A feast of music and flavours awaits as Big Feastival unveils star-studded lineup for 2025

Edited by

on


A feast of music and flavours awaits as Big Feastival unveils star-studded lineup for 2025
A feast of music and flavours awaits as Big Feastival unveils star-studded lineup for 2025

Big Feastival has unveiled a star-studded lineup as it returns to the Cotswolds from 22 to 24 August for its 14th year of lively music, mouth-watering food, and family fun galore on Blur bassist Alex James’ farm.

This annual spectacular celebrates the British summertime in style, offering a perfect blend of live music, acclaimed chefs, vibrant street food, and endless activities for the whole family.

Acts announced include music headliners Nelly Furtado, Faithless (Live) and the premiere of Alex James’ Britpop Classical, alongside Travis, The Wombats, Sophie Ellis-Bextor, Rizzle Kicks, Tom Walker and Maxïmo Park. Chef headliners Raymond Blanc and Si King will set the stage for a Bank Holiday weekend brimming with good music, food, and good times.

Host Alex James said: “I’m absolutely thrilled to be welcoming everyone back to the farm for our 14th year of Big Feastival. We’ve pulled out all the stops to create a weekend packed with incredible music, top-notch food, and something for the whole family to enjoy, from Nelly Furtado and Faithless Live to my star-studded Britpop Classical, where Blur, Oasis, Pulp, Supergrass and the entire host of Britpop big hitters get the full orchestra treatment.

It will be a unique and fitting way to close Big Feastival 2025 which lands almost exactly 30 years since Roll With It and Country House went head-to-head. I can’t wait to see everyone here in the beautiful Cotswolds for what promises to be our best summer celebration yet!”

Nelly Furtado will headline on Friday with her globally adored pop anthems. Launching her career with the Grammy Award-winning single ‘I’m Like A Bird’, Nelly Furtado quickly became one of the biggest names in pop.

From the feisty ‘Maneater’ and ‘Promiscuous’ to the empowering ‘Say It Right’, her set will be a showcase of chart-topping tunes and genre-defining pop moments. With over 40 million records sold worldwide, she’s sure to bring the crowd together for an unforgettable opening night.

Big Feastival unveils star-studded lineup for 2025 – a feast of music and flavours awaits
Big Feastival unveils star-studded lineup for 2025 – a feast of music and flavours awaits

On Saturday, legendary dance pioneers Faithless (Live) take over the main stage. Known for timeless classics such as ‘Insomnia’, ‘God Is A DJ’ and ‘We Come 1’, Faithless have been at the forefront of electronic music for over two decades, headlining festivals across the globe. This year, they’ll be joined by a full live band for an electrifying live set that is sure to bring the party to Saturday night.

Closing the weekend in spectacular style, Alex James’ Britpop Classical brings the unforgettable anthems of the ’90s to life, fusing the raw energy of the era’s biggest hits with the breath-taking power of a full orchestra. Led by our very own Alex James, this global premiere will feature very special guest appearances, with exciting names set to be announced soon.

Reimagining the songs that defined a generation, this unique performance delivers an electrifying fusion of Britpop’s most iconic anthems and stunning symphonic arrangements. With a live band alongside the orchestra, these definitive tracks take on a new dimension—from the infectious energy of Blur and Oasis to the rebellious spirit of Pulp and Supergrass.

This one-of-a-kind experience transforms beloved classics into cinematic, larger-than-life performances to provide a fitting finale to another spectacular Big Feastival weekend.

Sunday special guests, Travis, the chart-topping Scottish rock band behind timeless sing-along anthems such as ‘Why Does It Always Rain on Me?’ and ‘Sing,’ will grace the Sunday stage. Festivalgoers can also look forward to Saturday’s special guests and indie heroes The Wombats, known for anthemic singles such as ‘Moving To New York’ and ‘Let’s Dance To Joy Division’.

Disco-pop queen Sophie Ellis-Bextor promises to light up the farm with her infectious hooks and inimitable stage presence, while hip-hop duo Rizzle Kicks are set to bring plenty of feel-good energy. The soulful Tom Walker will showcase his powerful vocals whilst British indie pop stalwarts Maxïmo Park and Scouting For Girls will be on hand to deliver hits with a nostalgic twist and The Pigeon Detectives will bring a touch of indie rock to the festival.

The music lineup continues with the hotly tipped and freshly BRIT-nominated English Teacher who add a fresh twist to the indie scene with their bold, forward-thinking sound, multi-platinum star Daniel Bedingfield who will delight fans with unforgettable hits like ‘Gotta Get Thru This,’ and guitar prodigy Toby Lee will bring sonic treats with his blistering riffs.

