Never Gonna Give You Up : Rick Astley to Headline Forest Live 2026 at Westonbirt Arboretum
Posted on: 09 Jun 2026The Gloucestershire woodlands are about to get a serious dose of feel-good energy as the ’80s icon and modern-day festival showman Rick Astley is officially set to bring his unmistakable baritone voice and full live band to Westonbirt Arboretum on Saturday, 27 June 2026.
Performing as part of the prestigious Forest Live concert series—which is celebrating a landmark 25th anniversary this summer—Astley joins a stellar 2026 lineup at the venue that includes Deacon Blue, UB40 featuring Ali Campbell, and Richard Ashcroft.
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A Spectacular Setting for an Iconic Showman
Nestled near Tetbury, Westonbirt Arboretum serves as one of the UK’s most breathtaking outdoor venues. With 15,000 tree specimens providing a dramatic natural canopy, Forest Live gigs offer an intimate, open-air atmosphere that perfectly matches Astley's legendary crowd connection.
Fans can expect a setlist packed with massive pop choruses. During Astley's recent live sets, the crowd-pleasers have come thick and fast. The evening will effortlessly bridge the gap between his era-defining late-’80s hits—like "Together Forever", "Whenever You Need Somebody", and the internet-immortalized global phenomenon "Never Gonna Give You Up"—and tracks from his successful recent chart-topping albums like 50 and Are We There Yet?. Known for keeping his audiences on their toes, Astley is also highly likely to throw in a few of his trademark, surprisingly heavy, and brilliantly classy cover songs.
Music with a Mission
Attending a gig in the trees does more than just provide a fantastic night out. Forest Live is organized by Forestry England, and the money raised from ticket sales goes directly back into maintaining the nation’s 1,500 woods and forests. By dancing under the canopy to "Never Gonna Give You Up", concertgoers are actively helping to fund vital conservation projects, protect wildlife, and plant millions of trees for future generations.
Whether you are a lifelong fan from the Stock Aitken Waterman days, a new listener who discovered him via Glastonbury or the Foo Fighters, or just looking for the ultimate summer night out in a gorgeous Gloucestershire setting, Rick Astley at Westonbirt promises to be an absolute highlight of the 2026 summer calendar.
Article by:
A Bristolian born and bred. By day the Regional Manager for Advanced Imaging Systems Ltd. By night (and weekends) a keen follower of most sports especially rugby and football. Musical tastes vary and cover a wide range of genres from Punk to Motown and Swing to R&B - see my reviews! Also partial to a quiet spot of fishing followed obviously by a not so quiet pint.
