Bloc Occasion, Kaiser Chiefs, Bloodworm, Bored Marsh
Pageant Preview: Splendour 2025,
Jul 08, 2025
After taking an enforced yr 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 yr’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 taking part in them in full.
Different notable names throughout the star-studded line-up embrace Echo & The Bunnymen, Travis, Jake Bugg, Sophie Ellis-Bextor and Starsailor. Whereas this yr’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 Below 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, Below the Radar spoke to considered one of Splendour’s fundamental bookers and organisers Joe Patten from DHP about this yr’s occasion, the newly launched options and longevity of the pageant now its lease has been secured with Nottingham Metropolis Council for five extra years.
Dom Gourlay (Below the Radar): Splendour returns this yr for its fifteenth (stay) version after taking a yr out final summer season. What are you most wanting ahead to at Splendour 2025?
Joe Patten (DHP): I feel for me it is going to be being again at Wollaton Park for a giant music pageant. The road up is admittedly sturdy this yr with a little bit of one thing for everybody, most musical tastes are nicely catered for and now we now have the dance tent, I feel it’ll be an excellent social gathering.
After issues with Nottingham Metropolis Council’s tendering settlement final yr, DHP managed to safe a five-year contract with the council making certain its long run safety. Did that provide help to 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 lots of acts that may not be in cycle for the yr that we’re reserving however are aiming for the yr after so it’s good to only be capable of put a pin in a sure act for the next yr or the yr after. Artist touring plans are finished thus far prematurely today having the ability to decide to one thing over a yr prematurely with out worrying about contracts is a good benefit.
There are some new options this yr, 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 have been nice however having the ability to supply a full pageant present to new and upcoming acts on the pageant circuit, it simply provides one other dimension to the pageant supply for purchasers. By way of the Bodega collaboration, with them being the house of latest up and coming music in Nottingham and likewise having just lately 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’d really feel unusual ingesting it and never watching a band upstairs.
With a lot expertise to select from in Nottingham proper now, was it tough selecting which acts ought to play?
Very tough, in all honesty we may have in all probability crammed two levels price of acts for each days. When reserving locals we need to get the steadiness 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. Had been they at all times on the high of your want record?
Positively, there isn’t precisely a wealth of outside pageant alternatives for nationwide acts in Nottingham, the brokers and acts all need to be actually excited to be becoming a member of the road up, and we now have booked a really wide selection of artists. I feel historically Splendour may not have at all times been house to rising artists, so we need to change that. Nottingham has good style so I feel they’ll all go down very well. I watched TTSSFU just lately 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 yr, who wouldn’t it be and why?
Too arduous to choose! 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 just lately it has aged so nicely in order that will likely be superb. (particular point out – Travis)
Echo and the Bunnymen – simply the good band ever, I’ve lots 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 very well put collectively sound, should you haven’t listened it’s best to test 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 swimsuit and purpose for the same sort of market?
I feel 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 may not work to cater for extra households however today individuals need to take their youngsters locations and share the expertise with them.
At Splendour, we do cater for households very well. The primary Splendour I went to, I used to be too younger to go by myself so reluctantly went with mum/aunties/uncles/cousins. Now my cousins all convey their youngsters!
Trying again at earlier editions of Splendour, which one stands out for you as a private favorite and why?
Being egocentric I’d need to 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 folks have been prepared for a giant social gathering. Additionally, I’m a giant Noel Gallagher and Insanity fan, but it surely did rain rather a lot.
The Nottingham music scene is nearly as good if not higher than it’s ever been proper now – or definitely 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 sturdy 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 an incredible infrastructure for its dimension. Venues, pubs, festivals, observe rooms, inventive areas and organisations, massive promoters, DIY promoters, media schools, plus two massive universities. All these items simply drive the tradition in any path it must develop.
A little bit of a deeper motive is Nottingham itself, for me I feel we’ve at all times been blissful to tread our personal path, we’re clearly not London or Manchester. However don’t attempt to be Sheffield, Bristol, Leeds or Liverpool. I feel there’s a sure humour and heat in lots of what we do culturally. You have a look at some examples of artists which have come by means of to nationwide acclaim, I sort 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/people, poignant and emotional lyrics set to their very own signature sound. None of these acts are straight ahead and straightforward to place in a field which I feel 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 feel exterior of music too, you have a look at the Tv Workshop or Broadway, Nottingham Up to date, there’s so many alternatives on the doorstep to get caught into.
Should you may select any 2 acts to headline Splendour (previous or current – one for Saturday, the opposite Sunday) who wouldn’t it be and why?
I feel for vary and buzz I’d need to go for Charli XCX and Oasis. Each acts with enormous followings and we’d be capable of construct an excellent line up round them. It might be a lot enjoyable and various throughout the weekend too.
For extra data on Splendour together with how and the place to buy tickets, go to the Official Web site
