Ronan Keating, James Blunt and Bryan Adams to headline Cornbury

Ronan Keating 

Other names to be revealed for the weekend-long event, taking place at Great Tew Park, near Chipping Norton from July 8-10, include theatrical glam-metal band The Darkness, folk-rock act The Waterboys and boogie-woogie bandleader Jools Holland.

Mike Scott of Waterboys 

Festival director Hugh Phillimore said: “After a long, sad two year sabbatical, we wanted to return with a classic Cornbury line-up; old friends who simply do what they do brilliantly, and make us smile. We don’t want to do serious, we simply want to have tons of fun over the whole weekend.”

The festival, which began life at Cornbury Park near Charlbury, before moving to Great Tew, has previously played host to Paul Simon, Robert Plant, Tom Jones, Bryan Adams, Amy Winehouse and The Beach Boys.

James Blunt

The 2022 edition will be the first since 2019, with the last two cancelled due to the coronavirus pandemic. While a handful of festivals did take place this summer, Mr Phillimore took the decision to postpone blaming lack of a decisive plan out of Covid restrictions and a lack of cancellation insurance.

Bryan Adams 

He said: “We just didn’t think we’d be able to produce anything that resembles the lovely little event we’ve all enjoyed for the last 16 years.

“We also couldn’t risk trying to stage the festival knowing it could still be cancelled at the very last minute by our local authorities – there was no cancellation insurance available and, brave as we are, it was just too scary to attempt it.”

Jools Holland 

Canadian rocker Adams ­— famous for hits The Summer of ‘69, All for Love and Run To You – previously played what was billed as the festival’s last ever event, in 2017, though organiser Hugh Phillimore revived it the following year and it has retained its popularity as one of the county’s leading music events. He had been set to play this summer’s event.

Mr Phillimore said: “Bryan was a triumph back at our ‘finale’ in 2017 so we’re completely over the moon that he’s decided to return to Cornbury.”

Boyzone star Keating had been lined up for the 2020 edition alongside Van Morrison, Dido, Jack Savoretti and Ronan Keating.

Other names are expected to be release in the new year.

The Darkness

Organisers promised a return to the safe, civilized, family friendly event which has pulled in tens of thousands of music-lovers over the past two decades.

They said: “Loved by locals, Cornbury is a long established festival with the friendly community atmosphere of a village fete, that just happens to have some of the biggest International names in music performing on the main stage. Known to be one of the safest festivals in the UK, with entertainment for all the family, its musical heritage is one of all round appeal, suited to all ages and tastes, which is what has given the festival it’s loyal and long standing reputation in its beautiful Cotswolds setting.

Tickets are on sale via Eventim.

Tickets start at £85 for a day, £180 for the weekend, with camping tickets from £215.

Senior, teen and child concessions are available.