Festival tickets sell quickly

TICKETS for this year’s Henley Festival are selling fast.

Jo Bausor, chief executive, said she was delighted with the response to the line-up, which includes Diana Ross, McFly, Rick Astley, classical and pop singer Matteo Bocelli, Jamie Cullum and Haçienda Classical, an orchestral clubbing project.

Mrs Bausor said that tickets sales had been strong across all five nights of the festival, particularly the first four.

There were fewer than 300 general admission tickets left for the Saturday night.

Some ticket categories have sold out and there was very limited availability for lawn tickets on all nights except Sunday.

Mrs Bausor said: “I am delighted with our sales so far and want to thank everyone for their support and overwhelming positive reaction to this year’s programme.

“As a charity, we are committed to our RISE programme and providing more opportunities for young, emerging talent and every ticket sold helps.”

The festival, which is now in its 43rd year, will take place from Wednesday to Sunday, July 9 to 13.

Ross will be the headine act on the “floating” stage on the opening night of the festival.

Mrs Bausor said: “The fact that Diana Ross is coming to Henley is incredible.

“We think she will love it as it is such a special place and it feels like the perfect home for her.

“This is up there with one of the best line-ups we have had. Every night there are quality names, household names who are brilliant performers.

“I am a classical musician so it was important for me to get that in our programme and Matteo Bocelli will be amazing.”

She added: “It’s an honour to be continuing our Rise programme into yet another year. It’s at the core of everything we do and there is no greater privilege than helping these incredible young artists and students kickstart their careers in roles across the cultural spectrum.”

The festival will also feature entertainers, a sculpture garden, galleries, children’s activities as well as bars and restaurants and the return of a cabaret area, which launched last year.