Chaka Khan and Simple Minds to headline Radio 2 in the Park 2026

Radio 2 in the Park 2026 is heading to City Park in Stirling, Scotland from Friday 11 to Sunday 13 September and, as announced on the Radio 2 Breakfast Show, Chaka Khan will headline Saturday night and Simple Minds will headline Sunday night, which will be their only UK performance this year.

Plus, back by popular demand, there will be a Friday night DJ Pre-Party to kick off the live music - featuring sets from Radio 2 presenters Sara Cox, DJ Spoony, Gary Davies, Michelle Visage and Rylan - ahead of a weekend packed with stellar live performances.

Radio 2 in the Park, the station’s annual flagship live music festival, is a three-day music event featuring performances from some of the world’s biggest musicians alongside DJ sets on the Friday, Saturday and Sunday from the station’s much-loved presenters.

Listeners and viewers will be able to catch all the action live throughout the weekend on Radio 2, BBC Sounds and iPlayer.

• Watch Radio 2 in the Park on BBC iPlayer and add to your Watchlist

Chaka Khan said: “Stirling is such a magical place. I just love the charm and spirit of the ‘Gateway to the Highlands’. Can't wait to share the songs, the love, and make some beautiful memories together.”

Born Yvette Marie Stevens on the South Side of Chicago, she became Chaka Khan long before the world caught up with her. She came to prominence at 18 as the lead voice of Rufus, a multiracial band whose sound defied every category radio programmers tried to put them in. What followed was not a career so much as a force of nature: 23 studio albums, over 2,000 recorded songs, collaborations spanning six decades. In November 2023, Chaka was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame with the Musical Excellence Award. In 2026, she received the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award the highest honour the Recording Academy bestows.

Jim Kerr from Simple Minds said: “Well we are delighted, we're really delighted. The fact that it's gonna be in Stirling which is not so far from our neck of the woods, and the fact that you know, Simple Minds in Scotland inevitably is always a bit special, so all of that combined with the fact that it'll be Simple Minds' first and only gig in the UK this year and you know it's gonna kick off a whole loud momentum for us so we're already really looking forward to it. Our set will be very upbeat, we'll want to involve the crowd, and obviously, crowds in the UK, crowds in Scotland are never shy when you ask them and Simple Minds live, well I'm pretty confident in saying we'll have the place jumping up and down.”

Simple Minds are one of Scotland’s most influential rock bands, formed in 1977 and led by Jim Kerr and Charlie Burchill. Rising to global fame in the 1980s, they achieved major success with albums like New Gold Dream and hits including Don't You (Forget About Me), which has surpassed one billion streams worldwide. Their sound continues to captivate large audiences, reflected in the success of their 2024/25 global tour, which drew over 1.5 million people. Simple Minds remain an ever - evolving force in rock music, continuing to shape and perform with the same energy that have defined their career for nearly five decades.

The line-up is:

Saturday 12 September

• Chaka Khan
• The Script
• Emeli Sandé
• ABC
• Jack Savoretti
• Lulu
• Texas

Sunday 13 September

• Simple Minds
• Level 42
• James Blunt
• Blue
• Cast
• Appleton
• Deacon Blue

Jeff Smith, Head of Music for Radio 2, said: “It’s a real privilege to bring some of the world’s biggest artists, including many of Scotland’s greatest, to the historic city of Stirling for this year’s Radio 2 in the Park. You’ll hear many of these stars’ iconic songs performed live against the backdrop of this incredible setting. The range of musical genres represented is a testament to the breadth and diversity of music played on Radio 2 – there is truly something for everybody!”

Vernon Kay (weekday mornings, 9.30am – noon), who hosts the UK’s most listened to radio show with 6.6m listeners each week, says: “We are in for such a treat of live music - Simple Minds closing out the weekend is going to be unbelievable! Scotland always brings such an amazing energy and one of the best crowds anywhere, so I’ve no doubt this one’s going to be an absolute belter. I'm so excited to DJ on Saturday - you can expect all the dance bangers from the 90s! We’re in for a massive weekend of world-class artists and moments to remember. Can't wait to see you all in September!”

Tickets for Friday, Saturday and Sunday go on sale on Wednesday 10 June, at 8.30am at www.bbc.co.uk/radio2inthepark (along with full terms and conditions). Tickets to the Radio 2 in the Park Pre-Party on Friday are £40 (plus booking fee). Tickets for the Saturday and Sunday are priced from £84 (plus booking fee).

The Script said: “We can’t wait to play at Radio 2 In The Park. We absolutely love playing in Scotland, so we’re really looking forward to bringing our show to Stirling. We’ll see you all on Saturday Sept 12th!”

James Blunt said: “Can you believe that Radio 2 have asked me and my band to return to Radio 2 in the Park? One would have thought that my dinghy disasters and attempts at crowd-surfing would have put them off from ever inviting me back! But in all seriousness, Radio 2 in the Park is my all-time favourite live event to perform at and wait until you see what I have planned for you this year!”

