After a year away Nottingham's biggest outdoor music festival Splendour is back with a bang. The first acts have been announced, along with details of a brand new Day Fever stage and plans to attract fans living further afield.
The two-day event, in the grounds of historic Wollaton Hall, will take place on July 19-20 with an eclectic line-up. Tens of thousands of music lovers will be able to enjoy headliners Bloc Party, Kaiser Chiefs, Travis and Nottingham's homegrown talent Jake Bugg.
Bloc Party will be performing songs from their debut album ‘Silent Alarm’ alongside a selection of greatest hits on the Saturday, while on the Sunday Kaiser Chiefs will get the crowd rocking with classics such as ‘I Predict A Riot’.
Other acts revealed are Clean Bandit, Sophie Ellis-Bextor, Natasha Bedingfield, Echo & The Bunnymen, Seasick Steve, The Levellers and The Fratellis.
A brand new stage will welcome Day Fever for the very first time, the daytime disco with perfect party tunes curated by Jon McClure of Reverend and the Makers and Nottingham-born actress Vicky McClure. It will be followed by a yet to be revealed line-up of electronic music programming closing out both days.
Spanning six stages across the scenic deer park, the line-up for the Nottingham weekender also features Kingfishr, Cardinals, Elvana, Kezia Gill, Brooke Combe, Overpass, Lyvia, The Publics, Pentire, Vicky McClure’s Our Dementia Choir, the Amy Winehouse Band, TSSFU and Tom A. Smith. More will be announced at a later date.
Splendour has grown significantly over the last 17 years into a 30,000-capacity flagship cultural event and was nominated for Major Festival of the Year, alongside Reading and Leeds, Latitude, Isle of Wight and Victorious after the last event in 2023.
The event didn't take place last year after delays in the tendering process left insufficient time for DHP Family to organise the event. Last June a new five-year contract was agreed.
George Akins, from DHP Family, said: “Splendour has become a standout weekend for families and seasoned gig-goers alike and an important event for the cultural and economic value it brings to the region. We’re very pleased to finally be back with another brilliant line-up, now spread across two days and six distinct stages, offering great value to everyone coming to enjoy the weekend with us.”
This year organisers are building on the growing appeal of weekend festival getaways, linking up with the University of Nottingham to offer budget-friendly rooms on campus and more luxurious accommodation in the Orchard Hotel on University Park.
For the first time dedicated festival coaches will transport fans from major cities and towns across the Midlands including Leicester, Lincoln and Sheffield, with pick-up points in Chesterfield, Loughborough, Mansfield and Newark.
Cllr Sam Lux, executive member for carbon reduction, leisure and culture at Nottingham City Council, said: "We’re so pleased to welcome Splendour Festival back to Wollaton Hall and Deer Park this year. The festival not only showcases Nottingham’s vibrant music scene but brings significant economic benefits by supporting local businesses.
"Splendour also fosters a real sense of community spirit, uniting people from all walks of life to celebrate music, art, and the unique character of Nottingham. It’s a fantastic opportunity for the city to once again host this nationally recognised event and one of the East Midlands’ biggest music festivals."
Once again the festival will be showcasing emerging artists from the local music scene with one getting the chance to open the festival on the main stage. Since Splendour began in 2008, more than 150 artists from the region have been given the opportunity to play in front of thousands.
Day and weekend tickets, starting at £69, are now on sale. As well as discounts for city residents, the festival has lower price tickets for 11 to 17-year-olds and free entry for children aged ten and under. For information go to splendourfestival.com.
