebrating 20 years of The Ferret in Preston. Between May & August, we'll be presenting a series of shows featuring some of our favourite artists from around the world - as well as grassroots artists from the across the North West & around the UK.

AND, thanks to public funding by Arts Council England, this series of shows will all be FREE ENTRY &/or very low-cost. Our aim is to encourage more people to experience world-class live music in the intimate setting of The Ferret.

We'll be asking you to tell a friend, invite someone who has never been to The Ferret, invite someone who loves live music but hasn't been to a gig in yonks, maybe invite someone who doesn't even realise what's right on their doorstep.

CROCODILES

USA // Psychedelic Noise-Pop + Lo-Fi Garage Punk

+ HUNGRY

+ poor effort.

Tues 14th July 2026

7pm - 10:30pm

The Ferret, Preston

FIRST 50 TICKETS ARE COMPLETELY FREE OF CHARGE!
Then just £5 per ticket (while stocks last).

Claim your free tickets here:

Capacity is limited, so grab a FREE TICKET now to guarantee entry. PLEASE only take as many tickets as you need - if you need to return any tickets, please let us know so other Ferret Friends can use them.

Supported using public funding by Arts Council England.

>>> CROCODILES

Nearly 20 years ago, two teenage punks met at an antifascist gathering in their hometown of San Diego. A quick bond was formed over politics, poetry andmusicand the two very quickly became inseparable. Many projects followed, ranging from abrasive punk bands to harmonious '60s-indebted pop groups.

For the last 18 years, Charles Rowell and Brandon Welchez have been creating together under the name Crocodiles. Forever shape-shifting, the band have been celebrated and been maligned, but they have never been boring. And they have been nearly impossible to pin down. Are they psych-punk? Noise-pop? Art-gaze? They are all of this and none of this and more than this. Put simply, Crocodiles are one of the great rock 'n' roll bands of their generation. After nearly two decades, nine albums (including their latest dark-hearted salvo Greetings From Hell), and hundreds of shows around the globe the duo show no signs of letting up.

>>> HUNGRY

"Hungry come at us firing on all cylinders with their latest single Cambridge Is On Fire, a rip roaring fiery post punk slamdunk with vitriolic vocals from Peck and the fearsome backbone of the adopted Mancs.

Unabated guitar energy and Manchester's most engaging, crowd-mingling front man meets the forgotten histories and uneasy myths of the East Anglian fens as the city's fun-punks, HUNGRY return with new single, Cambridge Is On Fire. The band's first new music of the year follows a monumental 2025, which found the band tailing thrilling Midlands duo, Gans on a comprehensive UK tour and the release of their essential, debut EP, Are You The Best Yet?

Offering a body of recorded work to back up hot and heavy gigs that are reliably and repeatedly up the wall, Hungry's five-track EP not only included the heavy streaming fan favourite, Sick Of It, but also lead singles, Morning Coffee and the title track. Tacking the insightful and observant, frequently political views of twenty-something outsiders onto riff-led, boppable punk rock, Hungry's 2026 return brings the band's intellectual curiosities in line with their high-energy methods of delivery."

- Louder Than War

>>> poor effort.

"Originally from an outlying mill town, becoming a Salford resident and Manchester nighthawk, poor effort is the product of Matty Dagger. Having scraped together a makeshift studio setup during lockdowns, then putting self-learnt production techniques and poetry to tape, no fewer than 30 demos emerged which have brought him to the attention of various (now) collaborating producers, visual artists and musicians.

Listening to his work, you can expect the music to dip in and out of alternative, hip-hop, post-punk and electronic influences, with the focus largely revolving around Dagger's observational lyricism portraying the essence of bored Britain."

- Louder Than War

The Ferret is 20!

CROCODILES
+ HUNGRY
+ poor effort.

Tues 14th July 2026

7pm - 10:30pm

The Ferret, Preston

Claim your free tickets at skiddle.com/e/42460239

Capacity is limited, so grab a FREE TICKET now to guarantee entry. PLEASE only take as many tickets as you need - if you need to return any tickets, please let us know so other Ferret Friends can use them.

Supported using public funding by Arts Council England.

_________________

All ages welcome (under 18s must be accompanied by a responsible adult).

Accessible ground-floor venue & facilities.

Dog-friendly venue.

