TK Maxx Presents Derby Summer Sessions 2025

Markeaton Park, the city’s most-visited outdoor destination, will host TK Maxx presents Derby Summer Sessions.

With its great transport links, proximity to the University of Derby, and serene character, this idyllic setting promises to create an unforgettable experience for 15,000 music lovers and artists alike this summer as TK Maxx presents Derby Summer Sessions.

Rain or shine, Derby Summer Sessions has got you covered—literally. The Big Top Tent ensures that nothing can dampen the spirit of this festival. If the sun's blazing, you can step out to the outdoor spaces and enjoy some well-earned shade. If the heavens open, the Big Top Tent will keep you dry and the music playing. It's the perfect setup for the great British summer, where the only thing unpredictable is the weather!

Full details about the event, Accesibility and FAQ

Thu 3 Jul - Human League

Genre-defining trailblazers The Human League will headline Derby Summer Sessions.

Formed in Sheffield in 1977, the band rose to prominence with their 1981 album Dare, which propelled them to global fame with hits like “Don’t You Want Me,” a song that topped both UK and US charts and redefined electronic music. Their groundbreaking fusion of electronic rhythms and cutting-edge production continued to dominate the charts throughout the '80s and '90s with tracks like “Mirror Man,” “(Keep Feeling) Fascination,” and “Human.” A BRIT Award for Best British Breakthrough Act and a career that has influenced generations of artists solidify their status as pioneers of synth-pop.

Joining them for this unmissable night are Tom Bailey, frontman of the Thompson Twins, delivering upbeat, nostalgic classics like “Hold Me Now” and “Doctor! Doctor!” and Blancmange, the acclaimed synth-pop duo behind hits like “Living On The Ceiling” and “Don’t Tell Me.”

Sat 5 Jul - Blossoms

Formed in 2013, Blossoms has become one of the UK’s most celebrated bands, known best for infectious indie-pop sounds and chart-topping albums.

The band’s 2016 self-titled debut skyrocketed to the top of the UK charts for two consecutive weeks, earning prestigious BRIT Award and Mercury Prize nominations. Blossoms’ momentum continued with albums Cool Like You, Foolish Loving Spaces and Ribbon Around The Bomb, marking chart-topping successes with recent standout tracks such as Ode To NYC and The Sulking Poet. With six top 5 UK albums under their belt, including 4 number 1 albums thanks to their recent release Gary topping the charts earlier this month, Blossoms remain a dominant force on the British music scene.

Known for their dynamic live performances, their upcoming Derby Summer Sessions show promises to be one of the most exciting local events of the year. Supporting Blossoms, The Coral will bring a distinctive blend of '60s garage rock, psychedelic pop, and folk-rock. The band burst onto the scene with 2002 self-titled debut, which topped the U.K. charts and earned a Mercury Prize nomination.

Supporting Blossoms along with The Coral is Liverpool’s Jamie Webster. Often referred to as the ‘people’s poet,’ Webster’s music speaks to the struggles and hopes of everyday life, creating a powerful sense of connection with his fans. With his heartfelt performance style, Webster is sure to deliver a powerful live set at Markeaton Park.

Sun 6 Jul - Rag'N'Bone Man

Hailing from East Sussex, Rag’n’Bone Man broke onto the scene in 2016 with his powerful single Human, blending blues and hip hop with raw emotion. Known for his commanding stage presence and soulful vocals, his live performances have captivated audiences across sold-out arenas and major
festivals worldwide. His debut album Human went 4x platinum and earned him a BRIT Award, followed by his 2021 album ‘Life by Misadventure’, which debuted no. 1 on the UK charts with hits like Anywhere Away From Here and All You Ever Wanted. His recently released album What Do You Believe In? has climbed into the top 3 of the charts, showcasing his evolving sound, and is set to be a highlight of his upcoming performance at the Derby Summer Sessions.
Joining Rag’n’Bone Man will be award-winning British Americana and Roots artist, Elles Bailey, who recently released her 4th studio album Beneath the Neon Glow, hitting #12 in the Official Album Charts and topped the UK Blues and Americana Charts. Bailey has performed with legends like Van Morrison
and Jools Holland, played iconic slots at Glastonbury and Kew the Music, and is set to kick off a UK tour this autumn.

