FESTIVAL FINALES
In control:
IT’S our last chance to really go for it with the last of this year’s festivals planning to go out with a serious bang throughout September. And, says SIMON GAGE, there’s no shortage of events to choose from...
Tim says he knows when a song is stale and should be left out of a live set
MIGHTY HOOPLA
They say there’s a festival for everyone and this always-bonkers day out in Brockwell Park proves it. Dress up as high as you can get, body glitter all over and put some flowers in your hair as the competition outfit-wise is going to be fierce. The eclectic line-up includes Cheryl, Jimmy Somerville, Raye, Atomic Kitten and C&C Music Factory… And more drag queens than you can throw shade at!
September 4, mightyhoopla.com
WIRELESS
If south London does a festival, you know it’s going to be the coolest in town, which is where this little beauty in Crystal Palace comes in serving up the likes of Skepta, Migos, S1mba and Future. Beware, this is going to sell clean out… if it hasn’t already. September 10-12, wirelessfestival.co.uk
IDLES ON THE DOWNS
They’re the biggest thing on the Bristol music scene right now, so where better to see IDLES than in front of 10,000 people in their first headline outdoor show in their home town? We can’t think of an answer to that. Add a line-up of leftfield musicians from Anna Meredith and Jane Weaver to TV Priest and it’s looking like a big day out. September 3, seetickets.com
PARKLIFE
Heaton Park in Manchester must be a pretty monumental place if they’re going to fit in the number of acts they have announced for this year’s mega return to form – and that’s without even factoring in the punters… Dave,
Skepta, Disclosure, Eric Prydz, Carl Cox, Mabel, Annie Mac, Celeste… they’re going to need some WD-40 just to squeeze them in! September 11-12, parklife.uk.com
SUNDOWN
It’s arguably the biggest thing to happen in Norfolk in any given year so get ready to head east where you will be rewarded with a line-up that includes Bugzy Malone, Rudimental,
Example, Artful Dodger, Wilkinson, the gorgeous and hilarious Raye and a Defected takeover. And that’s just scratching the surface! Phew! September 3-5, sundownfestival.co.uk
SLAM DUNK
If rock, pop-punk, emo and alternative music is your bag then you’ll already be ticketed up for this celebration of your favourite sounds. If you need a little more convincing, can we just say Don Broco? Or While She Sleeps? Frank Turner? NOFX? Sep 4, Leeds, Sep 5, Hatfield, slamdunkfestival.com
STRAWBERRIES AND CREEM
Hosts Yinka Bokinni and Shayna Marie will have their work cut out presenting this line-up, which is so extensive we suggest a throat lozenge, maybe a Locket. Burna Boy, Giggs, Bugzy Malone, Little Simz – we’re reading from the top and are going to get nowhere near the bottom. Cambridge won’t have buzzed like this for a while. Sep 18-19, strawberriesandcreem.com
NASS FESTIVAL
They must be looking forward to a bumper time of it at every BMX and skateboard fan’s favourite festival, what with the added interest stirred up by this year’s Olympics. Add street art, MC workshops and acts along the lines of Headie One, The Streets and Kano and we can’t think of a single reason NOT to go. Sep 23-26, nassfestival.com