YES YOU HEARD THAT RIGHT …
THE ESSEX PODCAST FESTIVAL IS BACK!!!

We’re delighted to announce the return of **The Essex Podcast Festival**, taking place across Chelmsford city centre, Essex from **18–26 February 2026**. Now in its second year, the festival brings together an exciting mix of live podcast recordings, interactive events and city-wide activations designed to celebrate the power and creativity of audio storytelling.
Across multiple venues in Chelmsford City Centre, audiences can experience an eclectic programme of shows covering everything from music and culture to the paranormal, books, comedy and more. Expect a line-up of fantastic guests, including some of the UK’s and Essex’s most established podcasters, alongside fresh new voices making their mark on the scene.
At its heart, the festival’s mission is to position Essex as one of the UK’s leading podcasting communities. By showcasing outstanding local talent and creating opportunities for emerging creators, the Essex Podcast Festival aims to inspire a new generation of locally produced podcasts and provide a platform for stories shaped by the people of the county.
Beyond the live shows, visitors can enjoy a vibrant mix of podcast trails, immersive experiences and creative pop-ups that bring the podcast world to life throughout the city.
Sign up to the mailing list to be the first to hear about tickets, special events, competitions and more.

SIGN UP

YES YOU HEARD THAT RIGHT …
THE PODCAST
IS BACK!!!

We’re delighted to announce the return of **The Essex Podcast Festival**, taking place across Chelmsford city centre from **18–26 February 2026**. Now in its second year, the festival brings together an exciting mix of live podcast recordings, interactive events and city-wide activations designed to celebrate the power and creativity of audio storytelling.
Across multiple venues, audiences can experience an eclectic programme of shows covering everything from music and culture to the paranormal, books, comedy and more. Expect a line-up of fantastic guests, including some of the UK’s and Essex’s most established podcasters, alongside fresh new voices making their mark on the scene.
At its heart, the festival’s mission is to position Essex as one of the UK’s leading podcasting communities. By showcasing outstanding local talent and creating opportunities for emerging creators, the Essex Podcast Festival aims to inspire a new generation of locally produced podcasts and provide a platform for stories shaped by the people of the county.
Beyond the live shows, visitors can enjoy a vibrant mix of podcast trails, immersive experiences and creative pop-ups that bring the podcast world to life throughout the city.
Sign up to the mailing list to be the first to hear about tickets, special events, competitions and more.

SIGN UP

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GET YOUR TICKETS HERE

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GIVE THE GIFT OF A PODCAST

☆ GET YOUR TICKETS HERE ☆ GIVE THE GIFT OF A PODCAST

Join the 'Podfather', Richard Herring, as he brings his award-winning podcast RHLSTP to Chelmsford Theatre for a live edition packed with sharp, hilarious and unfiltered conversation with special guests.
Expect big laughs, surprises and the kind of too-wild-for-broadcast moments that have made RHLSTP a must-see for comedy and podcast fans alike.

Vittorio Angelone is an Italian-Irish comedian raised in Belfast who has quickly become one of the most exciting voices in stand-up comedy.
Vittorio’s sharp, thoughtful stand-up and online sketches have earned him a huge following, racking up millions of views across social media and podcasts. He has already completed two sell-out world tours and has supported some of the biggest names in comedy, including Russell Howard, Jason Manford, Adam Rowe, Shane Todd, Sam Morril, Michael Che and Ivo Graham.
A fast-rising talent not to be missed.

RHLSTP with RICHARD HERRING

BUY TICKETS HERE

Hosted by Alex Morse and Ben Bell, The Drum Social Podcast celebrates drumming culture with warmth, humour and insight. This live recording brings their signature banter and in-depth discussion to the stage, exploring drums, drummers and the wider music world through interviews, stories, playlists and plenty of rhythm-fuelled cha

Special guest: Rob Rolfe (Enter Shikari)
A night of live, on-stage podcast recordings celebrating metal, drumming and grassroots music — not to be missed.

