Bath Festivals’ Party in the City was another huge success. Over 150 free gigs took place in 39 venues across sun-kissed Bath on Friday 16 May 2025. The streets, parks, pubs, bars, cafes and clubs were alive with music, laughter and good vibes.
Image: Bath Party in the City 2025
Party in the City, formerly known as Party in the Park, has been a mainstay in the calendar for well over 40 years as the city’s biggest night of free music, celebrating the region’s much-loved regular acts and emerging talent at the same time.
The party continued on Saturday 17 May with a free-to-attend Festival of Choirs in Green Park Station, with 650 singers in 15 choirs, giving everyone the opportunity to experience the transformative power of singing together.
This year saw the launch of the Party in the City app which has had over 3,700 downloads and helped everyone fine-tune their schedule based on genre of music, time and location.
Image: Reverend and the Makers at Komedia Bath
Bath Festivals’ closing event for all of its festivals – Party in the City, Bath Literature Festival and Bath Music Festival - is a gig in Komedia on Bank Holiday Monday 26 May with Reverend and the Makers, supported by The Ramona Flowers and Alex Lipinski & The Crown Electric. This is a fundraiser for Party in the City to help keep it free for all. All proceeds from ticket sales, minus venue hire, tech, and transport go into the pot. The bands are kindly waiving their performance fee to support this festival.
Fusing indie rock melody and attitude with dance rhythm, Reverend and The Makers is the brainchild of Sheffield musician Jon McClure, who recorded the original RATM demos with members of the Arctic Monkeys and Bromheads Jacket. With top ten album and single success, their energetic performances and thought-provoking lyrics have solidified their place in the music industry.
They are supported by local favourites The Ramona Flowers, who channel the airtight interplay, undeniable chemistry, and uncontainable energy of four close friends jamming in a room into anthems that are as cinematic as they are catchy. They’ve previously teamed up with Nile Rodgers on Up All Night, and shared stages with Barns Courtney, The Libertines, and Tom Grennan to Muse and Placebo.
Also on the lineup is much-loved local songster Alex Lipinski, a guitar hero in the tradition of the greats of the Americana genre and an accomplished songwriter whose songs are at once familiar and supremely memorable. Alex is joined by his band The Crown Electric who drive his songs into an anthemic big festival musical experience.
Alex has also launched a ‘Roadie for the Day’ competition. Everyone who buys a ticket will go into a prize-draw to win a day as a roadie for the band – on 26 May itself! Alex promises minimal lugging of kit, and more chatting with all of the bands and management. It promises to be a day to remember for any aspiring musician or someone looking to break into the industry.
Sam Dyson, owner of Distiller Records says “Party in the Park – now City – is something I’ve enjoyed for many years. It’s been a rite of passage for everyone who’s grown up here, and it continues to be enjoyed year after year by music lovers of all ages. I’m delighted to be able to support this great festival and what a brilliant way to close all of Bath Festivals’ events, with a gig that bring together three powerhouses in the music industry.”
Chris Rogers, Artistic Director for Party in the City says “The opening night of the May festival was, back in 1993, the most persuasive reason for myself and my wife Denise choosing to move to Bath. Many years on, it's a privilege to be asked to help Party in the City grow, engage new performers and reach new audiences. Thank you to everyone who shares that vision, gets involved, and comes out to party!”
Thanks to our Party in the City sponsors, Bath BID, Mayden, Bath Recreation, Nicholas Wylde, Bath Pizza Co, Natural Theatre Company, The Norie Trust and Bob Tyrrell. And also to the bands, Distiller Records and Komedia, Bath for helping us put on this incredible closing event.
Buy tickets online at https://komediabath.co.uk/events/128588936-reverend-and-the-makers-2025-05-26-19-00-00/.
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