The Gentleman Magazine Issue 9 | June 2018 | Page 74
THE HENLEY FESTIVAL
Henley Festival, the UK’s most glamorous boutique festival,
and winner of Headline Performance of the Year in 2016
returns to its spectacular setting on the riverbank in Henley-
on-Thames from 11th-15th July 2018.
As the UK’s only black-tie boutique festival, Henley Festival
is glamour personified, offering Michelin starred food, award
winning comedians, Turner Prize nominated artists and the
biggest names in popular, world, jazz and classical music.
Many festival goers arrive by boat, and the green lawns of the
festival are transformed into a Great Gatsby vision, as black tie
clad revellers spill across the festival site, champagne in hand,
while fireworks explode overhead.
Established 36 years ago as a classical music charity event,
Henley Festival continues to be run on a not for profit basis
supporting charitable projects at both a national and local level.
This year proceeds from the festival will go to two charities.
Dedicated to supporting young people with depression, and
encouraging discussions around mental health, the Charlie
Waller Memorial Trust was set up in memory of a young
man who took his own life whilst suffering from depression.
The Teenage Wilderness Trust supports students who find it
difficult to engage with mainstream education by offering
reengagement courses using bush craft, wilderness learning
techniques and practical life skills to encourage students to get
back into learning.
THE FLOATING STAGE
Following the release of her long awaited album in spring 2018,
Rita Ora will open Henley Festival 2018 on the Wednesday
night. The global pop star, with four No.1 hit songs to her name,
including Radioactive and I Will Never Let You Down, will get
the UK’s most glamourous festival off to an explosive start with
her 2017 hit singles Kiss Me, Your Song and Anywhere.
74 | The Gentleman Magazine “Powered by
A lifelong provocateur Grace Jones will light up Henley Festival
with her energetic headline set that is guaranteed to include
a string of costume changes and dance-club hits including
her acclaimed reinvention of Piaf ’s classic “La Vie En Rose”.
One of the world’s most iconic women, singers, songwriters,
supermodels, actresses and infamous Bond Girl, Grace Jones’
daring and original headline set will be one of the highlights of
the festival.
Among music legends, Nile Rodgers is truly exceptional. He
amplifies his legacy as a multi-Grammy-winning composer,
producer, arranger and guitarist by constantly traversing new
musical terrain and successfully expanding the boundaries of
popular music. As the co-founder of CHIC, Rodgers pioneered
a musical language that generated chart-topping pop hits like
"Le Freak," sparked the advent of hip-hop with "Good Times,”
and won CHIC eleven Rock & Roll Hall of Fame nominations.
More recently he has worked with Daft Punk, Avicii, Disclosure,
and Sam Smith.
Saturday night at Henley Festival will see Curtis Stigers and
The Ronnie Scott’s Big Band present ‘Sinatra At The Sands.’
Internationally acclaimed American jazz vocalist Curtis Stigers
will channel the hip, swinging chemistry of Frank Sinatra and
the Count Basie Orchestra for a brilliant night which will fly
the Henley audience to the moon.
Curtis Stigers and the Ronnie Scott’s Orchestra will be joined
by a very special guest, the actor, writer, comedian and
impressionist Rob Brydon. The star of the memorable BBC
drama Gavin and Stacy and chair of BBC’s hit pan el game
Would I Lie to You? Rob will bring his trademark comic
style and vocal impressions to Saturday night’s Floating Stage
concert. For his guest slot expect Sinatra as sung by Michael
Caine and Sean Connery.
, Security in Motion”