Elvis is back in the building as part of The Mowlem’s Summer of Music festival – the first time a tribute show to The King of rock ‘n’ roll has appeared in Swanage in Dorset, for more than ten years.
The Summer of Music, now in its third year, is taking place during July and August 2025, and is being billed as the biggest yet, featuring 11 top tribute bands recreating the greatest hits of artists like Queen, Tina Turner, Abba and Spandau Ballet.
Mark Summers in his Elvis The Legacy tour, which was praised by The King’s former wife Priscilla Presley
The UK’s top Elvis tribute act
While some are return visits for popular acts, like the New Jersey Boys and Supersonic Queen – which was one of several sell-out shows in 2024 – most of the shows are new for 2025, and many are on major UK tours.
But the real coup for The Mowlem has been securing a date for Elvis – From Memphis to Vegas, starring three-time winner of the National Tribute Music Awards Mark Summers.
Hailed as the UK’s top Elvis tribute act, he has been playing to full houses on tour around the UK and Ireland, with stops in Singapore, Australia, the Caribbean, Mexico and the USA, including nights in Las Vegas and Memphis, Tennessee.
Mark, who is known for his dynamic stage presence and having a voice uncannily close to the King’s, has previously shared the stage with members of Elvis’ original TCB backing band, alongside Elvis’ former wife Priscilla.
Featuring a live band with guest guitarist Denis McNulty, who has played with legends like Del Shannon, The Drifters, and Ben E. King, the show dives into the evolution of Elvis’ iconic sound, from his 1950s Sun Records hits to the unmatched glamour of his Vegas performances.
The New Jersey Boys return after their sell-out show with a tribute to Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons
“Tried to be very competitive on price”
The Mowlem’s operations manager Thomas Curtis said:
“This is our third year for the Summer Of Music and it has grown because it has been so popular – in 2025 we are running events every Monday, Wednesday and Saturday throughout August with an extra date on the Friday before Swanage Carnival week, 11 acts in total, three more than last year.
“For each show, we put a DJ on to play matching music in The Showbar after the event so that the party can continue until midnight, which will be open to everyone, no ticket required!
“This year, we are hoping that people will want to come along to more than one event and have tried to be really competitive on price, and appeal to lovers of music from multiple genres.
“We have one show, the New Jersey Boys, coming back from the first year and a couple returning from last year, but the majority are fresh to Swanage, like the Upbeat Beatles, Tina Turner, and Elvis, who will be closing the summer for us – we haven’t had an Elvis in The Mowlem for well over a decade!”
From Gold To Rio is a tribute act to both Spandau Ballet and Duran Duran
Acts already asking about 2026 dates
Thomas added:
“We are trying to keep it fresh and also booking top quality shows that belong in a big theatre, giving our audience a summer night out, blending the show with the bar and the DJ experiences which carry you through the evening.
“The Summer of Music has become an experience over the last two years and is now an umbrella event for so many different shows to fit into.
“It’s a real celebration of great music through the summer and has a vibe all of its own, so much so that acts are coming to us already and enquiring about dates for 2026!
“Some of last year’s shows were simply amazing, like the Complete Madness tribute, the Alter Eagles and the Beach Boyz Goodbye Brations tour.
“But this year we think we can go one better with tribute bands to Spandau Ballet, Duran Duran, Abba, and The New Jersey Boys tribute show to Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons, which has been playing to sellout audiences at some quite large theatres.
“And the Elvis From Memphis to Vegas show has to be seen and heard to be believed – it’s an incredible production, touring worldwide from 2025 to 2026 to entertain audiences across five continents – and you can see him live at The Mowlem!”
