Monday 16th January 2017
Elbow announce Forest Live dates for the summer

Elbow is the latest band to announce dates as part of Forest Live, where acts perform in spectacular woodland settings around the country as part of the summer concert series promoted by the Forestry Commission.

Elbow’s rise over the past two decades has seen them become one of the most important bands in contemporary British music. Since debut album, 2001’s ‘Asleep At The Back’ their stature has grown with subsequent releases such as ‘Cast of Thousands’, ‘Leaders Of The Free World’, ‘The Seldom Seen Kid’, ‘Build A Rocket Boys’ and 2014’s ‘The Take Off And Landing Of Everything’ that debuted at the top of the U.K. charts. Front man Guy Garvey’s story-telling lyrics have honed their unique identity and sound to establish the band a passionate fan base and critical acclaim on their musical journey including two Ivor Novellos and a BRIT award for Best British Band.

Renowned for the intimacy of their live shows, stand-out gigs include Glastonbury Festival’s sunset slot with a trio of sets on the Pyramid Stage, taking part in the closing ceremony of the 2012 Olympic Games performing their classic track ‘One Day Like This’ and recreating their Mercury Prize winning album, ‘The Seldom Seen Kid’, with the BBC Concert Orchestra from the world famous Abbey Road Studio One. Elbow’s seventh studio album ‘Little Fictions’ will be released on 3rd February.

Forest Live is an independent programme organised by the Forestry Commission to bring forests to new audiences. Income generated from ticket sales is spent on protecting, improving and expanding England’s forests and woodlands and increasing their value to people and wildlife. Over Forest Live’s 16 years history, money raised has contributed to a wide range of projects, from wildlife conservation to making improvements for visitors. With everything required for a great night out, including full catering and bar facilities, the gigs are renowned for their relaxed atmosphere.

Elbow - plus guests. Forest Live 2017

Thursday 15 June: Westonbirt Arboretum, near Tetbury, Glos.
Saturday 17 June: Bedgebury Pinetum, near Tunbridge Wells, Kent.
Saturday 24 June: Dalby Forest, near Pickering, N Yorks.
Sunday 25 June: Sherwood Pines Forest, near Mansfield, Notts.
Thursday 29 June: Thetford Forest, near Brandon, Suffolk.
Friday 30 June, Delamere Forest, near Northwich, Cheshire.
Friday 7 July: Cannock Chase Forest, near Rugeley, Staffs.

Tickets £41.50 (plus £4.65 booking fee) available from 9am Friday 20 January from the Forestry Commission box office tel 03000 680400, or buy online at www.forestry.gov.uk/music

Monday 28th November 2016
Olly Murs announces Forest Live shows as part of huge 2017 Summer Tour

Following on from his spring arena tour, Olly Murs, one of British music’s biggest stars, announces his biggest headline shows yet; 20 outdoor dates across the UK including two dates as part of Forest Live, the summer concert series organised by the Forestry Commission.

2016 has been another incredible year for Olly Murs which has seen him celebrate his fourth successive No.1 Album ’24 Hrs’, becoming the most successful solo artist ever to come from the X Factor.

New single ‘Years and Years’ is the new album’s centre piece; an expansive, explosive, spine-tingling belter and follows the radio favourites ‘You Don’t Know Love’ and ‘Grow Up’ which Olly recently performed on the X Factor.

Before his huge summer tour, the spring of 2017 will see Olly play 23 UK shows including 3 O2’s and the opening night of the Teenage Cancer Trust shows, confirming his reputation as one of Britain’s very best live performers.

Olly Murs + Support plays the following Forest Live dates:
Friday 16 June: Westonbirt Arboretum, near Tetbury, Glos.
Friday 30 June: Thetford Forest, near Brandon, Suffolk.

Tickets £42.50 (plus £4.75 booking fee) go on sale at 9.00am Friday 2 December from the Forestry Commission box office tel: 03000 680400, or buy online at www.forestry.gov.uk/music

Since Olly shot to fame in 2009, he has recorded four multi-platinum albums, produced 4 Number 1 singles with total record sales exceeding 10 million. ’24 HRS’ is the follow up to the acclaimed million selling ‘Never Been Better’.

Forest Live is an independent programme promoted by Forestry Commission England to bring forests to new audiences. Income generated from ticket sales is spent on protecting, improving and expanding forests and woodlands and increasing their value to people and wildlife. Over Forest Live’s 16 years history, money raised has contributed to a wide range of projects, from wildlife conservation to making improvements for visitors.

