MUSIC festivals are the highlight of summer with events spanning the entire country. Music lovers across the globe make their pilgrimages into the British countryside for weekends lugging tents, food and drink supplies praying for the sun to come and hoping they won’t need their wellies to protect them from trench foot. In addition to all the great weekend festivals, this summer is debuting a handful of new day festivals meaning those who aren’t a fan of camping don’t need to worry. Here is our guide to the best music events.
Green Man
Green Man is celebration of music, food and cider occurring once a year in the picturesque setting of the Black Mountains in Brecon. This festival has stolen the hearts of many with Green Man veterans as well as newcomers enjoying the weekend of folk rocky delights. Praised for it’s eco friendly ethos, Green Man boasts an environmentally friendly approach to a festival with reusable cups and a proud claim that they’ve never used plastic straws since it’s beginning in 2003.
Where: Brecon Beacons, Wales
When: August 16-19
Who: The War On Drugs, Fleet Foxes, King Gizzard and The Lizard Wizard, Grizzly Bear, The Brian Jonestown Massacre, Teenage Fanclub, Anna Calvi, Floating Points, The Lemon Twigs and many more.
Field Day
Now in its new South London location Brockwell Park, Field Day will celebrate yet another diverse lineup of music with both local and international acts performing over the two days. Godmother of soul Erykah Badu will be performing her much anticipated headline set while classical music fans can enjoy a special performance from piano prodigy Nils Frahm who’ll be playing his only UK date of the summer.
Where: Brockwell Park, London
When: June 1-2
Who: Erykah Badu, Loyle Carner, Giles Peterson, Daphni, Earl Sweatshirt, Four Tet, Moses Sumney, Nao, Nils Frahm, Kurupt Fm and many more.
Barclaycard presents: British Summer Time Hyde Park
BST always puts on the biggest acts of the summer, and rightly so as it’s set in London’s humongous Hyde Park. This year is arguably the best so far with rock classics dominating the festival. Pink Floyd’s Roger Waters will be performing a special Pink Floyd filled set from the band’s most iconic albums offering the ultimate headline experience. If that’s not enough rock and roll, Sunday welcomes the king of Latin music, Carlos Santana in his supporting headline set to Eric Clapton.
Where: Hyde Park, London
When: July 6-15
Who: The Cure, Michael Bublé, Bananarama, Bruno Mars, Paul Simon, Goldfrapp, Richard Ashcroft and many more.
Big Feastival
Combining two of the great things in life, Big Feastival celebrates music and food on Alex James’ (Blur) farm. This family friendly celebration has a wide selection of food and drink along with the famous Cheese Hub featuring DJ sets and artisan cheeses available to try and buy made by Alex James himself. Expect cookery masterclasses, pop up restaurants and street food.
Where: Alex James’ Farm, The Cotswolds
When: August 24-26
Who: Basement Jaxx, Craig David, Paloma Faith, Clean Bandit, Professor Green, Tom Odell, James Arthur, David Rodigan and many more.
Robert Smith’s Meltdown
Frontman of The Cure, Robert Smith has curated a loud lineup for this year’s Meltdown Festival which means for the duration of his 9 day takeover, Southbank’s Royal Festival Hall will be undergo an indie-glam-goth residency. Smith’s music taste provokes ears with notoriously loud bands such as My Bloody Valentine and Mogwai playing. Under Smith’s order the venue’s sound system will be put to the test as they prepare for something very different to their classical regulars. Expect great bands, DJ sets and epic indie afterparties.
Where: Southbank Centre, London
When: June 15-24
Who: Placebo, Mogwai, My Bloody Valentine, Deftones, The Joy Formidable, Manic Street Preachers, The Psychedelic Furs, The Libertines and many more.