The Ferret & Whinge present:

WHINGEFEST ALL-DAYER XII

THE FERRET IS 20! EDITION

Sat 4th July

3pm - late

The Ferret, Preston

Live Music Line-Up:

COWBOY HUNTERS

WAX HEAD

WHINGE

dull.

WET MAN

STORMKERB

EL WINSTANLEY

Another all-day affair. Live music & DJs all day and night.

ALL ADVANCE TICKETS ARE COMPLETELY FREE OF CHARGE!
Then just £5 on the door (while stocks last).

Capacity is limited, so grab a FREE TICKET now to guarantee entry. PLEASE only take as many tickets as you need - if you need to return any tickets, please let us know so other Ferret Friends can use them.

Supported using public funding by Arts Council England.

THE FERRET is 20!
2006-2026

"The Ferret is 20!" is a series of special events celebrating 20 years of The Ferret in Preston. Between May & August, we present a series of shows featuring some of our favourite artists from around the world - as well as grassroots artists from the across the North West & around the UK.

AND, thanks to public funding by Arts Council England, this series of shows will all be FREE ENTRY &/or very low-cost. Our aim is to encourage more people to experience world-class live music in the intimate setting of The Ferret.

We'll be asking you to tell a friend, invite someone who has never been to The Ferret, invite someone who loves live music but hasn't been to a gig in yonks, maybe invite someone who doesn't even realise what's right on their doorstep.

>>> COWBOY HUNTERS:

69 years have passed since the cowboys attacked. When the world needed them most, Cowboy Hunters were in the pub. This is a story of Farty Rock redemption. Tie your shoes.

>>> WAX HEAD:

A visceral gang of youth rolling around in a sweaty pit of garage-psych riffage. Debut album ‘GNAT’ out now via Sour Grapes Records.

>>> WHINGE:

Your genial hosts. Whingefest veterans since 2k19.

“Whinge. Great name for a crazy band of misfits who their label boss proclaims as ‘fuckin crackers’. Then again he would know being in a band of weirdos himself. Which is why they’ve clicked, along with label mates Michael, Yaang and the up and coming fury of dead things. You can stick your normal up your arse and come along for the ride with this bizarre collection of ‘More DIY than B&Q’ tunes you can pop a knee to.” - Louder Than War

>>> dull.

Lancaster’s post-punk and experimental noise duo, laying down motorik drums and fuzzy bass grooves. Their approach leans into tension and juxtaposition rather than tidy hooks. Fiery urgency wrapped in deliberate simplicity.

>>> WET MAN:

Dive into the world of Wet Man, a solo electroclash sensation whose sound is an electrifying homage to the rebellious spirits of Iggy Pop, The Cramps, Suicide, Lou Reed, and Cabaret Voltaire. With a fusion of punk energy and electronic beats, Wet Man's music is a high-octane ride through the fringes of rock and roll culture, wrapped in a shroud of gritty narratives.

Wet Man's performances are anything but solitary. Each show is a high-energy spectacle, where the stage becomes a battleground of frenetic beats and provocative themes. Songs about lizard alien conspiracy theorists, notorious English scandals, and the raw essence of rock and roll culture are delivered with an intensity that commands the audience's attention.

>>> STORMKERB:

Stormkerb are a rising Preston-based post-punk, post-rock, and post-hardcore band. Known for loud guitars, shifting dynamics, and gloomy yet catchy tracks, their music is heavily inspired by local brutalist architecture. The band emerged from the city's underground DIY music scene, as well as being involved in the local arts scene, collaborating on exhibitions focused on post-industrial life in Preston.

>>> EL WINSTANLEY:

Welcome to El’s living room, the cosy world where she leaves her self-awareness at the door to write sweet but eccentric songs, warm with sincerity, sung in English and Spanish. Using any instrument quiet enough not to wake up the kids, she combines retro synth and rudimentary drum loops with stoner guitar, the sparkling omnichord, and dashes of doo-wap harmonies layered through a loop pedal 

//\\//\\//\\//\\//\\//\\//\\\//\\//\\//\\//\\//\\//\\//\\

The Ferret & Whinge present:

WHINGEFEST XII

THE FERRET IS 20! EDITION

Sat 4th July

3pm - late

The Ferret, Preston

Live Music Line-Up:

Cowboy Hunters
Wax Head
Whinge
dull.
Wet Man
Stormkerb
El Winstanley

The Ferret, Preston

ALL ADVANCE TICKETS ARE COMPLETELY FREE OF CHARGE!
Then just £5 on the door (while stocks last).

