Bloc Occasion, Kaiser Chiefs, Bloodworm, Bored Marsh
Pageant Preview: Splendour 2025,
Jul 08, 2025
After taking an enforced 12 months out in 2024, Splendour Pageant returns later this month (Saturday nineteenth & Sunday twentieth July) for its fifteenth version. Located within the idyllic grounds of Wollaton Park in Nottingham, this 12 months’s occasion is headlined by Bloc Occasion on the Saturday then Kaiser Chiefs on the Sunday, each of whom will likely be celebrating the twentieth anniversary of their debut albums (Silent Alarm and Employment respectively) by enjoying them in full.
Different notable names throughout the star-studded line-up embody Echo & The Bunnymen, Travis, Jake Bugg, Sophie Ellis-Bextor and Starsailor. Whereas this 12 months’s Splendour additionally sees the introduction of two new levels; the Dance Stage headlined by Radio 1 DJ Trevor Nelson and the Bodega New Music Stage which options a few of Nottingham’s best artists together with Beneath the Radar favourites Bloodworm, Bored Marsh and Swallowtail alongside acts from additional afield such because the hotly tipped TTSSFU, Cardinals and Tom A. Smith.
For our preview, Beneath the Radar spoke to one in all Splendour’s important bookers and organisers Joe Patten from DHP about this 12 months’s occasion, the newly launched options and longevity of the competition now its lease has been secured with Nottingham Metropolis Council for five extra years.
Dom Gourlay (Beneath the Radar): Splendour returns this 12 months for its fifteenth (reside) version after taking a 12 months out final summer time. What are you most wanting ahead to at Splendour 2025?
Joe Patten (DHP): I believe for me it is going to be being again at Wollaton Park for a giant music competition. The road up is basically robust this 12 months with a little bit of one thing for everybody, most musical tastes are properly catered for and now we’ve the dance tent, I believe it’ll be an excellent occasion.
After issues with Nottingham Metropolis Council’s tendering settlement final 12 months, DHP managed to safe a five-year contract with the council making certain its long run safety. Did that enable you breathe a sigh of aid whereas additionally reassuring artists and their representatives that Splendour is right here to remain?
Having that safety is very large, particularly wanting into 2026 and additional alongside, there’s a number of acts that may not be in cycle for the 12 months that we’re reserving however are aiming for the 12 months after so it’s good to only be capable to put a pin in a sure act for the next 12 months or the 12 months after. Artist touring plans are accomplished to this point prematurely today having the ability to decide to one thing over a 12 months prematurely with out worrying about contracts is a superb benefit.
There are some new options this 12 months, most notably the Bodega New Music stage. How did that come about? ..
In 2023 we began to get a couple of extra nationwide touring acts in addition to having full bands play on the stage. Years prior it tended to be extra stripped again acoustic acts which had been nice however having the ability to supply a full competition present to new and upcoming acts on the competition circuit, it simply provides one other dimension to the competition supply for patrons. When it comes to the Bodega collaboration, with them being the house of latest up and coming music in Nottingham and likewise having not too long ago been awarded the Spirit of the Scene for Grassroots Venues on the Music Week awards, it simply appeared the proper match! I’m wanting ahead to having a pint of Bodega lager at Splendour, although it would really feel unusual consuming it and never watching a band upstairs.
With a lot expertise to select from in Nottingham proper now, was it troublesome selecting which acts ought to play?
Very troublesome, in all honesty we might have most likely crammed two levels value of acts for each days. When reserving locals we wish to get the stability proper as a mirrored image of the broader Notts scene.
Equally there’s a wealth of expertise from exterior the world similar to TTSSFU, Woman Group and Cardinals. Have been they all the time on the high of your want listing?
Positively, there isn’t precisely a wealth of out of doors competition alternatives for nationwide acts in Nottingham, the brokers and acts all should be actually excited to be becoming a member of the road up, and we’ve booked a really big selection of artists. I believe historically Splendour won’t have all the time been house to rising artists, so we wish to change that. Nottingham has good style so I believe they are going to all go down rather well. I watched TTSSFU not too long ago in Brighton and it blew me away, I can’t wait for his or her present.