Lost Village
Unlike other music festivals, Lost Village prides itself on offering an immersive experience where festival goers are encouraged to dress up and get lost in the woods. Their lake of tranquility offers yoga, wellness and spa treatments, allowing guests to wind down after some hard partying. In addition to great music, there are talks and debates running throughout the weekend. There’s a strong sense of mystery involved with this festival but it seems they’re doing something right after celebrating their
Where: Lincolnshire
When: August 23-26
Who: Friendly Fires, Four Tet, Everything Everything, Mount Kimbie, Ben UFO, DJ Harvey, Giles Peterson, Craig Charles, Daniel Avery and many more.
Citadel Festival
Now in its third year running, Citadel will host a string of great bands in its new West London home in Gunnersbury park. With Tame Impala playing their UK exclusive, Citadel is an important date for psych fans as GOAT, Fat White Family and The Horrors support the aussie headliners. Also adding to the psychedelic theme are 70s rockers and Space Rock veterans Hawkwind!
Where: Gunnersbury Park, London
When: July 15
Who: Tame Impala, The Horrors, Leon Bridges, Fat White Family, Shame, Pumarosa, Hawkwind, Honne and many more.
Somerset House Summer Series
Having seen the likes of Amy Winehouse, Lily Allen, Goldfrapp and Bat For Lashes on their stage, Somerset House Summer Series has followed its tradition of hosting great female musicians with Sigrid, Jorja Smith and Róisín Murphy all performing during the series.
Where: Somerset House, London
When: July 5-15
Who: Metronomy, MGMT, David Rodigan, Don Letts, Wiley, Sigrid, De La Soul, The Roots, Jazzie B any many more.
Hampton Court Palace Festival
It’s not every day you get to attend a concert in a Royal Palace, so why not head down to Hampton Court and see some great live music in King Henry VIII’s old stomping ground. With a stage set up right next to the palace, this festival is truly unique as you can enjoy the sights of the royal garden whilst dancing to your favourite band. Additionally to the main event there’ll be the new Viking Stage which will have a lineup of new and emerging acoustic artists.
Where: Hampton Court Palace, London
When: June 5-23
Who: Tom Jones, Lionel Richie, Paloma Faith, Jools Holland and many more.
Latitude Festival
Rightly winning Best Major Festival last year at the UK festival awards, Latitude has consistently been one of our favourite festivals. Always delivering the best entertainment across their many stages, this year’s lineup is no exception with Solage and returning headliners Alt-J taking the top slots.
Where: Henham Park, Suffolk
When: July 12-15
Who: Solange, Alt-J, Belle and Sebastian, The Charlatans, Wolf Alice, The Vaccines, Mogwai, James, Jon Hopkins, David O’Doherty, Harry Hill, Sadlers Wells, The Breeders, Fickle Friends and many more.
Visions Festival
Curated by Foals frontman Yannis Philippakis, Visions will put on some of the best independent and emerging acts across East London’s various music venues. Alongside the music, there will also be a record and zine fair, a dog show, street food and great after parties that may or may not end up in some terrible punk rock karaoke. What’s not to love?
Where: Various venues in London Fields, London
When: August 4
Who: Idles, HMLTD, Marika Hackman, YAK, Sampha The Great, No Age and many more.
Greenwich Music Time
Set in the beautiful architectural focal point and world heritage site of Maritime Greenwich, this festival offers a string of great concerts from a wide range of genres. Noel Gallagher, Chic and Il Divo are only a few of the big names playing with more names to be announced soon.
Where: Old Royal Navy College
When: July 3-6
Who: Tom Jones, Steps, Noel Gallagher and more.
Bestival
Everybody’s favourite dress up festival has moved from the Isle of White to it’s new home in Dorset, meaning no ferries involved. This year’s theme is circus so festival goers should prepare for whacky costumes, face paint and of course lots of glitter. This year they’ve gone all out with the world’s biggest confetti cannon and the world’s biggest bouncy castle on site for punters to enjoy.
Where: Lulworth Estate, Dorset
When: August 2-5
Who: London Grammar, M.I.A, Grace Jones, Chaka Khan, Thundercat, Songhoy Blue, Idles, Kelela, Django Django, We Are Scientists, Beans On Toast, Mr Jukes, Jimmy Cliff and many more.
by Katrina Mirpuri
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