Summer is just around the corner and the UK’s music festival season is about to kick off. Whilst no one can guarantee the sun, the one thing that you can rely on is there will be a music festival happening near you whatever your taste in music.
Here is our pick of the best.
May Festivals
Hit the North
If you don’t fancy slushing around in a field in the middle of nowhere, Hit the North in Newcastle is the festival for you. With 120 artists playing over 15 venues you will see emerging talent as well as established artists.
Line-up includes: Jake Bugg, Tom Grennan, Shame, Blaenavon, Lauren Aquilina, Mini Mansions, and Ten Tonnes
Location: Newcastle upon Tyne, Northumberland
Dates: 5 May
Cost: Tickets start at £24.75 per day
June Festivals
Parklife
Parklife is Manchester’s flagship music event and takes place right in the city. 70,000 revellers come together to party to a diverse line-up of acts.
Line-up includes: Cardi B, George Ezra, The Streets, Migos, Khalid, Major Lazer, and Christine and the Queens
Location: Heaton Park, Manchester
Dates: 8-9 June
Cost: Day tickets start at £69.50 + £6.95 booking fee
Isle of Wight Festival
It doesn’t get much bigger or better than this. This four-day festival attracts over 50,000 people every year, which is no surprise considering the big-name acts and beautiful location.
Line-up includes: Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds, Biffy Clyro, Lily Allen, Fatboy Slim, Bastille, and Sigrid
Location: Newport, Isle of Wight
Dates: 13-16 June
Cost: Student weekend tickets start at £160
July Festivals
Barn on the Farm
Barn on the Farm is on an actual working farm in beautiful Gloucester. It’s renowned for its relaxed and friendly atmosphere and is the ideal place to discover new and emerging artists.
Line-up includes: Sam Fender, Maggie Rogers, Lewis Capaldi, Maverick Sabre, Zak Abel, and Swim Deep
Location: Over Farm, Gloucester
Date: 4-7 July
Cost: Day tickets start at £80
Henley Festival
If you want chilled-out tunes, comedy along with fine dining, and the chance to sample vintage spirits, then this is the festival for you. Bring on the glamour, we say!
Line-up includes: Boy George, Jessie J, Tom Odell, Stables, and The Dime
Location: Henley-on-Thames, Oxfordshire
Dates: 10-14 July
Cost: Day tickets start at £45 + £2.70 booking fee
Lovebox
Lovebox is a one-of-a-kind party that happens in central London every year. It started out as an old strip club in Tottenham Court Road but has grown to be the biggest outdoor party in London. Not bad.
Line-up includes: Chance the Rapper, Solange, Giggs, 2 Chainz, Four Tet, Brockhampton, and Loyle Garner
Location: Gunnersbury Park, London
Dates: 12-13 July
Cost: Day tickets start at £65.25
Latitude
This is not your straightforward music festival; alongside its eclective line-up of musicians, it has world-class comedians, poets, theatre, and thought-provoking debates. There really is something for everyone at Latitude – including mobs of colourful sheep roaming the idyllic fields.
Line-up includes: George Ezra, Snow Patrol, Lana del Rey, CVRCHES, Loyle Carner, and Marina
Location: Henham Park, Beccles, Suffolk
Date: 18-21 July
Cost: Day tickets start at £77.50 + £7.00 booking fee
Kendal Calling
If you thought the Lake District was just about the great outdoors, think again. Kendal Calling brings together big pop, rock, and indie outfits. You can also partake in dance classes and, if you fancy it, kick back at the late-night cinema.
Line-up includes: Courteeners, Doves, Manic Street Preachers, Nile Rodgers & Chic, Orbital, Years & Years, and Tom Jones
Location: Lowther Deer Park, Lake District
Date: 25-28 July
Cost: Weekend camping tickets start from £148.00
Festivals in August
Belladrum Tartan Heart
Take in the rugged beauty of Scotland and attend the northernmost music festival in the UK. Belladrum Tartan Heart is full of Celtic vigour, with a line-up of acts that will have you dancing the whole weekend.
Line-up includes: Jess Glynne, CHVRCHES, Elbow, Johnny Marr, Lewis Capaldi, Tom Odell, Glasvegas, The Coral, Hawkwind, and Julie Fowlis
Location: Belladrum Estate, Inverness-shire
Dates: 1-3 August
Cost: Weekend tickets start from £159.10
Boardmasters
If you are into skateboarding, surfboarding, BMX biking, or just want to watch the pros with beach parties and music thrown into the mix, then Boardmasters is for you.
Line-up includes: Wu-Tang Clan, Florence + The Machine, Foals, The Wombats, Dizzee Rascal, and Jorja Smith
Location: Newquay, Cornwall
Dates: 7-11 August
Cost: Day tickets start from £74
Green Man
The Brecon Beacons is a mountain range in South Wales and this stunning location plays hosts to the Green Man Festival once a year. This eco-friendly, left-leaning festival boasts an eclectic line-up of pop, electronic DJs and a bit of folk in there for good measure.
Line-up includes: Four Tet, Father John Misty, Eels, Stereolab, Yo La Tengo, and Sharon van Etten
Location: Brecon Beacons, Wales
Dates: 15-18 August
Cost: Weekend tickets start from £189
The Big Feastival
Good food and good music go hand-in-hand at this festival. It’s hosted on a farm in Oxfordshire by Alex James, who is best known for being the bassist in the band Blur. The former musician turned farmer and cheesemaker teams up with famous chef Jamie Oliver to host this unique event.
Line-up includes: Elbow, Jess Glynne, Duke, Lewis Capaldi, Jade Bird, and Barns Courtney
Location: The Cotswolds
Dates: 23-25 August
Cost: Day tickets start from £62 + £5.50 booking fee
One Love
Britain’s only major festival devoted to reggae. The event was created in honour of Bob Marley and is named after his famous 1978 One Love concert.
Line-up includes: Abyssinians, King Yellowman, Gully Bop, Trinity, Warrior King & The Rootz Warriors, and SYMARIP
Location: Tonbridge, Kent
Dates: 30 Aug – 1 Sept
Cost: Student day tickets start from £40.50 + £3.98 booking fee
