WE OUT HERE FESTIVAL ANNOUNCES NEXT WAVE OF 2025 LINEUP: We Out Here Festival 2025 today unveils its second wave of acts, including its co-headliner Rotary Connection 222 – a commissioned orchestral celebration of the life work of Charles Stepney, the musical genius behind classic albums by Earth, Wind & Fire, Minnie Riperton, Marlena Shaw, Terry Callier, and Rotary Connection. Specifically brought together for We Out Here 2025 as part of a decade of International Anthem celebrations, this will be the only opportunity to experience this show worldwide since its Chicago debut.
Also announced today, Jalen Ngonda, Noname, Carl Craig, Leroy Burgess, Photek, Roni Size, Ben UFO, 4am Kru & more will be heading to South West England for four days of outstanding music and so much more.
We Out Here line ups are a love letter to phenomenal music and the scenes that nurture it, programmed with consideration and passion. Pockets of music lovers from all over the UK gather together for a weekend of connection, collective joy and musical discovery.
The programme is carefully curated to celebrate left-field culture across 15 unique stages over the weekend. From the large open-air forest dance floors to small and intimate homemade sound systems; there’s truly something for everyone!
Gilles Peterson’s award-winning festival returns in 2025 for its 6th edition, platforming genre pioneers alongside the best in emerging talent spanning the realms of jazz, soul, hip-hop, electronica and more. Set against the backdrop of the idyllic Dorset countryside, this year’s event is shaping up to be unmissable. Joining the previously announced Michael Kiwanuka, Rotary Connection 222 have now been revealed as the latest headliner. Presented by International Anthem in conjunction with Charles Stepney’s daughters aka The Stepney Sisters, the Chicago ensemble celebrates and performs the music of the late-great Charles Stepney. Renowned for producing and composing with legendary acts; Earth, Wind & Fire, Ramsey Lewis, The Dells and more, Rotary Connection 222 are guaranteed to provide an unmissable experience for their European debut.
Also joining the line-up is more Chicago brilliance with acclaimed rapper Noname, whose 2023 album Sundial received widespread praise for its golden hip-hop production and razor sharp lyricism. Joining Noname is the internationally acclaimed afrobeat and jazz project originally formed in the 1960s and revived in 2009; Orchestre Poly Rythmo De Cotonou, as well as vocal talent Jalen Ngonda, alongside the high-octane thrill of London jungle DJs 4AM KRU, Detroit techno legend Carl Craig, and legendary disco soul singer Leroy Burgess. Revered selector Theo Parrish is confirmed in this announcement for an 8 hour extended set alongside the likes of Photek, Ben UFO B2B Josey Rebelle, Jamz Supernova, Livwutang, Roni Size, Francoise K, Major Force, Marcellus Pittman B2B Maurice Fulton, Distant Planet, Channel One, Aba Shanti & more across the weekend.
This year, We Out Here also dedicates a portion of programming to celebrate 40 years of The Bristol Sound with artists including Smith & Mighty, Daddy G, Queen Bee, DJ Nature, Roni Size, Om Unit, Yushh, Peverelist and many more…
They join an already stacked lineup of previously announced artists that includes Pa Salieu, Nala Sinephro, KOKOROKO, Bashy, Joe Bataan, Everything Is Recorded and many more. The third wave of artists, as well as info on the festival’s wide ranging offering of talks, activities, wellness and more, will be announced in due course.
The programme is carefully curated to celebrate left-field culture across 15 unique stages over the weekend. From the large open-air forest dance floors to small and intimate homemade sound systems; there’s truly something for everyone!
Enveloped by towering trees, the We Out Here site offers their positive and passionate community a unique opportunity to switch off from the outside world and fully immerse in what’s become We Out Here’s trademark offering: outstanding live music, some of the best record collections in the world, high-end sound and production, family, wellness and cultural activities. We Out Here continues to nurture a space for collective joy, connection and musical discovery – a worldwide family gathering not to be missed.
Festival tickets are available from weoutherefestival.com/tickets
