Richard Ashcroft announces Forest Live headline show at Dalby Forest
Forest Live, the summer concert series presented by Forestry England, has announced that iconic singer-songwriter Richard Ashcroft will perform a headline show in the stunning outdoor setting of Dalby Forest, North Yorkshire with support from local Leeds band Apollo Junction on Sunday 23 June 2024.
Richard Ashcroft is a two-time Ivor Novello winner (Songwriter of the Year in 1998 and
Outstanding Contribution to British Music in 2019) who has released five Top 5 solo albums, including the #1 debut 'Alone With Everybody'.
He first came to the public’s attention with The Verve, with whom he released one of the biggest albums of the era: 'Urban Hymns' (the UK's 18th biggest selling album of all time), as well as a succession of anthems which remain staples of his live set today, including 'The Drugs Don't Work', 'Bittersweet Symphony', 'Lucky Man' and 'Sonnet'. His most recent album, ‘Acoustic Hymns’, was released in 2022 and reached No.2 in the UK Album chart.
The show marks his second Forest Live outing, after playing an incredible sold-out show in Delamere Forest, Cheshire, last year.
Building up to the show, Richard Ashcroft said: "Can’t wait to see you at Dalby Forest this summer come on people we’re making it now."
Supporting Ashcroft, Apollo Junction are a Yorkshire band on the rise, having recently delivered their acclaimed third album ‘Here We Are’ and embarked on their biggest ever tour. Described by Steve Lamacq on BBC 6 Music as swaggering electro indie rock, their sound includes nods to the iconic sounds of the 80s as well as their contemporary guitar peers.
They join the other artists announced for the concert series performing at Dalby Forest including disco icons Nile Rodgers & CHIC on 22 June and Canadian rock legend Bryan Adams on 21 July.
Forestry England uses the money Forest Live raises to maintain beautiful natural areas for everyone to enjoy, run important conservation projects and keep growing trees. Last year they planted some 7.4 million trees, caring for the nation’s 1,500 woods and forests sustainably and welcoming 291 million visits in 2022-23. Everyone in England lives within a one-hour drive of one of the nation’s forests. Over two million people have enjoyed the Forest Live gigs over the last twenty-three years. This year, they present the concerts in partnership with Live Nation’s Cuffe & Taylor for the first time. Gigs will take place at six forests throughout England – Delamere Forest, Dalby Forest, Sherwood Pines, High Lodge Thetford Forest, Westonbirt Arboretum and Cannock Chase Forest.
Fans can sign up for information, announcements, and exclusive pre-sale access at forestlive.com. Pre-sale tickets will be available at 9am on Thursday 1 February before they go on general sale at 9am on Friday 2 February.
Notes to Editors
About Forestry England
Forestry England manages and cares for the nation’s 1,500 woods and forests, with over 291 million visits in 2022/23. As England’s largest land manager, we shape landscapes and enhance forests for people to enjoy, wildlife to flourish and businesses to grow.
We are continuing the work we have already started to make the nation’s forests resilient to climate change and by 2026 we will:
- create at least 6,000 more hectares where we integrate wilding activities in our productive forests.
- increase the diversity of visitors to the nation’s forests and have one million hours of high-quality volunteer time given to the nation’s forests.
- plant at least 2,000 hectares of new, high quality, predominantly broadleaf woodlands
About Cuffe & Taylor
Cuffe & Taylor is one of the UK’s top live music, theatre and event promoters. Established for more than 10 years and part of the Live Nation family, they present breath-taking tours, festivals and shows across the UK filling football stadiums, arenas, theatres and major historical sites.
Cuffe & Taylor’s roster of artists is extensive and varied including Diana Ross, Lionel Richie, Britney Spears, Rod Stewart, Christina Aguilera, Mariah Carey, Lewis Capaldi, Sir Tom Jones, Bryan Adams, Kylie, Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds, Stereophonics, George Ezra, The Strokes, Sam Fender and Def Leppard. They also operate a hugely successful theatre touring department across the UK and internationally programming thousands of nights of entertainment ranging from live podcasts, screen-to-stage TV adaptations and musical theatre. In 2023 they were recipients of an Olivier Award, for Best Family Show, for their original production of ‘Hey Duggee - The Live Theatre Show’.
About Live Nation
Live Nation Entertainment (NYSE: LYV) is the world’s leading live entertainment company comprised of global market leaders: Ticketmaster, Live Nation Concerts and Live Nation Media & Sponsorship. For additional information, visit www.livenationentertainment.com
Media enquiries:
David Cox, LD Communications, david.cox@ldcommspr.uk
Henry Oliver, LD Communications, henry.oliver@ldcommspr.uk