Lady Wray is heading to the first Show of Hands festival, in Bruton

First acts confirmed for new Somerset festival – Show of Hands

Paul JonesOctober 29, 20250 Comment0

THE first acts confirmed for a new festival in Somerset have been confirmed.

Show of Hands, set to run from Friday to Sunday, May 22 to 24 next year, at Gilcombe Farm in Bruton, will welcome the likes of soul songstress Lady Wray, Leeds seven-piece Submotion Orchestra and more.

Organisers said the festival “combines genre-spanning performances with workshops, immersive spaces and a participatory programme for all generations”.

The wider bill moves between Afrobeat, broken beat, jazz, funk and club culture, a spokesperson said.

Acts confirmed for Show of Hands, Bruton, next May are:

Lady Wray
Submotion Orchestra
General Levy ft TC & The Groove Family
Romare (Live)
A Guy Called Gerald
Dele Sosimi
Jamz Supernova
Sambroso All Stars
Snazzback
Close Counters ft Allysha Joy
Esa’s Afro Synth Band
Alex Nut
Gilles Smith
Last Nubian
Zag
Esa (DJ set)
Shaqdi
SpaceJams & Brakery
Me and My Friends
Blind Yeo + special guest Steve Knightly

Steve Knightly, of course, is half of acclaimed folk duo, Show of Hands – a nod to the festival’s name.

Alex Lane, festival director, said: “We wanted the line-up to reflect the kind of energy we’re building with this festival – open, collaborative and full of life.

“It’s about bringing together artists who are rooted in their scenes but keen to connect with new audiences, in a setting where no one’s on autopilot.

“This is just the first wave – there’s still much more to come.”

Each ticket sale for Show of Hands supports the development of the festival and its grassroots model, with no sponsors, no VIP enclosures and no corporate branding – just a “2,500-capacity creative playground shaped by the people who attend it”.

“Beyond the music, Show of Hands offers a rich creative programme that embraces the playful and the unexpected – a festival experience designed for the young and the young at heart,” a spokesperson added.

“Everyone who buys a ticket can now submit ideas for workshops, activities, experiences and more to see at the inaugural event, and vote on others’ suggestions. The most popular proposals will be brought to life in the final festival line-up.”

Tickets are on sale now via show-of-hands.net and a limited number of hot air balloon ride tickets are also available to book, offering festivalgoers a unique chance to take to the skies and see the full site from above.