Claim your free tickets at theferret.live/tfi20

Capacity is limited, so grab a FREE TICKET now to guarantee entry. PLEASE only take as many tickets as you need - if you need to return any tickets, please let us know so other Ferret Friends can use them.

Supported using public funding by Arts Council England.

_________________

All ages welcome (under 18s must be accompanied by a responsible adult).

Accessible ground-floor venue & facilities.

Dog-friendly venue.

TICKETS: skiddle.com/e/42516865

THE FERRET is 20!

"The Ferret is 20!" is a series of special events celebrating 20 years of The Ferret in Preston. Between May & August, we'll be presenting a series of shows featuring some of our favourite artists from around the world - as well as grassroots artists from the across the North West & around the UK.

AND, thanks to public funding by Arts Council England, this series of shows will all be FREE ENTRY &/or very low-cost. Our aim is to encourage more people to experience world-class live music in the intimate setting of The Ferret.

We'll be asking you to tell a friend, invite someone who has never been to The Ferret, invite someone who loves live music but hasn't been to a gig in yonks, maybe invite someone who doesn't even realise what's right on their doorstep.

_________________

AND! This edition of The Ferret is 20! joins forces with Everywhere At Once Festival (powered by National Lottery) - The UK's biggest music festival on your doorstep! 1200+ gigs. 500+ venues.1 weekend.

Everywhere At Once x The Ferret is 20!
Another belter show as we welcome back Ferret Friends™ - PET NEEDS - explosive, relentless & showstopping!

PET NEEDS

Essex // High Energy Punk Rock

+ guests TBA

Local grassroots artists are encouraged to apply for support slots. See below.

Fri 26th June 2026

7pm - 11pm

The Ferret, Preston

FIRST 50 TICKETS ARE COMPLETELY FREE OF CHARGE!
Then just £5 per ticket (while stocks last).

Claim your free tickets here:

Capacity is limited, so grab a FREE TICKET now to guarantee entry. PLEASE only take as many tickets as you need - if you need to return any tickets, please let us know so other Ferret Friends can use them.

Claim your free tickets at skiddle.com/e/42455606

Supported using public funding by Arts Council England.

>>> PET NEEDS

Founded with humble bedroom-band beginnings by brothers Johnny and George Mariott and now joined by Jules (drums) and Ryan (bass) - PET NEEDS' career has been sky-rocketing ever since the release of their acclaimed debut 'Fractured Party Music' back in 2021. From getting signed, to SOLD OUT shows, rave reviews, to rabid fans, and embarking on extensive global tours with the likes of Frank Turner, The Lottery Winners, Flogging Molly; demand for these four lads from Essex has been on a trajectory with the stratosphere. Having attracted attention with their relentless live shows and powerful studio releases, PET NEEDS have attracted praise from the likes of Backseat Mafia, The Rodeo, Times Radio, NARC Magazine and more with the latter dubbing the showstopping Frank Turner-produced album 'Primetime Entertainment' as a record of "joyous experimentation".

>>> PLUS GUESTS TBA

Local grassroots artists are encouraged to apply for support slots. Please listen to the acts on the bill and put yourselves forward for relevant shows only. Applications can be made via our Apply To Play form which you can find here.

Everywhere At Once Festival x The Ferret is 20!

PET NEEDS
+ guests tba

Fri 26th June 2026

7pm - 11pm

The Ferret, Preston

Claim your free tickets at skiddle.com/e/42455606

Capacity is limited, so grab a FREE TICKET now to guarantee entry. PLEASE only take as many tickets as you need - if you need to return any tickets, please let us know so other Ferret Friends can use them.

Supported using public funding by Arts Council England.

#theferretis20 #tfi20

_________________

All ages welcome (under 18s must be accompanied by a responsible adult).

Accessible ground-floor venue & facilities.

Dog-friendly venue.

THE FERRET is 20!

"The Ferret is 20!" is a series of special events celebrating 20 years of The Ferret in Preston. Between May & August, we'll be presenting a series of shows featuring some of our favourite artists from around the world - as well as grassroots artists from the across the North West & around the UK.

AND, thanks to public funding by Arts Council England, this series of shows will all be FREE ENTRY &/or very low-cost. Our aim is to encourage more people to experience world-class live music in the intimate setting of The Ferret.

