Simply Red have been confirmed as the first headliner for Somerset Sounds, the brand new annual festival launching next summer at Taunton’s Cooper Associates County Ground. The band play the ground on Sunday 22 August 2027, in what’s being billed as their only South West date of the year and the closing show of their newly announced ‘Summer Funk ’27’ tour across the UK and Europe.
Joining them on the bill are Heather Small, best known as the voice of M People, and Jazzie B’s Soul II Soul, with further names still to be added. Pre-sale registration is open now, with presale tickets landing Tuesday 22 September at 10am and general sale following on Thursday 24 September at 10am. Ahead of the tour, Simply Red are also putting out a new live version of the Four Tops standard ‘Reach Out I’ll Be There’ on 24 September.
Somerset Sounds is a joint venture between Somerset County Cricket Club and promoter Full Fat 360, first announced last week, and this booking marks its debut lineup reveal. The plan is to turn the cricket ground into a regular stop on the UK’s summer touring circuit: a festival-style outfield stage, hospitality in the stands, food and drink traders, and a dedicated fan village on St James Street. The ground has hosted major touring names before, including Elton John in 2006 and 2012, Rod Stewart in 2014 and Lionel Richie in 2023, and organisers point to well over 150,000 visitors a year and a local economic contribution running past £20 million annually as the base they’re building on.
It’s a fitting booking: across a career spanning more than 40 years, Simply Red have racked up five UK number one albums and worldwide sales beyond 60 million records. Mick Hucknall has fronted the band since it formed in 1985, on the strength of hits including ‘Fairground,’ ‘Something Got Me Started,’ ‘Holding Back the Years,’ ‘Money’s Too Tight (To Mention),’ ‘Stars’ and ‘If You Don’t Know Me by Now.’ Of the summer run, Hucknall said: “We can’t wait to get back out on the road again in summer 2027 to perform at some incredible and historic venues across the UK and Europe. You can expect a set full of Simply Red upbeat hits to get you on your feet having fun in the sun with friends and family.”
Heather Small made her name fronting M People through ’90s staples like ‘Moving On Up,’ ‘Search for the Hero’ and ‘One Night in Heaven,’ before a solo career anchored by ‘Proud.’ Soul II Soul bring their own run of genre-defining hits, among them ‘Back to Life (However Do You Want Me)’ and ‘Keep On Movin’.’
Taunton’s town-centre setting is part of the pitch too: the ground sits within walking distance of Taunton train station, which has direct links to London, Bristol, Exeter and the rest of the South West.
Organisers say Somerset Sounds is intended to become an annual event, with more acts and full event details due in the coming months. General admission starts at £62.50, with Gold Circle tickets at £95 and hospitality packages also on offer, all before fees.
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