Emeli Sandé said: “So excited to be performing at Radio 2 in the Park on the 12th September!!! The Radio 2 audience have always been so supportive over the years and it’s so special I get to sing and dance with them in Bonnie Scotland, cannae wait!!”

Jack Savoretti said: “The BBC Radio 2 audience have been with me right from the start 20 years ago so it’s an honour to be playing in front of my favourite crowd, in one of my favourite countries, at one of the biggest events of the year.”

Lulu said: “I am really looking forward to performing at Radio 2 in the Park in my home country, set against the beautiful backdrop of Stirling Castle. It always feels very special to return to Scotland, especially for such an iconic celebration of live music and to share this moment with Radio 2 listeners.”

John Power from Cast said: “We're made up to be asked to perform at this year's R2 in the Park and we want to thank Radio 2 for putting their faith in us this past couple of years. We can't wait to be back in Scotland, in front of a Scottish audience where we'll be playing hits from the past alongside new tracks from this year's top ten album 'Yeah, Yeah, Yeah’.”

Texas said: “Yes! Texas are playing R2ITP in Stirling!! We’re kicking off the whole weekend and with it being on our home turf it’s going to be really pretty special. We’ll see you all on Sept 12th!”

Blue said: “We can’t think of a better way to top off our 25th Anniversary year. Thanks to Radio 2 and their audience for their incredible support on this special year for Blue. From Album of the Week, to Piano Rooms, to playing at Radio 2 in the Park, in Stirling. See you there!”

Martin Fry from ABC said: “Absolutely thrilled to be playing Radio 2 in the Park in Stirling. Scotland always brings an incredible atmosphere, and I can’t wait to be part of what promises to be a fantastic weekend of music and celebration.”

Appleton said: “Radio 2 in the Park is such a special gig for us. We can’t wait to get out there and celebrate with everyone in Stirling!”

Deacon Blue said: “We are so excited to be playing BBC Radio 2 in the Park in Stirling. It’s an amazing city with a beautiful castle and the most wonderful views right across the middle of Scotland. We can’t wait to see you there.”

Mark King from Level 42 said: “We are so excited to be playing BBC Radio 2 in the Park this year, and to be a part of this wonderful lineup is the icing on the cake!”

Last year, Radio 2 in the Park was held in Hylands Park, Chelmsford with headliners Bryan Adams and Def Leppard. In 2024, the event took place in Moor Park, Preston, and featured headliners Sting and the Pet Shop Boys. In 2023, Victoria Park in Leicester saw Tears for Fears and Kylie headline the main stage.”

Radio 2 in the Park 2026 marks the first major Radio 2 live music event in Scotland since BBC Music’s Biggest Weekend in May 2018 at Scone Castle, Perth. In 2023, Radio 1’s Big Weekend took place in Camperdown Country Park in Dundee, and the BBC Radio 6 Music festival took place in 2017, which featured a legendary set by Depeche Mode at the Barrowlands, the first time in 33 years since they had performed at the venue.

Radio 2 continues to serve audiences with a steady stream of world-class music performances:

In February this year, Radio 2’s Piano Room month featured performances from artists including Labi Siffre, Tori Amos, Pulp and Laufey – with sessions available on BBC iPlayer.

Jo Whiley’s Sofa Sessions in her (Monday to Thursday, 7-9pm) show have included Jessie Ware, Cast, Maggie Rogers and many more.

Country music fans were treated to a feast of Country music on BBC Sounds, following Radio 2’s coverage of the Country 2 Country festival in London, Belfast and Glasgow in March. As the official broadcast partner of C2C since 2013, programming was led by Radio 2’s Bob Harris.

BBC Radio 2 is the UK’s most listened to radio station, with a weekly audience of 12.6 million (RAJAR Q1, 2026). The Radio 2 Breakfast Show is the most listened to Breakfast show in the UK with 6.4 million listeners (RAJAR Q1, 2026). Vernon Kay presents the most listened to radio show in the UK with 6.6 million listeners (RAJAR Q1, 2026).

The network’s presenters include Michael Ball, Tony Blackburn, OJ Borg, Revd. Kate Bottley, Rylan, Fearne Cotton, Sara Cox, Jamie Cullum, Sophie Ellis-Bextor, Gary Davies, Paul Gambaccini, Mark Goodier, Angela Griffin, Bob Harris, Vernon Kay, Shaun Keaveny, Cerys Matthews, Paddy McGuinness, Jason Mohammad, Trevor Nelson, Dermot O’Leary, Elaine Paige, Mark Radcliffe, Romesh Ranganathan, DJ Spoony, Jeremy Vine, Michelle Visage, Jo Whiley, Phil Williams and Owain Wyn Evans.

EC2/SH

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