Forest Live, Forestry England’s summer concert series presented with Cuffe & Taylor, has announced a phenomenal joint-headline show at Forestry England Delamere for 2026. Garbage and Skunk Anansie will co-headline on Thursday 18 June.
Formed in London in 1994, Skunk Anansie are known for their powerful fusion of hard rock, punk, and funk influences. Fronted by the charismatic and dynamic Skin, whose distinctive voice and commanding stage presence have become the band’s signature, Skunk Anansie broke through with explosive hits like “Weak,” “Hedonism (Just Because You Feel Good)”, and “Charity.” Their music often tackles political and social issues, addressing themes of race, gender, and power with raw emotion and unapologetic energy. The band’s diverse sound—ranging from aggressive riffs to soulful ballads—helped define the alternative rock landscape of the 1990s. After a hiatus in the early 2000s, Skunk Anansie reunited in 2009, continuing to tour and release new material that reaffirms their reputation as one of the most electrifying and thought-provoking bands in British rock, highlighted by the release of their recent top 10 album, the critically and commercially acclaimed “The Painful Truth”.
Garbage are an American alternative rock band formed in Madison, Wisconsin, in 1993 consisting of Scottish lead vocalist Shirley Manson and American musicians Duke Erikson, Steve Marker, and Butch Vig. Garbage became known for their innovative fusion of rock, electronica, grunge, and pop, creating a dark yet polished sound that stood out in the 1990s music scene. Their self-titled debut album, Garbage (1995), produced hits like “Stupid Girl” and “Only Happy When It Rains”, earning them critical acclaim and international success. The band continued to evolve with albums such as Version 2.0 and Beautiful Garbage, exploring themes of identity, technology, and emotional complexity. With Manson’s commanding presence and the band’s layered production, Garbage remain a pioneering force in modern alternative music.
Garbage and Skunk Anansie join confirmed headliners for the event’s 2026 Forest Live shows, Deacon Blue & Lightning Seeds (Westonbirt Arboretum), Becky Hill (Cannock Chase), Snow Patrol (Thetford Forest), The Kooks (Delamere Forest) and UB40 ft Ali Campbell (playing all venues) with many more phenomenal names still to be added.
Merging stellar performances from world-class acts with beautiful outdoor locations to create an atmosphere like no other, Forest Live will celebrate its 25th Anniversary in 2026 with stunning shows in four forest venues: Forestry England Cannock Chase, Delamere Forest, High Lodge Thetford Forest and Westonbirt Arboretum.
Forestry England manage and care for the nation’s 1,500 woods and forests. They use the money Forest Live raises to maintain these beautiful natural areas for everyone to enjoy, run important conservation projects and keep growing trees.
Last year they planted some 7.4 million trees and welcomed 313 million visits in 2024/25. Everyone in England lives within a one-hour drive of one of the nation’s forests. Over two million people have enjoyed the Forest Live gigs over the last 25 years.
Following a hugely successful run of shows over the past 25 years, this year sees Forestry England present the concert series in partnership with Live Nation’s Cuffe & Taylor for the third year running.
Skunk Anansie and Garbage
Forestry England Delamere – Thursday 18 June
General tickets will go on sale on Friday 14 November at 10am.