Busted and Rag‘n’Bone Man announced as Delamere Forest Live 2025 headliners
There are now five Forest Live gigs scheduled for Delamere this summer
Rag'n'Bone man shot to fame in 2016 following the release of smash hit Human(Image: Harriet T K Bols)
Busted and Rag‘n’Bone Man will play Delamere Forest this year, it has been revealed. Forest Live, Forestry England's summer concert series, has made the announced the latest headliners today (January 20).
Renowned British soul-pop artist Rag‘n’Bone Man will headline Delamere Forest on Thursday, June 15, before beloved pop-punk trio Busted head to Delamere Forest on Thursday, June 19. Tickets go on sale from 9am on Friday, January 24, via forestlive.com.
Rory Graham, best known as Rag‘n’Bone Man, rose to prominence in 2016 with his unique blend of hip-hop, traditional blues and his deep baritone singing style. He scooped two BRIT Awards the following year, before cementing his success with the record-breaking release of his four-time Platinum, UK #1 album ‘Human’. His third studio album What Do You Believe In? was released last year, entering the top 3 in the UK Album Chart. At his Forest Live fixture, fans can expect to hear hits like ‘Human’, ‘Giant’ and ‘Lovers In A Past Life’ set against a breathtaking woodland backdrop.
At Delamere, Rag’n’Bone Man will also be supported by award-winning smokey-voiced songwriter Elles Bailey and rising star Kerr Mercer.
Forest Live at Delamere Forest(Image: Paul Dulac)
Having powered her way to the forefront of the British Americana and roots scene over recent years, Elles Bailey has previously opened for the likes of Jools Holland, Van Morrison and Walter Trout, and has performed at Glastonbury. Her fourth studio album ‘Beneath The Neon Glow’ was released via Cooking Vinyl earlier this year, and hit number #12 in the Official Album Charts, #1 in the UK Official Blues Charts, #2 in the UK Official Americana Charts, and #3 in the UK Official Independent Charts.
Hotly-tipped young talent Kerr Mercer has quickly made a name for himself on the UK gig circuit, with his striking pop ballads, emotive lyrics and heartfelt delivery winning over a legion of dedicated fans. He has previously supported the likes of McFly, Only The Poets and The Snuts, as well as selling out his own headline tour - all before so much as releasing a single on streaming services.
Headlining Forestry England Delamere on Thursday 19 June 2025, pop-rock three piece Busted are set to delight fans with a selection of hits including ‘Year 3000’, ‘Air Hostess’ and ‘Sleeping With The Light On’. Impossible as it may seem, it’s been over twenty years since the much-loved band first bounced into the charts with the irrepressible energy of debut single ‘What I Go To School For’.
The fun-filled pop-punk track kicked off a succession of hits for the trio, with further #1 smashes including ‘Crashed The Wedding’, ‘Who’s David and ‘You Said No’. The year 2023 saw the band celebrate their 20th Anniversary with a sell-out Greatest Hits tour, before achieving a #1 album with Greatest Hits 2.0 the same year. 2024 found Busted show no signs of stopping, as the trio continued to thrill audiences across the globe, with performances at festivals in the UK, Australia, Brazil, Japan, Mexico and beyond.
Charlie Simpson, Matt Willis and James Bourne of the band Busted(Image: Dave J Hogan/Dave J Hogan/Getty Images)
Snow Patrol, Gary Barlow, and Blossoms have already been announced for headline shows at Delamere Forest this summer.
Forestry England manage and care for the nation’s 1,500 woods and forests. They use the money Forest Live raises to maintain these beautiful natural areas for everyone to enjoy, run important conservation projects and keep growing trees. Last year they planted some 7.4 million trees and welcomed 285 million visits in 2023/24. Everyone in England lives within a one-hour drive of one of the nation’s forests. Over two million people have enjoyed the Forest Live gigs over the last 23 years.
This year sees Forestry England present the concert series in partnership with Live Nation’s Cuffe & Taylor for the second year running.
Tickets will go on sale at 9am on Friday 24 January 2025. Fans can sign up for information, announcements, and exclusive pre-sale access at forestlive.com.
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