Five local artists join Colchester Castle Summer Series line-up

Five artists from Colchester and across Essex will perform alongside some of the biggest names in music when the Colchester Castle Summer Series returns later this month.

The newly announced support acts will appear across four nights of the series, joining line-ups headed by Billy Ocean, Becky Hill, Richard Ashcroft and JLS in Colchester’s Lower Castle Park.

Local talent takes to the Castle stage

Opening the series on Thursday 20th August, The Lamplight Club joins a bill headed by Billy Ocean, alongside Marti Pellow and a Katie Owen DJ set.

On Saturday 22nd August, Colchester dream-pop band She’s In Parties joins the line-up ahead of Becky Hill, alongside Essex singer-songwriter Peonie.

The local representation continues on Thursday 27th August, when Jeanie From The Mountains appears alongside Richard Ashcroft, Tom Meighan and Apollo Junction.

The following day, on Thursday 28th August, Grace Calver completes the local line-up, joining the bill ahead of JLS alongside Gabrielle and Appleton.

Supporting local music

The local support acts were brought together with input from AJ Jones of Black Cactus Studio/TWM Live, who worked with promoters Cuffe & Taylor and Supermodified to ensure local artists were represented across the series.

AJ said: “It’s fantastic to work with the Cuffe & Taylor and Supermodified team, giving our local artists the chance to share a stage with international names.”

The five artists join an already strong support programme featuring Marti Pellow, The Damned, Carla Monroe, Mia Kirkland, Arthur Hill, Orla Gartland, Alfie Templeman, Tom Meighan, Apollo Junction, Gabrielle, and Appleton.

Colchester Castle Summer Series 2026

The Colchester Castle Summer Series runs from 20th to 29th August, bringing seven nights of live music to the lower grounds of Castle Park.

This year’s headline artists are Billy Ocean, Hollywood Vampires, Becky Hill, Bastille, Richard Ashcroft, JLS and Fatboy Slim.

When the local artists are playing

• 20 August: The Lamplight Club (with Billy Ocean)
• 22 August: She’s In Parties and Peonie (with Becky Hill)
• 27 August: Jeanie From The Mountains (with Richard Ashcroft)
• 28 August: Grace Calver (with JLS)

Tickets for all of the above Colchester Summer Series shows are available now.