Radio 2 in the Park 2026 brought an impressive collection of familiar voices to Stirling’s City Park, with a weekend covering pop, rock, soul and several decades of songs that needed very little introduction.
The castle made for a rather good backdrop, but there was plenty happening in front of it to keep the attention firmly on the stage.
The Script and Simple Minds delivered the standout performances of their respective days, while elsewhere James Blunt took to the high seas. Or, more accurately, an inflatable dinghy above a Scottish festival crowd…
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Saturday
Texas were a considerable opening statement. The Glasgow band’s blend of pop, rock and soul, led by Sharleen Spiteri’s unmistakable voice and easy humour, immediately gave Saturday a sense of occasion. An opening slot with this many familiar songs felt like being allowed straight to the good bits.
Lulu kept the Scottish contingent firmly in charge. The Glasgow singer’s career stretches across six decades, but the appeal remains wonderfully straightforward: a powerful voice, plenty of personality and songs that people are delighted to join in with. “Shout” still does exactly what it says on the tin.
Jack Savoretti offered a smooth change of pace. The British-Italian singer-songwriter’s gravelly vocals and melodic mix of pop and Americana brought a warmer, more understated character to the afternoon. His voice was the performer, but he owned the stage just for style points.
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ABC supplied the afternoon’s sharply dressed pop credentials (even if one suit was lost by an airline). The Sheffield act, fronted by Martin Fry, brought the polished melodies and theatrical delivery that made their eighties material so distinctive. “The Look of Love” remains a particularly effective way of reminding a festival crowd just how much it remembers.
Emeli Sandé brought soul and style to the Main Stage. Raised in Alford, Aberdeenshire, the singer-songwriter added another strong Scottish connection to the bill, with the emotional directness of her music providing a different kind of impact. When she’s on stage she can make everything else fade into the background with her voice.
Chaka Khan brought Saturday to a close with some serious musical pedigree. The American soul and funk singer’s catalogue offered a different flavour of headline set, with the biggest favourites providing the evening’s most immediate connection. A substantial name to finish the day, although The Script had already secured our highlight.
The Script – Saturday’s Standouts
The Script made their forty-five minutes feel like the main event. The Dublin pop-rock band have accumulated a formidable collection of songs, and their particular combination of personal lyrics and enormous choruses is well suited to a field full of willing participants.
Danny O’Donoghue remained the focal point, with the band giving the performance enough drive to carry those emotional moments across the park. “The Man Who Can’t Be Moved”, “Breakeven” and “Hall of Fame” are substantial ammunition for any festival set, but the appeal went beyond simply recognising the songs. There was an immediacy to the performance that made the audience part of it.
On a day with no shortage of established names, The Script were the act that most convincingly turned a strong billing into a standout set.
Sunday
Sunday opened with Deacon Blue and closed with Simple Minds. Scottish royalty at both ends of the day, with a castle conveniently overlooking proceedings. Fairly appropriate, really.
Deacon Blue were an excellent reason to arrive early. The Glasgow pop-rock band, built around Ricky Ross and Lorraine McIntosh’s distinctive vocal partnership, brought a catalogue with deep roots in Scottish musical life. The crowd were unsurprisingly belting it out around City Park.
Appleton brought an early-2000s pop connection to Sunday’s bill. Sisters Natalie and Nicole, also familiar as half of All Saints, offered a welcome opportunity to revisit their work as a duo. Their return added another strand to a weekend full of artists whose music has stayed with its audience.
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Cast represented the guitar-led end of Sunday’s pop spectrum. The Liverpool band’s melodic indie rock and John Power’s distinctive vocals offered a pleasing contrast to the surrounding acts. Their place on the bill made good sense: direct songwriting, strong hooks and little need for elaborate explanation.
Blue are still definitely a boyband, more than twenty years later. The British pop and R&B quartet retain that unmistakable presence; there are just considerably more tattoos now. Some things change, but the appeal of four familiar faces delivering catchy pop songs remains eminently dependable.
James Blunt supplied one of the weekend’s more memorable sights by crowd surfing in an inflatable dinghy. The British singer-songwriter might be best known for emotionally bruised pop ballads, but his self-awareness and sense of fun is a considerable part of the live appeal. Watching him sail across the audience rather neatly settled any remaining expectation of a restrained afternoon.
Level 42 put the emphasis firmly on the groove. The British jazz-funk band, fronted by singer and bassist Mark King, brought a welcome rhythmic shift, with “Lessons in Love” and “Something About You” amongst the familiar favourites.
Plenty for the musicians in the audience to appreciate, and equally plenty for everyone else to move to.
Simple Minds – A Proper Scottish Send-Off
Simple Minds gave Sunday the finish that its opening had promised. The Glasgow rock band have songs capable of filling large spaces like City Park, but one of the most memorable moments came with Jim Kerr right down at the front of the pit, in amongst the crowd.
For a performance on this scale, that closeness mattered. The voice and the songs were familiar, yet there was still something special about seeing the frontman share that space with the people singing them back. “Don’t You (Forget About Me)” and “Alive and Kicking” carried all the weight expected of them, giving the evening its big collective moments. A thoroughly fitting end to the weekend.
Vernon Kay Keeps the Party Going
Away from the acts on the main stage, the DJ tent gave Radio 2’s presenters their own opportunity to get everybody moving.
Vernon Kay was a particular highlight, with a set that got everybody going and made a visit to the tent feel like an essential part of the weekend.
Radio 2 in the Park Had Something for Everyone
That was much of Radio 2 in the Park’s appeal. There were major names and substantial performances, but also plenty of uncomplicated enjoyment in hearing a favourite song and joining in.
The Script and Simple Minds supplied the standout sets. Vernon supplied the party. James Blunt brought his own boat. And much fun was had by all!
