Demand for tickets goes into overdrive as Southend festival unveils huge Phase 2 lineup

Demand for tickets to the Lazydays Festival in Southend this summer has gone “into overdrive” following a major expansion of its 2026 lineup, with organisers warning that some days are now already close to selling out.

Lazydays Festival has confirmed a huge Phase 2 announcement for next summer, adding another wave of major artists and reinforcing expectations that this year’s event will be the biggest in the festival’s short history.

Newly announced names include Ella Henderson, Nathan Dawe, The Enemy, Brand New Heavies, The Subways, The Bluetones and DJ Yoda. They are joined by Woody Cook, Prima Queen, Abi Flynn, The Allergies, Pastel, Stone Jets, Kara Marni, Dubinski, Nuala and Konnected DJs.

The additions span pop, indie, soul and dance, with organisers saying the expanded bill is driving unprecedented interest in tickets. You can see the latest ticket availability here.

The new acts join an already heavyweight lineup led by Tinie Tempah, Feeder and Sister Sledge featuring original lead singer Kathy Sledge. Also appearing across the weekend are Professor Green, The Pigeon Detectives, Heather Small, We Are Scientists, Tunde, voice of The Lighthouse Family, Ellie Sax, Natalie Imbruglia and The Feeling.

Lazydays returns to Southend’s Priory Park from Friday 24 to Sunday 26 July 2026, bringing three days of live music, street food, independent drinks and family-friendly entertainment to the city.

For a festival founded by three friends from Southend just two years ago, the scale of the 2026 lineup marks a major milestone. Around 8,000 people attended Lazydays in 2025, with organisers now expecting more than 12,000 festival-goers this summer, making it one of the fastest-growing independent cultural events in the southeast.

Co-founder and artistic director Elliott Waters said: “This is by far the biggest lineup Southend has ever seen, and we’re incredibly proud of how Lazydays is growing. The response to the Phase 1 announcement shows just how much appetite there is for something bold, vibrant and independent in the city.

“The response has been mad, and the tickets keep on flying out… Saturday is now on the penultimate ticket tier, after which only final tickets remain.”

Alongside the main stages, the festival is also introducing a new 1,000-capacity tent, with Fun Lovin’ Criminals and Artful Dodger among the first headliners announced. The venue will also host So Solid Crew’s Romeo and Lisa Maffia, Beans on Toast, DJ Format, Beatles Dub Club and Atomic Brass, with further additions still to come.

A brand new third stage venue is also planned, programmed alongside Essex promoters and grassroots venues to give emerging artists a proper festival platform.

Lazydays is a fully independent festival built around community, local partnerships and discovery. Alongside the music, visitors can expect independent beers, spirits and wines, local street food, street theatre, comedy, demos and activities for all ages, with children aged 11 and under going free.

Organisers are urging people not to leave it too late to book, with early ticket tiers already sold out. You can see the latest ticket availability, the full line up and all the FAQs here: https://bit.ly/LazydaysFestivalSouthend2026