James Blake announced as headliner for Solstice at Wasing

by contributors
Solstice at Wasing crowd watching in forest

Wasing Estate is thrilled to announce the return of its highly anticipated Solstice at Wasing celebrations for 2025, now reimagined as a weekend festival hosted at a beautiful venue, The Woodland at Wasing.

Taking place from Friday 20th to Sunday 22nd June 2025, the festival celebrates the Rite of Summer and will feature performances by world-renowned artists James Blake (Solo Piano), Anoushka Shankar, Salif Keita, Nubiyan Twist, K.O.G. and The Turbans.

Saturday headliner James Blake is a critically acclaimed GRAMMY®, Ivor Novello and Mercury Prize Award-winning UK singer, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist and producer. His performance will be an ‘intimate piano show’, perfectly complementing the beauty and peace of Solstice At Wasing.

Solstice at Wasing 2025 line-up poster
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Debuting in 2009, Blake has emerged as pop’s most celebrated outlier with his dynamic solo output, while operating as the enigmatic engine behind some of the most influential albums of the 21st century. He has produced for Beyoncé, Dave, Frank Ocean, Kendrick Lamar, Jay-Z, Travis Scott, Rosalía and more,  while Madonna famously said his music “makes her jealous” and, at the top of this year, Timothée Chalamet called on him to accompany him on piano during his live performance of Dylan deep cuts on Saturday Night Live.

Blake’s 2021 released Friends That Break Your Heart, (his highest charting album in the UK to date) and 2023 released electronic leaning Playing Robots Into Heaven are the latest in a line of his exceptionally received studio albums. In 2024, James embraced his independence once again, parting ways with the major label he was previously signed to and embarking on a new chapter with Vault, a direct artist-to-fan streaming platform. Blake marked this era with the release of his CMYK 002 – Let Her Know EP, and singles “Thrown Around” and “Like The End.” At the same time, his influence in popular music continued to rise with Bad Cameo, a collaborative studio album with Lil Yachty that highlighted his ever-evolving artistry.

For one magical weekend, Wasing invites concert goers to come together to mark the Summer solstice, which takes place on the same day everywhere on the planet, connecting everyone in a truly global moment.

The Fireside Sessions on the Friday night will be headlined by globally acclaimed artist Anoushka Shankar, and sparks the solstice celebration’s shift from day to night with special performances around the fire. For those seeking a free-spirited experience, The Fireside Sessions takes place as an evening concert by the Sacred Glade fire on the estate, giving a moment to connect with nature and the solstice vibes under the stars. The following morning a guided Sunrise Ceremony will take place at dawn to welcome the new sun.

Andrew Perkins, CEO of Wasing Estate, said: We’re absolutely thrilled to have James Blake perform at Solstice at Wasing, joining an incredible bill with Anoushka Shankar and many others. Here at Wasing, we are all about creating a real connection between artists, audiences and the natural world and we’re delighted to work with artists who share our ethos.”

Set on Wasing Estate, The Woodland is a stunning enclave right in the heart of the countryside. A unique and mindful space; this is a truly transportive venue to see defining live acts, fully immersed in nature.

Wasing Estate itself is heralded for the way it breaks the mould for country estates and this ethos is reflected in the concerts; Wasing hosts healing retreats enriched with nature immersion, wellbeing festivals, and restorative events with a focus on the connection between the planet and its people. Solstice is alcohol free, allowing guests to be truly connected and present in the moment.

As well as the music, Wasing offers a host of wellbeing packages at the festival, including  nature connection meditations, breathwork sessions and Wild Swim & Sauna sessions in the secluded woodland lake and wood-fired sauna. Solstice also offers a jam-packed schedule of nature-based children’s activities including family yoga, crafting, circus skills & parachute games.

This year’s event follows Solstice At Wasing’s hugely successful event in 2024, which featured sensational shows from the likes of Nick Mulvey and Rodrigo y Gabriela.

Tickets are available now at www.wasing.co.uk/solstice  

Ticket Prices:

  • 2 Nights (Sat/Sun) £142.50
  • 3 Nights (Fri/Sat/Sun) £190

Both include an Early Bird Discount & Under 12s free + Tipi tents from £400

James Blake announced as headliner for Solstice at Wasing 1

Image credits:
Samuel George / @Wasing1759
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