Godiva Festival 2024 is set to be headlined by former frontman of The Verve, Richard Ashcroft, pop sensation Paloma Faith and the legendary West Midlands superstar Beverley Knight.
The city’s premier park, War Memorial Park, will yet again play host to the festival which takes place between 5 to 7 July as it celebrates its 25th event.
The Friday night (5 July) headline slot will be taken by Richard Ashcroft, a hugely successful solo artist who has three top three albums, and as recently as 2019 received the prestigious Ivor Novello Award for Outstanding Contribution to British Music. His last album released in 2012 features acoustic versions of Ashcroft’s songs with The Verve and solo career.
Supporting Richard Ashcroft will be Coventry indie rock outfit The Primitives, who played a blistering set at Coventry’s music festival back in 2010 and are still playing live right across the UK and beyond.
The Next Stage will also be open on Friday night for a drum and bass special with Holy Goof taking the headline slot. The popular DJ will be supported by DJs from Coventry’s Standard Procedure stable including Coventrian Georgie Riot and hosted by Toddlah, both of whom played storming sets at Godiva in 2022.
Multi-talented music legend Paloma Faith will be taking the prestigious Saturday night (6 July) headline slot. Paloma will be performing songs from her new album, ‘The Glorification of Sadness’, which was released earlier this month as well as massive chart hits from her back catalogue. Paloma's debut album released in 2009 and was certified double platinum in the UK. It also scored her one of several BRIT Award nominations.
Support will come from Sam Ryder who represented the UK in the Eurovision Song Contest with ‘SPACE MAN’ in 2022, coming second which propelled him onto the national and international stage. They’ll be joined on the Main Stage by Rishi Rich ft Panesar and DJ Krish as well as PBN. Other performers on the main stage Saturday so far include Solihull’s Lady Leshurr, The Go Team, Kawala and an opening Asian fusion set.
On the Next Stage on Saturday a mix of DJs and bands combined to create a buzzing celebration of music talent from Coventry’s own Sisters in Dub and Ruder Than U.
Traditionally known as the festival’s family day, Sunday (7 July) will be headlined by singer, songwriter and actress Beverley Knight MBE. Widely regarded as one of Britain’s greatest soul singers, Beverely is well-known for her hits such as ‘Shoulda Woulda Coulda’ and ‘Keep ‘This Fire Burning’. She has also won three MOBO Awards and a Lifetime Achievement Award back in 2014 and after more than a decade in the music industry, Beverley was awarded an MBE for contribution to music and hails from Wolverhampton.
Also appearing on the Sunday bill is Rhoda Dakar, well-known in the Coventry and Midlands area for her stint as lead singer of the Ska-influenced outfit The Bodysnatchers, a band who recorded alongside The Specials/Special AKA and other artists on the 2-Tone label.
The Family Field will be home to the Serendipity Stage where youngsters can enjoy Dr Ranj’s Teddy Bear Hospital as well as SK Schlomo’s Beatbox for Kids show.
Other family activities across Saturday and Sunday will include a variety of make and do, have-a-go circus, as well as sports activities and demonstrations, cycling and a whole host of outdoor dance, street performers and fashion shows all designed for families.
Throughout the Festival there will also be a huge array of creative talent from the city with youth stages, the Coventry Stage and performances from street theatre to acrobatics. There are more acts to announce, stage takeovers and a celebration of Coventry artists.
Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Events at Coventry City Council, Councillor Abdul Salam Khan, said: “We are delighted to be revealing our line-up for our 25th Godiva Festival.
“This year’s line-up sees international superstars taking to our stages at the War Memorial Park in Coventry alongside some of the city’s up and coming finest musical talent.
“Our line-up reflects this year’s theme which is Worldwide Welcome.
“We have something for everyone across the weekend. Whether it’s our drum and bass artists on Friday night or family activities on Sunday afternoon, the diversity of our festival caters for our city.
“I urge those interested in attending to purchase tickets when they go on sale on Friday 3 March at the Early Bird prices.”
Standard day tickets at the Early Bird price start at £7.50 whilst family day tickets start at £22.50. Standard weekend tickets at the Early Bird price can be purchased for £26 and the cost of a family weekend ticket starts at £79. Super Concession prices are available for Go CV+ members.
There will only be 20,000 early bird tickets available, so people are advised to get their tickets early to save money and avoid disappointment. Tickets will be available to buy at 9am on Friday 1 March.
To keep up to date with all the latest news, line-up announcements and more, head to www.godivafestival.com.
Godiva Festival is brought to you by Coventry City Council in association with Free Radio and Greatest Hits Radio. Godiva Festival is part funded by The West Midlands Combined Authority, Commonwealth Games Legacy Enhancement Fund. The Godiva Festival family field is sponsored by Coventry College.