We'll be asking you to tell a friend, invite someone who has never been to The Ferret, invite someone who loves live music but hasn't been to a gig in yonks, maybe invite someone who doesn't even realise what's right on their doorstep.

The Ferret is 20: We welcome back one of our favourite acts of 2025, the incredible Zawose Queens! Soaring chizeze fiddle, buzzing illimba thumb piano, ngoma drums that chatter & thunder - a blend of the organic, harmonic & modern-day electronic...

THE ZAWOSE QUEENS

Tanzania // Real World Records

+ DR AKP

UK-based Nigerian artist

+ TAEYBS

Lo-Fi Avant-Pop

+ Jazzin The Park DJs

African Vinyl + Broken Beats

Thurs 18th June 2026

7pm - 10:30pm

The Ferret, Preston

FIRST 50 TICKETS ARE COMPLETELY FREE OF CHARGE!
Then just £5 per ticket (while stocks last).

Grab your tickets here:

Supported using public funding by Arts Council England.

>>> THE ZAWOSE QUEENS

The Zawose Queens are Leah and Pendo Zawose of the Tanzanian Wagogo people, whose joyous otherworldly vocals and polyphonic rhythms deftly blend the acoustic, electronic, traditional and modern.

There is spirit and fire in the music of The Zawose Queens. There's the vibrations of the ancestors, coming through on traditional instruments - soaring chizeze fiddle, buzzing illimba thumb piano, ngoma drums that chatter and thunder - and voices that go deep, high and out there. There's the connection to nature, to ceremony and ritual, in their dance-inspired fusion, their blend of the organic, harmonic and modern-day electronic. There are lyrics that tell, in their native kigogo, of the passion for music, the wonders of life. Of pride in environment, in tradition. In their East African roots.

Pendo and Leah Zawose showcase the fluid polyrhythms and rapturous polyphonic singing of the Gogo (aka Wagogo) people of the arid, hilly Dodoma region of central Tanzania. The most famous exponent of this musical tradition is the late, great Dr Hukwe Zawose (Pendo's father and Leah's grandfather).

Maisha, the debut album by The Zawose Queens (on Peter Gabriel's Real World Records), marks the first time that women from this famous musical family take their place as lead vocalists and performers. Emboldened by workshops in songwriting and music production with visiting UK-based producers Oli Barton-Wood (Jordan Rakei, Obongjayar, Nilufer Yanya) and Tom Excell (Nubiyan Twist, Onipa), The Zawose Queens began writing their first ever songs. The resulting collection of songs range from the stripped back and traditional-sounding to those treated with subtle electronic elements, with beats and drops and found sounds and switch-ups.

+ DR AKP

UK-based Nigerian artist

+ TAEYBS

Lo-Fi Avant-Pop

+ Jazzin The Park DJs

African Vinyl + Broken Beats

The Ferret is 20!

THE ZAWOSE QUEENS
+ guests

Thurs 18th June 2026

7pm - 10:30pm

The Ferret, Preston

Claim your free tickets at skiddle.com/e/42448161

Capacity is limited, so grab a FREE TICKET now to guarantee entry. PLEASE only take as many tickets as you need - if you need to return any tickets, please let us know so other Ferret Friends can use them.

Supported using public funding by Arts Council England.

_________________

All ages welcome (under 18s must be accompanied by a responsible adult).

Accessible ground-floor venue & facilities.

Dog-friendly venue.

THE FERRET is 20!

"The Ferret is 20!" is a series of special events celebrating 20 years of The Ferret in Preston. Between May & August, we'll be presenting a series of shows featuring some of our favourite artists from around the world - as well as grassroots artists from the across the North West & around the UK.

AND, thanks to public funding by Arts Council England, this series of shows will all be FREE ENTRY &/or very low-cost. Our aim is to encourage more people to experience world-class live music in the intimate setting of The Ferret.

We'll be asking you to tell a friend, invite someone who has never been to The Ferret, invite someone who loves live music but hasn't been to a gig in yonks, maybe invite someone who doesn't even realise what's right on their doorstep.

