Wychwood Festival has today revealed all the headliners and more for the 2025 edition of the beloved family friendly festival.
Offering an unmissable weekend of iconic performances in music, arts, and family-friendly entertainment, Wychwood’s uniquely intimate setting at Gloucestershire's Cheltenham Racecourse will come alive again with the magic of summer between 30th May to 1st June 2025.
Joining recently announced headliners James, will be none other than Shed Seven and Doves, alongside a hand-picked selection of the finest live acts, including Public Service Broadcasting, The Zutons, The Lottery Winners, Ibibio Sound Machine, Scouting For Girls and many more.
Shed Seven join the line up off the back of an unprecedented year of success for the Britpop veterans. They joined an exclusive club in 2024, alongside the likes of Abba, Queen, Ed Sheeran and Taylor Swift when they scored not one but two number 1s in the Official UK Album Chart in the same year. Revered for euphoric classics like ‘Chasing Rainbows’ and ‘Going For Gold’, and celebrated for incredible new material on ‘A Matter Of Time’ and ‘Liquid Gold’, fans can look forward to an electric headline set on Friday night at Wychwood.
Rick Witter, Shed Seven’s frontman said: “We are really looking forward to coming back to play at the Wychwood Festival again in 2025. The last time we played there was an amazing atmosphere so we can’t wait to come back and recreate it. Expect big songs and rock and roll. See you down the front”
After three years away, Manchester band Doves are announced today as the Sunday night headliner. Firmly back on the scene and gearing up for a highly anticipated new album ‘Constellations For The Lonely’, Doves’ emotive and atmospheric anthems like ‘There Goes the Fear’ and ‘Pounding’, will round off a closing moment to cherish next summer.
The line-up expands with an exciting array of artists spanning multiple genres. Public Service Broadcasting will bring their one of a kind combination of post rock sonics and immersive historical storytelling, while The Zutons, the Liverpool band that gave the world a timeless singalong hit ‘Valerie’, promise a crowd-pleasing set. Rising stars The Lottery Winners have built a reputation as one of the UK’s most entertaining live bands, and serve to add a fresh edge to the weekend, alongside R&B-inspired pop sensation Daniel Bedingfield as part of an exciting live comeback. Festival favourites Scouting For Girls are sure to draw an enormous crowd to enjoy instantly recognisable and endlessly popular catalog of hits, whilst the hypnotic rhythms of Ibibio Sound Machine and angular and upbeat dance-punk tunes from Home Counties are certain to get everyone dancing.
Scouting for Girls’ frontman Roy Stride, said: “We are delighted to be playing Wychwood Festival this year and look forward to playing all our bangers at such a beautiful family festival. Even more excited that some of my favourite other artists are playing including Shed Seven, James & The Magic Numbers. I might even get down early for a bit of a workout with Joe Wicks!!! It's going to be an incredible weekend”
Public Service Broadcasting said: "We're really looking forward to coming back to Wychwood Festival - it's always been a great atmosphere in the past and it's been too long since we were there. See some of you soon!"
Ibibio Sound Machine said: “We’re excited to be playing at Wychwood festival 2025 alongside so many great acts!”
[download artist press shots]
Elsewhere the soulful desert blues of Mali band Songhoy Blues, the feel-good harmonies of The Magic Numbers and the energetic 8-piece experience of Gentleman’s Dub Club continue the eclectic line-up. Adding a healthy dose of Welsh-wit and nostalgia, Goldie Lookin Chain and The Bug Club bring a unique flair to the program. For fans of viral sea shanties - and there’s evidently plenty of them - Fisherman’s Friends have you covered as leaders of the TikTok-driven revival of this glorious age-old musical tradition.
Wychwood’s centre of amusement, Howlin’ Pete’s, will once again host an array of fun and lighthearted moments, featuring tribute sensations The Smyths, TV and karaoke legend Barrioke, and the Beatles Dub Club. Additional highlights include sets from The Ogretones - the Shrek Tribute Band that has to be seen to be believed, Witney Social Club, and Temps Rising founder DJ Carlton, ensuring a good time for all.
Beyond the music, Wychwood delivers a program brimming with family-friendly activities, arts, and comedy. Fitness personality Joe Wicks will lead a live P.E. session, while the Village Green offers everything from Circus Skills and Magic Workshops to Yoga, Drumming, and the vibrant Sunday Parade. Families can also explore the Storybox Kids’ Literature Festival, unwind in the Healing Gardens or lose those inhibitions into the early hours at the Silent Disco.
With idyllic camping beneath the Prestbury Hills, sensational food and drink, and free entry for children under 10, Wychwood Festival remains a firm favourite for all ages.
Graeme Merifield, Wychwood Festival Co-Founder, said: "We couldn’t be more thrilled to unveil next summer’s lineup today! The response to James as our first headliner last month was phenomenal, so we wanted to spread a little early holiday cheer by sharing the rest of our headliners, and more, much earlier than we usually do. Bringing Shed Seven to Cheltenham after their historic run with two number-one albums, and welcoming Doves during their exciting comeback year, has my heart pounding already! But it’s not just about chart hits at Wychwood, we’re also bringing HIITs in 2025… We’re absolutely delighted to have booked in a P.E. session on the main stage with Joe Wicks! This year’s Wychwood lineup is shaping up to be something truly special for the whole family."
With even more to be revealed over the coming months, Wychwood Festival is renowned for presenting diverse musical lineups, alongside a perfect combination of comedy, arts, 100s of family-friendly activities, and sensational food and drink. Drawing growing audiences of all ages from around the UK and following a fantastic show this year headlined by Sister Sledge, Texas and Ocean Colour Scene, anticipation runs high for the 2025 edition.
Wychwood Festival takes place between 30th May - 1st June 2025 at Cheltenham Racecourse. Tickets for both day and weekend entry are on sale now via: https://wychwoodfestival.com/
The Line Up Announced So Far
James - Shed Seven - Doves
Public Service Broadcasting - The Zutons - The Lottery Winners - Daniel Bedingfield
Fisherman's Friends - Ibibio Sound Machine - Scouting For Girls - Songhoy Blues - The Magic Numbers - Gentleman's Dub Club - Goldie Lookin Chain - Skinny Lister - Lack of Afro - The Bug Club - Dub Catalyst - Home Counties - Doreen Doreen - The Bar-Steward Sons of Val Doonican - Roving Crows - Whitney Social Club
P.E with Joe Wicks
Howlin' Petes: The Smyths - Barrioke - The Beatles Dub Club - Thrill Collins - Hip Hop Karaoke - The Ogretones - Witney Social Club - DJ Carlton (Temps Rising) - Mr.B The Gentleman Rhymer
With over 100 workshops and family activities:
Circus Skills - Magic Workshops - Yoga for Adults & Children - Open Mic - Drumming - Street Theatre - Arts and Craft Workshops
Plus: Comedy - Storybox: Kids Children Literature Festival - Silent Disco - Healing Gardens - Idyllic Camping Beneath the Prestbury Hills!
