Less than a month to go until the return of Splendour Festival to Wollaton Park, Nottingham
With less than a month to go, final preparations are underway for Splendour Festival as it returns to a city park this summer.
The festival, which didn’t go ahead last year, is returning to Nottingham’s Wollaton Park on the weekend of July 19 and 20.
This year’s line-up features a strong mix of household names and emerging talent across six stages, with headliners Bloc Party, Kaiser Chiefs, Travis, and Nottingham’s own Jake Bugg leading the charge.
Other big names include Clean Bandit, Sophie Ellis-Bextor, Natasha Bedingfield, Echo & The Bunnymen, Seasick Steve, The Levellers and The Fratellis.
Among the new additions this year is Day Fever, a daytime disco led by local favourite Vicky McClure, who will also perform for the third time with Our Dementia Choir.
Vicky McClure said: “I’m so excited Splendour is back this year for two very exciting reasons, Our Dementia Choir’s third performance and Day Fever’s debut.
“It’s going to be a weekend of pure fun, music, dance, great people, great vibes and all happening in my favourite spot on earth, Wollaton Park. Let’s dance Nottingham.”
Splendour also continues its support for talent from the area with the Bodega New Music Stage, curated by the award-winning Nottingham venue.
Acts like Nectar Woode, backed by Elton John, and rising Irish band Cardinals will join a line-up that showcases the city’s thriving grassroots scene, including Bored Marsh, Swallowtail, Commons, and Bloodworm.
DHP Family’s Joseph Patten said the collaboration with Bodega highlights “the hottest new UK artists right now with some amazing local talent that we’re very proud to support.”
More local acts will be confirmed following the Future Sound of Nottingham final, taking place at Rock City on July 6.
Previous winners include MOBO Award-winning duo Alt Blk Era, who opened the main stage in 2022.
Beyond the music, the weekend offers plenty for families and festival-goers of all ages as Little Splendours returns with activities for children aged up to 11, including sensory play zones, interactive theatre, music-making, sculpture-building, face painting, circus skills and fairground rides.
Festival-goers can also look forward to Trevor Nelson’s Soul Nation, Hedkandi’s DJs and live PA, and the return of the Silent Disco.
Cricket fans can visit the Trent Rockets activation zone, where players will be on hand for meet-and-greets and skills challenges ahead of The Hundred’s return to Trent Bridge in August.
This year’s comedy line-up features Radio 4’s Frizz Frizzle on Saturday and the Comedy Store’s first female Gong winner Karen Bayley on Sunday.
Food and drink stalls will offer a wide selection, including local favourites such as Holy Cow, Syiok-Lah, MemSaab and Mirch Masala, with drinks from Black Iris, Castle Rock, Brooklyn Pilsner and a dedicated Guinness bar.
Speaking ahead of the festival, DHP Family’s George Akins said: “Everyone at DHP has been working hard to bring Splendour back after a year out and we couldn’t be happier to see in its return, providing an affordable, top-quality weekend of entertainment for families and people of all ages.
“I’m particularly looking forward to the new addition of Day Fever, with longtime Splendour supporter Vicky McClure, which is sure to add to the party atmosphere at Wollaton Park, plus the yet to be announced Future Sound of Nottingham winners, a real celebration of our hometown.”
Tickets are still available, with day passes priced at £69 plus booking fee. Discounts are available for Nottingham city residents, and children under 11 go free.