Brooke Combe, Calum Bowie, Remember Monday and Ellur will also show crowds why they’re some of the best up-and-coming acts in British music. Festival favourites The Cuban Brothers, who are sure to keep spirits high with their trademark blend of music, comedy and outrageous showmanship, cap off this wave of music additions.

Once again, Big Feastival will offer a culinary extravaganza. Renowned Michelin-starred Raymond Blanc, widely celebrated as one of the finest chefs in Britain, will be headlining the Big Kitchen, bringing his signature elegance and expertise to the farm.

With a career spanning more than five decades and a dedication to locally sourced ingredients from his local Oxfordshire restaurant and gardens, Raymond will share the passion behind his unforgettable dishes and provide a culinary insight like no other.

Meanwhile, Si King, from the beloved Hairy Bikers, will bring his trademark warmth, down-to-earth cooking style, and vibrant personality to the stage. Known for his hearty and comforting dishes, Si’s appearance promises insight into his take on delicious home-cooked meals, all served with a healthy dose of humour and northern charm.

For those looking to perfect their cooking skills, demos and workshops from other culinary stars will feature Simon Rimmer star of Channel 4’s Sunday Brunch, social media sensation and No.1 Sunday Times bestselling author Emily English will be on hand to bring her nutritional dishes and advice.

Joining her will be August Bernstein the experimental and inventive creator and head tutor at Raymond Blanc’s Gardening School; DJ BBQ & Chops, bringing vibrant, flame-grilled creations; Bake Off: The Professionals judge Cherish Finden, best known for her rich and luxurious desserts; Elizabeth Haigh (Mei Mei), blending contemporary flavours with her Singaporean roots; Emily Scott, offering fresh coastal dishes and Gaz Oakley, sharing home-grown innovations.

The chef lineup continues with chefs from The Pig focussing on their renowned ‘25 mile menu’ of locally sourced and homegrown produce, George Egg, the cheeky “Snack Hacker” showcasing clever, fun food hacks; Karan Gokani (Hoppers), serving up bold and vibrant Sri Lankan cuisine; Matthew Ryle Head Chef of London’s finest restaurant Maison Francois, Thomas Straker (Straker’s) renowned for seasonal British fare.

Also included are Noor Murad (Ottolenghi Test Kitchen), with her inventive Middle Eastern blends, Sally Abé (The Pem), offering Michelin-starred culinary creations, and Thom Bateman (The Flintlock), who brings rustic and approachable flavours to the table. The diversity of talent on the show ensures there will be something for every food-loving festivalgoer to enjoy.

The Raymond Blanc Cookery School will give foodies a hands-on experience with top-quality ingredients, whilst they can also look forward to Cookery Schools, The Fire Pit, Masterclasses, Family Feasts, Street Food Circus and new for this year, Ben Quinn is bringing his Woodfired Lazy Lunches, expect beautifully cooked food over fire within a magical setting at the festival.

As ever, Big Feastival has lined up a superb array of family-friendly activities to keep the small ones entertained from dawn till dusk. Oti Mabuse joins in with her family dance class, whilst Children’s TV megastar Justin Fletcher will delight younger fans with his high-energy performances, ensuring smiles and laughter all around.

They’ll also have the chance to meet Hey Duggee, join in the fun of incredible Feastival favourite Barrioke with Shaun Williamson, or be swept up by the magical antics of The Flying Seagull Project, the festival’s returning charity partner. Over the years Big Feastival has fundraised for the charity with project donations going towards improving children’s happiness within the UK and across the globe.

Families can also explore Adam Henson’s Cotswold Farm Park, offering hands-on encounters with animal experts and local creatures, and marvel at the mesmerising feats of the Farmyard Circus as they expect high-flying circus skills.

For outdoor adventures and imaginative play, Lizzie’s Way Wild Play invites children to step into a world of nature-based discovery where you’ll find mud kitchens, potion making and the great outdoors.

On top of the vibrant family fare, a stellar comedy and podcast programme promises side-splitting humour and lively discussions. Expect quick wit and uproarious comedy from BAFTA-nominated Bridget Christie, the UK’s finest Lucy Beaumont, previous Taskmaster winner Lou Sanders and Lloyd Griffith.

Live podcasts from The Scummy Mummies and Mum’s the Word!, razor-sharp one-liners from Eshaan Akbar and fresh perspectives from Freya Mallard. With even more acts yet to be announced, Big Feastival’s comedy and podcast lineup is set to keep festivalgoers thoroughly entertained throughout the weekend with a vast array of offerings across the site.

With plenty more announcements still to come, Big Feastival 2025 is gearing up to be the ultimate bank holiday weekend. See the full programme so far and secure your tickets here.


Latest news


Trending news




More from The Oxford Magazine