There was something very different about the atmosphere at Wilderness Festival on Sunday evening.

Of course, many people had gathered to see Annie Lennox. Her live appearances have become increasingly rare over recent years, making every performance feel like a special occasion. But this wasn't simply another festival headline slot. This was SISTERS, a unique event curated by Annie herself in support of The Circle, the global feminist organisation she founded to support women and girls facing violence, discrimination and injustice around the world.

Taking over the Wilderness Main Stage, with an audience estimated to be between 25,000 and 30,000 people, SISTERS became one of the largest audiences Annie has performed to in many years. It was part concert, part celebration, part rallying cry, and entirely unforgettable. 

Deborah Frances-White Opens the Conversation

Throughout the afternoon, hosting duties were expertly handled by comedian, broadcaster and author Deborah Frances-White, best known as the creator and host of the hugely successful podcast The Guilty Feminist. Deborah's role extended far beyond introducing acts. She acted as an ambassador for The Circle, helping educate the audience about its work, encouraging live donations and promoting the charity's latest merchandise range, including the brand new pink and cream Global Feminist t-shirts. 

Her warmth, humour and passion helped set the tone for the entire event, constantly reminding the audience that SISTERS was about more than music.

Ríoghnach Connolly Captivates the Crowd

The first performer to take the stage was Irish folk artist Ríoghnach Connolly, who many fans would recognise from Annie's original SISTERS concert at the Royal Albert Hall in 2025. 

Connolly delivered a stunning opening set that immediately captured the audience's attention. Her voice was rich, soulful and utterly captivating, while her extraordinary flute playing brought an ethereal quality to the vast open-air setting.

What makes Ríoghnach particularly engaging is her contrast between performance and personality. One minute the audience was transfixed by beautiful melodies and haunting vocals, the next they were laughing along with her wonderfully earthy Irish storytelling and delightfully unfiltered stage banter. She brought authenticity, humour and humanity in equal measure.

For many in the crowd, she was a new discovery. Judging by the response, she gained plenty of new fans before leaving the stage.

Becky Sikasa Brings Soul and Intimacy

Next came Becky Sikasa, joined by her guitarist for an intimate set of four songs.

Personally selected by Annie Lennox as part of the SISTERS line-up, Sikasa demonstrated why she deserved her place on such a prestigious bill. Her soulful delivery and heartfelt songwriting created an intimacy rarely experienced on a festival stage of this size.

Despite the scale of the audience, her performance felt personal and genuine, drawing listeners in through pure vocal talent and emotional honesty.

Benedict Wong Delivers a Powerful Message

The mood shifted as acclaimed actor Benedict Wong took to the stage.

A long-time supporter and ally of The Circle, Wong delivered a powerful reading of the poem "I Will Teach My Boys to Be Dangerous Men".

The poem challenges traditional ideas of masculinity, arguing that true strength lies not in domination or aggression but in empathy, kindness, patience and compassion. It was a moving and thought-provoking moment that sat perfectly within the broader message of SISTERS.

In a festival environment often driven by noise and spectacle, Wong's performance created one of the day's most reflective moments.

A Surprise Appearance from Jessie Ware

Then came the first major surprise of the evening.

As Deborah Frances-White teased an unannounced guest, the audience erupted when Jessie Ware appeared on stage.

Performing three songs, Ware immediately raised the energy level. Effortlessly charismatic, funny and completely at home in front of a large audience, she delivered a short but memorable set that perfectly bridged the gap between the opening performances and the main event everyone had been waiting for.

By the time she left the stage, the anticipation for Annie Lennox had reached fever pitch.

Annie Lennox Takes Command

When Annie finally appeared, the reaction was nothing short of thunderous.

Dressed in her now familiar camouflage outfit, complete with sunglasses and a black Global Feminist t-shirt from The Circle, Annie looked every bit the activist, artist and icon she has become over the past four decades.

Rather than launching straight into a song, she began by simply walking across the stage from side to side, acknowledging the enormous crowd gathered before her.

Behind her, a spectacular montage of videos and music from throughout her career filled the giant screens while her exceptional band layered live instrumentation over the soundtrack. It was a powerful opening that celebrated the many chapters of Annie's remarkable journey before the first song had even begun.

Most striking of all was Annie herself. Throughout the evening she radiated genuine joy. Between songs she smiled constantly, taking in the scale of the audience and visibly enjoying every moment.

A Set Filled with Classics

Opening with Little Bird, Annie immediately demonstrated that her voice remains one of the most distinctive and powerful in popular music.

Walking on Broken Glass followed, prompting huge singalongs across the field, before There Must Be an Angel (Playing with My Heart) lifted the atmosphere even higher.

Midway through the song, Jessie Ware returned to the stage to join Annie. The pairing was inspired.

The two singers shared the stage with obvious affection and respect for one another. Several times Annie reached out to hold Jessie's hand as they sang directly to each other, creating one of the evening's most heartwarming moments.

The chemistry between them was undeniable, and the crowd responded accordingly.

An Emotional "Here Comes the Rain Again"

The emotional centrepiece of the evening arrived with Here Comes the Rain Again.

Beginning with Annie seated alone at the piano, a brief sustain pedal issue threatened to interrupt the performance. Ever the professional, Annie laughed it off, made light of the situation and started again.

As the song unfolded, Annie became visibly emotional. Several times she paused to wipe her eyes, whether it was the significance of the occasion, the message behind SISTERS, or the overwhelming response from the crowd, it was a moving reminder that these songs continue to mean as much to her as they do to the people hearing them.

Sisters Are Doin' It for Themselves

The event's central message came into sharp focus during Sisters Are Doin' It for Themselves.

Before singing the song, Annie delivered a passionate spoken introduction about women's rights, equality and the continuing mission of The Circle.

As the performance gathered momentum, the stage began to fill.

Deborah Frances-White and Benedict Wong returned, alongside Ríoghnach Connolly, Becky Sikasa and members of The Last Dinner Party, creating a powerful visual representation of the community Annie had assembled for the event.

What followed felt less like a performance and more like a celebration of solidarity, activism and collective purpose.

A Sweet Dreams Finale

There was only one song capable of closing an evening like this.

As the unforgettable synth line of Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This) echoed across Cornbury Park, tens of thousands of people immediately joined in.

The Wilderness Stage became a giant choir.

Voices could be heard far beyond the festival arena as Annie delivered one final masterclass in performance.

By the time the final notes rang out, it was clear that SISTERS had achieved exactly what it set out to do.

It entertained, educated, inspired and united.

More importantly, it demonstrated that Annie Lennox remains a uniquely powerful force, not only as a performer, but as an activist, campaigner and communicator.

For one remarkable evening in Oxfordshire, music and purpose came together in perfect harmony.

The Band Behind the Magic

• Musical Director: Mike Stevens
• Keys: Richard Cardwell
• Guitar: Jo Webb
• Bass: Lee Pomeroy
• Drums: Doane Hepburn
• Backing Vocalists: Beverley Skeete, Frida Mariama Touray and Elize Kellman

Setlist

1. Little Bird
2. Walking on Broken Glass
3. There Must Be an Angel (Playing with My Heart)
4. Here Comes the Rain Again
5. Sisters Are Doin' It for Themselves
6. Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This)