Festivals
BST Hyde Park 2025 Announces First Headliner: Jeff Lynne’s ELO

The legendary Jeff Lynne’s Electric Light Orchestra (ELO) has been announced as the first headliner for British Summer Time (BST) Hyde Park 2025, taking the spotlight on the iconic Great Oak Stage on Sunday, July 13. Tickets will be available to the general public starting at 9 a.m. BST on Friday, October 25.
This performance marks the band’s final farewell to fans, decades after their beginnings in Birmingham, where their groundbreaking fusion of rock, pop, and classical music redefined the soundscape. Having captivated audiences on their U.S. farewell tour, Over and Out, the group is now preparing to bid their European fans a poignant goodbye in one of London’s most celebrated venues.
Jeff Lynne reflected on the significance of this moment, saying, “My return to touring began at Hyde Park in 2014. It seems like the perfect place to do our final show. We couldn’t be more excited to share this special night in London with our UK fans. As the song goes, ‘we’re gonna do it One More Time!'”
Widely regarded as one of the most influential bands in music history, Jeff Lynne’s ELO has delivered a legacy of unforgettable performances and chart-topping hits. Their recent achievements include a critically acclaimed album and a sold-out run of concerts across the UK and Europe. The band was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2017, while Lynne himself entered the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2023.
Known for their groundbreaking live shows, ELO has mesmerized millions with their innovative stage productions, featuring their signature UFO stage prop, cutting-edge visuals, and lush orchestral arrangements. Songs like “Mr. Blue Sky,” “Don’t Bring Me Down,” “Evil Woman,” and “Livin’ Thing” have become timeless classics, contributing to their more than 50 million records sold worldwide and securing over 20 Top 40 hits in the US and UK.
Beyond his work with ELO, Jeff Lynne’s illustrious career includes co-founding the supergroup The Traveling Wilburys alongside legends like George Harrison, Bob Dylan, Roy Orbison, and Tom Petty. He has also collaborated with some of the biggest names in music, including The Beatles, Paul McCartney, Ringo Starr, and Bryan Adams.
Jim King, CEO of European Festivals at AEG Presents, shared his excitement about the upcoming show: “Jeff Lynne’s ELO are loved the world over. The live shows are nothing short of extraordinary and a testament to the incredible catalogue of hits we’ve enjoyed for over 50 years. Hosting their final performance at BST Hyde Park is a true honour, especially 30 years after their first festival show in the same park. We’re excited to be part of this special moment in music history.”
BST Hyde Park has become a cornerstone of the UK’s summer music scene, hosting an eclectic mix of artists in 2024, including SZA, Kings of Leon, Andrea Bocelli, Robbie Williams, Stevie Nicks, and Stray Kids. With ELO leading the 2025 lineup, fans can anticipate more exciting announcements in the months to come for what promises to be another unforgettable edition of the festival.
More info on BST Hyde Park’s website.
Festivals
VANS Warped Tour Announces 2026 Full Line-Up!
Vans Warped Tour, one of the most iconic, successful, and longest-running music festivals in history is bringing its celebrated community-driven experience north of the border with a highly anticipated stop in Montréal, Canada. Set for August 21 + 22, the Montréal edition will take over the expansive grounds of Parc Jean-Drapeau, the city’s premiere outdoor festival destination located along the St. Lawrence River.
Just minutes from downtown and easily accessible by metro, Parc Jean-Drapeau offers sweeping skyline views and a vibrant summer atmosphere. Festivalgoers can explore nearby neighborhoods such as Old Montréal, the Plateau, and the Quartier des Spectacles, making the weekend an immersive cultural experience both on and off the festival grounds.
Keeping with tradition, the full line-up listed alphabetically, which keeps the focus on the collective experience rather than headliners, the stacked bill spans generations of alternative and punk music, from genre-defining favorites like Simple Plan and Bowling For Soup to pop-rock staples such as Taking Back Sunday, Yellowcard, and Mayday Parade, alongside rising voices including Jutes and LØLØ. Additionally, the 2026 Vans Warped Tour in Montreal features a mix of international and regional talent, including Montreal-based deathcore band Despised Icon and punk outfit The Anti-Queens.
In partnership with Insomniac, the two-day festival will feature over 100 artists spanning rock, pop punk, alternative, emo, hip-hop, ska and beyond, alongside appearances from world-class skateboarders and elite action-sports athletes. This latest iteration builds on Vans Warped Tour’s legacy while embracing a broader, more global future for one of music and skate culture’s most enduring live platforms. With its scenic waterfront setting, rich musical heritage, and reputation as one of North America’s top festival cities, Montréal provides the perfect backdrop for Vans Warped Tour’s signature blend of nostalgia, discovery, and community—uniting fans across generations for an unforgettable summer weekend.
