Ellie Goulding, Kali Uchis, and Liz Phair are among the lineup for the inaugural Versa, a “music + more festival” that will take place at Lincoln Park South Fields in Chicago June 11-12.
Weaving live music, comedy and inspirational speakers together to appear across five stages over the weekend, Versa bills itself as the first major women-led multi-day festival in more than two decades. Kim Petras, Monica, Mon Laferte, Jamila Woods, Young M.A, Ingrid Andress, Yuna, Big Freedia, Yendry, Laura Jane Grace, Salem Ilese, Deb Never, Madame Gandhi, Lila Iké, Adeline, Vagabon, Coco & Breezy, Lillie Mae, and Tia Wood are among the musical performers.
On the comedy side, Chelsea Handler, Ilana Glazer, Fortune Feimster, Patti Harrison, Aida Rodriguez, Dulcé Sloan, and Sydnee Washington will perform standup, along with improv appearances from The Second City’s ensemble. The event also features a Versa Ball. Hosted by ballroom historian Legendary Leggoh JohVera, the ball will celebrate drag and ballroom culture.
Alongside the performances, the weekend will include inspirational speakers, including Gloria Steinem. Programmed by documentary filmmaker Dyllan McGee, who also serves as a Versa executive producer, the programming topics include entertainment, health and wellness, sports, social action and entrepreneurship.
C3 (Lollapalooza, Austin City Limits) veteran Charlie Jones’ Four Leaf Productions is behind the festival. Last year, Jones told Rolling Stone that one of the driving forces behind the festival led by (and catering to) women is to open doors and elevate others. “We’re going to be paying attention to how we communicate with people, how we hire, how we contract, how we pay people,” Jones said of how his all-women partners and team have approached the endeavor. “‘Empowerment’ feels like an empty word, but ‘financial empowerment’ is not, and I’m focused on that. And that’s how we’re treating anybody that gets hired to perform or work on the event.”
Tickets are on sale now.
Maroon 5 officially launched the second weekend of American Express presents BST Hyde Park with a headline performance on London's Great Oak Stage on Friday, 3 July 2026. Taking a short break from their ongoing global Love Is Like tour, the multi-platinum American pop rock band delivered an energetic sold out concert for thousands of fans. The milestone performance reflected just how far the group has come since making its London debut at the intimate Barfly venue in 2005.
Frontman Adam Levine guided the six member band through an uninterrupted set packed with worldwide hits, kicking things off with "Harder To Breathe" after an opening audio tribute to The Beach Boys. The energy stayed high as the group launched into fan favorites including "Animals" and "One More Night," with Levine making his way along the runway to connect with fans gathered at the front of the stage. As the evening sky over London began to glow, "Sunday Morning" provided one of the night's standout moments, featuring an extended guitar showcase from lead guitarist James Valentine. The audience then joined together for huge singalongs to "She Will Be Loved" and the Cardi B collaboration "Girls Like You." The main performance wrapped up with the instantly recognizable whistle melody of "Moves Like Jagger," before an encore featuring "Payphone" and "Sugar" brought the night to an unforgettable finish.
The main stage also welcomed a crowd pleasing set from pop rock band OneRepublic during the late afternoon. Frontman Ryan Tedder performed a string of beloved hits spanning nearly twenty years, including "Stop and Stare," "Apologize," and the hugely successful European streaming favorite "Counting Stars." He also treated fans to a solo medley highlighting songs he has written for artists including Beyoncé and Adele.
Earlier in the day, Jess Glynne attracted a huge audience with spirited performances of chart hits "I’ll Be There" and "Hold My Hand," while R&B singer Ella Eyre impressed with powerful renditions of "Space" and a soulful take on "Crazy." The day's varied lineup also featured opening rock performances from Reading quartet Only The Poets, along with dynamic alternative sets by Bradley Simpson, Pedro Santos, and electronic pop duo VOILÀ across the festival site.
Photo credit: Sienna Lorraine Gray