THE DRUM SOCIAL

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In The Abyss is a weekly metal podcast that dives headfirst into the world of heavy music. Expect no-holds-barred conversation, passionate opinions and plenty of riffs, all delivered with the atmosphere of a great chat “over a few pints.” Recorded live on stage, the hosts cover everything from album reviews and scene news to interviews with bands, artists and industry figures, with a strong focus on supporting grassroots and underground metal alongside classic and contemporary releases.
Special guests: Gareth Kelly (Music Venue Trust / Gurt) and Jasper Harmer (Beyond Extinction

IN THE ABYSS

BUY TICKETS HERE

☆

GET YOUR TICKETS HERE

☆

GIVE THE GIFT OF A PODCAST

☆ GET YOUR TICKETS HERE ☆ GIVE THE GIFT OF A PODCAST

ARE YOU CREATIVE? with special guest STEVE LAMACQ

Are You Creative? is a podcast hosted by Sangita and Nick that celebrates creativity in all its forms. Through relaxed and insightful conversations, the show explores the journeys, careers and creative processes of inspiring Essex-based creatives.
Join them at Patch for a very special live podcast recording, staged in front of an audience, featuring Colchester-based music broadcasting legend Steve Lamacq.
Steve Lamacq is one of the UK’s most influential music broadcasters, widely respected for championing new and emerging talent. During his time at BBC Radio 1, through iconic shows such as The Evening Session and Lamacq Live, he helped launch the careers of bands including Coldplay, Muse and Bloc Party, becoming a defining voice of the Britpop era.
Now a presenter on BBC Radio 6 Music, Steve continues to support grassroots and independent music, alongside his work on BBC Radio 2 documentaries. He is Chair of LIVE, the UK’s live music industry body, co-host of The Price of Music Podcast, and author of Going Deaf for a Living. Awarded an MBE in the 2025 New Year Honours, Steve remains a passionate advocate for music, venues and new artists.
Expect an engaging evening of conversation, insight and inspiration, celebrating creativity, music and the stories behind Steve's illustrious career.

BUY TICKETS HERE

Step into Chelmsford Studio Theatre for a special live podcast double bill featuring the award-winning fiction podcast Broken Veil and the acclaimed Eerie Essex. Prepare for an evening of eerie tales, dark secrets and supernatural strangeness that blurs the line between reality and the unknown.

BROKEN VEIL & EERIE ESSEX

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BOOKWANDERING

Join us for the first-ever live episode of Bookwandering, the podcast where author and journalist Anna James explores the children’s and YA books that shape us as readers and writers.
For this special live recording at Waterstones, Anna is joined by Alice Slater to discuss Melvin Burgess’s seminal 1996 YA novel Junk — a book that left a lasting impact on a generation of readers. Together, they’ll explore why Junk remains so powerful, how it influenced their own reading lives, and its legacy within young adult fiction.
Alice Slater is a former bookseller and the bestselling author of Death of a Bookseller and Let the Bad Times Roll.
Anna James is a literary journalist and a New York Times bestselling author of ten books for young people.
Expect an engaging, thoughtful conversation about books, reading, writing and the stories that stay with us — perfect for readers, writers and lovers of YA literature.

BUY TICKETS HERE

MAN ABOUT COUNTRY

James Lawrence, AKA Man About Country, is a storyteller, adventurer and history lover who has spent over five years leading walks through some of Britain’s most fascinating places. Now teamed up with Essex Podcast Festival, he’s bringing Chelmsford city centre’s incredible stories to life, from ancient history to the modern day, through an immersive trail featuring mini podcast facts at each stop, told by James himself.

BUY TICKETS HERE

GET YOUR TRAIL HERE

The Essex Podcast Festival presents.. Club Sunday

Join us upstairs at the fantastic Club Café for a laid-back afternoon celebrating live podcasting from some of the county’s best creators. Enjoy a curated lineup of live podcasts covering a wide range of topics, from Ice hockey, The Traitors, and Punk Rock to comedy, trans issues, and youth culture — with fascinating guests and stories throughout.

Whether you’re a podcast superfan or just curious to discover something new, there’s truly something for everyone. Alongside the shows, Club Café will be serving a special podcast festival food menu with great deals to keep you fuelled all afternoon.

Come along to discover new podcasts, hear inspiring stories and experiences from voices across the county, and soak up the relaxed, community vibe.

Free Entry – Ticket covers whole afternoon.

🎟️ Free entry – no tickets required – Under 16s need to be accompanied by an adult, *this event may include sensitive topics and strong language.

🚶 Drop-in, first come first served 🎧 7 live podcasts recorded in front of an audience

⏰ Come and go throughout the afternoon ☕ Food & drink available from Club Café

New Generation Development Agency (NGDA)

The New Generation Development Agency (NGDA) are community development specialists focused on designing and delivering bespoke projects that create meaningful, positive change for ethnically diverse communities and young people impacted by racial, economic, and identity-based profiling.
For this session, two of NGDA’s youth members will host an open discussion exploring the issues, experiences, and topics shaping their world today.

