{"id":2499988,"date":"2026-07-13T11:32:09","date_gmt":"2026-07-13T11:32:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/?p=2499988"},"modified":"2026-07-13T11:32:09","modified_gmt":"2026-07-13T11:32:09","slug":"henley-festival-retired-pop-stars-and-strictly-legends-seen","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/henley-festival-retired-pop-stars-and-strictly-legends-seen\/","title":{"rendered":"Henley Festival: Retired pop stars and Strictly legends seen"},"content":{"rendered":"

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\n The event which started on Wednesday, July 8 and ended on Sunday, July 12, was held on the banks of the River Thames and showcased a spectrum of music, food, and artistic displays.\n<\/p>\n

\n Despite the implementation of heat health alerts, attendees managed to keep the festival spirit alive.\n<\/p>\n

\n Radio DJs, TV stars and Youtubers were seen at the festival throughout the week.\n<\/p>\n

\n \"AntonAnton Du Beke seen on Friday, July 10 at Henley festival (Image: James Robinson)<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n The festival, typically known for its posh black-tie dress code, bent its rules due to the sweltering heat, allowing attendees to remove their jackets.\n<\/p>\n

\n Headlining acts brought vivacious energy into the festival.\n<\/p>\n

\n Boy George and Culture Club opened the event, treating the masses to their Grammy Award-winning hits.\n<\/p>\n

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\n \"onThe Sugababes on Thursday, July 9 at Henley festival (Image: Garry Jones)<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n Regarded as global icons since their rise in the 1980s, Culture Club have reportedly sold more than 150 million records worldwide.\n<\/p>\n

\n This year’s festival saw a return of the Sugababes with their original line-up.\n<\/p>\n

\n The trio, who have recently made a comeback, graced the stage on Thursday.\n<\/p>\n

\n \"YoutuberYoutuber Caspar Lee seen with his influencer wife Ambar Driscoll (Image: Garry Jones)<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n Thursday also saw Jo Whiley performing her 90s Anthems set, featuring an assortment of nostalgic hits from Oasis, Blur, and The Prodigy.\n<\/p>\n

\n The weekend kicked off with Blur\u2019s Alex James and his ensemble, Britpop Classical, on Saturday.\n<\/p>\n

\n Their concert belted out 90s anthems, powered up by a full orchestra.\n<\/p>\n

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\n \"ComedianComedian Alan Davies seen performing on Wednesday, July 8 (Image: James Robinson)<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n The Bootleg Beatles wrapped up the event on Sunday, serenading festival-goers with a journey through the 1960s, paying tribute to the legendary band.\n<\/p>\n

\n The main stage floats on the river, with the audience using one of the grandstands.\n<\/p>\n

\n Henley Festival is known to be the only black-tie festival in the UK.\n<\/p>\n

\n The celebration features a wide array of other attractions that go beyond music.\n<\/p>\n

\n \"BoyBoy George seen performing on Wednesday, July 8 (Image: Garry Jones)<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n The event offers fine dining at the Terrace restaurant, gourmet street food, jazz concerts held in the evenings, art exhibits, roving performers, and various other activities.\n<\/p>\n

\n The festival’s unique setting and approach reportedly attract around 25,000 attendees per year.\n<\/p>\n

\n The festival, a pinnacle gathering for the arts and music community, is held yearly in early July immediately following the Henley Royal Regatta, which celebrated its 40th anniversary in 2022 with Sir Tom Jones, The Script, and Craig David as headliners.\n<\/p>\n

\n \"CapitalCapital Radio DJ Jordan North seen on Friday, July 10 (Image: James Robinson)<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n Historically, the venue has welcomed the likes of Diana Ross, McFly, Boney M, and Madness, among others.\n<\/p>\n

\n Rag’n’Bone Man, Westlife, Nile Rodgers & Chic, DJ Danny Rampling, and Boney M with original lead singer Liz Mitchell were some of the stars featured in 2023.\n<\/p>\n

\n The festival, first imagined and executed in 1982, was initiated to provide an enriching music and arts festival for Henley-on-Thames locals.\n<\/p>\n

\n \"JoJo Whiley’s 90s anthems on Thursday, July 9 at Henley festival (Image: Garry Jones)<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n It repurposes the marquees and grandstands erected for the annual rowing event held the preceding week, the Henley Royal Regatta.\n<\/p>\n

\n Each July, the festivity rolls out a medley of performances, art installations, and culinary options.\n<\/p>\n

\n \"BjornBjorn Again performing on Friday, July 10 at Henley festival (Image: Garry Jones)<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n This year’s festival began amidst soaring temperatures, with pop icon Lulu making a surprise comeback this weekend after retiring last year.\n<\/p>\n

\n Henley Festival, the UK\u2019s only black-tie festival, has been the stage for world-class music performances and art installations since 1982.\n<\/p>\n

\n Known for its elegant ambiance, the festival continues to foster an inclusive atmosphere to experience culture and creativity in a unique riverside venue.\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n