Forest Live, Forestry England’s summer concert series presented with Cuffe & Taylor, has confirmed cult Manchester rockers James and Northern Irish indie-rock band Snow Patrol as the latest headliners for 2025.
Best known for their emotive and anthemic hits including ‘Chasing Cars’, ‘Run’, ‘Just Say Yes’ and ‘Open Your Eyes’, Snow Patrol will head to Forestry England Delamere on Friday 13 June 2025 and Westonbirt Arboretum on Tuesday 17 June 2025.
The Northern Irish three piece of Gary Lightbody, Nathan Connolly and Johnny McDaid, formed in Dundee in 1994 the band. They released their 5x-platinum, major-label debut Final Straw in 2003. Hit track ‘Run’ saw the group catapulted to national fame as they led the charge of the post-Britpop movement.
Over the course of their career, Snow Patrol have earned a momentous seven Meteor Ireland Music Awards, an Ivor Novello award and been nominated for six BRIT Awards and one GRAMMY. Earlier this year, the band released their aptly titled UK Number One album The Forest Is The Path to widespread acclaim.
With over 25 million albums sold over a longstanding career, James are amongst the most commercially and artistically successful alternative rock bands of their era. Having marked their 40th anniversary just last year, James will head to Forestry EnglandHighLodge, Thetford on Thursday 19 June 2025 and Cannock Chase Forest on Saturday 28 June 2025.
An unstoppable force since they formed in the 1980s, James achieved their first UK number one earlier this year with eighteenth studio album Yummy.
Alongside cuts from the acclaimed new record, fans can look forward to belting out James classics like ‘Come Home’, ‘Sit Down’, ‘Sometimes’, ‘She’s A Star’, ‘Born Of Frustration’ and ‘Laid’ amongst the trees this Summer as the band play through their back catalogue of euphoric anthems.
James will also be supported by Yorkshire indie heroes Shed Seven at Forestry England High Lodge, Thetford, indie-rock heavyweights Razorlight at Cannock Chase and ‘people’s poet’ Jamie Webster at both dates.
Speaking of the band’s excitement to give back to nature, Shed Seven’s Rick Witter said:
“We are thrilled and excited to be performing at Thetford Forest alongside the amazing James. Not only will it be magical in such magnificent surroundings, but it’s also a great way of helping to raise money to put into the forest to help sustain it. Trees and rock and roll. See you down the front.”
Merging stellar performances from world-class acts with beautiful outdoor locations to create an atmosphere like no other, Forest Live 2025 will take place at four forest venues: Forestry England Cannock Chase, Delamere, High Lodge, Thetford and Westonbirt Arboretum.
The newly confirmed headliners join a selection of renowned global artists for the event’s 2025 edition, including Sting, The Script, Elbow, Blossoms and Rag’N’Bone Man, plus more to be announced.
Forestry England manage and care for the nation’s 1,500 woods and forests. They use the money Forest Live raises to maintain these beautiful natural areas for everyone to enjoy, run important conservation projects and keep growing trees.
Last year they planted some 7.4 million trees and welcomed 285 million visits in 2023/24. 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.
This year sees Forestry England present the concert series in partnership with Live Nation’s Cuffe & Taylor for the second year running.
Snow Patrol
Friday 13 June 2025: Forestry England Delamere
Tuesday 17 June 2025: Forestry England Westonbirt Arboretum
James
Thursday 19 June 2025: Forestry England High Lodge, Thetford (with support from Shed Seven and Jamie Webster)
Saturday 28 June 2025: Forestry England Cannock Chase (with support from Razorlight and Jamie Webster)
Tickets will go on sale from 10am on 15 November 2024.
Fans can sign up for information, announcements, and exclusive pre-sale access at forestlive.com.
