Hundreds Gather At West Cumbria Youth Festival Celebrating Talent And Opportunity
Hundreds of people came together for Energy Coast LIVE! 2026, a youth led festival held at Energy Coast UTC in Lillyhall near Workington, celebrating the creativity, ambition, and achievements of young people from across West Cumbria.
The festival was organised by a dedicated team of young volunteers working alongside local businesses, performers, sponsors, and community organisations over several months. From planning budgets and marketing campaigns to booking performers and managing event logistics, the organisers took responsibility for delivering a large scale public event with support from experienced mentors.
Visitors enjoyed performances from a range of local musicians and entertainers, including Triggers Broom, Luke Mat, Chris Pears DJ, the Energy Coast UTC Band, Nyla and Denni, and Kyle Newrick. Alongside the music, attendees explored food stalls, local traders, community organisations, and a dedicated careers zone featuring employers and training providers from across the region.
Organisers said the festival was created to demonstrate what young people can achieve when they are trusted with responsibility and provided with the opportunity to lead ambitious community projects. The event aimed not only to entertain but also to inspire young people by connecting them with education providers, employers, and volunteer organisations.
Rocco Boyd, Co Chair of Northern Equality and Diversity and the event manager, described the festival as exceeding expectations. He praised the youth team for their professionalism and thanked sponsors, performers, volunteers, traders, and visitors whose support helped make the event a success. Organisers will now review feedback and begin considering plans for future editions of Energy Coast LIVE!.
The festival received backing from several regional organisations, including Westinghouse, The Cumberland, BEC, Prospect, and other local partners committed to supporting opportunities for young people. Their involvement helped create an event that combined entertainment with education, careers guidance, and community engagement.
The success of Energy Coast LIVE! 2026 highlights the growing role of youth led initiatives in strengthening communities across West Cumbria. Organisers hope the event will continue to expand in the coming years, providing even more opportunities for young people to showcase their talents, develop new skills, and build stronger connections with local employers and organisations.
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