Furthering their mission of artist discovery and fan-first ideology, last month Vans Warped Tour launched the first look at the artists performing this year with multiple artists being announced daily over the past 30-ish days exclusively on Vans Warped Tour social platforms.
In addition to Montreal, Canada, Vans Warped Tour is expanding its footprint and cultural impact after last year’s three sold-out U.S dates, as the tour will deliver five two-day festivals returning to Washington, DC, Long Beach, CA, and Orlando, FL, including the launch of two all-new international editions in both Montreal, Canada and also Mexico City, Mexico, marking a powerful global expansion.
Founded by Kevin Lyman in 1995, Vans Warped Tour built a singular legacy as the definitive summer festival for rock and alternative music fans, shaping generations of artists and audiences alike. Founded in 1995, Vans Warped Tour was never just a concert series; it was a proving ground, cultural crossroads, and community-driven platform where established acts shared stages with emerging talent, often at pivotal moments in their careers.
Throughout the years, Vans Warped Tour helped introduce and elevate artists who would go on to define modern music, with past performers including Blink-182, No Doubt, Sublime, Beck, Katy Perry, NOFX, Limp Bizkit, Black Eyed Peas, Green Day, Eminem, Yellowcard, Bad Religion, and countless others.
What set Vans Warped Tour apart was its accessibility and ethos. Affordable tickets, all-day festivals, genre-fluid lineups, and an environment where fans could discover new artists, connect directly with performers, and experience music alongside skate culture, activism, and community engagement. That spirit of openness and discovery became central to Vans Warped Tour’s identity, cementing its place as one of the most influential live music platforms in modern music history. Vans Warped Tour remains committed to accessible pricing, with weekend passes that started at an all-inclusive price of $237.00 (processing fees included) and are currently available for purchase at https://www.vanswarpedtour.com/tickets.
Festivals
Dave Matthews Band, Twenty One Pilots, Mumford & Sons To Headline Oceans Calling 2026
Dave Matthews Band, Twenty One Pilots, and Mumford & Sons will headline the 2026 edition of Oceans Calling Festival on September 25-27 at the Ocean City, Maryland Boardwalk. The festival returns to Ocean City Inlet Beach with more than 40 artists performing across 3 stages including Ludacris, O.A.R., Yellowcard, Shaggy, Liz Phair, and more on Friday along with Goo Goo Dolls, Third Eye Blind, All Time Low, 311, Dashboard Confessional, Violent Femmes, and more on Saturday, with Caamp, My Morning Jacket, The Head and The Heart, Hanson, OK Go, Susan Hoffs, Jet, and more performing Sunday. View the entire lineup by-day here.
Pre-sale Tickets will be available this Thursday, March 5, from 10 AM–11 AM ET, offering guaranteed lowest priced GA and 1-Day Tickets for one hour only.
Beyond the stages, Oceans Calling highlights the best of East Coast flavor with fan-favorite local food vendors and Boardwalk staples complemented by live culinary demos from renowned chefs Robert Irvine, Antonia Lofaso, and more celebrating the region’s vibrant food scene; all hosted by Jason Biggs.
Festival goers will also have access to the Ocean City Boardwalk and its businesses in residence as well as the iconic Jolly Roger at the Pier amusement park, both located inside the festival grounds, as admission will be included with the purchase of an Oceans Calling Festival ticket.

Oceans Calling Festival ticket types include 1-Day and 3-Day, General Admission, GA+, VIP, and Platinum tickets, and layaway payment plans start at $20 down. GA+ offers fans unlimited access to a private lounge with seating, air-conditioned restrooms, complimentary water, private bar with drinks for purchase, and a dedicated on-site hospitality team. VIP delivers an exclusive seated viewing platform at the Main Stage, as well as prime viewing areas at all stages, VIP Lounge at Main Stage with air-conditioned restrooms, private bar with drinks for purchase and complimentary water, lockers, and mobile charging units for rent, and more. Platinum includes front-of-stage viewing at all stages, complimentary all-day dining and full-service bars, access to two Platinum Lounges with relaxed seating, air-conditioned restrooms, complimentary lockers and mobile charging, dedicated festival entrance, plus all the amenities of VIP, GA+, and GA, and more.
New this year, the 3-Day Bungalow Package offers an elevated, private festival experience for up to 12 guests per day at Oceans Calling. Guests enjoy unlimited access to a dedicated shaded bungalow with sweeping views of the Sea Bright Stage and festival grounds, plus private bars with complimentary all-day beverages, grab-and-go snacks, air-conditioned restrooms, Wi-Fi, merchandise concierge service, and dedicated on-site hospitality staff, all while maintaining full access to VIP and GA amenities for the complete festival experience. For the full list of ticket amenities, and to purchase 1-Day or 3-Day Tickets, visit www.oceanscallingfestival.com/tickets.
