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Somerset County Cricket Club and Full Fat 360 partner in a joint venture to establish an annual UK summer tour destination for global, headline acts in the South West!
In a major expansion of the UK’s live music infrastructure, Somerset County Cricket Club has announced a joint partnership with award-winning live entertainment company Full Fat 360 to launch Somerset Sounds, a brand-new, annual summer concert destination. Launching in Summer 2027 at the iconic Cooper Associates County Ground in Taunton, the landmark project will establish a bold new festival on the UK live music circuit for international touring acts.
The launch marks a strategic move to establish the Cooper Associates County Ground as a primary UK live entertainment destination in its own right, expanding the venue’s footprint beyond its 145-year sporting legacy dating back to 1881. Building on an extensive track record of staging major live events and welcoming internationally renowned artists including the likes of Sir Elton John, Rod Stewart and Lionel Richie, Somerset Sounds represents the next ambitious and natural step in the venue’s evolution on a national scale. The initiative represents a transformative project to establish a fresh consumer brand that turns Taunton into a staple stop on the international summer tour circuit, driving major tourism, cultural identity, and economic impact across the region.
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Surrounded by the iconic backdrop of the Quantock Hills and historic church towers, the venue will host major outdoor main-stage shows welcoming thousands of fans on the outfield, supported by premium hospitality packages in the stands and an expansive new St James Street Fan Village featuring curated food, drink, and cultural pop-ups. Located just minutes from Taunton train station with connections across the UK, including direct links to London, Bristol, and Exeter, Somerset Sounds bridges the gap between major metropolitan stadium runs and national music audiences.
The initiative is co-promoted and delivered by Full Fat 360, an award-winning UK promoter known for building major stadium and arena shows across the country. Full Fat 360’s national portfolio includes high-profile stadium developments such as the major SMK Live festival series at Milton Keynes’ 30,000-capacity Stadium MK, and headline shows including Kings of Leon and the multi-act BS3 Festival at Bristol’s Ashton Gate.
Whether inspiring people through elite sport or bringing important income to the region, Somerset CCC has a crucial role to play within the economy of the South West. 2025 saw an impact analysis commissioned in order to demonstrate the economic value of SCCC’s contribution to the local and regional economy. The report estimated that after attracting 150,000 visitors a year to the Cooper Associates County Ground, and after taking into consideration the Club’s annual turnover, Somerset County Cricket Club will contribute in excess of £20m per annum and directly supports over 200 jobs in the local area.
“The Cooper Associates County Ground already has an incredible legacy of hosting world-class live entertainment, and Somerset Sounds is the next ambitious step in that evolution. Taunton and the wider region have a massive appetite for major live music, and this partnership allows us to establish the region as a destination on the national touring circuit.
“We’re thrilled to be working with Somerset County Cricket Club to bring international acts to this iconic venue and build an event series the entire South West can be proud of. Summer 2027 is only the beginning.”
Oli Bartlam – Founder, Full Fat 360
“Somerset Sounds represents an important step in the evolution of the Club and the Cooper Associates County Ground. Cricket will always be at the heart of who we are, but we have a much wider ambition for the venue and for the role it can play within Somerset.
“We want to create experiences that bring new audiences to Taunton from across the South West and beyond, while generating meaningful economic and cultural benefits for the County. We have a proud history of hosting some of the world’s biggest artists here, and Somerset Sounds gives us the opportunity to build on that heritage and create something distinctive, ambitious and enduring.
“Our ambition is for Somerset Sounds to become one of the standout dates in the South West summer calendar and we’re incredibly excited about what we’re going to announce for 2027.”
Jamie Cox, Chief Executive Office, Somerset County Cricket Club
The brand launch sets the stage for the inaugural Somerset Sounds 2027 series, with the first major headliners and line-up announcements scheduled for reveal very soon. For more information and to sign up for priority ticket access, visit the official website:
