Forest Live, the summer concert series presented by Forestry England, has announced Irish folk-pop icons The Corrs and game-changing Northern Irish musicianVan Morrison as the final two headliners for Westonbirt Arboretum this summer.
One of the most prolific recording artists and live performers of his era, Van Morrison is one of music’s true originals with a unique legacy rooted in his upbringing in post-war Belfast. He will be headlining Westonbirt on 7 July 2024.
His unmatched vocals and legendary songwriting talents have produced many instant classics, including Top 40 pop hit 'Brown Eyed Girl', 'Gloria', 'Bright Side of the Road' and 'Moondance'.
With six Grammy Awards, an Ivor Novello, a BRIT Award for ‘Outstanding Contribution to Music’ and two honorary doctorate degrees under his belt, Van Morrison’s catalogue and career continues to be one of the most revered in music history.
Set to headline Westonbirt on 6 July 2024, multi-million selling sibling quartet The Corrs rose to prominence in the nineties, pioneering their own seamless blend of traditional Celtic music and enchanting pop-rock. They created countless classics including 'Runaway', 'What Can I Do?' and 'Breathless'.
Having sold over 40 million albums since their debut ‘Forgiven, Not Forgotten’ in 1995, the band have earned two Grammy nominations, a BRIT Award for Best International Group and are one of only a handful of acts to hold the top two positions simultaneously in the UK album chart.
Their Forest Live fixture will see the band perform tracks from the acclaimed album ‘Talk on Corners’, plus a selection of their greatest hits.
Van Morrison and The Corrs complete the line-up for Westonbirt Arboretum, with the venue also hosting acclaimed American jazz, blues and soul singer Gregory Porter on 4 July, multi-platinum popstar Anne-Marie on 5 July and disco icons Nile Rodgers & CHIC on 12 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 23 years.
In 2024, Forestry England presents 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 more at forestlive.com. Pre-sale tickets for both shows will be available from 9am on Wednesday 27 March, before tickets go on general sale at 9am on Thursday 28 March.
Media enquiries
David Cox, LD Communications, david.cox@ldcommspr.uk
Henry Oliver, LD Communications, henry.oliver@ldcommspr.uk
Charlotte Marston, LD Communications, charlotte.marston@ldcommspr.uk
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