Henley Festival

Bryan Ferry, Joss Stone, The Jacksons and more for Henley Festival

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With only 5,000 tickets available for each chic black-tie evening, indulge your senses with the finest music and food, accompanied by a selection of witty comedy shows, art & sculpture exhibitions and quirky street theatre performances. The Henley Festival’s charity work continues and this year we are thrilled to announce a new initiative with HRH The Prince of Wales's charity, The Prince's Foundation for Children and the Arts. Tickets to each special show will be available from 24th March at www.henley-festival.co.uk.

This year we are proud toannounce headline performances on the Floating Stage from some of the finestacts in the world. The opening night, Wednesday 9th July will featureone of the most iconic and innovative singers & lyricists in popular music, Bryan Ferry.  With a UK festival exclusive on Thursday 10th July, the incredible Joss Stone brings her classic soulful talent, delivered with vocals far beyond heryears. On Friday 11th July we welcome one of the most accomplished popular composers of the 20th Century, the legendary Burt Bacharach. On Saturday 12th July, a group who need no introduction, adored by millions, it’s The Jacksons. Having forever changed the landscape of popular music, siblings Jackie, Jermaine, Marlon, and Tito will bring their magic to the Henley Festival.

2014 looks set to be one of the most memorable series of shows to date, so don’t miss this spectacular line up, only at the Henley Festival from 9th – 13th July.

Joss Stone said: “I am really looking forward to performing at the Henley Festival, to play such a beautiful location will make it a very special day.”

Burt Bacharach said: "I am very pleased to have been invited to headline the Henley Festival this July. I'mlooking forward to performing in such a beautiful location and on the festival's floating stage."

The Jacksons said: “We are thrilled and honoured to be performing at the historic Henley Festival. This is sure to be a highlight of the summer for us and for the fans as well: we look forward putting on a great and memorable show for all of the attendees.” 

Gill Mitchell, CEO of the Henley Festival said: “This will be the 32nd time we have transformed the site of Henley Royal Regatta into a wondrously spectacular and glamorous black tie, music and arts festival. With fine dining provided by Albert Roux and his son Michel Roux Jr. and an eclectic programme of music, comedy, visual art and cabaret supporting a top line up of artists on our famous floating stage, this year the bar will be raised evenfurther. We are also delighted to welcome The Prince’s Foundation for Children and Arts as our new sister charity, a perfect fit for our own established charitable aims.”

Stewart Collins, Creative Director of the Henley Festival, said: “This truly is one incredible line up. We’ve continued to raise the bar at the Henley Festival year on year for some time now, but I have to say that the mix of headline UK and international artists lined up for our Floating Stage is absolutely fabulous. For the first time ever we have major, household nameseach evening, so if you add this to the highest profile supporting programme we’ve had for years, and the raft of trademark surprises and innovations, it’s easy to feel extremely excited about the prospects for this coming July!”

The Beach Boys, Madness and more for Henley Festival

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The eclectic line up sees appearances from legendary band The Beach Boys who begin the festivities on Wednesday 10th July, British icons Madness on Friday 12th July and a very special James Bond Themed Gala Evening on Saturday 13th July: Shaken & Stirred.  The Music of James Bond. Carrying on the compelling entertainment, the captivating chanteuse, Paloma Faith will close the show on Sunday 14th July. Tickets go on sale to Friends of the festival* from www.henley-festival.co.uk at 10am on Monday 25th February and on general sale soon.

With just 5,000 tickets available each night, this chic black tie only event is an intimate and magical experience, set on the serene banks of the River Thames. With appearances from some of the biggest names in music, food, street theatre, dance, art, culture and comedy, this quintessentially British festival has a rich 31-year legacy for you to be a part of. Taking place over five spectacular nights, the Henley Festival is THE only event to see and be seen at this summer. More will be revealed in the coming weeks…

Recognised nationally and internationally as one of the summer's great British events, all net profits go to the Henley Festival’scharitable projects. 