Info: ollymurs.com & forestry.gov.uk/music

Monday 17th October 2016
Rick Astley is the first artist to announce dates for 2017 as part of Forest Live, the summer concert series promoted by the Forestry Commission where acts perform in spectacular woodland locations around the country.

Soulful-voiced pop icon and multi-million selling artist, Rick Astley has had a lot to celebrate. With his first No 1 album in twenty-nine years, titled ‘50’ the Brit Award winning singer has pulled off one of pop’s most remarkable comebacks. ‘50’ has gone gold and has been well received by fans and critics alike, with singles ‘Keep Singing’ and ‘Angels On My Side’ dominating the airwaves and raking in nearly 1.8m views on VEVO and over 600,000 streams on Spotify.

Astley was just twenty-one years old when he unleashed the iconic ‘Never Gonna Give You Up’ - few debut singles have had the same impact. It became the UK’s biggest selling single of the year, going on to hit No 1 in 16 countries. The song became the centrepiece of debut album ‘Whenever You Need Somebody’, which sold an astonishing 15 million copies worldwide, cracking the US Top 10 in the process. Holding the distinction of being the first male solo artist to see his first eight singles reach the UK Top Ten, the hits continued with ‘Together Forever’; ‘She Wants To Dance With Me’; ‘Take Me To Your Heart’; ‘Hold Me In Your Arms’ and ‘Cry For Help’.

Following on from a run of sold out indoor spring ’17 tour dates, at the Forest Live gigs fans can look forward to seeing Rick perform a set of songs from his latest album and greatest hits.

Forest Live is an independent programme organised by the Forestry Commission to bring forests to new audiences. Income generated from ticket sales is spent on protecting, improving and expanding England’s forests and woodlands and increasing their value to people and wildlife. Over Forest Live’s 16 years history, money raised has contributed to a wide range of projects, from wildlife conservation to making improvements for visitors. With everything required for a great night out, including full catering and bar facilities, the gigs are renowned for their relaxed atmosphere.

Commenting on the concerts, Rick Astley said “2017 sees me celebrating 30 years in the music business since my first No 1 hit. I can’t wait to perform as a part of Forest Live and I really hope you can make one of the dates to enjoy the experience with me.”

Rick Astley plus guests
Friday 16 June: Bedgebury Pinetum, near Tunbridge Wells, Kent
Saturday 17 June: Westonbirt Arboretum, near Tetbury, Glos
Friday 23 June: Dalby Forest, near Pickering, North Yorks
Saturday 1 July: Thetford Forest, near Brandon, Suffolk
Sunday 2 July: Delamere Forest, near Northwich, Cheshire
Saturday 8 July: Cannock Chase Forest, near Rugeley, Staffs
Tickets £36.50 (plus £4.15 booking fee) go on sale at 9.00am Friday 21 October from the Forestry Commission box office tel: 03000 680400, or buy online at www.forestry.gov.uk/music

Monday 8th February 2016
UB40’s three founding members will be making a triumphant return to Westonbirt Arboretum this summer as part of Forest Live, the annual concert series organised by the Forestry Commission.

UB40 featuring Ali Campbell, Astro and Mickey Virtue will be performing a set of classic hits that a whole generation of fans grew up with, such as: ‘Food For Thought’, ‘One in Ten’, ‘Red Red Wine’, ‘Please Don’t Make Me Cry’, ‘Kingston Town’ and ‘(I Can’t Help) Falling In Love With You’, acknowledging UB40’s status as Britain’s most successful reggae band of all time.

Forest Live is an independent programme organised by the Forestry Commission to bring forests to new audiences. Income generated from ticket sales is spent on protecting, improving and expanding England’s forests and woodlands and increasing their value to people and wildlife. Over Forest Live’s 15 years history, money raised has contributed to a wide range of projects, from wildlife conservation to making improvements for visitors. With everything required for a great night out, including full catering and bar facilities, the gigs are renowned for their relaxed atmosphere.

Commenting on the gig, Ali Campbell, the legendary voice of UB40, said “It will actually be ten years ago to the very weekend that we graced the same stage at Westonbirt Arboretum. We hope you can come and enjoy this very special reunion with us.”

UB40 featuring Ali Campbell, Astro and Mickey Virtue plus special guests Radio Riddler: 

Saturday 18 June: Westonbirt Arboretum, near Tetbury, Glos.

Tickets £38.50 plus £4.35 booking fee available from 9.00am Friday 12 February from Forestry Commission box office tel. 03000 680400 or buy online from forestry.gov.uk/music

Monday 18th January 2016
Kaiser Chiefs announce Forest gigs

Kaiser Chiefs is the latest band to announce dates as part of Forest Live, where acts perform in spectacular woodland settings around the country as part of the summer concert series promoted by the Forestry Commission.

