The future of one of Taunton’s biggest musical events is in serious doubt after organisers admitted a “clerical error” led to the loss of their primary venue. Live in Somerset, which traditionally takes over Vivary Park during the August Bank Holiday weekend, may not go ahead in 2026 after the dates were secured by a new rival festival.
LCC Live, the organisers behind the long-running concert series, confirmed they were unable to book the park for the crucial late August dates. The slot has instead been filled by “Electric Summer,” a new one-day 80s music event headlined by synth-pop legend Howard Jones.
The conflict presents a significant logistical hurdle for LCC Live. In a statement issued to social media, the organisers explained that the financial viability of their event relies on a multi-day run, making a simple date swap difficult.
“Producing a concert event like Live in Somerset is very costly and we really need it to be a 3/4-night event to make it financially work,” a spokesperson for LCC Live said. “This is proving logistically very difficult and we are continuing to explore all options currently.”
This potential cancellation comes as a double blow to local music fans. Live in Somerset had already taken a “fallow year” hiatus in 2025 due to rising costs and difficulties in securing a balanced lineup. At the time, director Les Kidger had promised the event would return “bigger and stronger” in 2026 to capitalise on the Glastonbury Festival’s scheduled year off.
While the future of the multi-day series remains uncertain, the bank holiday weekend will still see live music return to the town. The newly announced Electric Summer festival is confirmed for Sunday, August 30, 2026.
Curated by Souvenir Events, Electric Summer promises a nostalgia-fuelled celebration of electronic music. Alongside headliner Howard Jones, who has sold over 10 million albums worldwide, the bill features several heavyweights of the genre.
- Headliner: Howard Jones
- Special Guests: Heaven 17, Blancmange
- Support: Mesh, Black Nail Cabaret, Agency-V, Neon Fields
- DJ Sets: Paul Dakeyne
Jez Damsell, director of Souvenir Events, said the event aims to attract visitors from across Europe. “I’m a massive fan of 80s music, especially the synthpop/electronic rock genre. It’s a dream come true to create an event which not just celebrates that era, but also introduces some brilliant newer artists.”
The new festival will also support the music therapy charity Nordoff and Robbins.
For Live in Somerset, the clock is ticking to find a solution. The event has previously brought major acts such as Busted, Status Quo, JLS, and Sophie Ellis-Bextor to the region, generating significant footfall for the town centre.
LCC Live has stated that a final decision on whether the 2026 edition can proceed—either at a new venue or on different dates—will be made by the end of January 2026. Until then, the battle for the bank holiday spotlight in Taunton remains resolved in favour of the newcomers.
Image credits:
Julie Anne Workman / CC BY-SA 3.0
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