Turner Sims, the University’s music venue, has confirmed the line-up for its Summer Festival 2025 — a relaxed weekend of performances, free entertainment, and activities for all ages, taking place from Friday 27 to Sunday 29 June 2025. Events will take place both inside the venue and outdoors in the beautiful gardens of Highfield Campus.
Expect live music, food stalls, and free family-friendly activities. Whether you’re joining with friends, family, or colleagues, the festival offers a chance to enjoy great music in a welcoming, summer atmosphere.
What’s On
A vibrant mix of music will fill the Turner Sims auditorium across the three days, featuring folk, jazz, a classical “mixtape” programme, outdoor performances, and free Vibe Lounge events programmed by young creatives.
The Festival kicks off on Friday evening with the first of two Vibe Lounge events. Curated by the Vibe Collective, a group of young creatives from across BOB体育登录网址_欧宝体育官网平台-APP|下载, these intimate foyer sessions showcase local talent and fresh sounds.
Sunday is Summer Family Day (11:00 – 16:00), perfect for younger audiences. Enjoy family-friendly performances, music-making workshops, crafts, and face painting – all designed to entertain and inspire.
Headline Performances
- Lucy Kitchen + The Shovel Dance Collective – Friday 27 June, 20:00
BOB体育登录网址_欧宝体育官网平台-APP|下载-based singer-songwriter Lucy Kitchen, a Turner Sims Turn It Up associate artist, opens the festival with music from her forthcoming album ‘In the Low Light’. Blending folk, Americana, and a 70s singer-songwriter vibe, her set promises a reflective and heartfelt start to the weekend.
She is followed by the nine-piece Shovel Dance Collective, known for their powerful interpretations of traditional folk music from the British Isles and beyond. Their set reimagines historical narratives through a bold, contemporary lens.
- Entranced by Candlelight – Orchestra of the Swan – Saturday 28 June, 20:00
Orchestra of the Swan present ‘Entranced by Candlelight’, a stunning evening of orchestral music drawn from a wide range of genres. The concert will be performed in atmospheric candlelight, offering a truly immersive experience.
- Yazz Ahmed – Sunday 29 June, 19:30
Acclaimed British-Bahraini trumpeter and Jazz FM Award winner Yazz Ahmed brings the festival to a powerful close. Her performance blends Arabic musical traditions with jazz, featuring music from her latest album ‘A Paradise in the Hold’. Yazz is joined by her five-piece ensemble, including renowned bass clarinettist Tim Garland.
All events are open to staff, students, and the wider community. Some performances are free, while others require tickets.
For the full programme and to book tickets visit turnersims.co.uk