The 'Wolds are alive with the sound of music!

22nd February 2017

We have a fantastic year of live music coming up in the Cotswolds. From celebrated artists in stunning venues to music festivals with a local flavour, we've got something for everyone.

Big names come to the Cotswolds

Nocturne Live returns to Blenheim Palace this Summer (16-18 June) with global jazz superstars Gregory Porter, Jamie Cullum and Corinne Bailey Rae, funk and Motown legends The Jacksons and Kool and the Gang, and legendary composer Max Richter with his 22-piece orchestra all performing in the atmospheric setting of The Great Court at Blenheim Palace.

Forest Live 2017 (15-18 June) is bringing some fabulous live acts to the beautiful setting of Westonbirt Arboretum including Elbow, Rick Astley and Craig David.

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Summer festival fun

Lechlade Music Festival (26-28 May) is a fabulous local festival on the banks of the River Thames, offering something for everyone - from rock to reggae, folk to funk, pop to punk and everything in between, plus lots of family activities, real ales, fabulous food and a burlesque revue.

Wychwood Festival (2-4 June) is a fun three days of world, roots, and contemporary music, comedy, cinema, creative workshops and lively ethical debate in the attractive setting of Cheltenham Racecourse overlooked by the Cotswold Hills.

Witney Music Festival (10-11 June) is a rapidly growing local music festival packed with live music from 100+ music acts in 15 venues across the town of Witney, culminating with the main event on The Leys headlined by The Undertones, with support from Doctor and the Medics. There’s something for all musical tastes: rock, jazz, folk, choral, hip-hop, indie, gospel, country, classical, dance and more!

Cornbury Festival (7-9 July) - it's the fabulous finale of one of the most civilised and family-friendly festivals in the UK which is going out with a bang with a top line-up turning out to say goodbye, including Bryan Adams, Kaiser Chiefs, The Pretenders, Jools Holland and much more. 

2000 Trees (6-8 July) is definitely one of the coolest, most intimate and friendliest Summer festivals, held in a beautiful setting amidst the Cotswolds hills. Over 130 bands play over 3 days so it’s definitely one for music-lovers.

Charlbury Riverside Festival (29-30 July) is a much-loved, free festival (yes, free!) held at the height of Summer every year in a beautiful meadow on the edge of the Cotswolds town of Charlbury. 30+ acts perform and there is lots of fun for families too, including a fancy dress theme.

Wilderness (3-6 August) is the multi-award winning 4-day festival in the heart of the Cotswolds, combining live music, contemporary arts and an array of theatre, craftsmanship and dining experiences.

The Big Feastival (25-27 Aug) is a feel good festival of food and music for all the family, held on Blur bassist and Cotswolds cheese-maker Alex James’ farm near Kingham. There’s always a great line-up of music and some of the UK’s best known chefs cooking up a feast!

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World-class classical, opera and jazz

Cheltenham Jazz Festival (26 April – 1 May) celebrates the past, present and future of jazz with a fantastic line-up curated by Jamie Cullum. It all takes place in a tented village in Cheltenham’s Montpellier Gardens, featuring a Big Top stage, jazz arena and family tent.

Chipping Campden International Music Festival (14-27 May) brings some of the world’s most exciting musicians to the delightful Cotswolds town of Chipping Campden in the glorious setting of St James’ Church.  There will be a mixture of performances by established  artists of the highest quality along with talented musicians at the outset of their careers.

Longborough Festival Opera (8 June – 1 August) brings world-class opera to an intimate 500-seat theatre set amidst the glorious rolling Cotswold hills in the grounds of an English country house. Each performance is created especially for the Festival with talented designers, directors, conductors and the best up-and-coming artists coming together to bring you something you won't have seen anywhere else. This year’s performances include Tristan Und Isolde and The Magic Flute.

Bledington Music Festival (6-8 June) is an annual music event which takes place over three summer evenings and features top class performers from all over the world.

The 73rd Cheltenham Music Festival (5 -16 July) presents a vast range of classical music – symphonic, choral, chamber, contemporary and early music. This year, there will be a guest appearance from the great bass-baritone Bryn Terfel and performance by the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra and a celebration of Broadway Legend Richard Rodgers.
 
Guiting Music Festival (21-30 July) has been home to exceptional music for nearly 50 years, with an exciting variety of performances from classical, jazz and folk artists from around the world.

Tetbury Music Festival (28 September – 1 October) attracts internationally acclaimed performers along with new, up and coming musicians. Alongside the music, there are lectures, talks and interviews.