Music Among the Trees: Why Wasing’s On The Mount Series Is One of Summer’s Most Special Experiences
I’ve been lucky enough to cover shows at some wonderful venues over the last few years, from historic theatres and city arenas to festival fields and tiny grassroots spaces. Yet every now and then somewhere comes along that feels completely different.
Wasing is one of those places.
Before you’ve even reached the stage, there’s a sense that you’re heading somewhere special. The walk through woodland, the open skies above and the feeling of being completely removed from the outside world all add to the experience. It doesn’t feel like arriving at a gig. It feels like arriving at an event.
That’s reflected in many of the comments you’ll find online. People talk about the atmosphere, the surroundings and how unlike a traditional concert venue it feels. Artists have spoken about how beautiful the setting is, while fans regularly describe it as one of the most unique places they’ve ever seen live music.
Having followed the development of On The Mount over recent years, it’s easy to understand why.
The 2026 series brings together an impressive collection of artists, each of whom feels perfectly suited to the surroundings.
The opening weekend begins with MIKA on 26 June. There are few performers capable of creating a sense of celebration quite like him. His shows are packed with energy, colour and huge sing along moments, and it’s hard to imagine a better setting for that infectious positivity than a summer evening in the Berkshire countryside.
The following night sees Pixies arrive at The Mount. Few bands can lay claim to influencing alternative music in the way Pixies have. Their catalogue remains extraordinary and hearing songs such as “Where Is My Mind?” in an outdoor woodland amphitheatre should be one of those moments that stays with people long after the lights go down.
Then comes what could easily be one of the highlights of the entire series.
Belle and Sebastian perform their classic album If You’re Feeling Sinister in full on 28 June, alongside a second set drawn from their remarkable catalogue. It’s an album that means a great deal to many music fans and hearing it performed in such an intimate and beautiful setting feels like a genuinely special prospect.
The addition of Saint Etienne on support duties only strengthens an already outstanding bill. For lovers of British indie and pop music, this has all the ingredients of a memorable summer evening.
On 3 July, Ben Howard brings his unique blend of folk and introspection to The Mount. Howard has always felt like an artist whose songs belong outdoors. There’s something about his music that seems to connect naturally with open spaces and the natural world. If the weather plays its part, this could be one of those magical Wasing nights people end up talking about for years.
If there’s one date I’m personally counting down the days to though, it’s Self Esteem on 4 July.
Rebecca Lucy Taylor has become one of the most important and compelling artists in British music, and right now she seems incapable of putting on an average show. Last year’s performances were among the very best gigs I saw anywhere, comfortably earning a place in my top five live experiences of 2025.
Her album A Complicated Woman wasn’t just one of my favourite records of last year; it was my favourite album of 2025 full stop. Bold, funny, emotional, fearless and packed with songs that somehow feel deeply personal while connecting with thousands of people at once.
The reaction to her recent shows opening London’s new ARC venue has only reinforced what many of us already knew: Self Esteem is operating at an exceptional level as a live performer.
There’s a sense of community that runs through her shows. People don’t just attend them; they become part of them. Looking around a crowd singing every word back beneath the trees at Wasing feels like the sort of moment this venue was made for.
At the time of writing, support acts are still largely under wraps, although Saint Etienne joining Belle and Sebastian has already set a high bar. Given the quality of previous bookings at The Mount, there is every reason to expect more exciting additions before the gates open.
What makes Wasing special isn’t just the artists it attracts.
It’s the feeling you get standing there as the sun starts to drop behind the trees. It’s the walk back through the woodland after the final encore. It’s watching world-class musicians perform in a setting that somehow feels both intimate and expansive at the same time.
There are plenty of places to see live music this summer.
Very few will look or feel quite like this.
