A MAJOR music festival hosted by BBC Radio 2 and taking place in Scotland this year has announced its full line-up, plus the headline acts.
Tens of thousands of music fans expected to attend Radio 2 in the Park 2026 at City Park in Stirling this September, running from Friday 11 until Sunday 13.
The headline acts were announced on the Radio 2 Breakfast Show this morning, with Chaka Khan to headline Saturday night and Simple Minds to headline Sunday night.
This will be Simple Minds's only UK performance this year.
Khan said: “Stirling is such a magical place. I just love the charm and spirit of the ‘Gateway to the Highlands’. Can't wait to share the songs, the love, and make some beautiful memories together.”
Born Yvette Marie Stevens on the south side of Chicago, Khan came to prominence at 18 as the lead voice of Rufus. She has released 23 studio albums and recorded more than 2000 songs.
In November 2023, Khan (below) was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame with the Musical Excellence Award. In 2026, she received the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award, the highest honour the academy bestows.
Jim Kerr from Simple Minds added: “Well we are delighted, we're really delighted. The fact that it's gonna be in Stirling which is not so far from our neck of the woods, and the fact that you know, Simple Minds in Scotland inevitably is always a bit special, so all of that combined with the fact that it'll be Simple Minds' first and only gig in the UK this year and you know it's going to kick off a whole loud momentum for us so we're already really looking forward to it.
"Our set will be very upbeat, we'll want to involve the crowd, and obviously, crowds in the UK, crowds in Scotland are never shy when you ask them and Simple Minds live, well I'm pretty confident in saying we'll have the place jumping up and down.”
Simple Minds are one of Scotland’s most influential rock bands, formed in 1977 and led by Jim Kerr and Charlie Burchill. Rising to global fame in the 1980s, they achieved major success with albums like New Gold Dream and hits including Don't You (Forget About Me), which has surpassed one billion streams worldwide.
The event marks the first major Radio 2 live music event in Scotland since BBC Music’s Biggest Weekend in May 2018 at Scone Castle, Perth. In 2023, Radio 1’s Big Weekend took place in Camperdown Country Park in Dundee.
The full Radio 2 in the Park 2026 line-up is:
Saturday 12 September
- Chaka Khan
- The Script
- Emeli Sandé
- ABC
- Jack Savoretti
- Lulu
- Texas
Sunday 13 September
- Simple Minds
- Level 42
- James Blunt
- Blue
- Cast
- Appleton
- Deacon Blue
Jeff Smith, head of music for Radio 2, said: “It’s a real privilege to bring some of the world’s biggest artists, including many of Scotland’s greatest, to the historic city of Stirling for this year’s Radio 2 in the Park.
"You’ll hear many of these stars’ iconic songs performed live against the backdrop of this incredible setting. The range of musical genres represented is a testament to the breadth and diversity of music played on Radio 2 – there is truly something for everybody."
Tickets for Friday, Saturday and Sunday go on sale on Wednesday, June 10, at 8.30am here.
Tickets to the Radio 2 in the Park pre-party on Friday are £40 (plus booking fee). Tickets for the Saturday and Sunday are priced from £84 (plus booking fee).
