We’re delighted to announce the launch of a new summer event series at Nottingham’s most centrally located park. Arboretum Sunsets will run from 25 June – 5 September, with a diverse entertainment programme, featuring world-renowned musicians, established comedians, food & drink festivals, yoga & wellness sessions, and much more to be announced.
The series will take place at pop-up venue Arboretum Garden Bar & Bandstand, following its successful launch last summer. The event space will feature two container bars and rotating street-food vendors, centred around the park’s iconic bandstand. The first events to be announced include concerts from music heroes Tony Hadley and Richard Thompson, an all-day folk event hosted by singer-songwriter Beans On Toast, the Arboretum Beer Festival, street food festivals from Nottingham Diners Club, and regular Sunday yoga & wellness sessions presented by Sweaty Betty. The spacious outdoor location means that, even if social distancing measures are still in place, all events will be able to safely go ahead as scheduled.
EVENT SCHEDULE
Saturday 26th June – Ferocious Dog (acoustic 4-piece)
Sunday 27th June – Justin Sullivan (New Model Army)
Friday 2nd July – Turin Brakes (acoustic)
Saturday 3rd July – Bingo Lingo
Sunday 4th July – Just The Tonic
Friday 9th July – The Untold Orchestra – Disney: An Orchestral Rendition
Saturday 10th July – Eddi Reader 40th Anniversary Tour
Sunday 11th July – Arboretum Beer Festival
Friday 16th July – Sounds Familiar Music Quiz – Festival Special
Saturday 17th July – Grace Petrie
Sunday 18th July – Tony Hadley
Friday 30th July – Lucy Spraggan
Sunday 1st August – Nottingham Diners Club – The Street Food Social
Saturday 7th August – Beans on Toast’s Foolhardy Folk Festival
Sunday 8th August – Just The Tonic
Friday 13th August – Richard Thompson
Sunday 22nd August – The Futureheads (Acoustic / A Cappella)
Friday 27th August – Kawala
Sunday 29th August – Nottingham Diners Club – The Street Food Social
Monday 30th August – Homegrown feat. Deco, Joel Baker, Catmilk + more tba
Sunday 5th September – This Is The Kit New Kind Of Neighbourhood
+ MORE TO BE ANNOUNCED!
Tony Hadley is one of pop music’s greatest vocalists. He rose to fame fronting ‘80s New Romantics Spandau Ballet, who had numerous chart-topping singles and albums all over the world including the classic hits ‘Gold’ and ‘True’. Since their split in 1990, Tony has gone on to forge a successful solo career, performing with bands and orchestras across the globe. His Arboretum Sunsets performance is a rare opportunity to see him in an intimate setting, performing songs from his extensive back catalogue, including some Spandau Ballet classics.
Legendary folk artist Richard Thompson first gained prominence as the lead guitarist and songwriter for folk rock pioneers Fairport Convention. With a career spanning decades, Thompson now counts an Ivor Novello Award, Grammy nomination and a spot on Rolling Stone’s “100 Greatest Guitarists of All Time” amongst his many accolades. His evocative songwriting, jawdropping guitar playing, and indefinable spirit has inspired everyone from Elvis Costello to REM & David Byrne. 2021 sees the release of his new book ‘Beeswing’ and an acoustic solo tour, including a special performance at Arboretum Sunsets.
British post-punks The Futureheads burst onto the scene in the early 2000s and gained notoriety after their triumphant Kate Bush cover of ‘Hounds Of Love’. This is a rare opportunity to experience a different side to the band, with the show featuring a mix of acoustic and a cappella song arrangements, intricate four-part vocal harmonies and plenty of audience banter. Punters can expect a mixture of selections from their back catalogue including songs from their 2019 album Powers, coupled with older favourites, and some covers and traditional songs thrown in for good measure.
Other live music events confirmed include shows from Nottingham Celtic folk-punks Ferocious Dog playing as an acoustic four-piece; Fairground Attraction vocalist and revered Scottish folk artist Eddi Reader; New Model Army frontman Justin Sullivan; indie-folk outfit This Is The Kit; celebrated British band Turin Brakes; folk singer and activist Grace Petrie; singer-songwriter & emotive wordsmith Lucy Spraggan; and ‘A Foolhardy Folk Festival’, an all-day event of music, trees and revelry curated by Beans On Toast.
We’re also delighted to confirm the return of Homegrown, the bank holiday all-dayer showcasing the best music the East Midlands has to offer, in conjunction with BBC Introducing. The first names announced include Deco who create undeniable pop songs with a bite; singer-songwriter Joel Baker and folksy four-piece Catmilk.
Alongside the packed music schedule is the launch of Arboretum Beer Festival: an all-day extravaganza, featuring a huge array of local and national beers for craft drink aficionados. Sunsets will also be serving up an array of mouth-watering street food from Nottingham Diners Club; laugh-out loud live comedy sessions from Just The Tonic; music quizzes, bingo and much more!
DHP Managing Director George Akins states: “Last year’s socially distanced events at the Arboretum were a real highlight of the year, giving people the chance to see some great music in a fun, safe and picturesque environment. We’re so pleased to be back bigger and better this year to keep people entertained all summer long.”
Councillor Eunice Campbell-Clark, Portfolio Holder for Leisure, Culture and Schools at Nottingham City Council said: “We are so pleased this event is happening again this year. It is wonderful to be able to provide entertainment for people of all ages to enjoy in one of our many Green Flag parks, and to bring back the beautiful bandstand as a real cultural asset in regular use.”
Tickets for all events go on sale on Friday 28th May via www.alttickets.com.
There will be a small restoration levy on all tickets (50p for tickets over £10, 25p on tickets up to £10): this will contribute towards sustaining and improving park infrastructure at the Arboretum.
