ENGLISH MUSIC GREATS JOIN BILL FOR CHARITY MUSIC FESTIVAL AT THE O2
MEMBERS OF SQUEEZE, PAUL McCARTNEY’S BAND AND THE PRETENDERS ALL LINE UP AT MILKFEST FOR DEMENTIA UK
MILKFEST, THE POPULAR ANNUAL MUSIC CHARITY FESTIVAL, WILL BE RUNNING AGAIN ON MARCH 1ST WITH SQUEEZE LEGEND CHRIS DIFFORD CLOSING THE SHOW.
Other names on the bill include duo Hamish Stuart & Robbie Macintosh, both of whom played in Paul McCartney’s band, whilst Macintosh was also the guitarist in the Pretenders.
‘Couldn’t Get It Right’ blues greats the Climax Blues Band will also perform at the Indigo at the O2, with an array of award-winning contemporary British blues bands including Brave Rival and Alice Armstrong also performing. A range of special guest performers will appear on the day.
Milkfest is the brainchild of acclaimed British blues rock band The Milk Men, who will open the show. The bands’ guitarist Adam Norsworthy is the festival’s organizer. “We are delighted to be able to put on another stunning range of acts”, he said. “The festival’s reputation is based on variety and equality – every act gets the same amount of stage time, which proved enormously popular in February. 2026 will be more of the same, for a cause that is sadly very close to so many people”.
Milkfest bill-topper Chris Difford said: “I’m overjoyed to be asked to perform with my band at Milkfest. I very much hope to see you at the Indigo, O2 to help us raise funds and awareness for Dementia UK”.
The Climax Blues Band added: “We are extremely honoured to support Dementia UK and to collaborate with Milkfest, who are doing an outstanding job for this cause. The event boasts a fantastic lineup, and we encourage everyone to give it their full support. Dementia affects us all in some way, and by coming together, we can make a significant difference. Let’s join forces to raise awareness and contribute to this vital cause whilst enjoying Live Music”
Milkfest ’25 was held in February this year and raised over £8,000 for the Brain Tumour Charity. This year’s chosen charity is Dementia UK, the specialist dementia nursing charity.
Every three minutes, someone in the UK develops dementia: a progressive and complex condition that can be devastating for the whole family. It’s a huge and growing health crisis and is the leading cause of death in the UK.
Admiral Nurses are continually supported and developed by Dementia UK, to provide life-changing advice and support to anyone affected by dementia, whenever it’s needed. They work on the free national Admiral Nurse Dementia Helpline, in face-to-face and virtual clinics, and in the community, in GP practices, hospitals, and care homes.
Joanna Sullivan, Deputy Director of Fundraising for Dementia UK, said: “We are so grateful to Milkfest for organising this fundraiser for Dementia UK. One in two of us will be affected by dementia in our lifetime – either by caring for someone with the condition, developing it ourselves, or both. It can be exhausting and overwhelming for everyone. Thanks to fundraising events like Milkfest more families than ever will be able to access the life-changing support offered by our Admiral nurses”.
Staged and promoted by Triple A Entertainment, tickets for Milkfest ’26 will go on sale on September 5th and will be available from the venue, AXS, Eventim & Ticketmaster.
ABOUT DEMENTIA UK
• Dementia UK is the specialist dementia nursing charity that is there for the whole family. Our nurses, known as Admiral Nurses, provide free, specialist advice, support and understanding to anyone affected by dementia, whenever it’s needed. With the support of an Admiral Nurse and Dementia UK – whether it’s on our Helpline, through our Clinics service, or in the community – families we support know they’re not alone.
• If you need advice or support on living with dementia, contact Dementia UK’s Admiral Nurse Dementia Helpline on 0800 888 6678 or email helpline@dementiauk.org. The Helpline is staffed by experienced Admiral Nurses. You can also book a free video or phone appointment to get expert dementia support from an Admiral Nurse. Find out more at dementiauk.org/appointment.
• For more information visit www.dementiauk.org, follow Dementia UK on Twitter: @DementiaUK, and on Facebook: www.facebook.com/DementiaUK
ABOUT MILKFEST
• Milkfest will run on Sunday March 1st, 2-10pm
• Held at the Indigo at the O2 in Greenwich, London. The venue will once again have an exclusive all-day re-admission policy for people who want to come and go through the day.
• The line-up is Chris Difford, Climax Blues Band, Alice Armstrong, Brave Rival, Hamish Stuart & Robbie Macintosh, Errol Linton, Mississippi MacDonald and hosts/founders The Milk Men.
• There will be a number of further special guests to be announced, including surprise performers on the day.
• Milkfest was founded in 2024 by English blues rock band The Milk Men. Organised by guitarist Adam Norsworthy, it is staged and promoted by Dennis Arnold and Triple A Entertainment.