British bands such as James, Happy Mondays, Lightning Seeds, and The Waeve headlined the Out of Time Festival segment, celebrating British music culture.

The Colchester Castle Summer Series 2025 was a highly successful inaugural outdoor music festival, attracting 70,000 fans over eight nights in Lower Castle Park, making it Colchester's biggest outdoor event to date.

Held between August 14 and 23, the festival featured a diverse lineup of world-renowned artists across genres including rock, pop, R&B, reggae, and ska, with major acts like The Smashing Pumpkins, Busted, Craig David, UB40, Tom Jones, Texas, James, and Madness.

The festival marked Tom Jones's first performance in six years, delivering a powerful set, while Scottish acts Texas and Natalie Imbruglia also performed hits that energized the crowd.

Local officials, including Councillor Lee Scordis, praised the event's positive impact on local businesses and hinted at the possibility of the series returning in future years.

Organizers Soundcrash and Supermodified praised the event’s success, highlighting the historic setting, diverse lineup, and enthusiastic audience as key factors in its triumph.

Building on this success, the organizers announced plans to return next year, with concerts scheduled for August 14, 2026, and promising upcoming announcements.

The festival's lineup showcased a wide array of musical styles, contributing to its reputation as a highlight of the UK’s live music calendar.

The series received glowing reviews, sold-out shows, and left a lasting impression as a significant highlight of the UK live music scene, boosting Colchester’s reputation as a vibrant entertainment destination.

The event concluded on August 23 with a sold-out performance by ska-pop band Madness, supported by The Zutons, The Skints, and The Beat, turning the finale into a massive celebration.

Additional notable performances included Busted, Craig David TS5, UB40 with Ali Campbell, Aswad, David Rodigan, Don Letts, and Bitty McLean, showcasing a wide range of musical styles.

The festival significantly contributed to the local economy by drawing large crowds to shops, pubs, and restaurants, benefiting the community.