Alright buttโฆ if youโve ever blasted Temptation in the car, danced badly to Things Can Only Get Better at 2am, or stared moodily out of a rainy bus window pretending youโre in an 80s music videoโฆ then Electric Summer 2026 might just be YOUR festival ๐๐ฅ
A brand-new music festival is heading to the south west this summer, and honestly? The line-up is an absolute synth-soaked belter.
๐ด WELCOME TO ELECTRIC SUMMER
Taking place at the beautiful Vivary Park in Taunton on Sunday August 30th 2026, Electric Summer is bringing together legendary names from the golden age of synth-pop alongside newer artists carrying the neon torch into the future ๐คโก
And leading the charge?
Oh only:
- ๐น Howard Jones
- โก Heaven 17
- ๐ Blancmange
Yโknowโฆ just casually three absolute icons of the 80s.
Combined, these artists have already announced over 80 tour dates worldwide this year, proving once again that great music never dies โ it just gets louder and comes with more smoke machines ๐
๐ค HOWARD JONES RETURNS HOME
One of the biggest moments of the festival will undoubtedly be Howard Jones returning to Taunton for what is being billed as a proper homecoming show โค๏ธ
Howard has lived in Taunton for more than 20 years, making this performance extra special for local fans โ and hereโs the mad partโฆ
โ ๏ธ This will be Howard Jonesโ ONLY UK SHOW OF 2026 โ ๏ธ
That alone makes Electric Summer feel massive.
Fresh off headlining his hugely successful THINGS CAN ONLY GET BETTER festival tour across America, Howard sounds genuinely buzzing to perform in the town he calls home.
โVivary Park is such a beautiful venue for this show and come rain or shine it’s gonna be a must-see gig because of the incredible line up,โ said Howard.
โIโm very happy to be playing with my friends Heaven 17 and Blancmange, and canโt wait to see everyone on August 30th.โ
Honestly? Neither can we, mun ๐ฅ
โก MORE THAN JUST NOSTALGIA
One of the coolest things about Electric Summer is that itโs not just living in the past.
Festival organiser Jez Damsell has built the event around both legendary artists AND newer acts inspired by the era, giving fans a full day of synth-fuelled goodness.
Alongside the headline acts, festival-goers can also catch performances from:
- ๐ค Black Nail Cabaret
- ๐ฅ Mesh
- ๐ค Agency V
- ๐ Neon Fields
- ๐ง DJ Paul Dakeyne
That mix of classic and modern electronic music could make for one of the most interesting festival atmospheres of the summer.
Expect:
- giant choruses
- dancing in sunglasses
- dramatic eyeliner
- accidental cider spillages
- and at least one bloke dressed like he never left 1987 ๐บ๐
โค๏ธ MUSIC WITH A PURPOSE
Electric Summer is also supporting an incredible cause, with a donation from every ticket sold going to Nordoff and Robbins โ the UK charity delivering music therapy to vulnerable people across the country.
The charity has long been supported by artists throughout the music industry and continues to use the power of music to help people communicate, connect and express themselves.
Massive respect for that ๐๐ถ
๐ THIS COULD BE THE SOUTH WESTโS NEW SUMMER GEM
Thereโs something properly exciting about new festivals when theyโre done with passion instead of pure corporate waffle.
Electric Summer feels like itโs been built by people who genuinely LOVE this music and understand the scene surrounding it.
Vivary Park is a gorgeous setting, the line-up is packed with legendary names, and the vibe already sounds like a perfect end-of-summer celebration.
If this first year lands the way it should, donโt be surprised if Electric Summer becomes a yearly fixture for synth-pop fans across the UK.
And honestlyโฆ weโre all for it ๐คโก
๐๏ธ ELECTRIC SUMMER 2026 โ EVENT INFO
๐
Date: Sunday 30th August 2026
๐ Location: Vivary Park, Upper High Street, Taunton
๐น Headliners: Howard Jones, Heaven 17 & Blancmange
โค๏ธ Charity Partner: Nordoff and Robbins
๐ซ Tickets available now:
Electric Summer Tickets
Get the eyeliner ready, charge the old Walkman for emotional support, and prepare for a proper neon-drenched summer party, butt ๐โก




































