Country Fest – Country Anthems Live is coming to Stoke!
A massive night of country music and Nashville anthems! With a live country band and DJs playing all the hits at The Sugarmill on Friday 27th February.
Expect to hear the music of Luke Combs / Morgan Wallen / Dolly Parton / Zac Brown Band / Luke Bryan / Miranda Lambert / Taylor Swift / Johnny Cash / Shania Twain / Chris Stapleton and loads more!
Live country band playing 90 minutes of country classics plus country DJs!
14+ only. No refunds will be given for incorrectly booked tickets.
Grab your tickets NOW
Australian melodic blues unit Howling Bells will be dominating the stage of The Sugarmill, Friday 27th March 2026.
With Howling Bells’ last performance as a full band in Stoke being almost twenty years ago, we’re ecstatic to welcome the country-folk-rock group back through our doors for a night of hazy, melancholic mastery.
Heavily inspired by the filmography of David Lynch and French New Wave cinema, the band experiments with dark, apocalyptic lyricism and ethereal arrangement to create transportive soundscapes cemented in brooding mastery. NME described it perfectly as ‘the sound of PJ Harvey hitching a ride with The Velvet Underground through Twin Peaks.’
Their brand new album ‘STRANGE LIFE’ will be out Friday 13th February, 2026. 12 years ago, the band’s debut record ‘Heartstrings’ released. On the decade between the release, the band say ‘the one constant that remains, is the way in which we create music. The bond we share as humans and musicians, is the same. Our fierce drive and desire to connect musically has never dwindled, only dimmed momentarily.’
General sale live Tuesday 9th December 2025 10AM.
Have you ever been to The Sugarmill? It’s nice. Because The Bug Club will be taking the stage on Friday 30th January 2026 with high-energy, electro-punk Manchester trio YAANG on support.
Comprising the creative duo of Sam Willmett (guitar/vocals) and Tilly Harris (bass/vocals), The Bug Club formed in the late 2010’s in Wales. Since then, they’ve enraptured us all with their jagged riffs, witty songwriting, and sold-out tours. From penning songs about quality pints to the intricacies of human emotion, the energy of their music can be likened to the buzz off a freshly cracked can of pop and a sweaty venue dance floor combined. Sugar-rush slippery goodness packaged into hit record after hit record and an ever-growing loyal fanbase.
Their latest release ‘Very Human Features’ has been described as swerving “giddily pop-ward. The two principals, Sam Willmett and Tilly Harris, toss out the previous album’s hard-charging rock sound like last week’s recycling and settle, instead, on a cuddly twee vibe that matches very well with their fanciful lyrics.” Aquarium Drunkard.
Support from YAANG, formed when Davey Moore (vocals/sampler) met Oliver Duffy (Guitars/vocals) at a rhythmic awareness class at the University of Salford, the line up was later completed by Ben White (Ex-Working Men’s Club) on bass duties – Manchester’s punk trio have ever since been steadily building their reputation for furious, high-energy, live shows, powered by the rocket-fuel combo of pulsating drum loops, clangorous guitars and a wicked sense of humour.
Countdown to 2026 with our BIGGEST party of the year🕺💃
From 9:00pm-6am, you’ll be able to find all your favourite Indie Bangers in our Main Room, Alt/Metal/Rock in Room 2, and Hits of the Year on the Roof Terrace!
It’s ALWAYS a massive night and advance tickets sell out fast!
Wednesday 31st December ’25
18+ only ~ ID Required
Last general entry ~ 3am.
Earlybird & Advance tickets for our NYE ALLNIGHTER are valid for one entry before 11:30pm. We ask that all ticket holders redeem their entry before this time, so they can grab their spot before Midnight.
This means we can accurately gauge our capacity and make sure no one is left out in the cold when the ball drops.
NYE Earlybird & Advance Ticketholders also get FREE ENTRY to our January 2nd ELECTRIC FRIDAYS: NYE HANGOVER clubnight!
Tickets available online HERE 🎟
ELECTRIC FRIDAYS: THE F*{KING FESTIVE COUNTDOWN ⚡
Friday 5th December 2025
11pm til 3am ~ £6 entry
We’re kicking off December the only way we know how ~ LOUD, LATE and with awesome drink offers.
STRONGBOW JUST £1.50 A PINT
(Yes. Really. Tell your mates. Tell your frenemies.)
Expect floor-shaking anthems, festive cheer and the ultimate party vibes from the loudest tradition in Staffordshire.
It’s the countdown to the BIG ONE… and you’re invited ⚡
MORE FRIDAYS TO COME!
Saturday 20th December 2025, The Sugarmill presents in collaboration with NORSCARF, an all female-fronted incredible lineup raising money for Medical Aid For Palestine, GIRLS FOR GAZA.
YASMIN COE – Manchester-based Yasmin Coe blends stunning vocals with an electric power pop sound. Her 2024 EP is a staff favourite here at The Sugarmill, evoking a blend of nineties indie-pop perfect for fans of Heavenly, English Teacher, and Wolf Alice.
