The 42nd Annual Monster Raving Loony Party Conference 2026 was held at The George and Dragon, Belper on 24 – 26 Sept 2026. This was the third time we had been there and I’m pretty sure it won’t be the last.
I arrived 12 days earlier as usual to get all the early promotion stuff done, two TV shows and three radio interviews, plus to make sure all was in order for the ‘BIG’ show. All was in order, all went well.
Thursday night we started off with BB Black Dog, Dale Rowles and his band, local party members from Belper, a good style, high class, Steam Punk music.
Friday, more and more had arrived by midday, within ten mins the whole atmosphere changed into frivolity and madness, just as we all expected. Lots of lovely pints of ‘Bass’ disappeared when a special conference brew appeared called ‘A New Hope’. Leading into the evening being entertained by another local band ‘Manpant’ featuring the landlord Dan Newton on guitar and ex landlord Craig on vocal, along with a couple of others from the pub.
They were followed by an awesome band from Liverpool ‘The Go Katz’, excellent Rock’n’Roll and Rock-a-Billy.
And of course not forgetting the profanity of ‘Bad Axe’. On the back of his tour jacket he has a list of all the venues he is barred from!
On Sat afternoon we assembled 12 noon for the promotional pub crawl, I had a few mention to me that they might not make it after such a good night, but they did by 12.30 at least! We were joined as usual by ‘The Black Pig’ morris dance side. Once again local party members, they always add an air of spectaculation to our wandering around and meeting people. Back to base camp 4pm for the annual Party Leaders speech and our world famous cabinet reshuffle. Which I am delighted to say ended up in smithereens out in the car park, we have had more splits in our party cabinet than all the others put together, I wager.
Saturday evening started with ‘The Faux Fibbers’ giving us their usual type of humorous songs.
Followed by much acclaimed ‘The Savages’, our favourite band that played with Screaming Lord Sutch in the 80’s and 90’s.
Just to round up a great time was had by all, special thanks to Dan Newton and all the staff and Tracy for providing great food and helping to organise everything in the run-up. Especially to all our members for being there, and more specially to all those who just turned up not knowing what was going to happen! Sometimes it’s the unknown people who come along and become members that make it so special!
Don’t forget to follow the by-election in Holborn and St Pancras on Thurs 8th Oct, our candidate is Mr Barmy Brunch
We’re not sure where the 2027 is yet, looking at Blackpool or Skegness at the moment. Keep a close eye on loonyparty.com – to keep up with us.
See you all next time if not before.
Howling ‘Laud’ Hope Party Leader