Forest Live, Forestry England’s summer concert series presented with Cuffe & Taylor, today announces cult Manchester indie-rock band James as the latest headliners confirmed for its 2025 series.
With over 25 million albums sold over a longstanding career, James are amongst the most commercially and artistically successful alternative rock bands of their era. Having marked their 40th anniversary just last year, James will head to Forestry England Cannock Chase Forest on Saturday 28 June 2025.
An unstoppable force since they formed in the 1980s, James achieved their first UK number one earlier this year with eighteenth studio album Yummy.
Alongside cuts from the acclaimed new record, fans can look forward to belting out James classics like ‘Come Home’, ‘Sit Down’, ‘Sometimes’, ‘She’s A Star’, ‘Born Of Frustration’ and ‘Laid’ amongst the trees this Summer as the band play through their back catalogue of euphoric anthems.
At Forestry England Cannock Chase this summer, James will also be joined by indie-rock heavyweights Razorlight and ‘people’s poet’ Jamie Webster.
Razorlight were at the forefront of the 2000s’ indie-rock resurgence, with a string of hits like ‘America’, ‘Wire To Wire’ and ‘In The Morning. These successes drove the band to achieve three top five albums, nine Platinum certifications and an NME Award.
Singing for the downtrodden, dispossessed and ill-advised with an anthemic fist aloft, indie singer-songwriter Jamie Webster has built a movement around his craft that distils struggle, finds hope and tugs at the ties that bind. He has previously worked with the likes of Manic Street Preachers’ producer Dave Eringa, and has achieved a UK top ten as well as a UK official folk chart number one.
Merging outstanding performances from world-class acts with beautiful outdoor locations to create an atmosphere like no other, Forest Live 2025 will take place at four forest venues: Forestry England Cannock Chase; Delamere; High Lodge, Thetford and Westonbirt Arboretum.
James join a selection of renowned global artists as confirmed headliners for the 2025 Forest Live series, including Sting, The Script, Blossoms, Snow Patrol, Rag’n’Bone Man and Elbow.
Forestry England manage and care for the nation’s 1,500 woods and forests. They use the money Forest Live raises to maintain these beautiful natural areas for everyone to enjoy, run important conservation projects and keep growing trees.
Last year they planted some 7.4 million trees and welcomed 285 million visits in 2023/24. Everyone in England lives within a one-hour drive of one of the nation’s forests. Over two million people have enjoyed the Forest Live gigs over the last 23 years.
This year sees Forestry England present the concert series in partnership with Live Nation’s Cuffe & Taylor for the second year running.
James with support from Razorlight and Jamie Webster
Saturday 28 June 2025: Forestry England Cannock Chase
Tickets will go on sale at 10am on Friday 15 November 2024.
Fans can sign up for information, announcements, and exclusive pre-sale access at forestlive.com.