Henley Festival adds Shirley Bassey, Elvis Costello, Bryn Terfel, & Will Young

plus Al Murray, Reginald D Hunter, Nina Conti, Richard Herring, & more

By Scott Williams | Published: Thu 11th Feb 2016

Henley Festival 2016 - Shirley Bassey
Photo credit: Kirsty Umback

Henley Festival 2016

Wednesday 6th to Sunday 10th July 2016
on the river banks, Henley On Thames, Oxfordshire, RG9 1AH, England MAP
from £35 depending upon event
Daily capacity: 6,000

Shirley Basseywith vocal group Blake, Elvis Costello and The Imposters, Bryn Terfel and the Welsh National Opera Orchestra, and Will Young will be headlining nights at this summer's Henley Festival at Henley On Thames.

The 34th edition of the festival by the Thames takes place from Wednesday 6th until Sunday 10th July 2016, culminating in a firework spectacular.

Announced last year Elton John and his band will headline on Wednesday 6th July 2016. Elvis Costello & The Imposters will keep the party going on Thursday night when they take to the floating stage. Friday night will see the festival return to its classical roots with Welsh Opera singer Bryn Terfel performing with the Welsh National Opera Orchestra. Dame Shirley Bassey and Blake will appear on Saturday 9th. 

Will Young will bring Henley Festival to a momentous close on the Sunday night of Family Day, where kids can enjoy festival site and interact with children’s entertainers, musicians, comedians and street entertainers including Beatbox star Shlomo, comedy from Jay Foreman, and leading circus company, Upswing as well as taking part in crafting sessions and making art.

This year's comedy line-up and guest include Al Murray, Reginald D Hunter, Nina Conti, Dillie Keane, Richard Herring, Adam Kay, The Boy With Tape On His Face, Hal Cruttenden, Simon Evans, Frisky & Mannish, Lili La Scala, The Pin, Sam Simmons, Jonny Awsum, Eleanor Tiernan, Chris Kent, and Jess Robinson.

As well as a programme of Digital Cabaret & Street Theatre. New for 2016, will be jazz club Ronnie Scott’s who will be making the festival their home for the full five days. Festival goers will be treated to the full Ronnie Scott’s experience, seated at cabaret style tables they will be able to watch performances by The Ronnie Scott's All Stars under the guidance of Jazz maestro James Pearson while waiters discretely serve cocktails and food.

Another new addition is the arrival of the New Music Stage. Taking over the newly erected big top, Henley Festival will showcase up and coming talent with a five day programme of unsigned acts taking place before the floating stage performance each night.

Nightclub Heaven will also be bringing their sister club Pure to the festival, kicking off the dancing each night as soon as the headline act finishes on the floating stage.

For the gastronomic ths festival will also host Michelin starred chef Daniel Clifford at the Riverside Restaurant, Paul Clerehugh at the Crooked Billet, as well as Hasan & Bashir at Spice Merchant Pop-Up , and a selection of street food at The Top.

Overall, festival goers can expect both young upcoming talent and some of the biggest names in the business across music, comedy, food, visual arts, street theatre and late night revelry.

buy tickets soon >

Tickets are priced from £35, and go on sale on the link above from 10am today, the Elton John day has already sold out.

All proceeds will be going to The Prince's Foundation for Children and the Arts.




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