Legendary Nile Rodgers & CHIC to BringThe Ultimate Dance PartyTo Forestry England Thetford Forest in June 2026

Following many triumphant headline shows at the concert series in 2024 and this past summer, Forest Live has announced that musical icon and legendary hitmaker Nile Rodgers and his band CHIC will bring their ultimate summer party to Forestry England High Lodge, Thetford Forest on Thursday 18 June. Support for the show comes from incredibly funky Special Guests The Brand New Heavies. 

Nile Rodgers is a Rock’n’Roll Hall of Fame inductee, a Songwriters Hall of Fame inductee  and multiple GRAMMY Award-winning songwriter, composer, producer, arranger and guitarist, and along with his band CHIC, they will take to the stunning woodland stage on Wednesday 25 June 2025 as part of the summer concert series presented by Forestry England and Cuffe & Taylor.

It’s no secret that icon Nile Rodgers is one of the most influential figures in pop history — a multiple award-winning composer, producer, arranger, and guitarist whose unmistakable groove has shaped generations. As the co-founder of CHIC, Nile changed the sound of music forever. From the unstoppable groove of ‘Le Freak’ to the seismic impact of ‘Good Times’ — the track that helped launch the hip-hop revolution; Nile and CHIC’s influence continue to ripple through generations of chart-toppers. Add in The CHIC Organisation’s classics for Sister Sledge (We Are Family) and Diana Ross (I’m Coming Out), alongside Nile’s iconic work with David Bowie and Madonna, and you have a catalogue that contains more hits than anyone could ever count.

Collectively, his music has sold more than 750 million albums worldwide — and Nile still remains at the forefront of pop culture, thanks to GRAMMY-winning collaborations with Daft Punk and Beyoncé, and more recently working with K-pop phenomenon LE SSERAFIM, Sophie Ellis Bextor, Alfie Templeman and Purple Disco Machine to name a few – proving his groove is as fresh and vital as ever.

Nile Rodgers & CHIC wowed fans at four Forest Live locations across the country in 2024, and 2025 and next year promises to be just as thrilling. They are set to deliver a show filled with fan-favourites and massive hit songs to get the fans up on their feet and dancing.

Recently celebrating the 30^th anniversary of their hit album Brother Sister, The Brand New Heavies were underground acid jazz favourites who shot to mainstream success with hits including Dream On Dreamer, Midnight At The Oasis, Back to Love and Spend Some Time. They started out as bedroom jamming sessions between school friends Andrew Levy, Jan Kincaid and Simon Bartholomew, but the breakthrough album balanced sophisticated musicianship with insistent soul grooves, heightened by the gorgeous soul tones of vocalist N’Dea Davenport and the band’s shimmering live feel.

Nile Rodgers & Chic join confirmed headliners for Forest Live’s 25^th Anniversary shows in 2026 – Fatboy Slim (playing all venues), Richard Ashcroft (Westonbirt Arboretum), Rick Astley (Westonbirt Arboretum) McFLY (Cannock Chase Forest, Delamere Forest and Thetford Forest), Billy Ocean & Marti Pellow (Cannock Chase Forest), Garbage & Skunk Anansie (Delamere Forest) Deacon Blue & Lightning Seeds (Westonbirt Arboretum), Becky Hill (Cannock Chase Forest), 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 25^th 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.

Nile Rodgers & Chic + Special Guests The Brand New Heavies

Forestry England High Lodge, Thetford Forest 18 June

General tickets will go on sale on Friday 5 December at 10am.

PayPal is making it easier for music lovers to secure their spot at Forest Live with exclusive presale access. Starting on Wednesday 3 December at 10am, a limited number of tickets will be available exclusively to PayPal customers for up to 48 hours.

Fans can sign up for information, announcements, and Forestry England pre-sale access at forestlive.com.