Tracks’ Last Train Home returns for its sixth flagship music and comedy festival on Saturday 5th September in Darlington, continuing to establish itself as a highlight of the North East’s cultural calendar. Celebrating independent creativity, the festival champions emerging and grassroots talent alongside established favourites, transforming the town into a vibrant showcase of music, comedy and community.
Bringing together more than 40 artists and comedians across six venues, the event offers a unique festival experience where everything wraps up in time for the last train home.
The initial line-up was unveiled back in May, featuring a host of indie and alternative favourites, including Lucia & The Best Boys, Benefits, Callum Pitt, LEAZES, Labyrinthine Oceans, Katie Grace, Risco, Polyvinyl, Glad Town Ghost, Anna Karila, The Callows and the ever-unpredictable WENCH!. With the full line-up now announced, you can submerge yourself in more incredible bands from the North East, including Lizzie Esau, Central Arcade and Bitch Finder General, as well as from further afield, including the likes of West Midlands’ Chartreuse, London’s Saint Clair, and Manchester’s The Empty Page.
Comedy is equally well represented, presented by Hilarity Bites, with performances from Gavin Webster, international multi-award-winning comedian Ray Bradshaw, Silky, Rob Mulholland and many more familiar faces bringing laughter between musical sets.
What continues to make Last Train Home stand out is its strong sense of community. Rather than being confined behind festival barriers, the event spreads throughout Darlington’s welcoming cultural venues, including The Forum, Darlington Hippodrome and Hullabaloo. This encourages visitors and local residents alike to explore new spaces while discovering new artists.
This year’s festival also forms part of the S&DR200 Fringe celebrations, marking 200 years since the birth of passenger rail travel in the very town where that historic journey began.
Tracks Darlington, the organisation behind the festival, is a Community Interest Company whose work extends far beyond this single weekend. Through projects supporting grassroots musicians, young audiences, women and gender minorities in music, and local independent artists, the organisation continues to demonstrate the long-term value of investing in culture.
For anyone hoping to discover their next favourite band, enjoy some brilliant comedy and celebrate the North East’s thriving creative scene, Last Train Home remains one of the region’s best-value tickets. The festival is presented alongside programming partners NARC Magazine and BBC Introducing.
All venues are fully accessible, and companion tickets are available.
Tickets, priced from £25.00 in advance, are available at tracksdarlington.co.uk.
