Heritage Live confirms programme for summer concert series at Kenwood House

Following several months of huge uncertainty for the live music industry, Heritage Live has confirmed the programme for its live music series in the beautiful setting of Kenwood House on London’s Hampstead Heath, with headline act James (already rescheduled once) gracing the stage on 20^th of August. The Manchester icons are set to perform on the second night of the run of concerts.

James frontman Tim Booth said: “Right now James are in a fully tested Covid bubble rehearsing for this concert. You never really value some things until you’ve lost them – so now, to be playing together in a room, to be coming to play to an audience, to be working with all the people who put on these amazing events, things we used to take for granted – we are re-appreciating in a deep way. As one of the first concerts out of lockdown, this will be a massive celebration. Let’s have a party!”

The band’s last tour saw them play 86 shows in 14 countries, including a sell-out concert at the legendary Greek Theatre in Los Angeles. The Mancunians’ 17^th album, All the Colours of You (described by Uncut Magazine as, “an album that thrums with sense of urgency both timely and slightly remarkable for a band entering its 40^th year”) reached number two in the album charts earlier this summer. It is a widescreen LP that takes the group into new sonic territory, and fans of James can expect to hear new material from the new album at Heritage Live, alongside their rich catalogue of festival friendly hits, which includes Sit Down, Laid, She’s a Star, Say Something and many, many more.

Heritage Live has confirmed that James will be joined on the 20^th by Feeder, Maxïmo Park and The Snuts, as originally planned, for this long-awaited celebration of live music. Also on the line-up is singer-songwriter Get Cape Wear Cape Fly, Yorkshire alternative rock group The Sherlocks and the grunge-punk outfit Cruel Hearts Club. The celebrated Shiiine On indie DJs will get the party started in style with gates opening at 3pm for a full afternoon and evening of first-class live entertainment.

Feeder is ready to come full circle. More than two decades after their first show the band are reinvigorated, tapping into the essential, primal energy that first inspired them. Their latest album Tallulah is evidence of this – snappy songwriting, expertly produced, and completely natural. The record opens a bold new chapter – one that thirsts for fresh challenges. Since forming in 1994, the Welsh band have released ten studio albums, including Echo Park, Comfort of Sound and Renegades, and are responsible for rock anthems including Just the Way I’m Feeling, Tumble and Fall, Just a Day, Feeling a Moment and Buck Rogers. 

Meanwhile, Newcastle’s Maxïmo Park are no stranger to the festival circuit. Currently riding high from their latest record, Nature Always Wins – which peaked at number two in the charts this year – the band’s legendary explosive performances will be once again led by their talisman Paul Smith when they head to the capital in June. The band, responsible for indie anthems Apply Some Pressure, Our Velocity and Books from Boxes, first burst onto the scene with 2005’s landmark debut album A Certain Trigger and will once again take centre stage for this eagerly anticipated return to live festival music.

The Snuts are giving indie music a much-needed overhaul. The Scottish band scored number one album in April with their genre-merging debut WL. As NME puts it: “Come festival season, should we have one, you sense that this genre-hopping gamble will pay off; it’s more ample proof that guitar music doesn’t just have a place in 2021, but that listeners are in tune enough to embrace and support its variety.”

The event was set to take place just three days after the expected end of the national lockdown on 21^st June. It was on track to be the first post-lockdown outdoor show in London, but changes to the Covid-19 roadmap forced organisers to reschedule the event. They have now put in place a series of Covid-safety measures to align with Government protocol, and are looking forward to some late summer joy for the people of The City this August. Organisers have confirmed that, whilst they won’t be checking the “Covid status” of anyone entering any of the concerts, they are actively encouraging guests to take a lateral flow test 24 hours before heading to the venue, and urging them to get a Covid vaccine as soon as one is offered. 

Event promoter Giles Cooper said: “It has been a long two years in the waiting, but at last our Heritage Live concerts are allowed to happen! We can’t wait to see James, along with their amazing supporting line-up of Feeder, Maximo Park, The Snuts, GCWCP, The Sherlocks and Cruel Hearts Club. The legendary Shiiine On DJs will get the party started from 3pm. I’ve no doubt this will be one great party to remember and a triumphant return of all that’s good about live music!”

The full line-up for 20^th August 2021 is as follows:

Gates open: 3pm

Shiiine On DJs: 3pm-3.30pm

Cruel Hearts Club: 3.30pm-4pm

The Sherlocks: 4.20pm-4.50pm

Get Cape Wear Cape Fly: 5.10pm-5.40pm

The Snuts: 6pm-6.40pm

Maximo Park: 7pm-7.45pm

Feeder: 8.15pm-9pm

James: 9.30pm-11pm

Heritage Live concerts are staged at some of England’s most beautiful and culturally significant venues. These historic landmarks, stately homes and show grounds showcase the very best of England’s unique heritage and serve as stunning backdrops to their evening events. The series continues to expand its portfolio of venues, whilst continuing to stage concerts at the English Heritage flagship sites of Kenwood on London’s Hampstead Heath and Audley End House and Gardens in Essex, having hosted artists such as Madness, the Jacksons, Van Morrison, Kris Kristofferson, the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, Jess Glynne and Nile Rodgers. Heritage Live is brought to audiences by GCE Live.