Forest Live: Everything you need to know ahead of Elbow, Rick Astley and Tom Jones at Cannock Chase
An eighties pop sensation, indie rock favourites and a true legend of the music scene – the Forest Live concerts will cater for everyone this weekend.
More than 15,000 people will be heading to Cannock Chase for the three concerts on Friday, Saturday and Sunday which are all sold out.
The Staffordshire shows are part of a UK-wide summer concert series promoted by the Forestry Commission.
Rick Astley was the first artist to be announced for this year’s event on the Chase. His appearance comes hot on the heels of his spring 2017 tour dates as he celebrates 30 years in the music business since my first number one hit.
Astley was just 21 when he unleashed the iconic single ‘Never Gonna Give You Up’, which became the UK’s biggest selling single of the year, going on to top the charts in 16 countries.
He recently had his first number one album in 29 years with his release called 50.
Elbow’s rise over the past two decades has seen them become one of the most applauded bands in contemporary British music. They released a seventh studio album, Little Fictions, in February. The album was the band’s first as a four-piece, following the departure of Richard Jupp.
After performing at the Chase on Friday night they will be supporting The Killers in Hyde Park, London, on Saturday.
Sir Tom, who recently appeared as a judge on The Voice TV talent show, is touring the UK and Europe this summer with his band and support from Into the Ark.
The international star went down a storm at the V Festival two years ago and Lichfield’s Beacon Park last year. He has had a remarkable career spanning five decades with such timeless hits as It’s Not Unusual, Delilah and Help Yourself .
Each night the car parks open at 5pm and the arena gates at 6pm. Show times are provisional but on Friday support Steve Mason is due to be on stage shortly after 7.30pm with Elbow at 8.45pm. The concert will finish at 10.45pm.
On Saturday singer-songwriter Rumer is expected on stage at 7.50pm followed by Rick Astley at 9pm. The show is due to finish at 10.40pm.
While Sir Tom Jones is lined up to appear at 8.50pm on Sunday, after Into the Ark which hit the stage at 7.50pm, and the show is due to finish at 10.40pm.
Across the weekend a range of both alcoholic and soft drinks, hot and cold snacks will be available from the catering units inside the arena for those who don't want to take a picnic.
Umbrellas are not allowed again this year and organisers say the event will continue in all but very extreme weather - though forecasters are not expecting rain this weekend. Under 16s must be accompanied by an adult.
Last year's three concerts were also sold out and saw James Bay kick off the weekend on the Friday followed by Paul Heaton and Jacqui Abbott on Saturday while Leeds rockers the Kaiser Chiefs brought the event to an explosive finale on the Sunday.
Frontman Ricky Wilson commented: “As a band we’ve always loved to play outdoors, we’ve done fields, parks, farms, rooftops, beaches and back gardens, but this is the first time we’ve played in a forest!”
UB40 and Embrace were the first bands to perform on Cannock Chase in 2006. Since then, the concerts have played host to some of the biggest names in rock and pop, with sell-out shows including Paul Weller, Robert Plant, Paloma Faith, Blondie, Keane, Simply Red and Jessie J.
