An 80s music legend played a gig at a successful inaugural Taunton music festival, which is now confirmed to return bigger than ever.
After being named the headline act for Electric Summer, pop synth musician Howard Jones took to Vivary Park in town on August 30, keeping spirits high amid spells of rain.
The British singer, songwriter and musician best known for a string of 1980s synth-pop hits including "Things Can Only Get Better","What Is Love?","New Song","Like to Get to Know You Well" and"No One Is to Blame". His debut album, Human's Lib (1984), reached No. 1 on the UK Albums Chart.
Howard performed at Live Aid in 1985 and has sold millions of albums worldwide.
The festival also featured a strong supporting line-up, with synth-pop pioneers Heaven 17 and Blancmange joining Howard Jones on the bill.
Contemporary electronic acts including Mesh, Black Nail Cabaret, Agency-V and Neon Fields also performed, while producer and remixer Paul Dakeyne entertained festival-goers with DJ sets throughout the day. The diverse mix of established names and emerging talent helped attract music fans from both Somerset and further afield.
80s music legend plays gig in Taunton with event to return
Organisers behind Taunton's new Electric Summer music festival are now seeking sponsorship support as they aim to expand the event into a full August bank holiday weekend celebration next year.
Following what organisers describe as an overwhelmingly positive response, plans are already underway for Electric Summer's return on Sunday, August 29, 2027. However, organisers hope to expand the festival beyond a single day and are now appealing to local businesses to help make those ambitions a reality.
Jeremy Damsell, who helped bring the festival to life, said: "The feedback we've seen in the days immediately following Electric Summer has been nothing short of phenomenal.
"Every aspect received praise: feedback on the artists, the sound quality, the pricing of food and drink and the overall friendliness of the festival have all travelled far and wide across social media, which have just blown us away.
"In fact, seasoned festival-goers couldn't believe this was our very first outdoor event, which is a huge compliment."
Organisers are hoping next year's event will include a Saturday evening headline concert, the Electric Summer festival itself on the Sunday and a community-focused day on the Bank Holiday Monday.
Jeremy said: "It's always been our aim to bring something special to Taunton, with beautiful Vivary Park as the setting.
"Our dream is to go beyond a one-day event to take in most of the August bank holiday weekend. We plan to run a Saturday evening headline show, for which we are in talks with several well-known artists; Sunday would be the amazing Electric Summer all-dayer, and Bank Holiday Monday would be a special community day featuring local talent, taking in tribute acts, covers bands and original material artists.
"With tickets priced cheaply, this event will be ideal to bring friends, family, picnics, camping chairs and a blanket.
"A great day out."
Organisers say financial backing from businesses will be essential if the expanded plans are to go ahead.
According to Jeremy, this year's event was only possible because of support from a small group of backers who helped cover upfront costs.
He said: "This year's Electric Summer was only made possible due to the generosity of 15 people, who between them provided loans to meet the cost of artist deposits.
"To go ahead with the extra days next year though, we urgently require sponsorship from businesses. Whether you are a small or large firm, we offer you the chance to be linked with an event that has attracted local, nationwide and international attention."
Businesses interested in supporting Electric Summer 2027 are being encouraged to contact the organisers to discuss sponsorship opportunities. You can contact Jez and the Electric Summer team via a contact form on the Electric Summer website here - Support Electric Summer 2027.
With tickets for next year's Sunday festival already selling strongly, organisers hope additional backing will help establish Electric Summer as a permanent fixture in Taunton's events calendar and bring a full bank holiday weekend of live entertainment to the town.
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