Diana Ross to open Henley Festival

DIANA ROSS will be among the headline acts at this year’s Henley Festival.

The American singer and actress will perform on the floating stage for the opening night, Wednesday, July 9.

The other headliners are pop rock band McFly, pop singer Rick Astley, classical and pop singer Matteo Bocelli, jazz pianist and singer Jamie Cullum and Hacienda Classical, an orchestral clubbing project.

The festival will take place on the Henley riverbank from the Wednesday until Sunday, July 13 and tickets will go on sale on Thursday, February 6.

Ross, 80, who is a double lifetime achievement winner, will be accompanied by the Royal Philharmonic Concert Orchestra.

She will sing her biggest hits including I’m Coming Out, Stop! In the Name of Love, Upside Down and Ain’t no Mountain High Enough.

Saxophonist Ellie Sax, who performed on the floating stage last year, will perform at The Festival Club, Pure Heaven.

The club will also see shows from radio and DJ host Jo Whiley for the Festival Anthems set and Yolanda Brown, a saxophonist and composer who will perform her tribute set “Bob Marley Songbook”.

On the Sunday night, Matteo Bocelli will perform as part of his European 2025 tour Summer Nights followed by Jamie Cullum, whose album Twentysomething became the fastest-selling jazz album in UK history.

Matteo Bocelli, who was born and grew up in Italy, said he was “delighted” to be performing at the festival.

He said: “I love coming to the UK. People here know how to have a good time and it’s always a very warm welcome.

“Let’s just hope the British weather is kind.”

Other acts will include Irish actor and comedian Ed Byrne, stand-up Ivo Graham, political comedian and satirist Matt Forde and stand-up, actor and poet, Rob Auton who will perform at the Paradiso.

Also taking to the stage will be Wonder 45, a London-based soul ensemble, four-piece rock, swing and soul band The Dominos, singer and pianist Luisa Santiago, who draws on her roots in latin music, Datura Roots Collective, Andrez Cluz, The Revue, Tor Hills, No Limit Street Band and Kavalla in the Bedouin Tent.

Jazz acts in the Paradiso will be Northern Irish singer Megan McConnell, Europe swing band Natty Congeroo & the Flames of Rhythm and six-piece band Jazz & The Tonics.

The festival will continue to support Rise, their charity which supports up and coming contemporary artists. The Rise stage will support a collection of new talent throughout the week.

Jo Bausor, chief executive of the Henley Festival said: “It’s an honour to be continuing our Rise programme into yet another year, supporting young and emerging artists by offering paid opportunities to perform exhibit or complete work placements.

“It’s at the core fo everything we do as a festival and there is no greater privilege than helping these incredible young artists and students kickstart their careers in roles across the cultural spectrum.”

At the festival grounds, there will be artwork in the galleries and sculpture garden and there will be “Play Date” events to cater for families as well as pop-up bars and restaurants.

Cabaret acts will also perform at the Salon Quarter Stage which was introduced last year.

The week will conclude with a fireworks display on the Sunday night exclusively designed by pyrotechnic professionals at Titanium Fireworks.

ENDS

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