Gill Mitchell, CEO of The Henley Festival said: “Many people do not realise that we are a charity and always have been. Over the last 30 years, the Henley Festival has donated more than £2m to music and art projects in the Thames Valley. With this in mind, it gives us great pleasure, to announce such an exciting and diverse musical line up for this year’s Henley Festival.  We are extremely proud to be playing host to some of the most globally recognised artists at our summer party and look forward to seeing you there.”

THE BEACH BOYS – WEDNESDAY 10TH JULY

Headlining the opening night of this incredible series of shows on Wednesday 10th July are The Beach Boys.  Having performed more concerts than any major rock band in history, The Beach Boys now bring their one-of-a-kind concert presence, spirit and performance to the Henley Festival this July.  

Combining the pure talent of Mike Love, Bruce Johnston, Christian Love, Randell Kirsch, Tim Bonhomme, John Cowsill and Scott Totten, the band’s inimitable style continues to inspire the world…be sure not to miss this highly anticipated performance onWednesday 10th July.

Tickets start from £80 and are available from www.henley-festival.co.uk

Mike Love said: "We are very excited about performing at this year's Henley Festival and playing literally on the River Thames.  It is always a special gift to get the opportunity to play for our English fans."  

THURSDAY 11TH JULY

Details will be announced shortly. 

MADNESS – FRIDAY 12TH JULY

Madness have endeared the nation for decades and are currently promoting their 10th studio album Oui Oui, Si Si, Ja Ja, Da Da.  As icons of the music industry, whose songs have left a firm mark on British pop culture, the band now bring their live show to the banks of the River Thames on Friday 12th July.  

With a legacy that has been celebrated by the country, Madness will showcase their distinctive sound at the vibrant Henley Festivalthis summer.  Join Madness on Friday evening for a show that sparkles with the spirit of British life.  

Tickets start from £90 and are available from www.henley-festival.co.uk

Madness said: "Our singer Suggs got the wrong date and turned up on stage a year early, luckily Sting didn't mind too much, we'll all be there this year, we'll be expecting you." 

Madness

SHAKEN & STIRRED. THE MUSIC OF JAMES BOND – SATURDAY 13TH JULY 

What better way to celebrate the historic 50-year milestone of 007 than at a very special James Bond Themed Gala Evening. Now a British institution, Ian Fleming’s suave spy first appeared in Casino Royale and most recently in the award winning Skyfall. Now in homage to the great man, the Henley Festival will celebrate with a bold, blockbuster variety show featuring West End singers, James Bond style stunts, a guest star presenter, professional dancers from BBC’s Strictly Come Dancing, plus surprise guests, to be announced in the coming weeks.

Bond films have consistently delivered memorable and award winning sound tracks and these stirring melodies will be at the heart of the grand Shaken & Stirred.  The Music of James Bond evening, with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra at the heart of proceedings performing classic tracks from an array of Bond films; such as Diamonds Are Forever, Goldfinger, Live and Let Die,Skyfall, and many more.

Spanning 50 years, the Bond films and their soundtracks go hand in hand, so have your martini shaken, not stirred and expect the unexpected on Saturday 13th July.

Tickets start from £65 and are available from www.henley-festival.co.uk

Sir Roger Moore said: “James Bond has played a major part of my life and I can't imagine a more appropriately British location for a celebration of Ian Fleming's remarkable character. Have a wonderful evening and good luck!”

PALOMA FAITH – SUNDAY 14TH JULY

Closing five original evenings of music and entertainment on Sunday 14th July will be 2013 BRIT Award nominee Paloma Faith, who is set to bring a touch of majestic theatrics to Henley.  So much more than a music festival, the Henley Festival welcomes so much more than a pop artist, whose vocals offer bluesy power and reveal husky emotion. The stage is where she truly comes alive; making Paloma Faith the perfect match for the decadent Henley Festival, so prepare to be dazzled as you relax by the river.

As Paloma serenades spectators, the festival will culminate in a spectacular firework display, lighting up the skies over the Thames.  

Tickets start from £55 and are available from www.henley-festival.co.uk

Paloma Faith said: "I'm really happy to be playing at the Henley Festival this year.  Performing live is what I love the most!"

