A brand-new festival is coming to Taunton, and the lineup makes a strong case for why synth pop never really went anywhere. Electric Summer lands at Vivary Park on Sunday August 30, presented by Souvenir Events, with Howard Jones headlining alongside electronic pop pioneers Heaven 17 and Blancmange. Between them, these three acts wrote some of the most enduring songs of the 1980s, from “Temptation” and “(We Don’t Need This) Fascist Groove Thang” to “Living On The Ceiling,” “Don’t Tell Me” and Jones’ landmark debut album ‘Human’s Lib,’ which hit number one in 1984 and remains an acknowledged synthpop classic.
For Howard Jones, the day carries extra weight. Taunton has been his home for more than 20 years, making Electric Summer a genuine homecoming, and the only UK show he’s doing this year. He arrives fresh from headlining his THINGS CAN ONLY GET BETTER festival tour in the United States. “Vivary Park is such a beautiful venue for this show and come rain or shine it’s gonna be a must-see gig because of the incredible lineup,” says Jones. “I’m very happy to be playing with my friends Heaven 17 and Blancmange, and can’t wait to see everyone on August 30th.”
The festival doesn’t stop at the legends. Dark electronic pop duo Black Nail Cabaret fly in from Hungary, Bristol-based alternative electronic rock outfit Mesh bring their devoted European following, Agency V arrive with momentum after supporting Gary Numan for his Glastonbury warm-up shows in June 2025, and Neon Fields, a south-west band drawing comparisons to Depeche Mode, Muse and Gary Numan, round out a contemporary lineup that sits naturally alongside the headliners. Internationally renowned producer and remixer Paul Dakeyne handles DJ sets between acts.
Electric Summer also supports Nordoff and Robbins, the music therapy charity that works with some of the most vulnerable people across the UK, with a donation from every ticket sold going directly to the organization. Tickets are available now at universe.com/electricsummer26.
