Grace Jones, UB40, Candi Staton, Armand Van Helden and a stacked lineup of disco, funk, soul and house legends are heading to Milton Keynes National Bowl on 8th August for a brand new festival.
A New Festival With Serious Intent
There’s no shortage of new festivals launching every year, and most of them disappear just as quickly. Electric Paradise feels different. A 50,000 capacity event at Milton Keynes National Bowl, one of the UK’s most iconic outdoor venues, with a lineup that spans decades of dancefloor culture. This isn’t a pop-up. It’s a statement.
Promoted by JBM Music, the festival lands on Saturday 8th August 2026 and promises a cross-generational celebration of disco, funk, soul and house. The kind of event where your parents might enjoy it as much as you do, and that’s genuinely the point.
The Lineup
Where do you even start? The Main Stage alone reads like a hall of fame. Grace Jones headlines, because of course she does. At 77, she remains one of the most compelling live performers on the planet. UB40 bring decades of reggae-pop anthems. Candi Staton, the voice behind “Young Hearts Run Free,” is still going strong. Kool & The Gang and Sister Sledge featuring Kathy Sledge round out a headline bill that covers an absurd amount of musical ground.
The Big Love Stage continues the feel-good energy with Cameo, Earth Wind & Fire by Al McKay, Shalamar, Jocelyn Brown and Heather Small. If you grew up hearing any of these names at family barbecues, this stage is your spiritual home.
The Dance Stages
This is where things get really interesting. The Glitterbox Stage brings its signature blend of colour, diversity and house music authenticity. Armand Van Helden, Dimitri from Paris and Roger Sanchez are all confirmed, alongside London party legend Fat Tony and vocalists Barbara Tucker and Julie McKnight.
The Fool’s Paradise Stage goes deeper with Mark Knight, Todd Terry, Dave Lee and Michael Gray. Norman Jay brings the soul selections. Fleetmac Wood adds something completely different.
Then there’s the Clockwork Orange Stage, tapping into classic dance heritage with Graeme Park, Danny Rampling, Alison Limerick, Baby D and K-Klass. If you were around for the original house explosion in the late ’80s and early ’90s, this stage will feel like coming home.
Why Milton Keynes National Bowl Works
The National Bowl is a natural amphitheatre that’s hosted some legendary shows over the years. The acoustics are excellent, sightlines are strong from almost everywhere, and the bowl shape creates an atmosphere that flat festival sites simply can’t match.
At 50,000 capacity, it’s big enough to feel like an event but not so massive that you lose the communal energy. For a first edition, that’s a smart size. Big enough to make a statement, contained enough to deliver on the experience.
Tickets and Pricing
First release tickets start from £59.50, which is competitive for a festival of this scale and lineup quality. VIP packages are available from £150 for those who want the upgraded experience.
Given the breadth of the lineup and the nostalgia factor alone, demand should be strong. This is the kind of event that appeals to people who don’t normally go to festivals but can’t resist seeing Grace Jones and Armand Van Helden on the same bill.
One to Watch
Electric Paradise has all the ingredients for a landmark first year. The venue is proven. The lineup covers enough ground to pull in multiple generations. The production team has serious experience. And the concept of uniting disco, funk, soul and house under one roof fills a genuine gap in the UK festival calendar.
Saturday 8th August. Milton Keynes National Bowl. This could be one of the highlights of the summer. Get your tickets here.
