Get tuned up for Otley Live!
Mik Artistik’s legendary chaotic show, Adam Ant’s former guitarist, tributes to Weller and Oasis and a night packed with ska, mod, reggae and Northern Soul … this year’s second Otley Live promises to be an absolute stormer.
Featuring dozens of acts across the town’s premier live venues, the three-day weekend starting on Friday July 29 promises wall to wall music that will suit any taste and any pocket (many of the events are free entry).
The weekend kicks off with an explosive night of youthful vigour as some of the town’s best young talent comes together at Otley Social Club on the Friday and ends with one of Otley’s most enduring folk-rock groups Summercross (featuring former MP Greg Mulholland) who close out the weekend at the Rugby Club on Sunday.
In between, there’ll be everything from acoustic performances to punk rock stompers, with other highlights promising to be the two open-air stages, on Saturday at Woolpack Studios and Sunday in Market Place.
>> See here for the full line up of acts
Mark Thomas comes back to town
National treasure Mark Thomas comes back to Otley this month as he tries out material for his new national stand-up show Black and White at Otley Courthouse on Wednesday July 13. Tickets cost just £13 – a steal to see him in such an intimate venue.
>> See here for more
Otley’s first ever Steampunk Weekend
In a new event for Otley, July 16 and 17 see the town’s first ever Steampunk Weekend, held at the Methodist Church and the Labour Rooms from 10am to 5pm on the Saturday and noon to 4pm on the Sunday.
Not sure what Steampunk is? It’s a sub-genre of science fiction or science fantasy that incorporates technology and aesthetic designs inspired by 19th-century industrial steam-powered machinery, so expect to see a few people resplendent in Victorian garb around the town.
The weekend is all for a good cause too, with funds raised being donated to the Otley Rotary Club.
>> See here for more
Talking Heads by Alan Bennett
Following a successful double header of Alan Bennett’s iconic Talking Heads featuring Chip in the Sugar and Lady of Letters earlier this year, the Otley Players are putting on two more of the Yorkshire playwright’s works.
This time the team will be performing A Bed Among the Lentils and A Cream Cracker Under the Settee with performances this Saturday (July 9) at 2pm and 7pm and Sunday (July 10) at 2pm. All shows will be at Otley Courthouse and tickets cost from £7.
>> See here for more
This month’s Farmers’ Market
Our regular Farmer’s Market and Crafts Market take place on Sunday July 31 this month in Market Place where the stallholders will be accompanied by live music from the Otley Live weekend.
For these and other events in Otley this month, please see our events guide.