The Human League are a British New Wave band first formed in 1977 and, after a change in line up, achieved huge popularity in the 1980s. They have continued recording and performing through the 1990s, 2000s and today. The Human League are so credible it's incredible. In fact, they're probably more highly regarded now than they were in 1981 when they released their landmark album Dare! They're used to everyone from Madonna to Moby, Pet Shop Boys to Robbie Williams, citing them as an influence. But they're about more than esoteric infiltration there has been mainstream penetration, too, commensurate with a band who gave us the greatest ever Christmas Number 1 single with 1981/2's 'Dont You Want Me', who have had four Top 10 albums and eight Top 10 singles in the UK as well as two US Number 1 singles and sold 20 million records worldwide. Then there are the 'L' girls, the new generation of synth-driven female pop artists, who have got in on the League adoring act: La Roux is a known admirer of the electro pioneers, while Little Boots is such a fan she requested Philip Oakeys input on her debut album. Even Lady Gaga professed to be a devotee when she met them. Not surprisingly for a group who were famously described by David Bowie in 1979 as "the sound of the future", and indeed the group was once called The Future, The Human League have never been about resting on their laurels or relying on past glories to see them through. The Human League's unique quality of apartness is notable. "We're peculiar," says Susan Ann Sulley, utterly unabashed. "People think pop music is X Factor and S Club 7 and we're still hankering after a Roxy-Bowie-Donna Summer-Chic version of pop. We don't fit in. People don't quite appreciate how strange we are." Over the years, the Human League has been sampled and covered by various artists including George Michael and Robbie Williams. The band has been a huge influence for many electro-pop acts including early Depeche Mode, Madonna, Moby, and countless others.

British R&B singer, songwriter, rapper, DJ and producer who rose to fame in 1999. As one of the UK’s most loved artists, Craig has remained at the helm of his own unique, authentically British sound. A sound that made waves across the globe, making him the voice of one of the most pivotal eras in UK music, and in turn, making him one of the most successful artists in UK chart history.

For over 30 years, Texas have proved themselves to be one of Scotland’s best ever bands and nothing short of a national treasure south of the border. Formed in 1986 by the undeniably brilliant Sharleen Spiteri and her partner in crime, Johnny McElhone, they have made consistently great music throughout their stellar career having sold over 40 million records, had 13 top ten UK singles, 3 #1 UK albums and 8 top ten UK albums.

UB40 featuring Ali Campbell and Craig David.

UB40 were formed in 1978 and have gone to sell more than 70 million records worldwide and have had over 50 singles in the UK Singles Chart including 'Red Red Wine', 'Kingston Town', 'Rat in Mi KItchen', 'Food For Thought', 'I Got You Babe', '(I Can't Help) Falling In Love With You', 'One In Ten', 'My Way of Thinking', 'Please Don't Make Me Cry', 'Many Rivers to Cross', 'Cherry Oh Baby' and many more.

Presale from 10am on 14th November 2024 General sales from 10am on 15th November 2024 English rock band James are the latest announcement for the Colchester Castle Summer Series on Friday, 22 August 2025, Plus special guests Happy Mondays, Lightning Seeds, and The Waeve. After forming in Manchester in 1982, the band achieved popularity during the 1990s, with four top-10 hits on the UK Singles Chart and nine top-10 placings on the UK Albums Chart, including best-known singles "Come Home", "Sit Down", "She's a Star" and "Laid". Their latest album “Yummy” charted at number one earlier this year. With each show welcoming up to 10,000 attendees, the Colchester Castle Summer Series is set to be the largest music event the city has seen in years. This unique celebration of live music promises to deliver unforgettable performances in the heart of one of England’s most historic and scenic locations. The team behind the event, promoters Soundcrash and Supermodified, are well-known in the UK for hosting popular events like the Margate Summer Series, London’s South Facing Festival, Hitchin Priory Series, and Cardiff Bay Series. This event is suitable for ages 6+, under 18 must be accompanied by full paying adult aged 21 and over Everyone must have a valid ticket for entry.

Busted and McFly go head to head Pop rock legends Busted stormed the stage at McFly’s sold out 21st birthday headline show at the iconic O2 Arena in London to announce they will be going head to head on tour together in 2025! The Busted vs McFly Tour will see the two groups visit some of the UK’s biggest and best venues.

Busted plus Special Guests.

