Preview: Wake up to The Wake

What could be better than listening to music, dancing with friends, telling stories and sipping on some delicious mead? Not much, probably. Set in the rolling hills of West Sussex, The Wake Festival returns for its third year, a stone’s throw from Brighton.

The festival, which was set up by Green Man founders Jo Bartlett and Danny Hagan, will take place on Saturday 29 August 2026.

“The Wake is a completely independent festival, run by ourselves, family and friends. We have always loved sharing awesome music and wonderful vibes, and have set the tickets at a lovely, affordable price so The Wake is accessible to all,” Jo and Danny said in a release.

The full line-up promises something for everyone, with 17 acts taking to one of three stages over the course of the day in the gorgeous woodlands and fields surrounding Loxwood meadow.

Joining the headline act, Badly Drawn Boy, is The Tubs, Radhika, Hero Fisher, Elizabeth Alker, Studio Electrophonique, Joe Wilkes, Justin Robertson, Stuart Bailie and more over three stages.

Badly Drawn Boy, real name Damon Gough is perhaps best known for the Mercury Award-winning album ‘The Hour of Bewilderbeast’ and the soundtrack to Nick Hornby’s film ‘About A Boy’. But he continues to write and produce new music and perform live to sell-out audiences.

What is particularly inviting is that this is definitely a family-friendly event. There is a Children’s Area, which I’ve been told will be by the magical wishing tree in the woods. Now, I’m not suggesting we train our kids up to become our own mobile DJs, but….  children can partake in a Modcaf synth workshop, run by the Modular Cafe Aldershot, a three hour drop-in session on electronic music.  Children can learn about synthesis, bleeps and bloops and get hands on with synths and drum machines. So dig out your disco balls and be ready to bring some of the magic home.

There is also Story Telling, by Heidi McNie and Joanna Gilar. Joanna, who runs StoryCommons, will spin some wild tales of Sussex mystery, adventure and magic. Heidi meanwhile is a story teller and forest school facilitator who enhances her forest school sessions with stories that she links in to woodland activities.