Music lovers are in for a treat as Forest Live 2025 welcomes a fresh wave of talent to its already stellar line-up. Set amongst some of the nation’s most scenic outdoor spaces, the popular summer concert series from Forestry England, in partnership with Cuffe & Taylor, will feature performances by three outstanding additions: Imelda May, Sophie Grey, and The Florentinas.
Widely regarded as one of Ireland’s finest musical exports, Imelda May brings her signature blend of blues, soul, jazz and rock to Westonbirt Arboretum on Wednesday 18 June performing as special guest in support of Sting.
Since the release of her breakthrough album Love Tattoo, May has become a defining voice of her generation, combining powerful vocals with an unmistakable stage presence. Her latest record 11 Past the Hour saw her secure a fourth Number 1 album in Ireland and a fourth Top 10 in the UK.
Joining her on stage will be Sophie Grey, the classically trained pianist whose style blends modern soul, pop, and retro-inspired electronic grooves. Known for her self-coined ‘Retro Electro’ sound, Grey writes, produces and performs her own material. She has worked alongside artists such as Lily Meola and Shaggy and is quickly building a loyal following thanks to streaming favourites like Dark Lights.
Meanwhile, The Florentinas, a four-piece indie rock band from Bangor, are gearing up for their Forest Live debut supporting Snow Patrol and Freya Ridings. These rising stars have already made a splash with singles Miami and Weatherman, and their recent BBC Introducing Artist of the Year accolade at the Northern Ireland Music Prize suggests big things ahead.
The Florentinas will perform on Tuesday 17 June at Westonbirt Arboretum.
Forest Live is much more than a gig – it’s a celebration of music, nature and community, hosted in four of the country’s most treasured woodlands. This year’s edition features a host of major acts including The Script, Snow Patrol, Sting, Nile Rodgers & CHIC, Gary Barlow, Paul Heaton, Elbow, Busted, McFly, Beverley Knight, Blossoms, James, Freya Ridings, Rag’n’Bone Man, Billy Bragg, and more.
Beyond the music, every ticket sold supports the ongoing conservation work of Forestry England, who manage over 1,500 woods and forests across the country. In the past year alone, they planted over 7.4 million trees and welcomed more than 285 million visits. Forest Live has attracted over two million attendees since its launch 23 years ago.
For full listings, ticket information and updates, fans are encouraged to visit forestlive.com.