Tue 8 Jul - Simple Minds

Scottish art rockers breaking boundaries for more than 40 years

Simple Minds are one of the UK’s most successful bands, having achieved five No.1 albums and eight Top 10 singles at home, as well as landing numerous chart-topping positions around the world. In addition to selling over 60 million albums, they’ve packed the world’s biggest venues and played momentous shows including the American leg of Live Aid in 1985 and the Nelson Mandela tribute concert in 1988.

Formed in Glasgow in 1977 by vocalist Jim Kerr and guitarist Charlie Burchill, Simple Minds have experienced a remarkable journey since releasing their debut album Life In A Day in early 1979, and ended the '80s as a world famous act, known for their stirring choruses and atmospheric sound and entered the 90s as one of the most in-demand live bands around.

Supporting Simple Minds are the iconic Alison Moyet and KT Tunstall. Alison Moyet, known for her distinctive, soulful voice, first rose to fame as part of the groundbreaking synth-pop duo Yazoo. KT Tunstall Known for her raw, emotive performances and her fusion of folk, rock, and experimental sounds, Tunstall has captivated audiences for nearly two decades.

Fri 11 Jul - Faithless

One of the most influential names in British electronica, is set to bring legendary sound to Markeaton Park on Friday, 11 July 2025. With a career spanning over 25 years, Faithless has mastered the art of blending house, trip-hop, dub, and powerful songwriting to create euphoric, arena-filling dancefloor anthems.

Faithless’ legacy includes seven Top 10 singles, six Top 10 albums—three of which reached Number 1—and a Mercury Prize nomination for 1998 masterpiece, Sunday 8PM. Four-times Platinum-certified Forever Faithless – The Greatest Hits stands as a testament to a career that has seen over 15 million records sold worldwide. With streams approaching 1 billion and sales exceeding 20 million, the 2015 remix album ‘Faithless 2.0’, featuring Avicii, Tiësto, and Armin van Buuren, cemented their place as a festival-headlining phenomenon. Maxi Jazz, the group’s iconic frontman, passed away in 2022, leaving a legacy of lyrics and performances that resonated with fans worldwide. As Faithless return to the live sphere, their set at Derby Summer Sessions will honour his memory with a pulse-pounding, DJ-driven experience, blending hypnotic rhythms and electrifying electronic sounds to keep the crowd moving all night.

Sat 12 Jul - Jess Glynne

As the only British female solo artist with seven UK No. 1 singles, Jess Glynne will take to the stage on Saturday, 12 July 2025. Known for hits like “Hold My Hand,” “I’ll Be There,” and “Don’t Be So Hard on Yourself,” Jess has earned a GRAMMY Award, three Ivor Novello Awards, and nine BRIT Award nominations. Fresh off the release of her self-titled third studio album, JESS, which showcases her evolution as an artist, she continues to captivate fans with her soulful ballads and empowering pop.

Following her BRIT Billion Award win for surpassing 1 billion streams in the UK, Jess’s Derby Summer Sessions performance promises to be a standout moment of the summer.

Sun 13 Jul - UB40 ft Ali Campbell

Fuelled by the voice that powered UB40 to 70 million record sales and over fifty UK chart hits, Ali Campbell is again bringing some much-needed reggae cheer into the world as he takes the latest incarnation of his extraordinary band to the world’s biggest stages. Building on a legacy that dates back 45 years to his formative years in inner-city Birmingham, singer and guitarist Ali’s touring ensemble remains the most authentic realisation of UB40’s original aim of advancing reggae in all its guises.

VIP Garden tickets

Get straight to the front in the VIP Garden. The Garden is the ultimate dancing zone with access to an exclusive garden bar and premium food options as well as posh flushable loos all in an area right at the front of the stage!

The Garden tickets include: