Concerts in England’s Protected Forests Featuring Top Artists

Summer in England is a short yet cherished season, lasting only a few weeks at its peak. Many people look forward to this time to escape the urban hustle and venture into serene, rural locations. They seek a sanctuary away from the city’s sweat, noise, and congestion. One popular retreat involves six unique rural locations where visitors can immerse themselves in nature and also enjoy intimate live music performances.

This retreat is known as “Forest Live,” a major live music series hosted annually for a few weeks. It features renowned artists such as Sting, Nile Rogers, Bryan Adams, Gregory Porter, and Van Morrison. These performances take place in off-grid venues, which combine high-end technical setups with stunning natural backdrops.

Rhodri Jones from Forestry England, the organization behind these events, is responsible for organizing the shows. “It feels like you’re on another planet,” Jones told ABC News. “You feel so immersed in nature.”

Jones also mentioned that the remote locations allow visitors to disconnect from modern technology. “WiFi and phone signal is not a strong point at many of these sites,” he noted. “It’s absolutely somewhere you can come and get off the road and park your car and then suddenly you are absolutely immersed in the smell, sights, and sounds of nature.”

Forestry England focuses on year-round conservation efforts, including planting around 7 million trees annually across the country. “We are the custodians of 1,500 protected forests in the U.K.,” said Jones. Sustainability is central to their mission, encouraging the public to enjoy these forests in a way that is sensitive to the environment.

Regarding the music venues, Jones emphasized that planning and refining the logistics is a continuous effort. “It’s a year-round effort for us to refine and look at the best way to be doing things,” he said. Although the events currently rely on generators, they aim to use the most sustainable fuel types to minimize their impact.

Staging concerts for over 20 years has allowed Forestry England to perfect their approach, requiring a collective effort. “The efforts of many,” Jones said, “is greater than the sum of its parts.”

Vicki Tofte, the Forestry England Volunteer Coordinator, described the atmosphere as absolutely wonderful. “So, we have this huge stage that magically appears in the forest. Although our volunteers don’t get involved in that bit, they definitely help with the site, making it tidy, making sure that people know what’s going on,” Tofte told ABC News. Curious visitors get involved right from the start, adding to the unique experience.

Artists are also in tune with the mission of Forestry England. “The feedback we get from artists is very much like, the reason they took on this show is because they align so well with our values,” Jones explained. He mentioned Sting as an example, noting how the artist was one of the first in the industry to raise awareness about environmental issues like the Amazon Rainforest.

Preserving the integrity of the concert locations and restoring them afterward is crucial. “It’s a great exercise in making sure that we’re really specific about areas that are ‘no-go’ areas in terms of whether it’s a protective species of wildlife, a protected ancient woodland, whatever it is,” said Jones. “It’s really making sure there’s no room for error and making sure that when the circus comes to town and then leaves, it leaves no trace.”

Proceeds from the “Forest Live” concerts are reinvested into Forestry England’s year-round conservation efforts. The ultimate aim, according to Jones, is “to preserve and enjoy these living sites for generations to come” and protect the forests he describes as “the lungs of the country.”

Source: ABC News