Tim Hughes

Wilderness Festival at Cornbury Park near Charlbury brought together around 30,000 attendees for music, performances, talks, food and outdoor activities. Highlights included sets by Annie Lennox, Carl Cox, Scissor Sisters, The Last Dinner Party, Groove Armada and Saint Etienne, as well as Lennox’s “Sisters” show supporting global feminist organisation The Circle. The festival also featured surprise performances, chef-led banquets, swimming and sports, with artists, organisers and attendees praising its distinctive atmosphere and varied programme.

Fairport Convention has opened the 2026 Cropredy Festival near Banbury, an annual three-day event known for its single-stage format, community atmosphere and blend of folk, rock, pop, blues and country music. The sold-out lineup includes former Fairport member Richard Thompson, Soft Machine, Turin Brakes, Hayseed Dixie and several emerging acts. Band member Simon Nicol says the festival’s traditions, fixed setting and communal spirit are central to its enduring appeal, while next year’s event will mark Fairport Convention’s 60th anniversary.

Wilderness Festival at Cornbury Park near Charlbury is marking its 15th year with a diverse programme spanning music, food, comedy, wellness, workshops and nature. Major musical attractions include Scissor Sisters, Carl Cox, The Last Dinner Party and Annie Lennox’s rare SISTERS performance, which supports Circle’s work with women-led organizations addressing gender-based violence and economic injustice. Festival chief Rory Bett emphasizes the event’s inclusive ethos, lack of a VIP area and broad appeal across generations.

Saint Etienne singer Sarah Cracknell discusses the band's decision to end its 35-year career after 13 albums. The group is undertaking The Long Goodbye tour, including a near-home performance at Wilderness Festival in West Oxfordshire, and is promoting its final album, International. Cracknell says the trio wants to leave on a high while preserving its reputation and friendship, ruling out another album or future reunion, although she is looking forward to discovering what comes next.