James announced as headliners for Pavilion Festival’s Ayr Beach Live

The indie heavyweights will head up the action for Pavilion Festival’s Ayr Beach Live, kicking off three days of jam-packed shows.

Last updated: 30th Jan 2025

Originally published: 29th Jan 2025

Pavilion Festival is returning to Low Green in Ayr this May Bank Holiday (Friday 2nd May until Sunday 4th May 2025) for its third year, and the sensational lineup reveals aren’t slowing down. Alongside Ewan McVicar & Pals on Saturday and STREETrave headed by Happy Mondays on Sunday, Pavilion is introducing Ayr Beach Live on Friday, headlined by none other than indie rock heavyweights James. 

Ever since they first tuned guitars in the Manchester suburbs, James have become indie rock icons, with eighteen studio albums and countless classic songs under their belt. The group will kick off the weekend by heading up Ayr Beach Live, a brand new edition to Pavilion Festival for 2025, which will comprise an unmissable celebration of nostalgia. They’ll be joined by a crew of iconic 90s and 00s acts, delivering a vibrant start to the weekend with timeless hits and crowd-pleasing performances.

The brainchild of Scotland’s prodigal DJ Ewan McVicar and the legendary STREETrave crew, Pavilion Festival has been a runaway success for the past two years and has become one of the best dance festivals in the UK, with this year promising to be bigger and better than the last. 

Tickets for the day and full weekend go on sale at 10am on Friday 31st January 2025, and payment plans are available to split the cost for festival goers. 

Check out our What's On Guide to discover even more rowdy raves and sweaty gigs taking place over the coming weeks and months. For festivals, lifestyle events and more, head on over to our Things To Do page or be inspired by the event selections on our Inspire Me page.