New to the scene

The latest addition to your summer festival schedule, KITE combines music, events and ideas *adds to diary*

Grab your sequins, pray for blue skies and make space in your calendar because festival season is coming. Fresh on the scene – and now in its second year after a headline-grabbing launch in 2022 – is KITE, a first-of-itskind festival that blends music acts with inspiring speakers. Here’s why you need to add it to your summer-of-fun line-up.

The music

Focusing on alternative music designed to get you dancing, the bill encompasses cultural icons, contemporary artists and emerging talent. Last year, Self Esteem (below), Tom Misch and Grace Jones all performed on the main stage, and this year’s line-up will feature Suede, Hot Chip and Django Django, with more names to be announced in the run-up to the weekend.

The speakers

KITE isn’t just a music festival, though – it’s also a place to listen to debate and explore new ideas. This year’s speakers include model and activist Munroe Bergdorf, podcaster Elizabeth Day, Guardian journalist Marina Hyde (described by Caitlin Moran as ‘Britain’s funniest writer’) and award-winning comedian Shazia Mirza.

The layout

You’ll find the mix of musicians, comedians, artists, writers and thinkers dotted across seven unique stages, from the KITE Stage, where you’ll see some of the biggest music acts, to the cosy Skylark Social, where you can grab a coffee, chat to authors and get books signed.

Street-food stalls will revive you with tasty treats from around the world, including gluten- and dairy-free choices and vegetarian and vegan options.

Then, when you’ve danced and talked yourself out, you can head back to your tent nestled within beautiful parkland and admire the surrounding hills and views of the venue’s 18th-century Palladian mansion.

Brb, just off to dig out our flower crowns.