About

Held in beautiful forest locations across the country, Forest Live is a major live music series managed by Forestry England.

With everything required for a great night out, the concerts are renowned for their relaxed atmosphere and spectacular forest backdrops.

Income generated from ticket sales helps look after the nation’s forests sustainably, for people to enjoy and wildlife to thrive.

The 2025 programme includes: 

Snow Patrol - 17 June 2025 

Formed in Dundee in 1994 the band, led by frontman Gary Lightbody, released their 5x-platinum, major-label debut ‘Final Straw’ in 2003. Hit track “Run” saw the group catapulted to national fame as they led the charge of the post-Britpop movement.

Over the course of their career, Snow Patrol have amassed a momentous seven Meteor Ireland Music Awards and been nominated for six BRIT Awards and one GRAMMY. Earlier this year, the band released their aptly titled UK Number One album ‘The Forest Is The Path’ to widespread acclaim.

Sting - 18 June 2025

With virtuoso guitarist and longtime collaborator, Dominic Miller, and dynamic drummer Chris Maas (Mumford & Sons, Maggie Rogers), the band will perform the most electrifying hits and rarities from Sting’s timeless discography at Forestry England Westonbirt Arboretum on 18 June 2025. 

Known for his groundbreaking work as a solo artist and as the front man and songwriter in seminal group The Police, Sting has consistently pushed the boundaries of musical innovation throughout his illustrious career. 

The “STING 3.0” Tour represents a new dynamic era showcasing selections from his vast catalogue through the urgent lens of a tight three-piece combo and inspired by the release of his new song “"I Wrote Your Name (Upon My Heart)"” - mixed by 4-time GRAMMY Award-winning mix engineer Robert Orton – released on 5 September 2024. 

Tickets are on sale from 9am on Friday 27 September 2024 via the Forestry England website. 

Elbow plus The Coral and Billie Marten - 19 June 2025

It’s fair to say that Guy Garvey is in triumphant mood. The lead singer, lyricist, and most recognisable member of the BRIT and Mercury Award winning, arena filling, Mancunian musical institution (as they must surely now be regarded) that is elbow is on a high following the
completion of the band’s landmark tenth studio album.

Titled ‘AUDIO VERTIGO’ as a possible wry comment on the very lack of discomfort around its writing and recording, (he’s not telling), and newly dressed in a psychedelic inspired design that marks it out visually from its nine predecessors, the album is a host of news for a band now well
into a third decade of making music together yet bucking convention (as they have always seemed to) by finding the process more fun and less taxing with each release. Such ease is reflected by Guy’s opening thought on the record, breaking the convention that says you don’t give up your influences that easily: 

“Pete’s just had the symbol from the cover of Duran Duran’s “Seven and the Ragged Tiger” tattooed on his forearm in the same place as Mark has his AC / DC lightning strike. Like Mark said, “We’re literally wearing our influences on our sleeve.”

Paul Heaton + special guest singer Rianne Downey - 20 June 2025

Renowned as one of the best British songwriters ever, Paul will perform a headline show amongst the stunning surroundings of Westonbirt Arboretum on 20 June 2025. Joining Paul will be ‘The Bard Of Barking’, Billy Bragg.

Since starting out on his dominance of the pop charts with his early 80s group The Housemartins through his subsequent chart-topping career with The Beautiful South, and onto an impressive solo career, Paul is still thrilling audiences with his energetic lives shows and albums containing stories of everyday people and the complexities of modern life. His latest album, The Mighty Several has just been released to his usual critical acclaim. 

With a back catalogue of genuine classics including Flag Day, Old Red Eyes Is Back, Perfect Ten, Song For Whoever, Happy Hour and Caravan of Love, Paul Heaton fans will have one hell of a night to look forward to.

McFly - 21 June 2025

It’s been 21 years since McFly first formed, a journey which has taken them from their breakthrough hit ‘Five Colours In Her Hair’ to last year’s full-force rock album ‘Power To Play’. Along the way Tom Fletcher, Danny Jones, Dougie Poynter and Harry Judd have scored seven #1 singles, seven Top 10 albums, 10 million sales leading to multiple Platinum certifications, a BRIT Award for Best British Pop, sold-out countless arena shows and still remain the youngest band to ever have a debut album go straight to number 1, beating The Beatles. McFly have continued to push boundaries, last year’s ‘Power To Play’ was the album they always wanted to make - a larger-than-life rush of hard rock and pop-
punk thrills. The album, featuring standout singles ‘God Of Rock & Roll’ and ‘Where Did All The Guitars Go?’ charted at #2 on the Official Albums Chart. Their touring in support of the album took them from two surprise shows in a day in London’s sweaty, intimate Underworld right through to the Royal Variety Performance via a massive sold-out headline show at Alexandra Palace. This year saw them sell out two O2 Arenas to celebrate their 21st Birthday.

Tickets are on sale from 10am on Friday 6 December 2024 via the Forestry England website. 

The Script- 22 June 2025

Globally renowned Irish pop-rockers The Script are set to light up Westonbirt Arboretum on 22 June 2025, with support from Scottish singer-songwriter Tom Walker. 

The Script have amassed over 10 billion streams worldwide and with two platinum-selling US singles, six UK Number One albums and global ticket sales north of four million under their belts, The Script’s gift for writing songs rich with heady emotions and big melodies has captured the hearts of fans all over the world.

With their Forest Live shows coming hot on the heels of a huge worldwide tour, The Script are set to thrill fans with selections from their catalogue of much-loved tracks including “Hall Of Fame”, “The Man Who Can’t Be Moved” and “Breakeven." 

Tickets are on sale from 10am on Saturday 28 September 2024 via the Forestry England website.