Appetite Presents
The Piccadilly Stage is an up-close, self-contained performance space within The Big Feast festival. It’s a special place where new ideas can flourish, emerging talent can find their feet, and local artists take centre stage. Performances from across the wider festival programme are also mixed in to create two full days of uninterrupted brilliance.
New for 2026 is the Young Creatives Takeover, showcasing work by 16- to 21-year-olds as they take their first steps into the spotlight.
So find a spot on a bench and enjoy as The Piccadilly Stage helps you discover your next favourite artists – and possibly the next big thing!
Piccadilly Stage @
THE BIG FEAST 2026
Fri 28 & Sat 29 August
FRIDAY
Henry Michael
12:00 | Host
Local comedian and all-round friendly neighbour Henry Michael is talking a big game about his stint as Friday’s Piccadilly Stage host.
“I'm not one for hyperbole, but this will probably be the single best performance that's ever been given by a human being ever, in any field, including athletics. Using nothing more than the power of raw charisma I will guide us through Friday, delivering joy to the masses of Hanley.”
STOKIE? Henry has been an adopted Stokie since 2020.
The Daisy Belles
12:15 | Music
The Daisy Belles sing a mixture of vintage songs in three-part harmony, covering songs from 1920s, ‘30s, ‘40s, ‘50s, ‘60s and onwards with modern songs in a vintage style. All accompanied with choreography and vintage costumes.
Check out The Daisy Belles page to see where else they are performing at the festival.
STOKIE? No, but we’re glad they’re here!
Scarlett Ward &
Pearl Knight-Dutton
13:10 (BSL) | Poetry
Scarlett, Staffordshire’s Poet Laureate, is an award-winning poet, editor, workshop facilitator, and self-confessed page poet.
Scarlett’s writing examines nature, the sense of self, and resilience in the face of disability and chronic illness.
Staffordshire’s Young Poet Laureate, Pearl, feels that poetry is a powerful medium to provoke emotion, inspire change and help people view life from another perspective.
Pearl will present poetry about what should matter most. And what we're not doing to save it.
STOKIE? Close enough!
Dharshanodiyaa School of Dance
14:00 | Dance
This captivating and vibrant fusion of tradition and modern showcases the grace, discipline, and storytelling of Indian Classical Dance, combined with the energy, colour, and excitement of Bollywood. Beautiful costumes, expressive choreography, and dynamic music creating an unforgettable experience that highlights the diversity and creativity of Indian dance.
This performance is a celebration of India's rich cultural heritage, artistry, and joy.
STOKIE? Absolutely! Founded in 2012 in Stoke-on-Trent by Artistic Director Smt. Darshikka Rajasegaram, Dharshanodiyaa School of Bharatanatyam is dedicated to preserving and promoting the classical Pandanallur style of Bharatanatyam and currently has over 100 students of all ages.
Students regularly perform at major cultural and community events, enriching the cultural landscape of Stoke-on-Trent.
Heidi
14:50 | Music
Heidi has the ability to pack a lot of deep messaging in very simple lyrics with her music. Her songs typically dwell on the themes of life, love, pain and heartache, proving to be simultaneously relatable and entertaining.
Audiences of all ages should expect a set of pure escapism, with brand new unheard music that aims to move both the heart and the feet.
STOKIE? Definitely.
The Stray Horns
15:30 | Music
The Stray Horns are a high-energy roaming brass band bringing big sounds, infectious rhythms and feel-good vibes wherever they go with an unforgettable live experience inspired by the streets of New Orleans and packed with crowd-pleasing pop favourites.
Check out The Stray Horns page to see where else they are performing at the festival.
STOKIE? No, but they can stay as long as they like.
Liam Hulmes
16:15 | Music
Liam Hulmes is a dynamic live performer blending acoustic sounds with hip‑hop rhythms and upbeat, heartfelt love songs. Using only a loop pedal, he builds every track completely from scratch right in front of you no pre‑recorded tracks, just pure live creativity.
Liam’s sets are full of energy, moving smoothly from warm melodies to catchy beats, while he keeps the crowd involved every step of the way. Every performance feels unique, personal, and packed with genuine feeling.
STOKIE? Born and bred.
SATURDAY
Eve Elle
12:00 | Host
Welcome to Saturday at The Piccadilly Stage with host Eve Elle. Eve is as bold as a ringmistress and silly as a clown!
You may have seen Eve at The Big Feast before with Circus In A Box - a family and female-led circus company based in and from Stoke-on-Trent specialising in street performance, clowning and workshops.
STOKIE? 100% Stokie!
FRONTLINEdance
12:15 (BSL) | Dance
FRONTLINEdance community dancers are back sharing new dances that they have co-created on the theme of belonging: A Place Where We Belong & The Explorers in Training.
This diverse cast of disabled and neurodivergent dancers will leave your hearts warm and full of joy. Expect lots of audience participation especially when The Explorers in Training join the stage to take you all on a wonderous adventure!
STOKIE? Most definitely. FRONTLINEdance is an artist-led company based in Stoke-on-Trent, placing disabled people and those with long-term health conditions at the core of its organisation as leaders, dancers, artists, and audiences. They co-create across ages, backgrounds and experiences, reducing isolation, and advocating for d.Deaf, disabled and neurodivergent people to enjoy arts and culture with ease whilst thriving as artists.
Steven K. Beattie &
Cameron Hart
13:10 (BSL) | Poetry
Audiences can expect a dynamic mix of heartfelt moments, sharp observations, and uplifting messages during this 40-minute live poetry experience with Stoke-on-Trent Poet Laureate, Steven K. Beattie, and Cameron Hart, Young Poet Laureate.
Bringing words to life with energy, honesty, and emotional depth listeners are invited to listen and connect while exploring themes of identity, community, and personal journeys. Whether you’re a long-time poetry lover or new to spoken word, this set offers something for everyone. and is sure to be an inspiring and memorable experience that resonates long after the final line.
STOKIE? Couldn’t be any more Stokie if they tried.
YOUNG CREATIVES TAKEOVER
14:00 | Music & Spoken Word
The Young Creatives Takeover is a brand-new addition to the Piccadilly Stage for 2026!
Celebrating and supporting emerging talent from Stoke-on-Trent and the surrounding area we welcome four new creatives aged between 16-21 to perform on the Piccadilly Stage for the first time.
STOKIE? As oatcakes, every one of them!
Silent Choir
15:15 | Music
Experience music through sight and emotion with dDeaflinks Staffordshire Silent Choir – a powerful celebration of British Sign Language (BSL), inclusion and community. Guided by a hearing choir leader to help keep time, this remarkable group of profoundly deaf performers delivers songs through expressive signing, movement, facial expressions and emotion, truly bringing music to life!
STOKIE? Based here and supporting throughout the county.
Mother Tong
15:55 | Dance
This contemporary dance solo by Deaf choreographer Ariel Fung explores how a Deaf mother passes visual language to her hearing child — through hands, gaze, and the rhythm of signing.
See BSL poetry become choreography as the stage transforms into a living photograph, where every signed phrase is sculpted by light.
You will hear silence — and discover it is not empty, but full of story.
STOKIE? Since 2024.
TAM-TAM Club
16:30 | Music
TAM‑TAM Club is a community arts group dedicated to bringing people together through the vibrant traditions of West African drumming, dancing, and singing. The club teaches and performs songs in Sousou, sharing messages of love, peace, and joy.
Through rhythm, movement, and storytelling, the club celebrates diversity and strengthens community spirit across Stoke‑on‑Trent.
STOKIE? You better believe it!