Formed in Leeds in 2000, Kaiser Chiefs produced a succession of classic album releases in ‘Employment’, ‘Yours Truly, Angry Mob’ and ‘Off With Their Heads’ establishing them as one of the leading bands of their generation. Fronted by the charismatic Ricky Wilson, their trademark indie rock sound delivered a string of anthemic hits such as ‘Oh My God’, ‘I Predict A Riot’, ‘Everyday I Love You Less And Less’, ‘Ruby’ and ‘Never Miss A Beat’. This success has ensured a number of headline festival slots and sell-out tours. As a follow up to 2014’s No 1 album ‘Education, Education, Education & War’, the group are currently working on their sixth studio album. Ricky Wilson is currently appearing as a coach in the BBC series The Voice.

Forest Live is an independent programme organised by the Forestry Commission to bring forests to new audiences. Income generated from ticket sales is spent on protecting, improving and expanding England’s forests and woodlands and increasing their value to people and wildlife. Over Forest Live’s 15 years history, money raised has contributed to a wide range of projects, from wildlife conservation to making improvements for visitors. With everything required for a great night out, including full catering and bar facilities, the gigs are renowned for their relaxed atmosphere.

Commenting on the gigs, Ricky Wilson said, “As a band we’ve always loved to play outdoors, we’ve done fields, parks, farms, rooftops, beaches and back gardens, but this will be the first time we’ve played in a forest. If you go down to the woods this Summer, you’re sure of a big surprise. We’re really looking forward to being part of Forest Live.”

Kaiser Chiefs plus guests will be performing:

Friday 17 June: Westonbirt Arboretum, near Tetbury, Glos 
aturday 18 June: Bedgebury Pinetum, near Tunbridge Wells, Kent
Sunday 26 June: Dalby Forest, near Pickering, N Yorks
Sunday 3 July: Delamere Forest, near Northwich, Cheshire
Sunday 10 July: Cannock Chase Forest, near Rugeley, Staffs

Tickets £38.50 (plus £4.35 booking fee) available from 9am Friday 22 January from the Forestry Commission box office tel 03000 680400, or buy online at www.forestry.gov.uk/music

Monday 11th January 2016
Rudimental announce Forest shows

Rudimental have announced dates for the summer, as part of Forest Live, the concert series promoted by the Forestry Commission where acts perform in unique woodland locations around the country.

Rudimental’s debut album, ‘Home’, now double platinum selling over 600,000 copies in the UK, spawned five huge hit singles including two UK Number Ones with ‘Feel The Love’ ft. John Newman and ‘Waiting All Night’ ft. Ella Eyre. Public adulation was reflected in industry accolades including a BRIT Award (Best British Single for ‘Waiting All Night’) and a MOBO Award (Best Album). Collectively, they have gone on to sell over 5 million singles worldwide and over 200 million views across their YouTube channel and ‘Waiting All Night’ alone has clocked up over 100 million streams on Spotify.

For their second album release, ‘We The Generation’ marks a progressive Rudimental, a genre-defying collective that continues to change the face of dance music not just within the UK music scene but globally. They have become recognised for discovering and nurturing the hottest new up and coming talent and their sophomore album continues this, introducing Anne-Marie, Will Heard, and with Mahalia on the title track. Further collaborations abound with established artists such as ‘New Day’ ft. Bobby Womack and the hit singles ‘Bloodstream’ and ‘Lay It All On Me’ with Ed Sheeran. Renowned for their electric live performances, fans can expect a formidable set from the Hackney four-piece and their supporting cast.   

Forest Live is an independent programme organised by the Forestry Commission to bring forests to new audiences. Income generated from ticket sales is spent on protecting, improving and expanding England’s forests and woodlands and increasing their value to people and wildlife. Over Forest Live’s 15 years history, money raised has contributed to a wide range of projects, from wildlife conservation to making improvements for visitors. With everything required for a great night out, including full catering and bar facilities, the gigs are renowned for their relaxed atmosphere.

Rudimental plus special guests:
Thursday 16 June Westonbirt Arboretum, near Tetbury, Glos
Thursday 30 June Thetford Forest, near Brandon, Suffolk

Tickets £37.50 (plus £4.25 booking fee) go on sale 9am Friday 15 January from the Forestry Commission box office tel 03000 680400, or buy online: www.forestry.gov.uk/music