ELECTRIC SUMMER Howard Jones, Heaven 17, Blancmange LIVE IN TAUNTON

Souvenir Events is proud and excited to announce a new music festival for Taunton in summer 2026!

‘Electric Summer’ is a one-day event taking place on Sunday 30 August 2026 (bank holiday weekend) in the town’s beautiful Vivary Park, featuring a line-up of 80’s synthpop legends and contemporary electronic rock acts influenced by that classic decade. A meeting of the established and the new(er) wave.

Our headliner is an artist who has sold more than 10 million albums worldwide since he first burst onto the scene in 1983, played at LIVE AID in 1985, and who continues to release new material and perform worldwide to this day – HOWARD JONES. His fantastic 1984 debut album ‘Human’s Lib’ hit the number one spot, featuring the smash hit singles ‘New Song’, ‘What is Love?’, ‘Hide And Seek’ and ‘Pearl In The Shell’, and is an acknowledged classic synthpop album.

We’re also hugely excited to confirm that, also appearing will be influential electronic pop pioneers HEAVEN 17 and BLANCMANGE, both of whom created bona fide synthpop classics and some of the 80’s most enduring anthems including ‘Temptation’, ‘(We Don’t Need This) Fascist Groove Thang’, ‘Living On The Ceiling’ and ‘Don’t Tell Me’.

‘Electric Summer’ isn’t just about the legends. There are many contemporary acts releasing fantastic electronic music who deserve to be seen in the flesh by as many people as possible, and we couldn’t be happier to give four of them a festival stage:

- MESH, the Bristol-based alternative electronic rock band who have a large, devoted following in the UK and throughout Europe.

- BLACK NAIL CABARET, a dark electronic pop duo who will be flying in from their home in Hungary to perform.

- AGENCY-V, a trio who gained thousands of new fans when they supported Gary Numan for his Glastonbury warm-up shows in June 2025.

- NEON FIELDS, a dynamic band based in the south-west with a sound likened to Depeche Mode, Muse and Gary Numan.

- The line-up is augmented by internationally renowned producer and remixer PAUL DAKEYNE, who’ll be keeping the audience entertained during the breaks with specially curated DJ sets.

We are also honoured to tell you that this event will be in aid of Nordoff and Robbins, a charity which delivers music therapy to people across the UK, including some of the most vulnerable people in society. Much loved by the music industry itself, Nordoff and Robbins has long recognised the power of music to help people break through barriers so they can connect, communicate and truly express themselves. £1 from the face value of every ticket sold will be donated to them.

SCHEDULE FOR THE DAY

Please note that timings are always subject to slight change, but the day has to end at 2230 due to council restrictions - it's called a "hard curfew". The band changeovers during the day won't quite be as tight as they were at LIVE AID (!), but, well, you get the gist!

1200 - gates open for early entry ticket holders (it will clearly state "early entry" on your ticket if this applies to you)
1230 - gates open for everyone
1355 - Neon Fields 
1505 - Agency-V
1615 - Black Nail Cabaret
1730 - Mesh
1845 - Blancmange
2000 - Heaven 17
2115 - Howard Jones
2230 - CLOSE / HARD CURFEW

** IMPORTANT STUFF! **

TICKET SCANNING - PLEASE ENSURE YOU HAVE YOUR TICKETS PRINTED OUT OR SAVED TO YOUR MOBILE, AND THAT THEY ARE OPEN BEFORE YOU REACH OUR TICKET LANES IN THE PARK. THIS HELPS AVOID QUEUES BUILDING UP - THANK YOU!

WHEELCHAIR USERS / CARERS
Wheelchair users wishing to book can do so by contacting the organiser directly. See the "about the host" section at the top of this listing for details about how to get in touch. Please note that wheelchair and (where applicable) authorised carer places are limited, so it's a case of subject-to-availability and on a first-come, first-served basis. Access card holders who are not wheelchair users and would like to book a ticket for themselves and their authorised carer can also do so by contacting the organiser directly.

SEATING
There will be NO SEATING available for general admission ticket holders, but please feel free to bring a foldable camping chair into the park. You'll be directed toward a safe, designated area specifically for the purpose. To emphasise, they must be of the folding camping variety! Mobility scooter users will be directed to the same area.

ANY OTHER QUESTIONS?
For answers to any other must-ask questions, please see the FAQ page on our website.

FOLLOW US - YOU KNOW YOU WANT TO!
Come and join us for what is going to be a memorable day in glorious Somerset, but in the meantime, please follow our Facebook page for updates and information.