Nile Rodgers And Chic

One Month To Go – Hampton Court Palace Festival – June 2026

by
With just one month to go until Hampton Court Palace Festival returns, the iconic Summer concert series is set to welcome another extraordinary line-up of world-renowned artists. Taking place between 10 – 20 June, this year’s exceptional programme will see David Gray, OMD, Pete Tong’s Ibiza Classics, The Stranglers, Nile Rodgers & Chic, Elvis Costello & The Imposters with Charlie Sexton, and Sophie Ellis-Bextor take to the stage in the grounds of the stunning Tudor palace. 80’s Classical will bring the festival to a spectacular close on 20 June, bringing together some of the decade’s most iconic artists, performing their smash-hit songs backed by the world-renowned Royal Philharmonic Concert Orchestra. Last remaining tickets for all shows are on-sale now via hamptoncourtpalacefestival.com.

David Gray will open the festival with two shows on Wednesday 10 and Thursday 11 of June. One of the most influential singer songwriters of his generation, he released his breakthrough album “White Ladder” in 1998 which went on to become the tenth best-selling album of the 21st century. Over the course of 13 albums, Gray has consistently delivered emotionally charged performances and profound songwriting. He has sold over 11 million records worldwide and had multiple hit singles including “Babylon”, “This Year’s Love”, “Sail Away” and “The One I Love”. His latest album “Dear Life” was released last year to critical acclaim. 

One of the most influential synth-pop acts in history, OMD will make their Hampton Court Palace debut on Friday 12 June. Formed in 1978 by Andy McClusky and Paul Humphreys, they rose to fame in the early ‘80s with huge hits such as “Enola Gay”, “Souvenir” and “Joan of Arc”. With 18 Top 40 UK hits to their name, audiences can expect a set packed with their biggest tracks, promising an unforgettable night of synth-pop celebration. 

DJ, broadcaster, and dance music legend Pete Tong brings his acclaimed Ibiza Classics with The Essential Orchestrato Hampton Court Palace Festival on Saturday 13 June. The unmissable one-off show is a breathtaking audio-visual celebration of Ibiza’s iconic dance anthems, blending the pulse of club culture with the power and precision of a live orchestra. Expect euphoric reimagining’s of everyone’s favourite tracks in a truly unforgettable setting. 

On Tuesday 16 June, punk-rock trailblazers The Stranglers will take to the stage. One of the most enduring and distinctive bands to emerge from the UK punk era, they are renowned for blending raw aggression with melodic hooks and an unmistakable edge. Having celebrated their 50thanniversary in 2024, The Stranglers have continued to evolve while retaining their confrontational spirit and sharp songwriting, securing their place as true originals in British music history. 

Following a sensational sell-out concert in 2024, Nile Rodgers & CHIC return for a dance party like no other on Wednesday 17 June. Celebrated worldwide, Rodgers is credited with pioneering a musical language that produced hits such as ‘Le Freak’ and ‘Good Times’. As a multiple award-winning songwriter, composer, producer, arranger and guitarist, his legacy is unmatched; and having collaborated with some of the biggest names in music he has sold more than 750 million albums globally. 

On Thursday 18 June, Elvis Costello will perform with his long-term band The Imposters, joined by acclaimed guitarist Charlie Sexton. Spanning a career that has shaped modern songwriting, Costello’s live shows are renowned for their energy and dynamic musicianship. Backed by The Imposters’ driving rhythm section and Sexton’s masterful guitar work, audiences can expect an electrifying set drawing on classic hits and fan favourites from across an extraordinary catalogue. 

For the ultimate pop celebration, Sophie Ellis-Bextor’s Palace Disco will light up the courtyard on Friday 19 June. With a remarkable music career spanning over 25 years, Sophie has achieved five Top 10 albums and eight Top 10 singles. Her iconic hits include “Take Me Home,” “Get Over You,” “Heartbreak (Make Me a Dancer),” and “Murder on the Dancefloor”—which enjoyed a massive resurgence after featuring in the film Saltburn, now boasting over 11 billion global streams. Her latest album, Perimenopop, entered straight into the UK Top 5. 

80’s Classical will bring the festival to a spectacular close on Saturday 20 June, delivering the ultimate feel-good celebration, bursting with joy and nostalgia. The evening will feature some of the decade’s most iconic voices – including Kim Wilde, Go West, Nik Kershaw and Roland Gift – performing stunning orchestral versions of their smash hits, backed by the world-renowned Royal Philharmonic Concert Orchestra. 

Throughout the festival, the iconic Tudor Palace will open its gates ‘after-hours’, for audiences to enjoy the beautiful East Front Gardens before the nightly concerts begin in the atmospheric, intimate setting of the historic Base Court. To elevate the experience festival goers can pre-order a luxury picnic hamper to be shared ahead of the performance.

Now in its 31st year, Hampton Court Palace Festival is a highlight of the summer calendar, showcasing a series of phenomenal performances in a truly one-of-a-kind location. Produced in partnership with Historic Royal Palaces, the independent charity that cares for Hampton Court Palace, the concert series unfolds against the backdrop of Henry VIII’s grand palace within a vast Tudor Courtyard. With capacity capped at just 3,000, the festival offers an unmissable opportunity to see legendary artists in an intimate setting like no other. 
www.hamptoncourtpalacefestival.com

Chic & Nile Rodgers close out Bestival 2014

by
The final night of Bestival is drawing in, a glittery crowd is itching to get it's disco on at the main stage area, and a floor sparkling with strewn sequins‎ shimmers in the neon of the bars. The world record breaking giant disco-ball has been hoisted into the air via crane on the Magic Meadow and spotlights sent fragments of‎ light all over the site.
 
Chic and Nile Rogers ‎take to the stage in a dazzling array of white leather and gold, and Nile almost immediately breaks into tears and tells us "I just found out, we got a phonecall at the hotel room that my old guitar roadie Terry, died a few minutes ago". At this sad news, the Bestival crowd begins to chant Terry's name and cheer on Rogers.
 
Gaining composure, Nile and the band start strong with 'Everybody Dance' but a few more speakers would be useful behind the sound tent as it's quite quiet for those further back on the hill.‎ The little extras start early as loveheart graphics fill the giant screen and red streamers are shot from a stage cannon, and Nile laments, "I just want to let you guys know… a little bit about why we're here to play for you… a few years ago I was diagnosed with very very aggressive cancer and they thought I might not be here… thank you for giving me the energy", but moves on to lighter subjects with quip "So when you hear us play a song by Madonna, I don't want you to get weird, cause I played that shit in the first place… Mojo… I wrote all that shit"‎ and invites Bestival to sing along, "If you don't know the words, sing any old bullshit it sounds fine up here".
 
A huge medley of songs Rogers has written or had a hand in creating gets everyone up and dancing with proper disco moves, 'I'm Comin Out' and 'We Are Family' have the entire arena singing and going wild. Many are surprised at the sheer number of songs they know by Nile and the huge dance party is getting rowdier, despite the tired eyes and sore feet on day four of Bestival.
 
Madonna hit 'Like A Virgin' incites some very amusing camp dancing all over, and Duran Duran favourite (and namesake of the B.I.G.) 'Notorious' ‎go down a storm, but Nile breaks down in tears again for departed friend Terry, and the crowd hold phone screens and lighters aloft in support. Daft Punk summer hit 'Get Lucky' is the song of the night, moving into 'Let's Dance', the hits keep on coming, as giant multicoloured beach balls are released into the crowd.
 
'Freak Out' sees the first explosion of stage fireworks and 'Good Times' is a jam session in which fans are hauled up on stage to join the party as glitter rains from the rafters. With the incredible voices and solid musical ability of Chic, as well as Nile's creative talent across the years, this makes for an amazing and memorable show, a perfect close to Bestival's Desert Island Disco. As Chic and Nile exit the stage, all eyes turn to the hillside where the massive closing ceremony fireworks light up the night sky in a magical goodbye to yet another stellar year here at Robin Hill. Rob Da Bank and co. just seem to know the meaning of party and more importantly, pull it off bigger and better every single time. Waiting a whole year is going to be hard…