Musical Connections

Music in England is famous the world over. Maybe it’s the landscapes and seascapes in the South East that moves so many to song, because this area has inspired so much music in England.

And you’ll find the music in England is so varied. The South East can boast famous musicians such as Isaac Watts, Petula Clark, Radiohead, Craig David, Joss Stone, Peter Gabriel and Fatboy Slim aka Norman Cook.

Whatever your tastes, The South East plays host to some of the best live music in England.

Music Festivals

Some of the best music festivals in England are held in the South East and the choice is fantastic. It’s hard to beat the festival experience – great music, good atmosphere and the chance to see something out of the ordinary!

The Isle of Wight festival started in 1968 and is one of the most influential music festivals in England. Attracting the biggest names, the festival reached legendary status in 1970 with one of Jimi Hendrix’s last performances. There’s an exhibition about the festival at the Dimbola Lodge Museum in Freshwater, IOW. The festival started up again in 2002 and is one of the biggest music festivals in England, showcasing top UK and international music talent each year.

South East England is home to great rock music, and since 1961 has hosted the world famous Reading Festival. Over the years the festival has featured appearances by rock legends such as The Who, The Yardbirds, Eric Clapton, Small Faces, T Rex, Black Sabbath, Deep Purple and Metallica. Other memorable highlights include Nirvana and The Stone Roses playing their last UK performances at the festival.

One of the friendliest music festivals in England is Bestival, featuring an eclectic line up. Bestival is a 3-day boutique music festival set at Robin Hill, a beautiful leafy country park near Downend and Newport in the heart of the Isle of Wight.

Guilfest, held in Guildford, Surrey has a laid-back feel and a friendly atmosphere perfect for families. Guilfest attracts big names, and as well as music also features comedy, theatre, arts and crafts, plus a zone especially for children.

Folk fans can enjoy Wickham Festival, set in the outskirts of the historic Hampshire village in August. The Gosport and Fareham Easter Festival is also great for folk fans with live music, workshops and real ale. The Oxford Folk Festival is a bit special, the line-up is mostly local acts and it’s very genteel, just what you expect to find in the Oxford Folk Festival.

Cornbury Music Festival near Charlbury, Oxfordshire is a bit country fair, a touch carnival - and a lot of fun. It’s a family affair with children’s workshops, a fairground and drumming workshops.

Other festivals include Chichester RAJF (a real ale and jazz festival all in one), and the Newbury Spring festival in Berkshire.

Famous musicians

There must be something in the airwaves in the South East because it’s home ground to many fine English musicians.

Southampton, Hampshire is home to some very different - but all excellent - English musicians.

Visit the city and you will be reminded of composer Isaac Watts as his best known hymn, “Oh God our help in ages past” rings out from the Civic Centre Clock. Watts was born in Southampton in 1674, you can see a statue of him in Watts Park.

Born in 1981, R & B singer songwriter Craig David is also from Southampton, as is Will Champion, drummer from Coldplay, born in 1978.

More English musicians from Hampshire are Andy Burrows, drummer from Razorlight who was born in Winchester in 1979.

Portsmouth, Hants, is the home town of English musicians Roland Orzabal from Tears for Fears and Roger Hodgson from Supertramp.

Petula Clark, born in Epsom, Surrey in 1932 is known for hits Downtown and Don’t Sleep in the Subway. She is also popular in Europe as well as in the United States.

Another of our English musicians popular in the U.S. is R & B singer songwriter Joss Stone, born in Dover in 1978.

Peter Gabriel is one of best known English musicians. Born in Woking, Surrey in 1950, he was lead singer in Genesis before going solo. Singer-songwriter Paul Weller is also from Woking, and performed with The Jam before starting a successful solo career.

Norman Cook, aka Fatboy Slim, is another of the area’s famous English musicians. Born in Bromley, Kent in 1963 he went to college in Brighton, East Sussex where he sometimes puts on his Beach Party concerts.