Keane Return for Cornbury’s Sweet 16 & The Specials Open the Party!

Festival Crowd Header
Lineup Poster

Six years after their sensational performance at Cornbury, award-winning pop rockers Keane return to headline Cornbury’s 16th Festival on Saturday 6 July.

Cornbury will be one of Keane’s first appearances since band members took a break at the end of 2013 to work on other projects, so their appearance will be a huge crowd-puller.

Formed in 1995, all four of Keane’s albums have debuted at No. 1 in the UK charts, with 2004’s Hopes and Fears remaining one of the UK’s best-selling albums of all time. 

‘Keane are our all-time favourite headliners at Cornbury so of course I’m completely thrilled that they’ve chosen to include us as part of their return’ says festival founder Hugh Phillimore.

Phillimore has also confirmed that The Specials will top the bill on the opening day of the Festival, Friday 5 July. The legendary British Ska band have just returned to the UK Album Charts with their first new record in 38 years, and are currently on a sold-out UK tour. Rounding off the Festival on Sunday 7 July are true musical legends, The Beach Boys.

‘I think it’s one of our best line-ups ever’ says Phillimore, ‘the combination of Keane, The Specials and The Beach Boys is pretty huge for us – and we’re also delighted to have our new friends, and national treasures, The Hairy Bikers returning with their fabulous Festival Feast. Last year we sold every seat in the restaurant – it was totally delicious and the feasters’ feedback was incredible.’

Hairy Bikers Si King and Dave Myers have been cooking together for more than 20 years, travelling the world in the pursuit of great food. The stars of a string of hit television shows, and regulars on BBC One’s Saturday Kitchen, they have become the UK's most popular cookery writing duo.

The rest of the packed music line-up will be announced in early March.

Cornbury Music Festival is a lovingly crafted, top-notch open-air party held in the stunningly beautiful Great Tew Park near Chipping Norton in the heart of the Cotswolds. It’s a unique hybrid of premium music festival and quintessentially English village fete with a rock ‘n’ roll twist, a farmer’s market with a dancefloor. There is always something for everyone with a fantastic line-up over four stages, fantastic food offerings, a comedy stage, a creative kids’ zone, a traditional funfair, an exclusive VIP area, and beautiful campsites nestled in the estate’s rolling hills.

The Festival is very much a family affair. The Kids’ Zone is right in the middle of the festival, in sight of the main stage, so families can drop in and out whilst seeing all the festival highlights; and, unlike other festivals, all activities are free with something for all ages on the go all the time. Entrance for under-threes is free, and quieter camping options are at the same price as general camping tickets.

Cornbury Music Festival runs from 5-7 July at Great Tew Park, near Chipping Norton, Oxfordshire.

Published on 07 February 2019 by Ben Robinson

Recent News More news

  • My Bloody Valentine Announces First UK Headline Tour in Over a Decade

    Legendary band My Bloody Valentine is set to return to the UK with three headline shows in November after a decade-long hiatus. Tickets for the tour will be available for purchase from April 4th at 10am.

  • Annie Mac to Headline Forwards' Bold New Dance Tent for 2025

    FORWARDS' brand-new dance tent, The Arches, will debut in 2025 with ANNIE MAC as its first-ever headliner on Saturday 23rd August. The Arches promises to bring together heritage acts and rising stars in the electronic music scene, creating an immersive space for dance music enthusiasts.

  • Live at Scorrier House Unleashes a Stellar 2025 Lineup

    Live at Scorrier House returns with a bang, presenting a three-day music event featuring top artists like Richard Ashcroft, Ash, Cast, and more. Get the details on this electrifying rock festival set to take place in August 2025.

  • Afro Nation Announce Chris Brown, Burna Boy, Davido & More

    Afro Nation Portugal announces the final headliner, Chris Brown, for the 5th Anniversary event. The festival, scheduled for 9-11 July 2025, will feature an incredible lineup of top Afrobeats stars and promises a celebration of music, culture, and diversity.

Upcoming Festivals Browse all

  • York Blues Festival

    05 April 2025

    York Blues Festival is a one-day event on April 5th. It will feature the ten best blues bands and support the Charlies Angle Centre Foundation for bereaved families and parents.    

  • Nantwich Jazz, Blues & Music Festival

    17 April - 21 April 2025

    Every year, thousands of people swarmed into Nantwich over the Easter Bank Holiday weekend to enjoy the town’s Jazz, Blues and Music Festival. Warm weather and an impressive line-up of entertain...

  • Le Beat Bespoke

    18 April - 21 April 2025