Pop legend Sir Tom Jones will play at a music festival in Purbeck this summer, it has been announced – after 20 years of persuasion.
The Welsh superstar who has twice headlined the Glastonbury Festival, and has a huge catalogue of hits including Delilah, It’s Not Unusual and the James Bond theme song Thunderball, will be top of the bill at Camp Bestival 2025, in the beautiful grounds of Lulworth Castle.
Lulworth Castle offers the best backdrop to any UK festival
UK’s Eurovision entrants to appear
Camp Bestival takes place from Thursday 31st July to Sunday 3rd August 2025, with tickets going on general sale at 9am on Friday 14th February, 2025.
Now in its 17th year, Camp Bestival draws up to 30,000 visitors a day during the event and has become the UK’s favourite family festival with its emphasis on pop music and family friendly activities.
Along with Sir Tom Jones, pop group the Sugababes and house duo Basement Jaxx will be headliners for the 2025 event, with other artists including the UK’s Eurovision entrants Remember Monday, indie rock band Lightning Seeds, singer songwriter Nieve Ella and drum and bass legend Goldie.
Family acts for the summer festival include Dorset internet sensation James B Partridge, who recently appeared at The Mowlem with his school assembly bangers, Mister Tumble, CBeebies Bedtime Stories, the Pop Bingo Disco and the Horrible Histories show.
Headline act Sugababes will be playing some of their greatest hits at Lulworth this summer
“Celebrating his whole heritage”
Camp Bestival curator Rob da Bank said:
“In over 20 years of booking Bestival and Camp Bestival we’ve always wanted to have Sir Tom Jones gracing our stage, and finally the man himself has agreed to belt out Delilah for us!
“Although you can never dictate to any headliners what they will play, I’m sure that Sir Tom has his back catalogue up his sleeve for this one. He is celebrating his whole heritage on this tour, for sure.
“Me and my wife Josie met in South London in the 90s and some of the most amazing parties we went to were the Basement Jaxx parties where we met Simon and Felix and became lifelong friends.
“We think they’re the best live dance act so get ready for the most colourful show of the year, and we also know that the Sugababes will be one hell of a party!”
Camp Bestival curator Rob da Bank has been a fan of Basement Jaxx, pictured above, since the 1990s
“We’re expecting a PJ party spectacular!”
Rob added:
“As ever, it’s not all about the headliners and I think we’ve got our strongest DJ line up ever -from Annie Mac to Erol Alkan, Congo Natty to Greg Wilson plus some of the best live acts about – like The Zutons, Lightning Seeds, and Goldie.
“We love being at Lulworth, what our artists and visitors see is one of the best views at any festival. We also have this year’s Eurovision representatives, Remember Monday, playing – so by the time the festival comes around they could be Euro winners!
“There’s also a family knees ups with Barrioke, Mr Tumble, Horrible Histories and Dick and Dom, we’ve announced the fancy dress theme as a pyjama party, so we’re expecting a bedtime PJ spectacular, and that’s barely scratching the surface – see you in August for a whole lot more!”
Camp Bestival has been voted the UK’s favourite family friendly festival
Sugababes excited to headline
Sugababes rose to fame in 1998 with hit songs including Run For Cover, About You Now, Stronger, Round Round and Push the Button.
In a statement, the group said:
“We’re so excited to headline Camp Bestival this summer. We’ve always heard amazing things about this festival in particular, so we’re looking forward to seeing everyone there!”
Felix Buxton of Basement Jaxx said:
“After a few years DJ-ing around the globe, it’ll be great to return to the live stage and the live show experience to connect to people with life affirming energy and give people a great time.
“It’s great that our hits are still very much alive with younger generations, so we connect across the age range – and it’ll be great to pop in a couple of bangers from our forthcoming album too.
“It feels like 2025 is the beginning of a new era for many and I think that’s probably true for Basement Jaxx too.”
TikTok sensation MC Grammar has been known to rap The Gruffalo and other children’s books
TikTok rapper MC Grammar
The original Queen of Reggae Dawn Penn will be joined by rising stars Nieve Ella and Mia Kirkland, along with Isle of Wight indie upstarts The Pill, and bringing a touch of the Eras tour will be Miss Americana, a tribute to Taylor Swift.
Also appearing over the weekend will be ska legends Dub Pistols, TikTok rapper MC Grammar, Dreadzone and other acts including The Cuban Brothers, Old Time Sailors, Junior Jungle, Big Fish Little Fish and DJ Goldierocks.
As the name suggests, most people attending Camp Bestival will stay on site in a huge array of accommodation options, from basic tents and deluxe touaregs to camper vans, caravans and three-bedroom RVs.
Old Time Sailors perform sea shanties with attitude
Further information
Book tickets or find out more about the festival at the Camp Bestival website
