LAKEFEST EASTNOR CASTLE

Herefordshire

5TH – 9TH AUGUST 2026

The Four headline acts are:

THE CHARLATANS, MADNESS, EXAMPLE and BANANARAMA

With more acts to be

announced before August

Eastnor Castle is located in the Herefordshire countryside, specifically situated at the foot of the Malvern Hills near Ledbury. It is a 19th-century castle set within a 5,000-acre estate that includes 100 acres of grounds, a deer park, and a lake. The Festival will be taking place in the estate grounds.

With so much choice this year, which festival should you pick to invest your hard earnt cash into?

Each Festival and location offers a different outlook and it will depend on your music taste, family, location and financial standing as to which to go for.

Return To Sound are heading to Herefordshire for this years Lakefest Festival in August so we thought we would put together a little dossier that may help in your decision?

TICKETS AND FULL LINE UP HERE:  

https://www.lakefest.co.uk

First up the Headliners from Thursday through to Sunday night

Thursday - The Charlatans

The Charlatans were formed in 1988 in the West Midlands before developing their identity in Northwich, Cheshire. Built around bassist Martin Blunt’s vision, the group blended 1960s soul, R&B, garage rock, and later Madchester-era indie dance into a sound defined by Rob Collins’s swirling Hammond organ and Tim Burgess’s distinctive vocals. Their debut album Some Friendly (1990) launched them into the UK spotlight with hits like “The Only One I Know”, establishing them as key figures in the Madchester and early Britpop scenes.

Across more than three decades, The Charlatans have released thirteen Top-40 UK albums, including three Number Ones, and produced era-defining singles such as “One to Another” and “North Country Boy.” Their history includes both creative reinvention and profound loss, including the deaths of keyboardist Rob Collins and drummer Jon Brookes, yet the band continued to evolve with resilience and a loyal fan base.

Today, The Charlatans remain one of the UK’s most beloved long-running bands, celebrated for their fusion of retro influences, groove-driven rhythms, and a career marked by both innovation and longevity.

Friday - Example

Example is a London-born rapper, singer, and producer known for blending rap, electronic, and dance-pop into high-energy, chart-friendly anthems. Rising to prominence in the late 2000s, he broke through with hits like Kickstarts and Changed the Way You Kiss Me, which showcased his signature mix of sharp lyricism and festival-ready production.

Drawing inspiration from UK garage, hip-hop, and electronic music, Example built a reputation for catchy hooks, story-driven verses, and big-room sound that resonated across clubs and radio alike. Over the years, he has released multiple successful albums, collaborated with major producers and DJs, and toured internationally, earning a loyal fanbase for his energetic live performances.

Today, Example continues to evolve his sound while remaining a distinctive voice in the UK music scene, known for his versatility, humour and ability to craft songs that hit both emotionally and on the dancefloor.

Saturday - Madness

Madness formed in Camden Town, London, in 1976, emerging as one of the defining groups of the late-1970s and early-1980s two-tone ska revival. Blending ska, pop, and new wave, they became known for their playful energy, distinctive “Nutty Sound,” and a string of hits that helped shape British pop culture.

Their classic lineup—Graham “Suggs” McPherson, Chris Foreman, Mike Barson, Lee Thompson, Dan Woodgate, and Mark Bedford—powered a remarkable run of success. Between 1980 and 1986, their songs spent 214 weeks on the UK Singles Chart, tying a record for the decade. They produced 16 UK Top 10 singles, including One Step Beyond, Baggy Trousers, It Must Be Love, and their UK No. 1 hit House of Fun. Their biggest U.S. success, Our House, reached No. 7 on the Billboard Hot 100.

After an initial split in 1986, Madness reunited in 1992 and have continued performing and recording, maintaining much of their original lineup. Their influence endures across generations, with their upbeat sound and charismatic stage presence keeping them a beloved fixture of British music.

Expect to see an amazing array of headgear in th ecrowd from fez's to Pork Pie Hats!

Sunday - Bananarama

Bananarama are a pop group formed in London in 1980 by friends Sara Dallin, Keren Woodward and Siobhan Fahey. Emerging from the post-punk and new wave scene, they quickly became one of the defining girl groups of the 1980s, known for their catchy hooks, distinctive harmonies, and effortlessly cool aesthetic.

Their breakthrough came through a collaboration with Fun Boy Three on It Ain’t What You Do (It’s the Way That You Do It) in 1982, which launched them into the UK charts. They went on to score a long string of hits, including Really Saying Something, Cruel Summer, Robert De Niro’s Waiting and their US No. 1 smash Venus. By the end of the decade, they had earned a Record for the most chart entries by an all-female group.

Fahey left the group in 1988 and was replaced by Jacquie O’Sullivan until 1991, after which Dallin and Woodward continued as a duo. The original trio reunited briefly for a 2017 tour before returning to the duo format. Across their career, Bananarama have released numerous albums, earned BRIT Award nominations, and maintained a loyal global fanbase. Their music remains a vibrant symbol of 80s pop culture, and they continue to perform and release new material today.

Eastnor Castle

Lakefest clearly caters towards all age groups - Key Highlights are:

• A stunning Scenic Venue: The festival is held in Eastnor Deer Park, offering a "fairytale" backdrop of Eastnor Castle and the Malvern Hills, an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

  
  

• Exceptional Family Focus: It is described as "family-friendly from the ground up". The Highlights for kids include:

  Dedicated Kids’ Adventure Zone: Packed with arts, crafts, magic shows, and storytelling.

  Exciting Displays: Daily high-energy BMX stunt shows, circus skills workshops, and even live wrestling matches.

  
  

• Kapow Gaming Zone: A dedicated arena with over 20 retro gaming experiences, from Nintendo to classic arcades.

  
  

• Gourmet Food & Local Drink: The Food Village offers a wide range of independent vendors, including award-winning burgers from The Beefy Boys and authentic Indian cuisine, alongside local ciders like Westons.

  
  

• Flexible Camping Options: From standard family camping fields (where you only have a maximum 10-minute walk to the arena) to "Boutique Camping" with pre-pitched bell tents and pods.

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Notable Traditions

• Silent Disco: A "Lakefest tradition" that serves as the festival's finale, creating a shared sense of community.

  
  

• Themed Fancy Dress: Each year has a specific theme, such as "Flower Power" for 2026 or "Space" for 2025, with families often going all-out with elaborate costumes.

The Music line-up does vary a lot in taste and genres and there are different stages available. If you are considering going to Lakefest purely on the merit of the artists so far you would need to weigh up if there is enough to keep you interested?

Abbey Main Stage

The primary stage will host the biggest names throughout the weekend:

• Thursday: The Charlatans, EMF, Ferocious Dog, The Bluetones, and Sundress.

• Friday: Example, Soul II Soul, The Undertones, Harleymoon Kemp, Erica, Split Second, Professor Yaffle, and Man Like Bro.

• Saturday: Madness, Scouting for Girls, The Entitled Sons, Dub Catalyst, Kai Bosch, Riding The Low, Tell Mother, and CEG.

• Sunday: Bananarama, Lightning Seeds, Elvana,

  Chesney Hawkes, Chris Hawkins, Molly Gone Mad, and I Choir.

Cheshire Cat Club

This stage features bold sounds and "beautifully weird" moments:

• Woody Cook

  (Thursday)

• Bez

  (Friday)

• Senser

  (Saturday)

• Dub Catalyst (Sunday)

Retrospective of House

a dedicated stage for classic house and old-school energy featuring:

• Judge Jules

• Todd Terry

• DJ Lisa Lashes

• Slipmatt

• Seb Fontaine