The Wake

The Wake 2025: A One-Day festival in the idyllic woodlands of West Sussex

The second edition of The Wake takes place on Saturday 23 August 2025.

The addition of electronic pioneer and author Justin Robertson, the Mofcaf modular synth take-over and poet Ella Frears, completes the 2025 line up, with King Creosote headlining on the Woodland Stage.

Jo Bartlett and Danny Hagan, the festival's organisers and founders of the Green Man Festival in Wales, are thrilled announce that King Creosote will headline the festival in 2025.  

Since the mid-late 1990s, Kenny Anderson’s DIY pop alter-ego King Creosote has released over 100 records (at a relatively conservative guess), and his songs have been covered and performed by artists including Simple Minds and Patti Smith.

Justin Robertson will be appearing on the Talks Stage, discussing his new book ‘The Trial Of Jona’ with John Andrews, and then playing a set on the dj stage.

The Crooked Hut Stage will host a three hour take over from the electronic modular synth community Modcaf.

The Talks stage is hosted by John Andrews. John will be in conversation with Simon Raymonde, (Cocteau Twins) discussing his memoir In One Ear and Justin Robertson discussing ‘The Trial of Jonah’. Poet Will Burns will be in discussion with fellow writer Ella Frears ‘Fizzing with insistent energy… full of crystalline images and metaphors…. Frears is excellent on sexual politics, the end of girlhood.’ ––– The Guardian. 

The Wake is set in the beautiful woodland and meadows near Billingshurst, West Sussex.

Also performing on The Woodland Stage:

Yorkshire’s Chris Brain, a rising star in contemporary folk, whose latest album, ‘New Light’, has earned glowing reviews and airtime on BBC6 and Radio 2. His song, ‘Golden Days’, is prominently featured in the film ‘We Live in Time’, starring Oscar-nominated actors Florence Pugh and Andrew Garfield.

Other artists include:

Nottingham’s genre-bending act, Rainingblue and Brighton-based Bella Union artist, Helen Ganya.

Plus The Memory Band, Bryony Dunn & The Forest and The Equatorial Group.

Jo and Danny will also take the stage with their band, Bluetrain.

Bluetrain originally released records on Dan Treacy (of The Television Personalities) Dreamworld Records in the 1980s and have recently reformed to play The Wake.

There will also be DJ sets from Richard Norris (The Grid), Justin Robertson and Billy Campbell (Names Records).

Jo says: “Danny and I are very excited about The Wake 2025! What a delight to have our old friend Kenny AKA King Creosote headlining. With all that’s going on, it is going to be a heck of a day out!”

The festival offers plenty for families, with a dedicated Children’s Area featuring storytelling inspired by Sussex’s wild landscapes and music classes for pre-schoolers. There will also be a chance for the older children to join in modular synth workshops.

Wonderful food, drink and free parking plus on-site camping for those who want to stay the night!

Tickets:

• Adults: £37.50
• Children (7–13 years): £10
• Under 7s: Free
• Camping pitches: £20 (up to 4 people, purchased alongside festival ticket).

Social Media Comments from 2024

‘What a fabulous, friendly, chilled, well-booked little festival: talk about value for money!’ Dave

‘We had an amazing time! Great music, speakers, food and good people!!’ Lala

‘It was such a great day. Amazing setting, fab music and speakers. Well done to you all. Can't wait for next year.’ Sue

‘Brilliant day. The sun shone and the music and atmosphere were great!’ Cat

‘What a great day! Loved it! Thank you to you and everyone involved in putting this event on!’ Steve

‘It was an amazing day! Loved every minute of it.’ Loretta

‘Thank you for this brilliantly put together event’ Anna

‘Loved it, thanks. More next year?’ Matt

‘Thank you so much for a top day. You guys made our summer.’ Trish