Somerset Sounds Launches as Britain’s Newest Music Destination

Scheduled to take place in summer 2027 at the iconic Cooper Associates County Ground in Taunton, the venue has previously hosted huge global legends like Sir Elton John, Lionel Richie and Rod Stewart with the stunning Quantock Hills as a backdrop.

In a major expansion of the UK’s vibrant live music infrastructure, Somerset County Cricket Club has announced a joint partnership with award-winning live entertainment company Full Fat 360 to launch ‘Somerset Sounds,’ a brand-new, annual summer concert destination. Launching in Summer 2027, the ambitious new venture will transform the Cooper Associates County Ground in Taunton into a major live entertainment destination, creating a new fixture on the UK’s increasingly diverse festival and concert calendar.

The project represents a significant strategic step for the Cooper Associates County Ground, positioning the venue within a cultural footprint and extending beyond its 145-year sporting legacy, dating back to 1881. The partnership builds on the ground’s established history of hosting major live events and welcoming some of the biggest names in music.

Over the years, the venue has played host to internationally recognized artists, including Sir Elton John, Rod Stewart and Lionel Richie, demonstrating its capacity to stage large-scale productions and attract audiences from across the region and beyond. Somerset Sounds is now set to build on that foundation with a dedicated annual concert brand designed specifically for the modern live music audience.

At its core, Somerset Sounds is intended to create a new destination within the UK’s live music landscape, bringing major international touring acts to a part of the country that has traditionally sat outside the main touring routes for large-scale music events. By establishing a recurring summer concert series, the organizers aim to make Taunton a regular stop for artists touring the UK while creating a recognizable consumer brand that can grow year after year.

Surrounded by the iconic backdrop of the Quantock Hills and historic church towers, the venue will host major outdoor main-stage shows welcoming thousands of fans on the outfield, supported by premium hospitality packages in the stands and an expansive new St James Street Fan Village featuring curated food, drink, and cultural pop-ups. Located just minutes from Taunton train station with connections across the UK, including direct links to London, Bristol, and Exeter, Somerset Sounds bridges the gap between major metropolitan stadium runs and national music audiences.

Following the official launch of Somerset Sounds, global soul-pop legends Simply Red have been announced as the inaugural headliners for the major new UK summer festival. Set to perform at The Cooper Associates County Ground in Taunton on August 22, 2027, the performance marks the grand finale of their newly announced ‘Summer Funk ‘27’ UK and European tour, offering fans an exclusive final opportunity to see the band wrap up their summer run.

Spanning a celebrated 40+ year career featuring five #1 albums, Simply Red will lead a powerhouse debut line-up alongside Heather Small (the iconic voice of M People) and Grammy Award-winning soul collective Soul II Soul. Ahead of the tour, the band will also release a new live recording of their take on the Four Tops’ classic ‘Reach Out I’ll Be There’ on September 24.

The initiative is co-promoted and delivered by Full Fat 360, an award-winning UK promoter known for building major stadium and arena shows across the country. Full Fat 360’s national portfolio includes high-profile stadium developments such as the major SMK Live festival series at Milton Keynes’ 30,000-capacity Stadium MK, and headline shows including Kings of Leon and the multi-act BS3 Festival at Bristol’s Ashton Gate.

The brand launch sets the stage for the inaugural Somerset Sounds 2027 series, with the first major headliners and line-up announcements scheduled to be revealed very soon. For more information and to sign up for priority ticket access, visit Somerset Sounds’ official website.

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