TICKETS sold out in four hours for this year's Neighbourhood Weekender. 

If you missed out, or you're just wondering what all the fuss was about, here are some of our highlights from the two-day Victoria Park festival. 

SATURDAY

Starsailor

While their biggest hits may be from more than 15 years ago, it didn’t stop fans both young and old from gathering inside the Second Stage’s tent for the return of Starsailor to Warrington.

Starting their set with the crowd yelling along to Alcoholic, lead singer James Walsh told fans they had ‘come a long way since their first gig at The Stocks in Padgate’.

A large portion of the crowd cheered but Walsh was quick to jokingly point out there were only around two people there at the start.

The homecoming heroes worked their way through hits from their five studio albums including a number of their 10 Top 40 singles – Silence is Easy and Poor Misguided Fool.

They closed their set with Good Souls and dedicated it to Viola Beach.

Knutsford Guardian:

The Courteeners take to the stage - picture from Amanda Goode

The Courteeners

There can’t be many smoke bombs left for sale in the near vicinity after The Courteeners headline set on Saturday.

Coloured flares were held high as soon as the Middleton band stepped out on stage and were set off again to greet the start of pretty much every track.

Once the smoke subsided, it was easy to spot lead singer Liam Fray strutting around the stage in a bright white boiler suit with the words ‘Viola Beach’ and a heart written in black marker pen.

While some festival goers may have sloped off to watch the Champions League final, dedicated fans sang along to every word of favourites including Modern Love and Are you in Love with a Notion? before belting out every guitar riff of Not 19 Forever.

PICTURES: Can you spot yourself in our Neighbourhood Weekender crowd gallery?

SUNDAY

The Pigeon Detectives

You would be forgiven for having completely forgotten about the Pigeon Detectives, more than a decade on from their number one album Wait for Me.

But the Second Stage’s tent was full to the brim for the Leeds indie rockers’ Sunday afternoon set, which proved to be one of the surprise highlights of the weekend.

A shower of expensive lager ensued from the off, combining with the Carlos Puyolesque curly locks of frontman Matt Bowman to immerse the rabid crowd into 2007 nostalgia.

Debut LP hits I Found Out, I’m Not Sorry and Take Her Back are belted out by Bowman and festivalgoers alike.

Knutsford Guardian:

Blossoms

It may be inaccurate to still be tipping Blossoms as the next big things for guitar music, considering they have already scored a number one album (followed up by Cool Like You earlier this year, which hit number four).

Attracting an army of followers despite being scheduled directly against Editors, the Stockport five-piece’s adoring fans lit up Sunday evening.

Second on the bill only to Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds, Blossoms showcased exactly why they will go on to headline major festivals in the not too distant future.

Tempted to go next year? Limited early bird tickets for the 2019 festival go on sale this week. Find out more here.