What’s On in the South East of England 2026: Live Music, Concerts & Events
Posted on Tuesday 17th March 2026 at 13:12
Written by
Bethan Boast
What’s On in the South East of England 2026: Live Music, Concerts & Events
Looking for live music, concerts and events happening across the South East of England in 2026? Browse upcoming live music tickets and discover some of the standout shows coming to venues across the region.
From Brighton and Southampton to Oxford, Reading and the Isle of Wight, this guide highlights some of the standout live shows and tours coming to venues across the South East.
In this guide, you’ll find:
- Major concerts and tours coming to the South East of England
- Standout shows and limited-date runs to book early
- Regional highlights from Brighton, Oxford, Reading and the Isle of Wight
- A practical FAQ to help plan your live events calendar
Major concerts & live music events in the South East of England
UB40 FEAT. ALI CAMPBELL
THE BIG LOVE TOUR
When: Friday 11th December 2026 (Brighton Centre)
UB40 feat. Ali Campbell return with The Big Love Tour, bringing timeless classics to the South East this winter.
The band also play the Heritage Live Festival this July in Berkshire.
TK MAXX PRESENTS SOUTHAMPTON SUMMER SESSIONS
When: Friday 12th - Saturday 27th June 2026 (Guildhall Square, Southampton)
Southampton’s summer music series returns, with headline sets from Amy Macdonald, Pete Tong Ibiza Classics, Garbage & Skunk Anansie, Billy Ocean and more.
BLUE
25th Anniversary Tour 2026 with special guest 911
When: Tuesday 7th April & Saturday 23rd May 2026 (New Theatre, Oxford & Portsmouth Guildhall)
With smooth harmonies and timeless hits, Blue head out on a monumental 25th anniversary tour this year.
TONY HADLEY
THE BIG CHRISTMAS BAND TOUR
When: Sunday 8th & Thursday 12th November 2026 (White Rock Theatre, Hastings & New Theatre, Oxford)
Following the huge success of last year’s sold-out tour, the iconic voice of Spandau Ballet, Tony Hadley, returns in winter 2026
JESSIE WARE
When: Tuesday 7th April 2026 (O2 Academy Oxford)
Jessie Ware heads to Oxford this spring to celebrate her new album Superbloom with an intimate acoustic set and in-conversation moments.
LET'S ROCK SOUTHAMPTON
When: Saturday 6th June 2026 (St. Mary's Stadium, Southampton)
Let's Rock is back in Southampton for 2026! Levelling up the location to the incredible St Mary's Stadium. The stellar line-up taking the stage is Matt Goss, ABC, Kim Wilde and more!
MCFLY
When: Sunday 7th June 2026 (St. Mary's Stadium, Southampton)
Pop-punk royalty McFly will put on an amazing show this June, joined by Sophie Ellis-Bextor and Scouting For Girls.
More events & musical moments across the South East
Beyond the headline shows, the South East’s live events calendar is packed with festivals, comedy, touring theatre and grassroots gigs across towns and cities throughout the region.
PARTY AT THE PADDOCK
GIPSY KINGS FEAT. NICOLAS REYES, RONAN KEATING, TINIE TEMPAH & JESSIE J
When: Friday 17th July - Saturday 15th August 2026 (Newbury Racecourse)
LOVE SUPREME JAZZ FESTIVAL
LOYLE CARNER, EZRA COLLECTIVE, DE LA SOUL, JALEN NGONDA & MORE
When: Friday 3rd - Sunday 5th July 2026 (Glynde Place, East Sussex)
HERITAGE LIVE FESTIVALS 2026
FAITHLESS, RICHARD ASHCROFT, MINISTRY OF SOUND CLASSICAL & UB40 FEAT. ALI CAMPBELL
When: Thursday 23rd - Sunday 26th July 2026 (Englefield House, Berkshire)
Looking for even more events in the South East?
Looking for even more concerts and live music across the South East of England? Explore upcoming events, tours and festivals happening throughout the region.
See more events in the South East of England
Festivals
- Are You Listening? Festival 2026 — Friday 8th – Saturday 9th May 2026 (various Reading venues)
- Soultasia — Saturday 6th June & Friday 14th August 2026 (Promenade Park, Maldon & Prospect Park, Reading)
- Could Be Real Tribute Festival 2026 — Friday 12th June 2026 (Hove Lawns, Brighton)
- These Hills 2026 — Saturday 8th – Sunday 9th August 2026 (Glynde Place, East Sussex)
- Found Festival 2026 — Friday 28th – Monday 31st August 2026 (Claydon Estate, Buckingham)
- Wight Buggin' — Friday 11th – Monday 14th September 2026 (Retro Staycations, Ryde, Isle of Wight)
Live shows, tours & events
- Tyber & Pete from The Dualers — Saturday 21st March – Friday 31st December 2026 (multiple South East dates)
- Hugo Chegwin (DJ Beats from Kurupt FM) — Friday 27th March 2026 (Strings Bar & Venue, Isle of Wight)
- London Symphonic Rock Orchestra — Friday 27th March – Saturday 14th November 2026 (multiple South East dates)
- Don Broco — Tuesday 31st March 2026 (O2 Academy Oxford)
- Suede: Deep Dive Live — Thursday 2nd April 2026 (The Old Market, Hove, Brighton)
- Big Narstie — Friday 3rd April 2026 (The Factory, Worthing)
- Brown Horse — Sunday 12th & Friday 17th April 2026 (Jericho Tavern, Oxford & The Hope and Ruin, Brighton)
- Skindred — Friday 17th April 2026 (O2 Academy Oxford)
- Jalen Ngonda — Saturday 25th April 2026 (O2 Academy Oxford)
- Lloyd Banks — Thursday 30th April 2026 (The Factory, Worthing)
- Fabio & Grooverider — Friday 8th May 2026 (Strings Bar & Venue, Isle of Wight)
- Maisie Peters — Tuesday 12th May 2026 (O2 Academy Oxford)
- GANS — Wednesday 13th May 2026 (The Bullingdon, Oxford)
- Taj Farrant — Saturday 9th & Thursday 14th May 2026 (The Oast Rainham, Kent & The 1865, Southampton)
- Jethro Tull — Friday 15th May 2026 (O2 Guildhall Southampton)
- John 5 — Tuesday 5th & Sunday 17th May 2026 (The 1865, Southampton & Concorde 2, Brighton)
- The Longest Johns — Tuesday 19th May 2026 (O2 Academy2 Oxford)
- Humour — Wednesday 20th & Friday 22nd May 2026 (Jericho Tavern, Oxford & Dust, Brighton)
- Night Swimming — Monday 25th May 2026 (Truck Store, Oxford)
- K Pop Superstars — Sunday 14th & Sunday 21st June 2026 (Casino Rooms, Rochester & The Bullingdon, Oxford)
- Starbenders — Thursday 11th & Saturday 13th June 2026 (The 1865, Southampton & Patterns, Brighton)
- Hue & Cry — Thursday 2nd July 2026 (The Factory, Worthing)
- Kevin Morby — Friday 10th July 2026 (Chalk, Brighton)
- Pendulum DJ Set — Friday 14th August 2026 (Robin Hill Country Park, Isle of Wight)
- Scouting For Girls — Sunday 16th August 2026 (Robin Hill Country Park, Isle of Wight)
- Jon Anderson & The Band Geeks — Sunday 6th & Thursday 10th September 2026 (multiple South East dates)
- The Blockheads — Friday 11th September 2026 (The Factory, Worthing)
- Lime Garden — Monday 5th October 2026 (The Bullingdon, Oxford)
- Chinese American Bear — Tuesday 19th - Wednesday 23rd September 2026 (multiple South East dates)
- Robert Jon & The Wreck — Thursday 8th October 2026 (O2 Academy Oxford)
- Devotchka — Saturday 10th October 2026 (Chalk, Brighton)
- Huey Morgan — Tuesday 20th & Friday 23rd October 2026 (Concorde 2, Brighton & The 1865, Southampton)
- Swervedriver — Thursday 29th October 2026 (O2 Academy2 Oxford)
- Joshua Idehen — Thursday 5th November 2026 (Brighton Dome - Corn Exchange)
- Young Knives — Saturday 14th November – Friday 11th December 2026 (multiple South East dates)
Regional highlights — Where to go in the South East of England
Brighton
One of the UK’s most vibrant music cities, Brighton is home to venues like Brighton Centre, Chalk and Concorde 2, alongside a thriving grassroots scene.
Oxford
With historic theatres and modern concert venues, Oxford regularly hosts major touring artists and special one-off performances.
Reading
A key stop for UK tours, Reading offers everything from large-scale arena shows to intimate gigs and festivals.
Isle of Wight
Famous for its festival heritage, the Isle of Wight also boasts year-round live music venues, such as Strings Bar & Venue, which bring touring artists and local performers to the Island.
Venue Guide: Strings Bar & Venue, Isle of Wight
The award-winning venue is a 300-capacity live music and performing arts venue located in Newport, at the heart of the Isle of Wight.
Our venue guide covers everything you need to plan your visit, from transport tips and FAQs to upcoming gigs.
Explore Strings Bar & Venue guideBrowse events by town or city:
BRIGHTON | OXFORD | PORTSMOUTH | SOUTHAMPTON | MARGATE | ISLE OF WIGHT | EASTBOURNE | HASTINGS | GUILDFORD | BEXHILL-ON-SEA | READING | WORTHING | NEWBURY
Need to know — South East events
When do tickets usually go on sale?
Most tickets go on sale shortly after an announcement, often on Friday mornings. Popular shows can sell out quickly, especially in smaller venues.
Which venues should I keep an eye on?
Major venues across the South East include Brighton Centre, Southampton Guildhall, Portsmouth Guildhall and a range of theatres, clubs and independent venues across the region.
Are there festivals in the South East this year?
Yes. The region hosts a wide range of festivals throughout the year, from large outdoor events to smaller boutique music gatherings.
Ready to explore more live events in the South East?
Discover upcoming gigs, tours and festivals happening across Brighton, Oxford, Southampton and beyond.