'We can't wait' - Huge headliner confirmed for Bootle's Salt and Tar festival due to 'phenomenal demand'

The organisers of Bootle’s popular Salt and Tar Music Weekender festival teased the return of a “legend” last week, with fans guessing that Tom Jones or Billy Ocean could make an appearance at this year’s event.

The first staging of the festival - headlined by the likes of The Lathums - saw the Salt and Tar venue nominated for two UK Festival Awards, with Sir Tom Jones, Status Quo and Red Rum Club then taking to the stage in 2024 and Billy Ocean, Ocean Colour Scene and Sugababes headlining last summer.

Due to updates to the site, the 2026 festival is relocating to neighbours Lock & Quay, with the first acts confirmed as The Waterboys, The Saw Doctors and Nile Rodgers & Chic.

Now, Salt and Tar have confirmed that Billy Ocean will headline on Thursday, August 13.

Announcing the news on social media, the organisers said: “A legend returns!

Due to phenomenal demand, Billy Ocean will once again be playing our stage at Salt and Tar, Lock and Quay, in August! Our most in-demand show to date and we can’t wait to welcome Billy back.”

With a career spanning five decades and over 30 million records sold, Billy Ocean is a true icon of British music. His distinctive blend of pop and soul has earned him a mountain of accolades and global recognition.

A GRAMMY Award winner, he also holds an Ivor Novello Award for International Achievement, a MOBO Lifetime Achievement Award, and was honoured with an MBE in 2020.

He will headline Salt and Tar on Thursday, August 13, joined by “special guests”. Pre-sale begins at 10.00am on Wednesday morning (January 28). To access, sign-up here.