Holly Johnson to headline two massive outdoor concerts next summer

Holly Johnson will be joined by special guests ABC and Heaven 17 at two massive outdoor concerts next summer in Scarborough and Halifax.

The former Frankie Goes To Hollywood frontman and successful solo artist tops the bill at TK Maxx presents Scarborough Open Air Theatre on Friday 14 August  before he heads to Halifax to headline TK Maxx presents Live at The Piece Hall on Saturday 15 August.

Julian Murray, of Scarborough OAT promoters Cuffe and Taylor, said: “What a fantastic night this will be for any 80s music lovers out there! Bringing together a truly exceptional performer like Holly Johnson with two outstanding bands. Add to that, ABC’s and Heaven 17’s Yorkshire roots – and you know we’re in for an absolute treat here at the spectacular Open Air Theatre.”

Nicky Chance-Thompson MBE DL, CEO of The Piece Hall Charitable Trust, added: “What an awesome show this will be, as we prepare to hear some of the most iconic and enduring pop hits of the 80s and beyond. I’m so excited to welcome Holly to our stunning heritage site. He brings such a bold energy alongside his powerful, unique and engaging vocals – there’ll be no time to relax at this show for sure!  And it’s amazing to see Yorkshire so well represented with not one but two massively influential electronic bands, ABC, and Heaven 17 founded by our good friend Martyn Ware who’s brought so much brilliant free culture to The Piece Hall recently with his art installations.”

Fantastic Bill

Holly Johnson first came to fame as the charismatic lead vocalist and lyricist of Frankie Goes to Hollywood who achieved huge success as one of the biggest selling bands of the 80s.

With his distinctive voice, flamboyant stage presence, and unapologetically bold persona, Holly was the voice of Frankie’s huge No.1 hits Relax, Two Tribes and The Power Of Love. After leaving the band in 1987, Holly forged a solo career launch with album Blast and singles Love Train, Americanos and Atomic City.

Earlier this year, he toured the UK and Europe marking the 40^th anniversary of Frankie Goes To Hollywood’s debut album Welcome To The Pleasuredome.

Joining Holly will be Lexicon Of Love hitmakers ABC. Founded in Sheffield, Martin Fry’s sophisti-pop pioneers will perform era-defining singles like The Look Of Love, Poison Arrow and When Smokey Sings. While fellow Sheffield band, synth-pop stars Heaven 17 will bring smash hits such as Temptation, Crushed By The Wheels Of Industry and Come Live With Me.

Holly Johnson joins a number of Classic Pop favourites headlining the TK Maxx presents events next year. Rick Astley, Scissor Sisters, Madness, Billy Ocean, Gary Numan, Deacon Blue, Paul Weller and Alex James’ Britpop Classical are among the headliners already announced. Details below:

TK Maxx Presents Scarborough Open Air Theatre 2026

05 Jun Rick Astley + The Lottery Winners
06 Jun Madness + Hollie Cook + The Beat Feat. Ranking Jnr
12 Jun Paul Weller
18 Jun The Kooks
20 Jun Skunk Anansie + Garbage
26 Jun Pete Tong Ibiza Classics
28 Jun Billy Ocean + Marti Pellow
03 Jul James Arthur
04 Jul David Gray + The Divine Comedy
10 Jul Deacon Blue + Lightning Seeds
17 Jul Alex James’ Britpop Classical
22 Jul Teddy Swims + Jordan Rakei
23 Jul Teddy Swims + Jordan Rakei
25 Jul James Taylor + His All-star Band
01 Aug The Streets
08 Aug Scissor Sisters
14 Aug Holly Johnson + ABC + Heaven 17

TK Maxx Presents Live At The Piece Hall 2026

06 Jun Shed Seven + Seb Lowe + The Guest List
11 Jun Madness + Hollie Cook + The Skints
12 Jun Madness + Hollie Cook + The Skints
13 Jun Embrace + Idlewild + The Hazy Janes
14 Jun Paul Weller
16 Jun Skunk Anansie + Garbage
17 Jun The Beach Boys + 10cc
18 Jun Amy Macdonald + The Coral + Nathan Evans & The Saint Phnx Band
19 Jun The Kooks
20 Jun Ethel Cain
21 Jun Belle And Sebastian + Saint Etienne
23 Jun McFly + Twin Atlantic + Remember Monday
24 Jun McFly + Twin Atlantic + Remember Monday
04 Jul James Arthur
05 Jul David Gray + The Divine Comedy
08 Jul Deacon Blue + Lightning Seeds 
09 Jul Deacon Blue + Lightning Seeds
10 Jul Billy Ocean + Marti Pellow
12 Jul Billy Ocean + Marti Pellow
16 Jul James Taylor + His All-star Band
19 Jul Alex James’ Britpop Classical
23 Jul The Flaming Lips + The Beta Band
26 Jul Tom Grennan
31 Jul Gary Numan + Ladytron
01 Aug Opeth + Paradise Lost
08 Aug The K’s
09 Aug Scissor Sisters
15 Aug Holly Johnson + ABC + Heaven 17
21 Aug The Wombats