Blending sophistication and glamour, the unique Henley Festival opens its doors to a world of the greatest performances and entertainment. Indulge your senses with the best food and music, accompanied by a selection of witty comedy shows and quirky street theatre, all in one very stylish location. Sample the culinary expertise of the famous Albert & Michel Roux Jr, surrounded by the sharpest and most elegant festivalgoers around.

Sting, Lulu, Olly Murs and more for Henley Festival 2012

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  • Sting will open the Festival on 4 July
  • Singing sensation Katherine Jenkins
  • Top 10 recording artist, acclaimed Opera singer and recently the star of Les Miserables Alfie Boe with guest musical funnyman Tim Minchin
  • Sixties-songstress, Lulu and The London Community Gospel Choir
  • X-Factor finalist Olly Murs will close the Festival on 8 July.

The Henley Festival is the UK’s most glamorous summer party; five magical nights on the banks of the River Thames in the beautiful Oxfordshire countryside. Tickets go on sale to the public from 15 March or you can beat the wait and become a Friend of the Henley Festival to get your tickets in advance. Tickets can be purchased at www.henley-festival.co.uk, or from the Festival box office: 01491 843404
Tickets priced from £35 per day. All Festival profits go to local charities [details below].

This year the Festival is celebrating 30 years at the heart of the English summer season and has announced a line up like never before.

Composer, singer, author, actor, activist – Sting was born in Newcastle, England before moving to London in 1977 to form The Police with Stewart Copeland and Andy Summers. The band released five albums, earned six Grammy awards, and in 2003 was inducted into The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Since 1985, Sting has released 13 solo albums. To commemorate the 25th anniversary of his solo career, 25 Years, the definitive box set collection, was recently released. The Best Of 25 Years is also available as a double disc. Sting has sold nearly 100 million albums from his combined work with the Police and as a solo artist and has earned an additional 10 Grammy awards, a Golden Globe, an Emmy, and three Oscar nominations. This summer, Sting will perform many of his most celebrated hits at the Henley Festival on July 4, 2012.

String

Aside from the headline acts, black tie revellers will enjoy candlelit dining at award winning chefs Albert and Michel Roux Jr’s riverside restaurant or have a more relaxed bite at one of the Festival’s six other restaurants. Along the riverbank world-class acts [full details below] from the worlds of jazz, opera, pop, theatre, comedy, cabaret and literature entertain while pop-up art boutiques and sculpture lawns bring major galleries and artists to the Festival – a unique ‘collectors’ concierge’ provides advice and introductions to those looking to buy.

The headline acts are closed each night by a dazzling firework display before partygoers dance into the night at the Festival’s resident nightclub.

Henley-on-Thames is 60 minutes from London by train, (or 10 minutes by helicopter to the Festival’s helipad). Many guests choose to make a weekend of it and stay in one of the many five star hotels in Henley or nearby [more details below].

Henley Festival 2012 acts:

Cabaret and performance:
Among the stand-up comedy acts on offer are Have I got News for you! regular Dr Phil Hammond,Fascinating Aïda star Sarah-Louise Young, and charismatic Canadian comedic Craig Campbell.

The Festival’s signature cabaret acts, The Roving Company of Eccentrica, will amuse, entertain, surprise and shock guests with their unique brand of street performances, spread throughout the Festival’s grounds.

World-class dining:
Revellers enjoy candlelit summer nights dining at Albert and Michelin Starred Michel Roux Jr’sFestival riverside Roux restaurant, try the Terrace Restaurant or Café du Soir, (no booking required) – or have a more relaxed bite to eat at one of the Festival’s street-food concessions.

FEAST! Contemporary arts programme
Pop up art boutiques and sculpture lawns bring major galleries and artists to the Festival and a ‘collectors concierge’ provides advice and introductions to those looking to buy. The Festival’s Visual Arts Programme includes FEAST! – an exceptional range of selling exhibitions – including the Festival’s famous Sculpture gardens – that showcases major international established artists and emerging talent.

