Bedford has stepped firmly into the spotlight again, this time as the backdrop and beating heart of a new music video celebrating the town’s most famous modern son, Tom Grennan.
Set to his hit single Remind Me, the film has been created by the Bedford-based team Cuffe & Taylor ahead of Tom’s massive hometown headline show in Bedford Park on Saturday, 4 July 2026, part of the Bedford Summer Sessions.
Rather than big-budget special effects, the stars this time are Bedford people, Bedford places and Bedford stories – from long-time fans who’ve followed Tom across the country, to local businesses and community groups who keep the town’s creative spirit alive all year round.
Hometown pride
Read: Bedford’s Tom Grennan returns home for massive Summer Sessions headline gig
Over one day of filming, the crew travelled across the town to capture Bedford as Tom’s fans know it best: by the river, in and out of independent shops and cafés, and around the venues where his journey began.
Joining Tom Grennan fans from Bedford and beyond were a whole host of local people, from sports teams and public services to local independent shops and publishers.
A complete list is below, but these included the likes of The Store, Hollands & Smith, Papillion Café, Roosters Café, Bedford Rock Choir, Bedford Blues Rugby Club, Bedfordshire Police, and the Guru Nanak Gurdwara Temple community.
Watch the video here
Bedford market traders also stepped in front of the camera, including Joan and Alex Sheldon of Joan’s Fresh Eggs and stallholders such as Ka Ming Lee and Kulwant Singh Sohal, representing the everyday faces that give the town centre its character.
Progress Publishing, the team behind the Bedford Clanger and Bedford Independent, also appeared, reflecting how closely Tom’s story is woven into the town’s wider arts, culture and live-music scene.
Fans from near and far
Alongside the local faces, members of the Tom Grennan Fans Facebook group travelled from across the country to take part, gathering at Bedford Esquires, the grassroots venue where Tom first cut his teeth as a young performer.
Some had seen him live eight or more times; others spoke about discovering his music during lockdown walks, or how his lyrics helped them through tough patches in their own lives.
There were families from Bedford, Hitchin, Watford, Norwich, Coventry, Wolverhampton and beyond, with parents, teenagers and younger children all sharing the same thing: pride in seeing a down-to-earth singer-songwriter from a “normal town” go global without losing touch with where he came from.
Many talked about Tom’s reputation for staying after shows to meet fans, pose for photos, and chat, and how that sense of connection is part of why they keep coming back, and why they were happy to travel to Bedford to be part of the video.
Grassroots to global
Mel Stratton, Head of Tom Grennan Facebook Fan Group, said: “We loved that the Tom Grennan Fans Facebook group was invited to be part of this video, and we can’t wait to see Tom at Bedford Summer Sessions next year. He’s the absolute best live performer.”
Whereas, for Bedford Esquires owner and local music promoter Gareth Barber, the project is another reminder of why small venues matter.
He said that seeing Tom return in this way means a lot to the town and to the live-music community that supported him in his early days.
“Tom has a really special place in the heart of Bedford. People here are very proud of him. He started off not only at Esquires but in other venues around the town, playing in bands from when he was a young kid, so to see it come full circle is exciting for everybody,” he said.
Gareth explained that Esquires and partners like Blender and their local music hub now run regular showcases and Bedford Breakthrough nights, giving young artists stage time with professional sound and lighting, so they can build the same confidence and stagecraft that helped Tom on his way.
“Grassroots venues are where you get your first experience, your confidence and your stagecraft. Tom has done all of that over the years, and he is a shining example for anyone in Bedford who wants a career in music, especially on the live side.
“We run monthly showcases with Blender and our Bedford Breakthrough nights with up to 20 young artists, working with professional sound and lighting crews on a proper stage. It gives students a taste of what it is like to go out and play shows for real,” said Gareth.
A love letter to Bedford
Cuffe & Taylor’s Bedford-based team pulled the project together, working with local organisations, community groups and businesses to make sure the town looked and felt like itself on screen.
From The Embankment and Bedford Park to Silver Street, Russell Park and the town’s independent shopping scene.
A spokesperson for Cuffe & Taylor said the idea was simple, “Create a love letter to both Tom and the community that has embraced Bedford Summer Sessions and live music in the park.”
Tom himself has already watched the finished cut. He said he was “absolutely buzzing” to be coming back to Bedford Park next summer and loved seeing so many familiar faces – including a surprise cameo from his dad, Martin Grennan, recreating one of Tom’s early stage poses.
Martin said it had been a “great afternoon” meeting fans during filming and that he and “Mrs G” cannot wait to see Tom play back in Bedford again.
But it was his fans who truly summed up what it meant to be a part of the film and why a great Bedfordian like Tom means so much to them.
Read: “Stick me on a rollercoaster” – Bedford’s Tom Grennan says he’d love to sing at Universal Studios UK opening
Emma told the Bedford Clanger, “He is just a normal, down-to-earth guy who can put on such a show. He is a proper showman but still totally grounded.”
“His first album got me through Covid. I used to go out for walks with his music in my ears, and it made a big difference,” added Diana.
Laura, who came all the way from Wolverhampton with her young daughters, who are fans, spoke of how his music crosses generations.
“You see the range of ages at the concerts. He appeals to the kids, the parents and the grandparents. Everyone loves Tom,” she said.
But Bedfordian Sarah said it’s not just that he’s a role model in general; he shows local kids that they can do anything they put their mind to.
“For our kids, seeing somebody from Bedford make it big is huge. It shows them they can try their best and do something exciting too, because Tom has done it and he is not ashamed of his roots,” she said.
Tom Grennan headlines TK Maxx presents Bedford Summer Sessions in Bedford Park on Saturday 4 July 2026. Ticket and event details can be found on the Bedford Summer Sessions website.
Other acts coming to Bedford Park next year include UB40, Deacon Blue, Lightning Seeds, and Paul Weller.
Bedford’s ‘Remind Me’ complete cast
Joining Martin Grennan (Tom’s dad) were people from across Bedford Borough. Can you spot them all in the video?
- Abas Asadi
- Barnet’s Hairdressers
- Baz Wright – TikTok creator
- Bedford Blues Rugby Club
- Bedford Borough Council
- Bedford Esquires
- Bedford Independent
- Bedford Market
- Bedford Park
- Bedford Rock Choir
- Bedfordshire Police
- Bedford Borough Council
- Cllr Andrea Spice
- Ben Woodfine
- The Gardening Team
- Do Things Different Dance Collective
- Donna Samuels Photography
- The Embankment
- The Flute
- Guru Nanak Gurdwara Temple
- Hollands & Smith
- Joan and Alex Sheldon – Joan’s Fresh Eggs
- Ka Ming Lee – Bedford Market
- Karlito Boukhrisa
- The Kiosk at Russell Park
- Kit Ram
- Kulwant Singh Sohal
- La Piazza
- The Longholme Café
- Mark Harrison – Cuffe & Taylor
- Mel Stratton and members of the Tom Grennan Facebook Fan Group
- Michelle Young
- Not Another Jungle
- Papillion Café
- Pavilion at the Park Café
- Roosters Café
- The Rose
- Sam Roberts
- Sharon De Leonardis
- Slide Record Shop
- Sri Guru Ravidass Sabha Bedford UK
- The Store
- The Swan Hotel
- Tana Thai
