Rising R’n’B star joins Rochdale’s big summer festival line-up

Posted by on 4 Jul 2024

Rising indie R’n'B pop star iamkyami will play the main stage at this year’s Rochdale Feel Good Festival in August.                                                                       

Born and raised in New York, Kyami’s journey into music began at a young age, combining a passion for art, football and Taekwondo, where she achieved a second-degree black belt.

Now based in Manchester she has captivated audiences with her alternative J-pop R’n'B sound and her dynamic performances have graced international festivals and earned glowing praise from BBC 1Xtra and BBC Introducing on Radio 1.

Taking experiences from her childhood to travelling overseas, the music tells a relatable story in a fresh new way with self-reflective lyricism, soul-driven melodies and production influences from pop, R’n'B, electronic and hip-hop. iamkyami is paving her own way and looking forward to her Rochdale debut.

iamkyami will join the festival line-up alongside indie rock giants Ocean Colour Scene, Lottery Winners, Heather Small - the voice of M People, soul, pop and funk artist Toucan, ska band Madame Claude, local rock band Atlas and DJ Dave Sweetmore on Saturday August 10.

On Sunday 11 August there’s a new free afternoon of folk music produced by Sound Roots and funded by Arts Council England, headlined on the main stage by Ríoghnach Connolly & Honeyfeet alongside party band Marvara, new Rochdale musical Peter’s Field featuring Sean Cooney, Eliza Carthy MBE, Sam Carter and another act to be announced.

Kicking off the weekend on Friday 9 August will be a ‘Feel Good Fringe’ – a series of free un-ticketed indoor gigs at ten venues across the town. More details on this and all the acts playing at indoor venues during the festival will be announced later this month.

Saturday tickets (£15) at rochdale.gov.uk/FeelGoodFestival or in person at Middleton Arena. For the first time, to cut single use plastic, all tickets include a re-usable drink cup to be collected upon arrival at the festival site.

For the latest festival updates on Facebook, go to facebook.com/feelgoodfestival and connect with @FeelGoodFest on X. On all social media search #FeelGoodFest24

The festival is funded by the council together with ticket sales and sponsorship from The Flying Horse Hotel, Premier Kia, The Royal Toby Hotel, the Bee Network, BRSK full fibre broadband and Rochdale Riverside.