Get ready for an electrifying day of live music, as The Darlington Arena welcomes an incredible lineup for one unmissable summer festival! On Saturday 23rd August 2025, indie rock legends Razorlight will headline a stellar bill featuring special guests Ocean Colour Scene, Jake Bugg, and White Lies, alongside performances from rising stars Tom A. Smith, Cammy Barnes, Pastel, and Matt-Felix—all on one stage for an unforgettable all-day event!

Since forming in 2002, Razorlight have cemented their place as one of Britain’s Classic Indie-Rock bands. Their debut album ‘Up All Night ’ came out in 2004, capturing the
incendiary energy of early 2000s London and carrying the era defining hits ‘Golden Touch’ and ‘Somewhere Else’. Their self-titled, UK number one follow-up ‘Razorlight’ made the leap onto the international stage. Lead single, ‘In The Morning’, reached number three in the UK, and 'America’ went straight to number one.

After 4 million albums, headlining Reading Festival and the front cover of Vogue, the band went on hiatus, gradually reforming in 2021 with the legendary line up of Johnny Borrell, Andy Burrows, Bjorn Agren and Carl Dalemo. New songs ‘You Are Entering The Human Heart’ and ‘Violence Forever?’ from their 2022 Best Of album ‘Razorwhat?’ proved that the creative spark has been relit and a sold out 2024 UK tour reminded of their ability to deliver a masterclass in genuinely live, no-backing-track rock’n’roll.

Ocean Colour Scene’s rip-roaring live shows have long been one of the most extraordinary sights in modern rock - communal outpourings of hope and joy which boast the most life affirming sing-a-longs you’ll ever hear.

OCS remain one of the most successful and most loved bands of the modern era. Having spent six years fine-tuning their sound, they lit up the Britpop party, chalking up three Top 5 albums-1996’s Moseley Shoals, 1997’s Marchin’ Already and 1999’s One From The Modern and a run of nine successive Top 20 single’s including the immortal ‘The Riverboat Song’ (in total they have seventeen Top 40 singles and six Top Ten singles)

Joining the incredible line-up is Jake Bugg who has returned with his fiery sixth album, A Modern Day Distraction, a rock-driven record that confronts social inequality and everyday struggles. Marking a return to his roots after the pop-leaning Saturday Night, Sunday Morning, Bugg delivers raw, politically charged tracks like Zombieland and Instant Satisfaction, channelling frustration into anthems for the working class. Inspired by the likes of American Idiot, the album tells intertwined stories of hardship, resilience, and hope, drawing from personal experiences and those around him. Fresh off a successful tour with Liam Gallagher & John Squire, Bugg remains as passionate as ever, proving his best work is still ahead.

White Lies emerged as one of Britain’s most important guitar bands with their debut album ‘To Lose My Life’ in 2009. The record garnered the band a UK Number One, a Brit Award Nomination, and performances on David Letterman, Jools Holland and a stadium tour with Coldplay.

The band have moved from strength to strength with follow up albums ‘Ritual’, ‘Big TV’, ‘Friends’, ‘Five’, and ‘As I Try Not To Fall Apart’ taking White Lies from their hometown of London to playing some of the world’s most prestigious venues and festivals.”

Sunderland’s Tom A. Smith has already made waves in the music industry, earning praise from legends like Elton John and Morrissey. His electrifying indie-rock sound, showcased in tracks like Little Bits and Dragonfly, has gained support from BBC Radio 1, Apple Music, and NME. Having played Glastonbury before secondary school and shared stages with the likes of Sam Fender and Courteeners, Smith continues to rise, blending raw talent with relentless ambition. With a growing list of accolades and a busy live schedule, he’s proving to be one of the UK’s most exciting emerging artists.

Cammy Barnes is a Scottish singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist from the Kingdom of Fife. He has achieved success with multiple singles charting in the UK Top 20 and #1 entries on the Singer/Songwriter and Country/Alt iTunes Charts. In 2023, Cammy reached the semi-finals of Britain's Got Talent, where he performed a rendition of Olivia Rodrigo's "Driver's License" during his audition.

Pastel are a five-piece shoegaze-inspired guitar band signed to Manchester’s independent label, Spirit of Spike Island. Fronted by Droylsden cousins Jack and James Yates, alongside Liam O'Shea, Joe Anderson, and Rhys Wheeler, their sound blends the atmospheric textures of Ride and The Verve with a modern swagger. Their breakthrough single Deeper Than Holy premiered on BBC 6 Music, earning praise from Steve Lamacq, and their debut EP followed in 2021. With a growing reputation for their dynamic live shows, Pastel continue to carve out their place in the UK’s indie scene.

Finally, opening the day will be Matt-Felix. With a romantic vision and a flair for theatrics and soundscapes, the sweeping music of London's Matt-Felix is a cinematic spectacle come to life. Blending influences from artists like Nick Cave, David Bowie, and Bob Dylan. His debut EP, Kingdom of You & Me, released in November 2024, showcases his flair for storytelling and visual artistry. His distinctive aesthetic and compelling narratives have positioned him as a rising star in the indie music scene.

Liz Doogan-Hobbs, CEO Of LHG Events said “We're thrilled to announce an unforgettable all-day festival at Darlington Arena, bringing fans together for a full day of incredible live music. With a lineup that will excite both longtime supporters and a new generation of indie fans, this event promises to be a celebration of timeless classics and fresh anthems. We can't wait for Darlington to experience an amazing day of music!

Tickets for Saturday 23rd August 2025, featuring Razoright, Ocean Colour Scene, Jake Bugg, White Lies, Tom A. Smith, Cammy Barnes, Pastel and Matt-Felix go on general sale at 10am on Friday 28th February with tickets priced from £49.50 + booking fee.

Ticket Info 

• Tickets are on general sale at 10am on Friday 28th February with tickets priced from £49.50 + booking fee
• Hospitality packages and VIP upgrades are also available
• Accessible tickets are available directly from Ticketmaster

Tickets are available from:

www.ticketmaster.co.uk   
www.eventim.co.uk
www.lhgtickets.com