Jools Holland

The Gipsy Kings, The Human League and Jools Holland are the first confirmed headliners for annual picnic concert series, Kew the Music 2018.

The 2018 concerts are confirmed to run between Tuesday 10th July and Sunday 15th July at the Royal Botanic Gardens in Kew, London, with a line-up that organisers say ‘offers something for everyone’.

The first of three initial acts to be confirmed is The Gipsy Kings featuring Nicolas Reyes and Tonnino Baliardo, who will play on Wednesday 11th July. The Gipsy Kings achieved world-wide recognition in 1988 with the release of their album which featured the hits Bamboleo, Un Amor and Djoba Djoba.

The Human League has also been confirmed, and will play on Friday 13th July. The band released its first album called Dare in 1981 and has four top ten albums and eight top ten singles in the UK as well as two US Number 1 singles and over 30 million records sold worldwide.

The third act to be revealed is Jools Holland and his Rhythm & Blues Orchestra, confirmed for Sunday 15th July. Jools has been touring with his musical army, the Rhythm & Blues Orchestra featuring Gilson Lavis for more than 20 years and will be joined by regular guest vocalists Ruby Turner, Louise Marshall and Beth Rowley.

Further bands and artists will be confirmed over the coming weeks. Ready-made Picnic Hampers are available to collect on the night, or there is an exclusive BBQ/ VIP Hospitality dining experience in The Hive.

More about Kew the Music

Kew the Music is a week-long festival of summer picnic concerts set within the grounds of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

The annual series of summer evenings, with an ‘eclectic mix of artists guaranteed to appeal to all generations of music lovers’, are suitable for all ages.

Guests are welcome to bring their own food and drink, or to enjoy the open-air bars and street food stalls.

Group booking information

Tickets go on sale from Friday 29th September at 10am. Group rates and catering packages have been on offer in previous years; further details will be released once ticket sales open.

For further information and to find out more visit kewthemusic.org.

Pictured: Jools Holland. (Photo credit: Mary McCartney).