Simply Red to headline Somerset Sounds festival at the CACG
This marks the multi-platinum selling band’s only 2027 South West performance, with Heather Small (M People) and Soul II Soul also billed plus more to be announced!
Presale: Tuesday 22 September at 10:00 AM
General Sale: Thursday 24 September at 10:00 AM
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 Sunday, 22nd August 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 lineup 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 24th.
The announcement marks the first major artist reveal for Somerset Sounds, a joint venture delivered by Somerset County Cricket Club in partnership with award-winning live entertainment promoter Full Fat 360. Designed to turn the historic stadium into a premier stop on the UK summer tour circuit, the festival builds on the venue’s substantial regional contribution. Attracting over 150,000 annual visitors to the Cooper Associates County Ground, generating more than £20 million per year for the local economy, and supporting over 200 jobs, this new venture will continue its growth by transforming the location into a fully-fledged live entertainment destination that brings internationally renowned touring artists to Somerset and the wider South West.
Built in 1881, the Cooper Associates County Ground boasts over two decades of history hosting live music’s biggest names, including Sir Elton John, Rod Stewart, and Lionel Richie. Surrounded by the iconic backdrop of the Quantock Hills and historic church towers, the impressive spot combines a main stage on the outfield with premium hospitality facilities in the stands, multiple food and drink offerings, and the expansive St James Street Fan Village.
This Taunton performance offers an exclusive opportunity for music fans across the South West to experience one of Britain’s most enduring live acts. Fronted by soul icon Mick Hucknall since forming in 1985, Simply Red have sold over 60 million records worldwide with era-defining crowd-pleasers such as “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.”
“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,” says frontman Mick Hucknall.
Joining them on the main stage is Heather Small, who propelled M People to international stardom with massive ’90s anthems including “Moving On Up,” “Search for the Hero,” and “One Night in Heaven,” before launching her celebrated solo career powered by her uplifting hit “Proud.” Meanwhile, ground-breaking British music pioneers Soul II Soul, led by Jazzie B, brought worldwide success with chart-topping, timeless classics such as “Back to Life (However Do You Want Me)” and “Keep On Movin’.”
Situated in the heart of Taunton, the ground offers the atmosphere of a major outdoor festival within a highly accessible town-centre location. Located within easy walking distance of Taunton train station, the venue provides direct connections to London, Bristol, Exeter, and the wider South West.
“Somerset Sounds represents a bold new chapter for the Cooper Associates County Ground, and we couldn’t be more thrilled to launch it with an iconic headliner like Simply Red. Mick Hucknall and the band have delivered some of the most timeless tracks in British music history, making them the perfect act to set the benchmark for what this event is all about.
“We wanted our very first headliner to reflect the scale of our ambition. Bringing a globally renowned, multi-platinum act to Taunton signals our commitment to making Somerset Sounds a flagship summer event for the entire South West. It’s about creating unforgettable live experiences right here at the Club while driving cultural and economic energy into the community.” – Oli Bartlam: Founder, Full Fat 360
“We’re absolutely delighted to be welcoming Simply Red, Heather Small and Soul II Soul to Taunton for the first Somerset Sounds.
“The Cooper Associates County Ground has a fantastic history of hosting major live music, and this gives us the opportunity to build on that while opening the venue up to new audiences who may not have visited us before.
“For us, Somerset Sounds is about creating something really special here in Somerset. We aim to give people across the county and the wider South West the chance to see major artists on their doorstep, while establishing the Ground as a destination for live entertainment as well as cricket.
“We’re hugely excited about what this can become over the coming years, and Simply Red feels like a brilliant way to begin.” – Caroline Herbert: Commercial Director, Somerset County Cricket Club.
Somerset Sounds is set to become an annual fixture in the summer festival calendar. The announcement represents the first wave of artists for 2027, with further acts, ticket details, and event information to be announced in the coming months as part of an ongoing ambition to grow both the programme and event experience in the years ahead.
Ticket prices start at £62.50 for General Admission and £95 for Gold Circle, with hospitality options also available (all prices exclude fees). For more information and to sign up for pre-sale tickets, use the link below:
