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Campo Sancho 2025: Hertfordshire’s Best-Kept Festival Returns

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Festivalgoers dancing at Campo Sancho with colourful lights and countryside backdrop at Walkern Hall

Summer’s best-kept secret is out. Returning to the rolling fields of Walkern Hall this July, Campo Sancho Festival 2025promises another unforgettable weekend of world-class music, family-friendly adventures, and warm community vibes. From July 25th to 27th, the Hertfordshire countryside becomes home to one of the UK’s most cherished boutique festivals—a dance music haven lovingly curated by the iconic Sancho Panza crew.

Here’s why Campo Sancho should be your go-to summer escape this year.

1. A Legendary Line-up, Delivered with Heart

This year’s line-up reads like a love letter to dance music lovers. Expect electronic pioneers, underground legends, and genre-blending artists, all performing under open skies and among friendly faces. Headliners include Optimo, Luke Una, Grace Sands, Aroop Roy, and rising star Tia Cousins. Festival favourites like Crazy P, Tigerbalm, and Stuart Patterson also return, keeping the groove alive throughout the weekend.

Image of DJ line-up at Campo Sancho 2025

From soulful disco to funk-fuelled house, reggae rhythms to genre-defying electronica—Campo delivers a truly diverse audio experience across all its stages.

2. Introducing ‘Upwoods’ – Campo’s New Hidden Gem

New for 2025, Upwoods is a secluded woodland stage nestled within Walkern Hall’s grounds. Designed to offer a more immersive musical escape, this space blends laid-back beats with poetic performances, curated cocktails, and an undeniable dash of woodland magic.

  • Friday: Hosted by local collective Listen Here featuring Aidy West, Damian Gee, Harvey Skipper, and Ninjō.

  • Saturday: Curated by Brighton’s Camp Bliss, offering daytime chill and a block-party buzz by night, with Eames, BIG RED AL, Loft55’s Alistair and more.

  • Sunday: Sancho Panza takes the reins with a dreamy line-up including Emma Noble, Ronnie Turner, Dan The Drum, and Stuart Patterson.

‍‍‍ 3. Family-Friendly from Dawn ‘Til Disco

At Campo, kids are not an afterthought—they’re the VIPs. Whether you’re raving with toddlers or tweens, there’s something for everyone in the younger crowd.

Expect:

  • Panic Family Circus

  • Roaming entertainers

  • The Kids Factory: creative workshops and hands-on fun

  • Teen Spirit: games and chill zones for older kids

  • Kids Disco: with a special set from none other than Lisa Loud

You’ll also find delicious food stalls, soft play zones, and enough glitter to light up the entire field.

Festivalgoers dancing at Campo Sancho with colourful lights and countryside backdrop at Walkern Hall

4. A Festival Born from Dancefloor Royalty

Campo Sancho isn’t your average pop-up weekender. It’s the continuation of a dance music legacy that began in the 90s underground and ruled Notting Hill Carnival for two decades. Founded by Jimmy K-Tel and Matt Brown, Sancho Panza’s DIY ethos and uncompromising musical vision has attracted a loyal following of music heads, families, and festival lovers.

With Funktion One sound systems personally tuned by founder Tony Andrews, you’ll feel every beat the way it was meant to be heard.

5. A ‘Country Cuddle’ Like No Other

Forget overcrowded arenas and predictable playlists. Campo Sancho offers something richer: intimacy, soul, and sunshine. It’s where music-first programming, community spirit, and creative freedom come together in perfect harmony. From sunrise yoga to late-night bangers, immersive art to gospel choirs, this is the kind of festival you’ll return to year after year.

 

Festival Info & Tickets

Campo Sancho Festival 2025
Walkern Hall, Walkern, Hertfordshire
July 25–27, 2025
Tickets: Adults from £199 | Kids from £29
Book your tickets now

Never full or satisfied, I am always willing to try new things and visit new places. Lover of food and all things FAST - Not necessarily fast food. If I am not in the office, you can find me near a track or under a car. I also work with great people in TrendLife's Editorial team.

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Jonny Morgan: Indie-Folk Storyteller Bringing Soul to Henley

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Jonny Morgan: Indie-Folk Storyteller Bringing Americana Soul to Henley

With transatlantic roots and a sound that feels both nostalgic and new, Jonny Morgan is one of the most compelling singer-songwriters to emerge from the UK indie-folk scene. His heartfelt, cinematic style will take centre stage at Henley Festival 2025, as he joins a curated list of RISE musicians lighting up the Thames.

Bridging UK Folk with Americana Depth

Jonny’s story is written in movement. Raised in the UK but deeply inspired by American roots music, his artistry blends ambient textures with emotional storytelling—earning him the 2024 UK Americana Music Association’s ‘Emerging Artist of the Year’ award.

His debut album ‘Good Luck With the Music’ (2023) showcases his distinct ability to create spacious, soul-bearing songs with wide appeal—perfectly balancing the intimate with the epic.

Jonny Morgan: Indie-Folk Storyteller Bringing Americana Soul to Henley

Henley Festival: A New Chapter in a Growing Journey

As one of the standout performers on the RISE Stage this summer, Jonny Morgan will bring his warm stage presence and deeply resonant songs to Henley’s audiences. Expect lyrical honesty, acoustic richness, and moments of shared reflection.

Whether you’re a long-time indie-folk fan or new to the genre, Jonny’s set is sure to connect.

This is music for anyone who’s ever felt caught between worlds—and found beauty in that space.


See Jonny Morgan live at Henley Festival’s RISE Stage, 9–13 July 2025.
Learn more about the full programme at henley-festival.co.uk

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Darcy Winter: Jazz-Pop’s Rising Star Blending Soul with Substance

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Darcy Winter: Jazz-Pop’s Rising Star Blending Soul with Substance

Darcy Winter is quietly shaking up the UK’s alternative scene—and this summer, she’ll bring her genre-defying blend of jazz-pop to the RISE Stage at Henley Festival 2025.

Hailed as a “rising star” by Wonderland Magazine, Darcy has spent the past year creating a real community on the London circuit. Her sound is equal parts sultry and bold—lush jazz chords meet heavy basslines and raw, soulful lyrics, giving listeners something both familiar and fresh.

From Bristol Roots to Festival Spotlight

Darcy’s music carries the DNA of her upbringing. With formative years spent in Bristol and a love of jazz passed down from her dad, she’s shaped her own unique blend of sonic influences. Her debut album, released earlier this year, delivers that signature warmth and depth: smoky vocals, intimate lyrics, and a live energy that translates straight into her recordings.

Darcy Winter: Jazz-Pop’s Rising Star Blending Soul with Substance

The Henley RISE Stage: A Natural Home

Appearing on Henley Festival’s RISE Stage is a fitting step for Darcy. The platform champions emerging artists with vision, originality, and real talent—something Darcy has in abundance. Her performance promises to be immersive, emotional and unforgettable.

“Classic with an edge” isn’t just a tagline—it’s the backbone of everything she creates.

Expect mood-driven melodies, captivating vocal runs, and a fiercely personal set.

Catch Darcy Winter at Henley Festival’s RISE Stage, 9–13 July 2025.
Find out more about the RISE programme and full line-up at henley-festival.co.uk

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Leila McKenzie: R&B Visionary Lighting up Henley’s RISE Stage

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Discover Welsh‑Jamaican singer-songwriter Leila McKenzie at Henley Festival’s RISE Stage—fusing UK garage, R&B and pop in a potent riverside debut.

From Swansea to the Thames, Leila McKenzie brings bold vocal finesse and cross-genre vibrancy to the Henley Festival’s RISE Stage on Wednesday 9 July. Tipped as the UK’s next breakthrough R&B/pop voice, she’ll blend bold lyrics with fierce energy under the open skies of one of Britain’s most elegant summer festivals.

 

A Sonic Fusion Rooted in UK Garage, R&B & Pop

McKenzie’s craft defies simple categorization. Born in Wales to Jamaican heritage, her sound marries the tight grooves of UK garage and 2-step with smooth R&B melodies and pop-savvy structure. Henley’s description highlights her “striking vocal energy” and genre-bending style — a sound that has already resonated with listeners across the UK.

Breaking Through: Festival Booking & Social Buzz

Her performance on the RISE Stage isn’t the only sign of her rising star. Announced through her own channels, Leila excitedly shared booking news:

“Only went and booked my first festival slot of the year—catch me on the RISE stage this July at @henleyfestival”

Discover Welsh‑Jamaican singer-songwriter Leila McKenzie at Henley Festival’s RISE Stage—fusing UK garage, R&B and pop in a potent riverside debut.

What to Expect at Henley Festival

Attending Henley Festival? Here’s why McKenzie’s set is one to catch:

  • Vocal power meets poetic flair: Soulful delivery layered over rhythms steeped in British club culture

  • Festival-ready energy: Her announcement reflects a fierce, stage-ready persona

  • A start of something special: As one of RISE’s highlighted acts, her presence signals real momentum

Listening In: Where to Discover Leila

Though her debut festival slot is her most public performance yet, McKenzie’s online presence is an inviting entry point: https://linktr.ee/leilamckenzie

Why Her Performance Matters

Henley Festival’s RISE initiative spotlights artists on the verge of wider acclaim, and McKenzie’s inclusion confirms her promise. Her blend of UK sounds with heartfelt expression fits the festival’s elegant yet adventurous ethos — especially in a black-tie, riverside setting.

Expect something warm, personal and musically adventurous: a set that bridges acoustic warmth and club-ready rhythms, ideal for Henley’s eclectic audience.

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