The Ferret is 20! UK HIP-HOP SPECIAL

VERB T

The Four Owls // High Focus Records

HALF DECENT

Oxford-based rapper & producer

DJ MARK SKI

DJ & producer // FFSYTHO? live DJ

BRAPSCALLION
Lo-Fi House + Hip-Hop

PIQUE ROSCO
Northern Hip-Hop Wordsmith

WARRIOR TALES
Hip Hop & Spoken Word

BIG THINGS DJs
Beats & pieces

Fri 12th June 2026

7pm - late

The Ferret, Preston

FIRST 50 TICKETS ARE COMPLETELY FREE OF CHARGE!
Then just £5 per ticket (while stocks last).

Claim your free tickets here:

Capacity is limited, so grab a FREE TICKET now to guarantee entry. PLEASE only take as many tickets as you need - if you need to return any tickets, please let us know so other Ferret Friends can use them.

Claim your free tickets at skiddle.com/e/42447131

Supported using public funding by Arts Council England.

Check out the amazing lineup:

>>> VERB T

Verb T is one of the most prolific hip hop artists in the UK and a member of supergroup The Four Owls, he has worked with most of the biggest names in UK hip hop including Jehst, Sway, Harry Love and many more. Verbs is an artist with a unique style and lyrical outlook embracing classic 90's U.S hip hop as well as experimenting with new styles with his own production. Noted influences include artists such as Slick Rick, Al Green, De La Soul, and Jimi Hendrix. Verb T's music has covered topics of social awareness, paranoia, drug addiction and self improvement.

A cornerstone of UK underground hip hop, Verb T is known for his razor-sharp storytelling, dark humour and unmistakable laid-back flow. Emerging from London's late-90s open mic scene, he built a cult following through acclaimed solo releases, collaborations with producer Harry Love, and landmark projects on Low Life Records and High Focus Records.

A founding member of The Four Owls alongside Fliptrix, Leaf Dog and BVA, Verb T has toured extensively across the UK, Europe and the US, sharing stages and records with names including Sway, Jehst, DJ Premier, Kool G Rap and R.A. The Rugged Man.

With a catalogue spanning underground classics like Bring It Back To Basics, Morning Process and the Foggy trilogy with Illinformed, Verb T remains one of UK rap's most respected and consistent voices, still pushing forward with recent releases including The Tower Where The Phantom Lives and 2025's To Love A Phantom with Vic Grimes.

>>> HALF DECENT

Half Decent is an Oxford-London based rapper and producer turning heads in the UK and beyond. Half Decent puts relatable and thought-provoking lyrics at the forefront of his eclectic sound. He's a keen observational lyricist, who blurs the lines between genres, making him a truly unique artist.

>>> DJ MARK SKI

DJ Mark Ski is a Northampton hip-hop DJ, turntablist and producer widely regarded as the "Godfather of the Northampton Hip-Hop scene". Known for his razor-sharp cuts and heavyweight live sets, he's shared stages with some of the genre's biggest names and currently serves as live DJ for FFSYTHO, bringing raw energy and classic hip-hop craftsmanship to every performance.

BRAPSCALLION
Lo-Fi House + Hip-Hop

PIQUE ROSCO
Northern Hip-Hop Wordsmith

WARRIOR TALES
Hip Hop & Spoken Word

BIG THINGS DJs
Beats & pieces

The Ferret is 20! UK HIP-HOP SPECIAL

VERB T
HALF DECENT
DJ MARK SKI
BRAPSCALLION
PIQUE ROSCO
WARRIOR TALES
BIG THINGS DJs

Fri 12th June 2026

7pm - late

The Ferret, Preston

Claim your free tickets at skiddle.com/e/42447131

Capacity is limited, so grab a FREE TICKET now to guarantee entry. PLEASE only take as many tickets as you need - if you need to return any tickets, please let us know so other Ferret Friends can use them.

Supported using public funding by Arts Council England.

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All ages welcome (under 18s must be accompanied by a responsible adult).

Accessible ground-floor venue & facilities.

Dog-friendly venue.

THE FERRET is 20!

This year marks The Ferret's 20th Birthday! Throughout the year, we'll be bringing back some of our favourite artists from across 20 years of incredible live music, as well as introducing you to some incredible brand-new acts (as per).

And now, we’re very excited to announce a new project! 

“The Ferret is 20!” is a series of special events celebrating 20 years of The Ferret in Preston. Between May & August, we’ll be presenting a series of shows featuring some of our favourite artists from around the world - as well as grassroots artists from the across the North West & around the UK.

