Forest Live has announced Paul Heaton with special guest singer Rianne Downey as the latest headliner for its 2025 edition.

Renowned as one of the best British songwriters ever, Paul will perform a headline show (with Rianne joining him on vocals) amongst the stunning surroundings of Westonbirt Arboretum on June 20, 2025. Joining Paul will be 'The Bard Of Barking', Billy Bragg.

Paul started his dominance of the pop charts with his early 80s group The Housemartins. This was followed by a chart-topping career with The Beautiful South, and then an impressive solo career.

Paul is still thrilling audiences with his energetic live shows and albums containing stories of everyday people and the complexities of modern life. His latest album, The Mighty Several has just been released to his usual critical acclaim.

With a back catalogue of genuine classics including 'Flag Day', 'Old Red Eyes Is Back', 'Perfect Ten', 'Song For Whoever', 'Happy Hour' and 'Caravan of Love', Paul Heaton fans will have one hell of a night to look forward to.

Punk rocker, soldier, Essex boy, folk singer, Skiffle aficionado, protest singers' protest singer, patriot, optimist, lefty polemicist, author, soul miner, musicologist, champion of the underclasses, Cockney vocalist and all-round decent bloke Billy Bragg will be providing support for the show.

His politically-charged songs including 'A New England', 'Sexuality' and 'Levi Stubbs' Tears', will provide the perfect companion to those of Paul Heaton, all set against the backdrop of the stunning Gloucestershire arboretum.

Merging stellar performances from world-class acts with beautiful outdoor locations to create an atmosphere like no other, Forest Live 2025 will take place at four forest venues: Forestry England Cannock Chase, Delamere, High Lodge, Thetford and Westonbirt.

Paul Heaton with special guest singer Rianne Downey join a selection of renowned global artists announced to perform at the event's 2025 edition, including Sting, The Script, Elbow and Snow Patrol.

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 for Paul Heeaton's gig will go on sale at 9am on Friday, November 29.

Fans can sign up for information, announcements, and exclusive pre-sale access at the Forest Live website.