As music fans across Bedford count down the days to this summer’s headline gigs, the promoters behind Bedford Summer Sessions say the town has become a key stop on one of the UK’s biggest live music networks.
Peter Taylor, co-founder of live entertainment company Cuffe and Taylor, says Bedford Park is now firmly established as one of the most-loved venues in their annual calendar.
Speaking to the Bedford Independent, Peter described the company’s pride in bringing world-class acts to local audiences. “We’ve got 19 outdoor sites across the UK now,” he said. “And Bedford is very much part of that national circuit – not just a one-off.”
Across the two weekends (3–6 and 10–13 July), this year’s Bedford Summer Sessions will welcome the likes of McFly, Supergrass, Simple Minds, Rag’n’Bone Man, The Human League and Café Mambo.
Proms in Bedford Park, which has been a staple on the Bedford Park music scene for over 25 years, also returns following strong public demand, with Peter explaining the event’s value goes beyond the commercial.
“It’s [Proms] is not necessarily a big money-making event,” he said. “But if it washes its face, that’s a success. It’s about providing something for the community that might not be available elsewhere. That’s important to us.”
With more than 150 shows taking place across the UK this summer, from Halifax to Cardiff and Scarborough to Southampton, Bedford’s position on the schedule is no accident.
Acts love Bedford
The Bedford Summer Sessions series, has quickly become a fixture in the town’s cultural calendar, buidling on its predecessor Bedford Park Concerts.
In its inaugural event in 2024, artists including Avril Lavigne, Jess Glynne, Tom Jones, Pete Tong Ibiza Classics, James and Nile Rogers & Chic graced the stage, drawing enthusiastic crowds and showcasing the park’s capacity to host world-class acts in its picturesque surroundings.
Even before the rebranding of the event, Bedford Park Concerts had welcomed big names like George Ezra, Kaiser Chiefs, Sting, Paul Weller, The Jacksons, UB40, Tom Walker, Sir Tom Jones, Faithless and Tom Grennan, cementing its reputation as a premier outdoor music venue.
That legacy continues to influence the Summer Sessions today, with promoters building on years of success to bring even bigger line-ups to Bedford.
The transition from Bedford Park Concerts to the current Sessions model reflects more than just a name change, it’s a signifier of growth.
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Headliner acts from previous years have included Tom Grennan and Kaiser Chiefs, while 2024’s arena‑sized productions showed a clear elevation in both scope and ambition.
As Cuffe & Taylor and Live Nation look ahead to 2025, the groundwork laid by these past events demonstrates why Bedford is no longer a quiet backdrop, but rather a thriving live-music destination.
Fans shape the concerts
“It gives us a great location just outside London, but with an engaged audience and fantastic setting. And we’ve got a brilliant relationship with the Council. Long may it continue,” adds Peter
Peter also tells us that feedback from local audiences plays a massive part in shaping the festival’s future. “We’re not afraid to change things,” he said. “We tried the big top – people didn’t want it, so we listened.
“We’ve brought back the Proms because people asked for it. When people care enough to say something, that’s a positive.”
It’s a level of responsiveness that Bedford fans have come to appreciate. VIP areas have been expanded in response to high demand, and lineups curated to appeal to multiple generations.
“It’s not about trying to please everyone every time,” said Peter. “Some years the line-up might not be for you, but next year it might be. We try to cover a mix: dance nights, retro pop, indie, live orchestral.”
£6 million risk
Each show is underpinned by Cuffe and Taylor’s commitment to high production values and great artist experiences. “We treat our backstage like a hotel concierge,” he said. “It means acts leave with a great impression of Bedford.”
It’s not without risk. “We’re taking over £6 million of risk to stage this event in Bedford,” Peter said. “It’s not for the faint-hearted, but we do it because we love it. There’s nothing better than seeing thousands of people singing, dancing and making memories.”
With many shows already close to selling out and strong support from sponsor TK Maxx, this year’s Bedford Summer Sessions looks set to be one of the biggest yet, cementing its place as a flagship event for the town.
“This is about bringing people together, creating shared experiences, and putting Bedford on the map,” said Peter. “We’re proud to be part of it.”
Who’s on and when?
Weekend 1
- Thursday, 3 July 2025: Simple Minds with Alison Moyet & KT Tunstall
- Saturday, 5 July 2025: Rag’n’Bone Man with Gavin James & Elles Bailey
- Sunday, 6 July 2025: Proms in the Park featuring Russell Watson, Lesley Garrett, conducted by Robert Emery
Weekend 2
- Thursday, 10 July 2025: The Human League with Tom Bailey (Thompson Twins) & Blancmange
- Friday, 11 July 2025: Café Mambo Ibiza – DJs incl. Melanie C, Jax Jones, Fedde Le Grand, Lovely Laura & Ben Santiago, CHLO, FIVEPAST5
- Saturday, 12 July 2025: Supergrass with The Coral & Willie J Healey
- Sunday, 13 July 2025: McFly with Twin Atlantic & Devon
All concerts take place at Bedford Park, MK41 7SS. Gates typically open at 5 pm (4:30 pm for Proms in the Park).
Get tickets at the Official Bedford Summer Sessions 2025 website.