AND, thanks to public funding by Arts Council England, this series of shows will all be FREE ENTRY &/or very low-cost. Our aim is to encourage more people to experience world-class live music in the intimate setting of The Ferret.

We’ll be asking you to tell a friend, invite someone who has never been to The Ferret, invite someone who loves live music but hasn’t been to a gig in yonks, maybe invite someone who doesn’t even realise what’s right on their doorstep.

The Ferret is 20! - Show #1

BONNIE TRASH

Ontario - Canada - Post-Punk + Goth Rock

TWO TONNE MACHETE

NW + North Wales - DIY Feminist Punk

TAY TEMPLE

Alt Rock with a splash of Punk

Thurs 21st May 2026

7pm - 10:30pm

The Ferret, Preston

Claim your free tickets here:

Capacity is limited, so grab a FREE TICKET now to guarantee entry. PLEASE only take as many tickets as you need - if you need to return any tickets, please let us know so other Ferret Friends can use them.

Claim your free tickets at skiddle.com/e/42434771

Supported using public funding by Arts Council England.

Check out the amazing lineup:

>>> BONNIE TRASH

Bonnie Trash is the project of twin sisters Emmalia and Sarafina Bortolon-Vettor, wedding post-punk's steeley-eyed austerity to goth rock's brooding grandeur. Rather than fashioning nightmares into reality, the band paints reality as a nightmare; rife with pain, suffering, and gothic theatre.

Like their forebears Joy Division, Black Sabbath, or John Carpenter, Bonnie Trash understands that everyday atrocities haunt the periphery of our lives. A black cloud looming on the edge of our vision. Curses abound. You can't ward them off. You'd best make an unholy racket.

Where their first full length, Malocchio (2022), shrouded Bonnie Trash's nightmares in dusky dreamlike reverb, Mourning You (2025) is vivid and immediate. Mourning You is less a post-mortem fantasia than a sudden, swift dagger to the heart. This is sorrow not as a lingering bruise, but a gushing wound.

Bonnie Trash has performed at renowned festivals across Canada, and has shared the stage with TRAITRS, Chastity, Dilly Dally, Bria Salmena, and The OBGMs. In 2025, they embarked on their first UK and USA tour, and played to a sold-out crowd at Reeperbahn Festival in Hamburg. They have been featured in Guitar World, Metal Hammer, Classic Rock Magazine, Exclaim!, BrooklynVegan, and The Line of Best Fit.

>>> TWO TONNE MACHETE

TWO TONNE MACHETE are a feminist alt punk band who make authentic, high energy, feel good punk anthems based in North West England and North Wales. Fronted by Emily's powerful vocals and guitars, their sound is bass-driven, melodic and unrelenting-landing somewhere between Mannequin Pussy, IDLES, Yeah Yeah Yeahs and Distillers. Fiercely political and unapologetic, their songs tackle misogyny, control, toxic masculinity, sexuality and dissent with full-throttle energy and depth, keeping punk ethos front and centre.

Proudly DIY yet fast gaining momentum, TTM have been featured on BBC Introducing Merseyside and Radio X (John Kennedy), nominated for Radio Wigwam's Best Band, and won Best Band and Best Song at the Punk AF Awards 2025. With standout festival appearances at Focus Wales, Manchester Punk Festival and Rebellion Festival, they're building serious buzz.

>>> TAY TEMPLE

Alt Rock with a splash of Punk, Tay Temple is one of Manchester’s most ferocious acts. 

Her music is centred in proudly asserting her queerness, advocating for self-expression and finding power in your own narrative.

Tay’s striking and dynamic live performance captivates audiences with untamed guitars, thrashing drums and soaring vocals that are ultimately a joyous outlet of rage. Citing influences of Dream Wife, Crawlers & Avril Lavigne.

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The Ferret is 20! - Show #1

BONNIE TRASH
TWO TONNE MACHETE
TAY TEMPLE

Thurs 21st May 2026

7pm - 10:30pm

The Ferret, Preston

Claim your free tickets at theferret.live/tfi20 or skiddle.com/e/42438587

Capacity is limited, so grab a FREE TICKET now to guarantee entry. PLEASE only take as many tickets as you need - if you need to return any tickets, please let us know so other Ferret Friends can use them.

Supported using public funding by Arts Council England.

_________________

All ages welcome (under 18s must be accompanied by a responsible adult).

Accessible ground-floor venue & facilities.

Dog-friendly venue.