Returning to Castle Park, at the Free Family Fun Festival you’ll find lots of brilliant, free things for all the family to enjoy including bouncy castles, face painting, games and activities. Join us for live music, free children’s activities and great value food. Free entry for everyone!

The Smashing Pumpkins have created one of the most acclaimed bodies of work in musical history having sold more than 30 million albums, and won multiple Grammy Awards in the process. The pivotal group’s many hits defined the alternative music era and continue to resonate on modern rock radio, influencing a whole new generation. In June 2012, the band released the critically acclaimed album Oceaniavia Martha’s Music/EMI Label Services/Caroline Distribution. It entered the Billboard Top 200 Albums Chart at #4; earned the #1 spot on the Independent Albums Chart; and Rolling Stone hailed it as one of the best albums of the year. Formed in Chicago in 1988, they released Gish, their influential and platinum debut in 1991, which was followed by albums including the nine-time platinum Mellon Collie And The Infinite Sadness and the four-time platinum Siamese Dream, as well as the platinum certified 1998 album Adore which saw a 107-track reissue in 2014. The band is releasing two albums within a year of each other starting with Monuments to an Elegy, in Dec 2014, to be followed by Day For Night in 2015 and will be playing some special shows with Mark Stoermer of The Killers and Brad Wilk of Rage Against The Machine joining The Pumpkins’ Billy Corgan and Jeff Schroeder. Monuments to an Elegy marks the band’s eighth studio album and is the follow-up to their 2012 critically acclaimed album Oceania. It entered the Billboard Top 200 Albums Chart at #4; earned the #1 spot on the Independent Albums Chart; and Rolling Stone hailed it as one of the best albums of the year. A worldwide concert tour in 2012 and 2013 brought the band some of the strongest live reviews of their career and found them blazing new trails on the concert stage, using new technology in video-mapping to create something new and previously unseen. Monuments to an Elegy was recorded in Chicago with Smashing Pumpkins guitarist Jeff Schroeder, who’s been in the band since 2007.

Nutty ska-revivalists and 80s pop titans led by the inimitable Suggs. Madness may have been at the forefront of the late ’70s ska revival, but the band quickly moved beyond the constraints of two-tone. By the time the ’80s were in full swing, their embrace of everything from Motown to pure pop had made them one of the biggest British bands of their time. Madness’s earliest days were as ska band The Invaders, formed in 1976 by Lee Thompson, Mike Barson and Chris Foreman. With the addition of Graham McPherson (aka Suggs), Mark Bedford, Dan Woodgate and Chas Smith, the band changed their name to Morris And The Minors before finally settling on Madness in 1978.

Colchester Castle Summer Series Presents Legendary Welsh singer TOM JONES is set to perform in Essex on Monday 18th August 2025, as part of the Colchester Castle Summer Series, with special guests This is the final announcement for the Colchester Castle Summer Series 2025, rounding off a huge run of shows. The much-loved performer continues to sustain his popularity around the world, captivating audiences with his timeless discography of hit songs and enduring talent and charisma. With a remarkable career spanning over six decades, he is widely considered to be one of the greatest singers and recording artists of all time. With a catalogue including the timeless classics It’s Not Unusual, What's New Pussycat, Delilah, and Green, Green Grass of Home Home alongside his hugely acclaimed work over the last decade, his repertoire truly spans genres and generations. This event is suitable for ages 6+, under 18 must be accompanied by full paying adult aged 21 and over Everyone must have a valid ticket for entry.

An 80s Silent Disco like no other is coming to the spectacular grounds Outside Colchester Castle. Expect some of the UK’s best DJs playing all your favourite tunes in the stunning, illuminated surroundings outside Colchester Castle – Castle Bailey.

Time to don the Cowboy boots and Stetson as Nashville rolls into town with a huge line up of music, games and food! You can expect to find; The best new & undiscovered country acts, incredible tributes of iconic country music legends, line dancing, American BBQ & Street Food, rodeo bull rides, country music, fancy dress, axe throwing, Tin Can Alley + Much More! PLUS... 500 free cowboy hats!

Get ready to experience a traditional Oktoberfest at Colchester in 2025! For one weekend we are transforming Colchester into a traditional Bavarian bash with our authentic Oktoberfest steins! Top up your stein and step inside the huge Bier tent and prepare to be entertained – Bavarian style!

The Ibiza Orchestra Live comes off a sell out UK tour and arrives with our 26 piece orchestra, live vocalists and DJ with a brand an amazing show and festival huge production!