Swanage musician and artist Paul Longland as David Bowie in the festival’s opening act
The line-up 2025
- Pop Up Bowie – Friday 25th July 7.30 pm to 10 pm
- Supersonic Queen – Monday 4th August 7.30 pm to 10 pm
- Abba Stars UK – Wednesday 6th August 7.30 pm to 10 pm
- The Upbeat Beatles – Saturday 9th August 7.30 pm to 10 pm
- Tina Live – Monday 11th August 7.30 pm to 10 pm
- Nothing But A Good Time – Wednesday 13th August 7.30 pm to 10 pm
- The Zoots – Saturday 16th August 7.30 pm to 10 pm
- New Jersey Boys – Monday 18th August 7.30 pm to 10 pm
- All Night Long – Wednesday 20th August 7.30 pm to 10 pm
- From Gold To Rio – Saturday 23rd August 7.30 pm to 10 pm
- Elvis: Memphis To Vegas – Monday 25th August 7.30 pm to 10pm
Timeless beauty of Abbey Road
The Summer of Music 2025 lineup opens on Friday 25th July with Pop Up Bowie, an award winning David Bowie tribute act from local musician and artist Paul Longland, featuring hits from every era of the star’s amazing career, including Heroes, Star Man, Space Odyssey, China Girl, Let’s Dance and Ashes to Ashes.
Once the fun of Swanage Carnival week has finished, the Summer of Music restarts on Monday 4th August 2025 with Supersonic Queen, regarded as one of the UK’s premier tribute bands, who have been touring for over a decade and are known for their uniquely dynamic recreation of Queen’s iconic live performances.
Abba Stars UK visit The Mowlem on Wednesday 6th August 2025 with nearly two decades of experience across the UK and Europe, capturing the magic of an original Abba concert, filled with greatest hits from Dancing Queen and Mamma Mia to Waterloo and Take a Chance on Me.
The Upbeat Beatles play in Swanage on Saturday 9th August 2025, featuring over 30 songs from the iconic early albums to the psychedelic wonder of Sgt. Pepper and the timeless beauty of Abbey Road in a show known for its stage sets, vintage outfits and classic instruments to recreate an authentic look and sound.
Julie Nevada as Tina Turner in a dynamic tribute to the Queen of Rock ‘n’ Roll – they’re simply the best!
High energy rock anthems
Tina Live, starring the dynamic Julie Nevada as Tina Turner, plays at The Mowlem on Monday 11th August 2025 and covers the highlights of Tina’s phenomenal career, from her early days with Ike to her emergence as a solo powerhouse who changed the face of rock and soul music.
Supported by an amazing live band, dazzling dancers and powerful backing vocals, this high energy production captures the raw power, emotion, and electrifying spirit that made Tina Turner an icon for generations.
Nothing But A Good Time, playing on Wednesday 13th August 2025, is a non stop, high energy rock spectacle that features timeless rock anthems like Sweet Child of Mine, Rebel Yell and I Love Rock and Roll, including some blistering guitar solos.
On Saturday 16th August 2025, The Zoots take to the stage to play some unforgettable 1960s classics, with legendary music by The Beatles, The Stones, The Monkees, The Beach Boys, The Kinks, The Who, The Drifters and many more artists in a show which includes more than 70 tracks.
When winter sun is replaced by the heat of summer, The Mowlem will play host to some of the UK’s best tribute acts
Nostalgic night for fans of 80s music
The New Jersey Boys play a packed, two set tribute show to Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons at The Mowlem on Monday 18th August 2025, featuring all the hits of the West End show, including Sherry, Walk Like a Man, Big Girls Don’t Cry and many more.
All Night Long, playing on Wednesday 20th August 2025, is an outstanding high energy celebration of Soul and Motown’s greatest hits featuring classic hits from Stevie Wonder, The Drifters, Diana Ross and the Supremes, Marvin Gaye, Lionel Richie, Luther Vandross and others.
From Gold To Rio, on Saturday 23rd August 2025 is a nostalgic night for fans of 80s music, celebrating two of the UK’s top bands from the era, Spandau Ballet and Duran Duran, who had more than twenty top 10 hits between them including Gold, Rio, True, Save A Prayer and Girls on Film.
The Summer of Music finishes on Monday 25th August 2025 with Elvis From Memphis to Vegas.
Watch Mark Summers in his Elvis tribute show
Further information
- Tickets for the shows are £25, or £24 for Friends of The Mowlem, and go on sale on Friday 21st February 2025 at 11 am on its website
