Girl Power: Fiona-Lee to be first female headliner of Humber Street Sesh
RISING STAR: Fiona-Lee
By Simon Bristow, Co-Editor
Emerging singer-songwriter Fiona-Lee will headline the Main Stage at this summer’s Humber Street Sesh, becoming the first female artist to top the bill since the event was first staged nearly 15 years ago.
The Howden-based musician, who already has a Glastonbury appearance under her belt, was announced as the headliner for the grassroots music festival taking place on Saturday, August 1, when thousands of people will gather on Hull Marina for the one-day event.
She is no stranger to the festival, having previously performed on the Acoustic Stage, and delivering another memorable show on the BBC Introducing Stage last year.
Feastival booker Daniel Mawer said: “We’re buzzing to have Fiona-Lee as our Main Stage headliner for 2026. In recent years she’s supported and toured with artists including CMAT, James, Paul Weller, Tom Grennan and The Amazons.
“She’s also performed at Glastonbury, The Great Escape and Live at Leeds, and this summer will take to the stages of Reading and Leeds Festival. To see her return home to headline Humber Street Sesh feels incredibly special.”
According to her label Capitol Records, Fiona-Lee has “formidable live vocals, remarkable storytelling and crunching indie sensibilities” in “guitar-driven anthems that resonate with audiences far and wide”.
Mark Page, festival director, said: “Fiona-Lee's journey with us began in 2018 on the Acoustic Stage when she was still a teenager, and we’ve taken immense pride in watching her career flourish ever since.
“Last year’s performance on the BBC Introducing Stage was a real pinch-me moment for everyone involved. To now see Fiona-Lee and her band headline our Main Stage will be one of the proudest moments in Humber Street Sesh history and for our entire team.”
This year’s featival will showcase more than 100 acts across multiple stages, celebrating the very best emerging music from the region and beyond.
The Main Stage is supported this year by long-term festival sponsors Hull Business Angels.
Pete Adams, office managing partner in Hull at Business Angel RSM UK, said: “We’re proud to stand alongside our fellow Hull Business Angels in sponsoring Humber Street Sesh for a tenth year.
“Events like this show the real impact businesses can have when they get behind culture – helping to create opportunities, champion talent and bring communities together in a genuinely inclusive way.”