12:30PM - 1:20PM Club Café

THE SISTERHOOD

The Sisterhood
with guest Emma Odell (Acanteen)
Hosted by Sarah Ridge, The Sisterhood podcast has been running since 2022 and shines a spotlight on inspiring women with powerful stories to share, from coaches and CEOs to business strategists and therapists.
Joining Sarah for this live podcast is the fantastic local business owner and entrepreneur, Emma Odell.

1:30PM - 2:20PM Club Café

Punk Rock Creatives
with guests Cherry B and Steve Drewitt
Punk Rock Creatives explores conversations with designers, musicians, artists, poets, and writers who are part of — or connected to — the punk scene.
Host Marie “Repulsive” Austin welcomes two standout guests for this live episode: punk poet Cherry B, often dubbed “The Punk Pam Ayers” and “The Cockney Cooper Clarke”, and Steve Drewitt, member of legendary band New Town Neurotics.
Expect sharp insights, creative stories, and a celebration of punk’s enduring influence across music, art, and culture.

PUNK ROCK CREATIVE

2:30PM - 3:20PM Club Café

Ross & John’s Organic Capers
The 'Organic Capers Podcast with Ross & John' - Join comedians and presenters Ross McGrane and John Oakes for a live recording of their podcast as they discuss current topics, random ramblings and Essex based nostalgia.
Expect sharp humour, playful banter, and a feel-good dose of local flavour in this live recording.

ROSS & JOHN’s ORGANIC CAPERS

4:30PM - 5:20PM Club Café

I Don’t Know How To Be Trans
with guest Jude Guaitamacchi
I Don’t Know How To Be Trans is a candid, honest, and often humorous podcast that explores what it really means to be trans in today’s world. Host Adelle Baker — a multi award-winning trans woman, speaker, and writer — is joined for this live episode by Jude Guaitamacchi, a trans non-binary speaker, model, and campaigner.
Known for their work across fashion, media, and activism, Jude champions trans visibility, representation, and inclusive storytelling.
Together, they’ll share insights, experiences, and open conversation in a thoughtful, engaging, and empowering discussion.

I DON’T KNOW HOW TO BE TRANS

5:30PM - 6:20PM Club Café

ZERO PUCKS GIVEN

Zero Pucks Given
Zero Pucks Given is an award-winning UK ice hockey podcast hosted by Ben Hyde and Katelin Norwood-Piner.
This live episode lands on Cup Final weekend across the NIHL Conferences, with the hosts breaking down the first-leg action from Saturday night and previewing and predicting Sunday’s decisive games.
They’ll also dive into the latest news and talking points from across the wider world of ice hockey.
A must for fans of the fast-paced game.

3:30PM - 4:20PM Club Café

Chelmsford For You
with guest Adam Waughman (The Traitors / Essex Paranormal)
Adam Waughman, one of the cast from hit TV show The Traitors, joins Chelmsford For You podcast hosts Sara and Ryan for a live chat about his experience on one of the UK’s most talked-about shows, alongside stories from his intriguing work investigating the Essex Paranormal scene.
Expect behind-the-scenes insight, fascinating encounters, and plenty of great conversation.

CHELMSFORD FOR YOU

6:30PM - 7:20PM Club Café

Join us for the first-ever live episode of Bookwandering, the podcast where author and journalist Anna James explores the children’s and YA books that shape us as readers and writers.
For this special live recording at Waterstones, Anna is joined by Alice Slater to discuss Melvin Burgess’s seminal 1996 YA novel Junk — a book that left a lasting impact on a generation of readers. Together, they’ll explore why Junk remains so powerful, how it influenced their own reading lives, and its legacy within young adult fiction.
Alice Slater is a former bookseller and the bestselling author of Death of a Bookseller and Let the Bad Times Roll.
Anna James is a literary journalist and a New York Times bestselling author of ten books for young people.
Expect an engaging, thoughtful conversation about books, reading, writing and the stories that stay with us — perfect for readers, writers and lovers of YA literature.

BOOKWANDERING

BUY TICKETS HERE

MAN ABOUT COUNTRY

James Lawrence, AKA Man About Country, is a storyteller, adventurer and history lover who has spent over five years leading walks through some of Britain’s most fascinating places. Now teamed up with Essex Podcast Festival, he’s bringing Chelmsford city centre’s incredible stories to life, from ancient history to the modern day, through an immersive trail featuring mini podcast facts at each stop, told by James himself.