Should you had to decide on 3 acts you’re most wanting ahead to seeing this 12 months, who wouldn’t it be and why?
Too exhausting to select! So, I’ll choose one act from every stage then no less than it’s a bit fairer.
Bloc Occasion – Silent Alarm got here out once I was about 14 or 15 and was a really formative album, listening to it not too long ago it has aged so properly in order that will likely be superb. (particular point out – Travis)
Echo and the Bunnymen – simply the good band ever, I’ve a number of household in Liverpool and Ian McCulloch is sort of a god in our home, so I’ll be there entrance and centre with my mum. (particular point out – Brooke Combe)
TTSSFU – only a rather well put collectively sound, in case you haven’t listened you need to verify them out. And clearly come and see them at Splendour. (particular point out – Bloodworm)
Splendour has established itself as one of many UK’s main household pleasant occasions. Do you suppose extra festivals ought to observe go well with and purpose for the same type of market?
I believe what’s nice about Splendour is that it’s grown organically over the 15+ years it’s been round. Clearly the extra area of interest specialist festivals won’t work to cater for extra households however today individuals wish to take their children locations and share the expertise with them.
At Splendour, we do cater for households rather well. The primary Splendour I went to, I used to be too younger to go alone so reluctantly went with mum/aunties/uncles/cousins. Now my cousins all convey their children!
Wanting again at earlier editions of Splendour, which one stands out for you as a private favorite and why?
Being egocentric I’d should say 2023 – it was the primary one I’d been closely concerned with in reserving, and that was actually particular, it was additionally away from *most* covid associated drama which was a giant aid, and other people had been prepared for a giant occasion. Additionally, I’m a giant Noel Gallagher and Insanity fan, but it surely did rain rather a lot.
The Nottingham music scene is pretty much as good if not higher than it’s ever been proper now – or actually since I moved right here in 1998. Why do you suppose that’s? What makes our metropolis’s scene so particular and vibrant?
It is rather robust and has been for some time now, there are a great deal of causes, some fairly floor degree issues and some deeper seated. Firstly, we’re a metropolis with a tremendous infrastructure for its dimension. Venues, pubs, festivals, observe rooms, artistic areas and organisations, large promoters, DIY promoters, media faculties, plus two giant universities. All this stuff simply drive the tradition in any path it must develop.
A little bit of a deeper purpose is Nottingham itself, for me I believe we’ve all the time been completely satisfied to tread our personal path, we’re clearly not London or Manchester. However don’t attempt to be Sheffield, Bristol, Leeds or Liverpool. I believe there’s a sure humour and heat in a number of what we do culturally. You take a look at some examples of artists which have come by means of to nationwide acclaim, I type of suppose none of them actually ought to work on paper. Jake Bugg – Dylan/Donovan blues vibe singer songwriter, however he by no means felt like he was a pastiche or a canopy act, Radio 1 performs and a really younger viewers. Sleaford Mods – put up punk poetry/shouting and fairly abrasive, however the vitality, unhappiness and pleasure is so infectious. Divorce – alt nation/grunge/folks, poignant and emotional lyrics set to their very own signature sound. None of these acts are straight ahead and simple to place in a field which I believe is their power. All these acts have labored up from small exhibits on the Chameleon and The Maze as much as promoting out Rock Metropolis after which onto the Enviornment (aside from Divorce.. for now)
I believe exterior of music too, you take a look at the Tv Workshop or Broadway, Nottingham Modern, there’s so many alternatives on the doorstep to get caught into.
Should you might select any 2 acts to headline Splendour (previous or current – one for Saturday, the opposite Sunday) who wouldn’t it be and why?
I believe for vary and buzz I’d should go for Charli XCX and Oasis. Each acts with enormous followings and we’d be capable to construct an excellent line up round them. It could be a lot enjoyable and numerous throughout the weekend too.
For extra data on Splendour together with how and the place to buy tickets, go to the Official Web site
