If you’d prefer a music festival with a more relaxed vibe… (Picture: C Brandon/Redferns)
It’s been a damp British summer so far, but the best of festival season is still coming – and Kew Gardens is hosting a big one you might have missed.
Kew the Music is a laid-back music festival that started in 2011 as a follow-up to Kew Gardens’ Summer Swing Festival, which ran until the summer of 2010.
Throughout its history, Kew the Music has seen headline slots from the likes of Rick Astley, Mary J. Blige, The Human League, Lewis Capaldi, and Bastille, among others.
And this year it’s boasting the likes of Mika and Ronan Keating, alongside JLS, The Verve’s Richard Ashcroft, and pop superstars Beverly Knight and Passenger.
Where other music festivals encourage dancing and drinking, Kew the Music is a little different when it comes to its audience’s habits.
While you can still dance and drink, the main focus is on picnics – you can either buy a picnic hamper in advance or bring your own with you to Kew Gardens.
Beverley Knight will be back to perform at Kew Gardens for a second time (Picture: C Brandon/Redferns)
So, while the likes of Mika, JLS, and Ronan will provide the musical entertainment between July 8-14 this year, people are encouraged to sit back in the grass and relax.
Videos of the event show that people can stand up if they choose to, with many making sure they get a good view of the stage and to capture precious memories on their phones.
The first show of the festival on Monday, July 8, will actually be an interview, with BBC show Gardener’s World presenter Monty Don chatting to BBC journalist Tina Daheley.
Noughties X Factor legends JLS will be performing at the festival (Picture: Brian Rasic/Getty)
One Show presenter and former Boyzone singer Ronan Keating will headline (Picture: Getty)
Mika will begin the musical festivities on Tuesday, July 9, with Ronan Keating (supported by The X Factor’s Lucy Spraggan) following up on July 10.
Passenger will take to the stage on July 11, supported by The Power of Love singer Gabriella Alpin, before arguably the biggest night of the week follows.
That’s because JLS will be taking to the stage on July 12, supported by Tinchy Stryder – the acts performing that night have seven number ones between them.
Among the headliners in 2024, only Ronan can rival them, with three solo number ones in the UK in addition to the six he achieved with Boyzone.
On July 13 the festival continues with Beverly Knight performing – tickets are going fast for the penultimate night of the summer festival – while the final night will see Richard Ashcroft take to the stage with Jamie Webster and Callum Beattie.
Ticket prices vary for each of the festival’s events, with JLS and Tinchy Stryder commanding a price of £64, while Monty Don is priced lower at £58.50.
JLS have proved to be the hottest ticket Kew Gardens that week, with special upgraded tickets already sold out, but general admission tickets are still available at £64.
Fans can pay a bit extra if they fancy being given a special hamper and a bottle of wine with their live music, with a ‘gourmet summer barbecue’ also available for those willing to fork out £248.50.
Kew the Music starts on July 8 and runs to July 14.
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