For over two decades, music fans and nature lovers have been convening in England’s scenic woodlands to dance and rock out while helping protect trees. Called Forest Live, the annual outdoor event comprised six festivals this June and July, with performances from Sting, Van Morrison, The Corrs, Anne-Marie, and more.
“It’s one of the most unique concert experiences it’s possible to have here,” Rhodri Jones told Nice News of the festival, which launched in 2001. Jones is national events program manager for Forestry England, the government agency that presents Forest Live.
“The venues are deep in the heart of our forest sites across the country,” he explained. “You are disconnected from the noise and distractions of the modern world and transported to a beautiful woodland setting with amazing artists, incredible nature, and thousands of other like-minded concertgoers.”
The live music series has three main goals: creating an unforgettable concert experience, raising awareness for the protection and preservation of the 1,500 forests that Forestry England is custodian of, and introducing newcomers to the picturesque spaces.
“We hope that people will be drawn in by these concerts and then go on to build a lifelong relationship with their local forest,” Jones shared. “One day you can come to see Sting, CHIC, or Becky Hill, the following week you could come back to go for a hike, walk the dog, go mountain biking, or on a Go Ape course.”
He continued: “Everyone in England lives within a one-hour drive of one of these amazing forests, and we’re keen to invite people in and immerse themselves in these natural settings.”
In recent years, the power of music to raise awareness for the environment has been highlighted, with the launch of initiatives like Sounds Right, which allows artists to list “nature” as a contributor on streaming tracks to generate funds for conservation.
“Music brings people together and builds community and a shared culture,” said Jones. “I think the industry as a whole has been ahead of the curve at looking at our relationship with nature and how we can reduce our impact on the natural world with the work that we do.” He cites Sting, who founded the Rainforest Foundation over 30 years ago, as a great example.
“He was an advocate for the protection of forest lands at a time when it wasn’t a hot topic of conversation to the extent that it is now,” he explained. “It has been an amazing moment to have Sting as part of this year’s Forest Live lineup as a continuation of this story and at a moment when there is a greater understanding of the role of forests in the well-being of the planet.”
This year, Forest Live took place in six locations across England, with 14 headlining artists performing in 23 concerts spanning June 13 to July 12. Planning is already underway for the 2025 iteration.
“The setting incorporates the natural features of the sites, and because there is nothing there other than this concert, it allows you to connect with the performance in a profound way,” Jones said. “And because it’s a unique experience for the artists, too, there’s a real sense of connection and magic.”
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