Date published: 2025-07-10 | Category: Heritage
Bath & North East Somerset Council has revealed the full line-up for the first-ever Summer Lates music series at The Roman Baths, introducing a new cultural offer to one of the UK’s most iconic heritage sites.
Running from 21 July to 31 August, the historic site will open after hours, giving visitors the rare chance to explore the Baths by twilight. For the first time, these extended evening openings will be accompanied by a specially curated programme of live acoustic music and DJ sets every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday.
Set beside the steaming waters of the Great Bath, the sessions offer a unique and immersive way to experience the site after hours. Rather than formal concerts, performances are designed to complement the surroundings—subtle, ambient, and deeply atmospheric.
Curated in partnership with Bath Arts Collective, the programme celebrates outstanding local talent, bringing acoustic artists and vinyl DJs into the heart of the ancient site. Highlights include Our Man in the Field, fresh from Glastonbury’s Acoustic Stage; Hayden Thorpe, former frontman of the acclaimed Wild Beasts; and Olly Sundown of Bacana Funk.
Vinyl DJ line-up
Fridays and Saturdays will showcase a dynamic rotation of vinyl DJs, brought to you by Bath Carnival and POLYMATHIC. These sessions promise eclectic and laid-back vibes, and a rich blend of Latin jazz, rare grooves, Brazilian disco, and soulful beats, all delivered through an immersive multi speaker audio set up.
The DJ line-up features some of the South West’s most respected selectors, each bringing their own distinctive sound to the Baths’ ancient setting. Beavs (Lauren Beavis), a Bristol-based DJ known for her vibrant sets on LOOSE.FM’s “Rhythm Emersion” series, blends funk, disco, gospel, highlife, MPB, and jazz into a joyful, genre-spanning mix. Buckley (Stu Matson), founder of Bacana Funk and musical director for Glastonbury’s West Holts, Shindig, and Farmfest, brings deep musical knowledge and infectious energy. Monobrow of Sound Records is a champion of deep vinyl culture with a passion for global rhythms.
They’ll be joined by DJ Fivestylez (Oli Ackroyd), a key figure in Bristol’s hip-hop, funk, and soul scene and one half of The Beat Thieves project; More Soup, a collective known for their deeply groovy, vinyl-only sets spanning afrobeat, Latin soul, and salsa; Olly Sundown of VOID Radio and Bacana Funk, whose experimental selections dig deep into obscure and unexpected cuts; Prez Pete, celebrated for his freestyle-driven Latin vinyl sets at Insieme and Shindig; and Tim Spencer, a regular on Noods Radio and Rook Records, who brings a global palette of funk, and Japanese disco. Together, these selectors will transform The Roman Baths into a rich, ambient soundscape where heritage meets rhythm.
Acoustic sessions programme
Sundays offer a more tranquil close to the weekend, with a series of intimate acoustic sets curated by 7 Hills Festival. This special programme brings some of the UK’s most compelling contemporary artists to The Roman Baths, many appearing fresh from Glastonbury and other major festival stages.
Among the highlights is Our Man in the Field, whose breakout year has included supporting Neil Young at Hyde Park, performing at SXSW in Austin, and opening Glastonbury’s Acoustic Stage ahead of his anticipated third album Silverado. Also featured is Hayden Thorpe, former frontman of the acclaimed Wild Beasts, whose solo work blends sultry vocals with rich, naturalistic composition. Izzie Yardley, a multi-instrumentalist known for her emotionally layered songwriting shaped by British folk, jazz, and classical influences, adds further depth to the line-up.
Other standout headliners include John Smith, hailed by Pentangle’s John Renbourn as “the future of folk,” and Lauren Housley, praised by “Whispering” Bob Harris for her powerful storytelling and soulful vocals.
Bath-based talent is central to the programme too, with support acts championed by BBC Introducing and Music Workshop, including Lola Lee, Jodie Austen, Fela Dakota, HUSHWING, and folk duo Alex Dover and Pasha Finn. Set against the twilight glow of the ancient site, these sessions promise a magical blend of music, history, and atmosphere.
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Bath & North East Somerset Council leader, Councillor Kevin Guy said:
The Roman Baths has long been a place where people come together—and with the introduction of music to our Summer Lates opening, we’re continuing that tradition in a bold and contemporary way. This programme brings some exceptional artists into one of the most atmospheric settings in the country, offering a cultural experience that’s both rooted in history and refreshingly modern.
It reflects our ongoing commitment to sharing Bath’s heritage in ways that are creative and relevant, and we look forward to welcoming both residents and visitors to experience The Roman Baths in this new and inspiring way.
The Roman Baths will open after hours for Summer Lates from 21 July to 31 August, inviting visitors to experience the site in a completely new light—both literally and culturally. Alongside the new music programme, guests can enjoy the magical ambience of torchlit evenings, a pop-up bar beside the Great Bath, and a relaxed, atmospheric setting every night of the week.
As dusk falls, the ancient stones are bathed in soft torchlight, creating an unforgettable backdrop for evening exploration. Visitors can sip a drink by the water’s edge, soak up the surroundings, or delve deeper into the site’s rich history with new guided tours designed especially for the evening hours.
From Monday to Thursday, The Roman Baths will remain open until 8pm. On Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays, and the August Bank Holiday Monday, the site will stay open until 10pm. Live music sessions will take place beside the Great Bath from 5.30pm to 9pm on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays, offering a unique blend of heritage, culture, and summer atmosphere.
For tickets and full programme details visit: www.romanbaths.co.uk
This summer, experiencing the magic of Bath after hours is easier than ever. The city’s three Park & Ride services now run until 11:30pm, Monday to Saturday—making it simple and convenient to enjoy a relaxing evening out in the city.