Rock legends confirmed as the first headliners for fan favourite county festival

Lakefest has revealed its first headliner for 2027 earlier than ever before, with British indie favourites The Kooks set to top the bill at the Eastnor Castle festival next summer. Festival organisers announced that The Kooks will headline the Saturday night of Lakefest 2027, taking to the stage in Eastnor Deer Park on Saturday, August 14. The Brighton-formed indie rock band, known for a string of chart-topping hits including Naive , She Moves in Her Own Way and Bad Habit , will be the first major act confirmed for next year's event. In a social media announcement, organisers said: "We said we were doing things a little differently this year... so why wait? Our first Lakefest headliner is here, and earlier than ever." They described The Kooks as "one of the defining bands of British indie" with a catalogue "packed with massive singalong moments" and promised a Saturday night set that would feel "very, very special" in the Deer Park. The announcement comes just weeks after another successful edition of the popular Herefordshire festival, which welcomed headline performances from Madness, Example, The Charlatans and Bananarama. Other crowd favourites across the weekend included Scouting for Girls, The Undertones, EMF, Reef, Chesney Hawkes and The Lightning Seeds, helping attract thousands of music fans to the Eastnor Castle estate. Formed in Brighton in 2004, The Kooks have become one of the UK's most recognisable indie bands. Fronted by singer and guitarist Luke Pritchard, the group have built a loyal fanbase over two decades and have performed alongside some of the biggest names in music, including The Rolling Stones. Organisers are promising more announcements soon and have warned fans that "Lakefest is coming in hot this year." The festival will return to Eastnor Castle Deer Park from August 11 to August 15, 2027, bringing together live music, family entertainment, food and drink, and a packed programme of activities. A major change for next year's event will see children aged 12 and under admitted free of charge, reinforcing Lakefest's reputation as one of the country's fastest-growing family festivals. Alongside its music line-up, Lakefest is known for offering a wide range of attractions including children's entertainment, circus acts, BMX stunt displays, wrestling shows and fairground rides. Festival upgrades and autumn tickets are due to go on sale within 24 hours of the headliner announcement, with organisers urging fans to set reminders ahead of the launch.