Pete Tong and Billy Ocean to play Lincoln Castle

DJ Pete Tong and R&B star Billy Ocean have been announced as headline acts for Live at Lincoln Castle next summer.

Tong will perform his world-renowned Ibiza Classics show featuring The Essential Orchestra on 12 June 2026.

The Caribbean Queen and Red Light Spells Danger star Billy Ocean will perform on 20 June with special guest and former Wet Wet Wet frontman Marti Pellow.

Cuffe & Taylor promoter Mark Harrison said: “It’s going to be two incredible nights of live music, from iconic hits to huge dance anthems, all set against the beautiful backdrop of Lincoln Castle.”

A man (Billy Ocean) is wearing a red, yellow, green and black striped hat and smiling into the camera. He has a short white beard and moustache. He is wearing a blue and white striped shirt and a black jacket. A blurred grey background is seen behind him.

Billy Ocean will headline Live at Lincoln Castle on 20 June next year [James Watkins / BBC]

Lincolnshire County Council previously announced David Gray, whose album White Ladder sold more than three million copies in the UK, as the first headline act for next year’s concerts on 28 June.

He will be supported by The Divine Comedy.

The headline concerts are part of an ongoing partnership with Lincolnshire County Council and Live Nation promoters Cuffe and Taylor to bring artists to perform in a historic location.

Tong has spent more than 30 years bringing dance music to global stages.

He was awarded the Music Industry Trusts Award in 2021, honouring his impact on music and broadcasting.

A large crowd of people are gathered in front of a large stage next to a Gothic building with greenery on its walls. Someone can be seen performing on the stage with the words 'Live at Lincoln Castle' written around it.

Headliners in 2025 included Sting, Sugababes and Olly Murs [Lincolnshire County Council]

Billy Ocean was born in Trinidad and raised in London’s East End and has sold more than 30 million records worldwide.

Some of his most well-known songs include Love Really Hurts Without You in 1976, When The Going Gets Tough, The Tough Get Going and Loverboy.

Marti Pellow is most known for hits including Sweet Little Mystery and Goodnight Girl and starred in the West End and Broadway.

Councillor Natalie Oliver, executive member for culture at Lincolnshire County Council, said: “This year’s Live at Lincoln Castle line-up just keeps getting better.

“These shows promise something truly special for every music fan – all in the unique setting of one of the country’s most spectacular heritage venues.”

Tickets go on general sale at 10:00 BST on 17 October.

A man (Marti Pellow) has short grey hair with tortoiseshell glasses and is smiling into the camera. He is wearing a purple polo shirt and there is a red curtain behind him.

Marti Pellow will perform as a special guest with Billy Ocean at Live at Lincoln Castle on 20 June [BBC]

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