With the sun finally shining on the Thames riverside, Henley Festival 2024 – the UK’s only black-tie festival celebrating world-class music and arts – kicked off another year of sensational entertainment.
The festival was a truly unique event, embracing a vibrant programme from pop to world music, classical to jazz, where art and gastronomy shared equal billing with music over five magical summer nights from Wednesday 10 to Sunday 14 July.
Packed full of dazzling memories, each evening was brought to a stunning close with Festival’s trademark firework spectacular designed by Titanium Fireworks – with festivalgoers flocking to the riverbanks to watch the jaw-dropping display.
Read our day-by-day feature, capturing the magic of the festival with daily highlights and stunning photos.
Wednesday 10 July
Pictures: Garry Jones Photography
The Henley crowd enjoyed an epic set with the iconic Nicole Scherzinger opening its unique Floating Stage with her smash-hit songs, including Don’t Hold Your Breath, The Pussycat Dolls classics Sway, Buttons, and Don’t Cha as well as covers of Diamonds Are a Girl’s Best Friend, I Put A Spell on You and closed with Purple Rain.
Amongst a packed evening of music, comedy, dining, and dancing – as well as stunning visual art and sculptures adorning the riverside setting and the England Euro semi-final playing in the Big Top – Mark Watson had festivalgoers in fits of laughter, and following the festival’s trademark firework spectacular, Bootleg Beatles brought the night to an energetic end with their brilliant tribute to the sixties icons.
As part of Henley Festival’s new charitable programme nurturing the next generation of talent – RISE – there were performances by the astounding Alex Francis and Louise Parker.
Thursday 11 July
Tonight, Henley Festival – the UK’s only black-tie music & arts festival – returned for a second evening of glorious sunshine, music, arts, comedy, and gastronomy alongside art and sculpture installations on the green banks of the Thames. Headlining the Floating Stage on Thursday, Dave Stewart and his Eurythmics Songbook thrilled the crowd with a set of chart-topping hits, including Sweet Dreams, There Must Be An Angel and Sisters.
Award-winning DJ Trevor Nelson brought the groove with club hits and comedian Marcel Lucont had festivalgoers in fits of laughter, with more music from Natalie Gray, Rebecca Poole and Horses on the Beach, and performances from The Multiverse and Immy as part of Henley Festival’s charitable initiative RISE which supports new artists. And much more!
Friday 12 July
Pictures: Harvey Williams-Fairley
This evening, the ‘Empress of Soul’ Gladys Knight chose Henley Festival’s iconic Floating Stage as the setting for her last ever UK performance – delighting the crowd with mega-hits such as Midnight Train to Georgia, License to Kill and If I Were Your Woman.
National treasure Rylan brought his Festival flair to a rousing club set at Pure Heaven, whilst Angela Barnes headed up comedy at the Paradiso, with further stunning performances from Lady Nade and Beth Morris & The Moon Risers, and Henley Festival’s charitable initiative RISE stage welcomed the winner of the inaugural Westcoast RISING Star Award, KATYA, fresh off her recent performance at Glastonbury.
Saturday 13 July
Pictures: Harvey Williams-Fairley
Saturday at Henley Festival brought the party energy with the euphoric House Gospel Choir and iconic Ministry of Sound Ibiza Anthems, with Ellie Sax getting the crowd on their feet at the stunning Floating Stage.
A night not to be missed, festivalgoers were treated to standout performances from the brilliant comedian and author Sara Pascoe, more music from Winnie Ama, Super Tenants, Charlotte Campbell, Belle Noir and Bloc Off the Wall, and performances from RISE artists Eden Hunter and The Great Leslie.
Sunday 14 July
Pictures: Harvey Williams-Fairley
Henley Festival 2024 concluded on an epic high with the best-selling violinist of all time, Nigel Kennedy, opening the Floating Stage, with the audience then watching the Three Lions’ tense Euro final, swiftly followed by an incredible performance from Sam Ryder – as the Festival’s famous fireworks lit up the night sky.
Other highlights included beloved comedian Dara Ó Briain, who delivered a side-splitting comedy set to the packed-out Riverside Cabaret crowd, hilarious musical comedy duo Flo & Joan, The Wave Machine, who performed as part of Henley Festival’s charitable initiative RISE, which supports new artists, and thrilling performances by Electro Swing Project and Jesse Smith.
