The Wake

Loxwood Meadow, West Sussex.

The Wake
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The Wake 2025: A One-Day festival in the idyllic woodlands of West Sussex

The second edition of The Wake takes place on Saturday 23 August 2025.

Jo Bartlett and Danny Hagan, the festival's organisers and founders of the Green Man Festival in Wales, are thrilled announce that King Creosote will headline the festival in 2025.  

Since the mid-late 1990s, Kenny Anderson’s DIY pop alter-ego King Creosote has released over 100 records (at a relatively conservative guess), and his songs have been covered and performed by artists including Simple Minds and Patti Smith.

The Wake is set in the beautiful woodland and meadows near Billingshurst, West Sussex.

Also performing on The Woodland Stage:

Yorkshire’s Chris Brain, a rising star in contemporary folk, whose latest album, ‘New Light’, has earned glowing reviews and airtime on BBC6 and Radio 2. His song, ‘Golden Days’, is prominently featured in the film ‘We Live in Time’, starring Oscar-nominated actors Florence Pugh and Andrew Garfield.

Other artists include:

Nottingham’s genre-bending act, Rainingblue and Brighton-based Bella Union artist, Helen Ganya.

Plus The Memory Band, Bryony Dunn & The Forest and The Equatorial Group.

Festival founders Jo and Danny will also take the stage with their band, Bluetrain.

Bluetrain originally released records on Dan Treacy (of The Television Personalities) Dreamworld Records in the 1980s and have recently reformed to play The Wake.

There will be DJ sets from Richard Norris (The Grid) and Emma Anderson (formerly of Lush), as well as the Talks stage, hosted by John Andrews. John will be in conversation with Simon Raymonde, (Cocteau Twins) discussing his memoir In One Ear, and poet Will Burns.

Jo says: “Danny and I are very excited about The Wake 2025! What a delight to have our old friend Kenny AKA King Creosote headlining. It is going to be a heck of a day out!”

The festival offers plenty for families, with a dedicated Children’s Area featuring storytelling inspired by Sussex’s wild landscapes and music classes for pre-schoolers.

Wonderful food, drink and free parking plus on-site camping for those who want to stay the night!

Tickets:

  • Adults: £37.50
  • Children (7–13 years): £10
  • Under 7s: Free
  • Camping pitches: £20 (up to 4 people, purchased alongside festival ticket).

Social Media Comments from 2024

‘What a fabulous, friendly, chilled, well-booked little festival: talk about value for money!’ Dave

‘We had an amazing time! Great music, speakers, food and good people!!’ Lala

‘It was such a great day. Amazing setting, fab music and speakers. Well done to you all. Can't wait for next year.’ Sue

‘Brilliant day. The sun shone and the music and atmosphere were great!’ Cat

‘What a great day! Loved it! Thank you to you and everyone involved in putting this event on!’ Steve

‘It was an amazing day! Loved every minute of it.’ Loretta

‘Thank you for this brilliantly put together event’ Anna

‘Loved it, thanks. More next year?’ Matt

‘Thank you so much for a top day. You guys made our summer.’ Trish

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Admission

Ticket type Cost (face value)? Quantity
ADULT (15+) £40.12 (£37.50)
CHILD (7-14 YRS) £10.70 (£10.00)
CHILD (0-6 YRS) £0.00 (£0.00)

Camping

Ticket type Cost (face value)? Quantity
CAMPING PITCH: ONLY VALID WITH A FESTIVAL TICKET £21.40 (£20.00)
Up to 4 people
CAMPERVAN PITCH: ONLY VALID WITH A FESTIVAL TICKET £21.40 (£20.00) Tickets not available
Up to 4 people
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