Rock band Kaiser Chiefs have been announced as the headline act for Luton’s biggest music event of 2026 as the town celebrates 150 years of borough status.
The Leeds group, best known for hits including ‘Ruby’, ‘I Predict a Riot’, ‘Oh My God’ and ‘Never Miss a Beat’, will top the bill at Party in the Park at Stockwood Park on Saturday, September 12.
In a post on their social media channels, the band said: “People of Luton! We’re delighted to come and celebrate with you as Luton celebrates 150 years of being a borough! We do like a party.”
Tickets for the event go on sale at 10am on Monday, June 8, with organisers warning they are expected to sell quickly.
The concert forms part of the Luton 150 celebrations marking the 150th anniversary of Luton becoming a municipal borough in 1876.
Party in the Park is being billed as one of the centrepiece events of the anniversary year and is expected to attract around 10,000 people to Stockwood Park. Organisers have previously said the festival will feature a mix of national and local artists, alongside food and drink stalls and family entertainment.
More acts are expected to be announced in the coming weeks.
Kaiser Chiefs are one of Britain’s most successful indie rock bands of the past two decades. Formed in Leeds in 2000, they have released eight studio albums, achieved two UK number one albums, won three Brit Awards and sold more than eight million records worldwide.
Their debut album, ‘Employment’, featured anthems including ‘I Predict a Riot’ and ‘Oh My God’, while 2007 single ‘Ruby’ gave the band their first UK number one hit.
The announcement means Luton will welcome another major outdoor music event to Stockwood Park, which hosted BBC Radio 1’s Big Weekend in 2024, attracting tens of thousands of music fans and performances from some of the biggest names in the industry including Coldplay and a first ever festival appearance from hometown hero Myles Smith, who has since gone on to chart-topping success with ‘Stargazing’ and who is returning to town on June 15 for a day of events to promote his debut album, ‘My Mess, My Heart, My Life’.
The events is about even more than live music. The one-day festival will shine a spotlight on the town’s communities, culture and creativity, with local performers, organisations and partners playing a key role throughout the wider celebration.
Councillor Basit Mahmood, portfolio holder for town centre regeneration and inclusive growth, said: “Luton 150: Party in the Park is a celebration of everything that makes our town special – our people, our diversity, our creativity and our sense of community. We’re delighted to welcome Kaiser Chiefs as part of this landmark occasion – there’s no band better for our Party in the Park. We look forward to bringing residents and visitors together for what will be a truly memorable event.”
Councillor Javeria Hussain, vice-chair of Luton Rising, said: “We are delighted to be the headline sponsor for such a momentous event in Luton’s anniversary year. Our backing for community events is one of the ways we thank everyone for supporting our airport and we can’t wait to see everyone from across Luton come together to celebrate the town’s history and look forward to the future.”
Party in the Park will be followed the next day by Proms in the Park Luton on Sunday, September 13, featuring performers from Luton Music Service as it celebrates its 80th anniversary.
Organisers said further artist announcements for Party in the Park will be made soon.
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