The unmistakable sound of Fatboy Slim will echo through some of England’s most beautiful woodland settings next summer, as the global DJ phenomenon heads up the 2026 Forest Live programme. Forestry England, joining forces once again with promoters Cuffe & Taylor, has confirmed that the big beat pioneer will headline a run of open-air shows in June.
Norman Cook – better known to the world as Fatboy Slim – remains one of the most influential figures in modern dance culture. Fusing funk, acid house, hip-hop and rock with unmistakable flair, he continues to pull vast crowds to his famously high-octane live performances.
The announcement comes during a landmark period for Cook. In 2025 he marked 40 years in the music industry, celebrating the milestone with the release of It Ain’t Over Till the Fatboy Sings, a richly illustrated book charting his journey from the pre-Housemartins days through Beats International, Freak Power and onwards to the Fatboy Slim era that made him a household name. Earlier this year he also completed an extraordinary achievement — his 100th Glastonbury set.
Forest Live will celebrate its own milestone in 2026 as the concert series reaches its 25th anniversary, bringing major acts to the heart of the nation’s forests. The shows combine world-class performances with the atmosphere only outdoor woodland venues can offer.
Forestry England manages more than 1,500 woods and forests, with Forest Live helping fund conservation work, woodland maintenance and tree-growing projects. In 2024/25 alone, the organisation planted 7.4 million trees and welcomed 313 million visits to the nation’s forests. More than two million people have attended Forest Live gigs since the series began.
Fatboy Slim will appear at:
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High Lodge, Thetford Forest – 19 June
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Delamere Forest – 20 June
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Westonbirt, The National Arboretum – 24 June
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Cannock Chase – 25 June
General tickets go on sale at 10am on Friday 28 November.
PayPal customers will have access to a limited presale window from 10am on Wednesday 12 November, available for up to 48 hours.
Fans can sign up for updates, presale access and further announcements at forestlive.com.