2012 highlights include:

  • The serious surrealism of Alexander Vorobyev
  • Abstract contemporary art by Jeffrey Kroll and Nicolas Ruston
  • The Festival’s annual sculpture garden featuring the work of British sculptor Roland Piche and Auguste Rodin’s iconic masterpiece The Thinker.
  • “Carbon Art” specialist Alastair Gibson
  • Aboriginal Art from Australia
  • Body painted optical illusions created live by Kiwi artist Emma Hack

All profits to charity
The Henley Festival is a not for profit organisation. All profits raised go to local and national charities across the Thames Valley. This includes creating and funding the Henley Festival Orchestra which provides over 80 young people with a musical instrument, tuition and performance opportunities throughout the year. The Henley Festival Orchestra also enjoys the opportunity to work with outstanding international performers including Nigel Kennedy and Jon Lord. 
Find out more here: http://bit.ly/Avqze2

Stewart Collins, Henley Festival Artistic Director said: “To celebrate the Festival’s landmark birthday we’ve really pulled out all the stops. This year’s programme promises to be one of our most sensational to date – after all, 30 years is an achievement for any event and we wanted to see our guests celebrate in style. The Henley Festival is renowned for leaving our guests with magical memories and this will be an unmissable year for regulars and newcomers alike.’

The Henley Festival is sponsored by Invesco Perpetual, Westcoast, Lavazza Coffee, Goodhead and Courtiers, the Festival showcases some of the best loved artists and performers from the classical, jazz and contemporary music world, as well as talent drawn from the global cultural scene, from sculpture and street theatre acts to poetry and art.

Henley Festival lineup and ticket details

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tom jonesLegendary Welsh singer Tom Jones opens this year’s unmissable Henley Festival (6 -10 July).  Tickets ranging from £35 – £110 go on sale today [1 March]:  www.henley-festival.co.uk

The festival is the UK’s best summer party – a five night, star studded, black tie event on the banks of the river Thames in the beautiful town of Henley-on-Thames.  Tom Jones and the other headline acts, including Jools Holland, Alexandra Burke, Rumer, Blake, and ABBA Symphonic, will entertain fans from floating stage on the river, against the backdrop of the Henley skyline. 

The riverside setting provides an intimate environment for festival goers to experience magical summer nights.  Each evening, over twenty acts from the world of jazz, opera, classical and theatre, from the UK and abroad, perform live music and comedy.  The Roving Company of Eccentrica entertain you as you wander through art galleries and sculpture lawns. 

Later on, watch a dazzling firework display, then follow the revellers to Chinawhite Club
and party late into the night.

For elegant dining, book a table at Albert and Michel Roux’s Riverside Restaurant, the largest a la carte restaurant in Europe, along with other inviting riverside restaurants and bars. 

“This is a festival both for the connoisseur and the party goer. International performers combine with a jewel box of spectacular acts throughout the five days in a magical location on the banks of the Thames.”says Stewart Collins, Artistic Director  

“There’s nothing like the Henley Festival. The beautiful setting and the intimate performances make it the best summer party you can imagine,” says Tom Jones. 

Tickets and Dining:

  • Choose from reserved Grandstand seats or unreserved Lawn deckchairs for the main Floating Stage concert from £59 each.
  • Promenade tickets (from £35 each) provide standing room for the main concert.
  • All Henley Festival goers enjoy live performances in the Cafe du Soir and the Salon plus a free pass to seven art galleries, sculpture lawns, eccentric roving street acts such as the Art Tart, a spectacular fireworks display, plus dancing in China White nightclub.
  • Dine in style at Albert and Michel Roux’s Riverside Restaurant or the less formal Terrace Restaurant and Café du Soir. Or choose casual outdoor eateries like Heston Blumenthal’s Hinds Head at Henley, the Chinese Garden and other venues for light bites.
The Programme:
Gates open at 6pm, when you’ll rub shoulders with well known faces, fellow culture seekers and artists, while sipping champagne in elegant, stylish, black tie and evening dress. View sculpture, including the iconic Alice in Wonderland by Salvador Dali, live ice sculpting and works by artists ranging from Peter Blake to John Piper, and dance into the wee hours at Chinawhite nightclub. 

Henley Festival Box Office:  01491 843404 or book via www.henley-festival.co.uk