The UK’s longest-running boutique festival Larmer Tree celebrates its 30th anniversary in style this summer with the announcement of the three biggest headliners in its history.
Larmer Tree sets the standards that others follow and continues to present the essential festival experience. The festival again raises the bar in 2020, with a heady mix of big name artists, cult favourites and rapidly rising talent. While the eclectic music programming is Larmer Tree’s key attraction, comedy, theatre, wellness and crafts are all part of its wide-reaching appeal.
Set in the beautiful countryside of Cranborne Chase, Larmer Tree prides itself on its inclusive community vibe. Whether you want to party deep into the night or take it easy with a laidback family-friendly weekend, Larmer Tree provides everything that you need from a summer festival. And despite its success, Larmer Tree has remained small by choice, providing an intimate and stress-free escape where the next attraction is never too far away.
Running from July 16th-19th, the first wave of artists for 2020 can now be unveiled, including headliners James, Jack Savoretti and Frank Turner and The Sleeping Souls.
Boasting a catalogue packed with crowd-pleasing anthems such as “Laid”, “Sit Down” and “She’s A Star”, James are set to make their Larmer Tree debut. Fronted by the charismatic Tim Booth, James are as popular as ever with their most recent album, Living In Extraordinary Times, taking the band back into the Top 10.
Jack Savoretti was forced to cancel his headline set last year due to illness, but he’s back to make up for lost time at what he calls one of his favourite festivals. The husky-voiced, soulful singer-songwriter has built a loyal following on the back of six albums, including 2019’s #1 smash Singing To Strangers.
With a rabble-rousing punk-fuelled take on folk, Frank Turner and The Sleeping Souls have mastered the art of making huge shows feel intimate. Crafting songs as poetic as they are energising, Frank Turner rose from an underground sensation to score four consecutive Top 5 albums. His most recent, last year’s No Man’s Land, told the often-overlooked stories of fascinating women of the past.
This first announcement also reiterates Larmer Tree’s always eclectic bill. It includes one of the great soul voices of British music in the shape of Beverley Knight, twice a MOBO Award winner and the artist behind hits such as “Come As You Are” and “Shoulda Woulda Coulda”, plus the Gentleman’s Dub Club are ready to inspire audiences into a frenzy wherever they go, making them the perfect choice to raise the energy at Larmer Tree. Lankum bring a similar celebratory vibe, set to a rambunctious Irish soundtrack. And there’s some international flair from Ghanian highlife pioneer Pat Thomas & Kwashibu Area Band following glowing reviews for their current album Obiaa!.
Larmer Tree also highlights numerous artists who could become the festival fillers of the future. Girl Ray are the perfect summer soundtrack, their sun-kissed cocktail of pop and R&B reaching new heights on their recent second set Girl. Heavenly Records’ artist Katy J Pearson offers timeless melodies and lyricism, uniting old school country heartbreak with infectious pop hooks. London rock group The Big Moon will be shaking up the festival with material from their critically acclaimed sophomore album Walking Like We Do. And Franc Moody are built for festival fun, their energised and uplifting clash of modern disco, funk and soul reaching new heights on their current single “Skin On Skin”.
Published on 15 February 2020 by Ben Robinson
