Calling all New emerging Bands and Artists, Competition of a lifetime!
The Road to Lakefest
Supporting grass root music
We’re excited to announce that The Road to Lakefest is returning giving new bands and artists the chance to win incredible prizes and perform live on the Abbey Main Stage at Lakefest 2026!
Bands/Artists
Here’s what’s up for grabs:
1st Prize
£1,500
+- Perform live on the Abbey Main Stage
- 3 days recording at Mark Gardener of Ride’s – OX4 Studios, professionally produced.
2nd Prize
£750
3rd Prize
£500
Plus, 18 bands will also get to perform at Lakefest on the Road to Lakefest Stage!
How it works
The competition takes place across 4 exciting rounds:
ROUND 1:
The 30
30 acts from all entries will be selected to move forward to Round 2 for public voting.
Round 2:
Public Vote
The 30 successful entries will submit a short performance video (this can be filmed on a phone, just get creative!).
Videos will be uploaded to the Lakefest website, where the public will vote for their favourites.
Round 3:
Semi Final
The top 18 bands will perform a 20-minute live set at the Cheltenham Cider Festival on 23rd or 24th May 2026
ROUND 4:
GRAND FINAL
Brewery Summerjam, Cheltenham
Saturday 27th June 2026
The top 6 bands from the semi-finals will battle it out live at Summerjam in Cheltenham.
The winners will be crowned here and will go on to perform on the Main Stage at Lakefest 2026 in August!
Last Years Winner!
Laurie Macmahon