MARA LIDDLE – Local pop-diva Mara Liddle is known for an unmatchable stage presence, infectious hooks, and lyrics inspired by the digital age of girlhood. With an expertly alchemised combination of electro, dance, and hyperpop, Mara’s sound is perfect for fans of Charli XCX, Pink Pantheress and Shygirl.
ANGEL B VALENTINE – The pop duo based in Manchester, with a rich tapestry of influences ranging from shoegaze to alt-dance. Their latest single ‘Sugar’ could be ripped straight from the setlist of a 2010s electroclash dj set in New York alongside Princess Superstar and Le Tigre, whilst their other tracks lean more towards a dreamy, shoegaze finish for fans of Beach House and Lush.
KEZ LIDDLE – The Stoke-based singer-songwriter that pours rich mythical imagery into enchanting guitar. Kez is a beloved acoustic artist in Stoke, working closely with local organisations such as Honeybox to promote local industry knowledge to the scene. Her combination of melodic vocals and impactful lyrics are perfect for fans of Adrienne Lenker, Bon Iver, and Cat Power.
CROWSPEAK – Self-described as ‘cries and lullabies with some guitar parts weaving it all together’, no better words could describe the hazy, dark fairy-tale folk from Crowspeak. Soulful and powerful, her music speaks to fans of Hayley Heynderickx and expertly crafted British folk.
These are the women lending their voice and art to the voiceless in difficult times. Stalls will be available at the back of the event from NORSCARF and other local creators where we ask our audience to support the local community and get involved for an important cause.
Doors at 6PM, £10 ADV STBF
14+
Tickets available HERE
Limited numbers of pay-what-you-can tickets available for the event, for this option please contact us via social media for more info.
The Guest List will take the stage of The Sugarmill, Thursday 16th April 2026.
Formed in Manchester in early 2021, The Guest List are stacking up beloved accolades and sold-out-headliners faster than you can ask for a guest list spot. Known for their melodic, dreamy riffs and powerful lyrics, they’re making a statement in the UK indie scene as one of the brightest and best upcoming acts. Their rise through social media, to local venues, to festivals and beyond in less than five years is an impressive feat of hard work and a testament to their electric live performances.
Their latest EP, ‘When The Lights Are Out’ is a masterpiece of soft, warm vocals and impactful lyrics. An enchanting alchemy of an EP that lands gut-wrenching French spoken word poetry during the bridge of ‘Ruine’ to expertly weave a tapestry of yearning. The whole project is a masterclass in resonating to the current generation told in the language of The Guest List’s innovative musical mastery.
General admission live @ 10AM, Friday 28th November.
Tickets available HERE!
On record, Seb Lowe’s fusion of indie-rock, alt-folk and virtuous, literate lyricism is utterly compelling – a blend that has attracted 13 million likes on TikTok and 40 million streams without yet releasing an album. But on stage he goes harder, channelling the righteous anger of his lyrics like a man possessed, while violinist/vocalist Kate Couriel provides another engaging focal point, the pair anchored by drummer Joel Goodwin.
It’s a strength that Seb Lowe will put in the spotlight throughout 2026, with a new UK headline tour now confirmed. It builds upon the recent news that they also play an extensive UK and European tour next year as special guests to ascendent dark pop queen Sofia Isella.
Seb Lowe says, “Can’t say we’re much getting used to it. Can’t say we ever will. Looking forward to meeting anyone who’s just gotten into us, and meeting people who’ve listened for ages. Looking forward to putting on a proper show too. That’s the main thing. What will the songs be? What will we change? What’s the world? The characters? How far can we push the boat out? With each tour it’s like we get a bit more insight into the universe we’re building, or we have the chance to get rid of last year’s universe and completely start again. Either way, it’s always a buzz.”
Tickets for the headline tour, dates listed below, will go on-sale HERE from 9am this Friday, November 21st.
APRIL 2026
13th – Aberdeen, Lemon Tree
14th – Dundee, Music Hall
15th – Edinburgh, La Belle Angele
17th – Sheffield, Foundry
18th – Liverpool, O2 Academy
19th – Cardiff, Tramshed
21st – Stoke, Sugarmill
23rd – Norwich, Waterfront
24th – Oxford, O2 Academy2
25th – Portsmouth, Wedgewood Rooms
It’s still early in Seb Lowe’s rise, but his evolution has already been remarkable. His debut EP ‘Half-decent’ was as raw as it comes: solo acoustic songs played with a punkish fury and the lyrical dexterity of a rapper. Over time his sound has progressed into a fuller band dynamic, but his debate-igniting words and incendiary passion remains completely undiminished. Indeed, as the recent likes of ‘Dogs & Cats’, ‘A Westerner Walks Into A Bar’ and ‘I’m Hateful, I’m Horrible, I Love You’ all prove, Seb has hit upon a sound with broader crossover appeal without compromising any of his personality or integrity.