Get set for the 2019 festivals
FROM family-friendly jazz and rock jamborees to a Hyde Park battle of the divas, this year’s festival circuit has something for everyone, as Mail music critic ADRIAN THRILLS discovers . . .
ISLE OF WIGHT Seaclose Park, Newport, IOW; June 13-16.
Having celebrated its 50th birthday last year, the isle of Wight is one of the few festivals to rival glastonbury for tradition. Dubbed the English Woodstock after early bills that starred Jimi Hendrix and The Who, it trades on a rich rock heritage.
This year’s line-up should appeal to old and young ravers alike, with noel gallagher, Biffy Clyro and george Ezra headlining, and Fatboy Slim, garbage, Lily allen and Madness leading the supporting cast.
■ Weekend ticket (including booking fee) £186.90 ( isleofwightfestival.com).
DOWNLOAD Donington Park, Leics; June 14-16.
THE Leicestershire countryside has been a hotbed of all things hard and heavy since the Eighties, and lovers of the mosh-pit will again be heading to Britain’s loudest festival. Pride of place this year goes to Def Leppard.
The Sheffield guitar giants, recently inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame, have survived alcoholism, illness and car crashes and will play 1987’s Hysteria album in full. Slipknot, Smashing Pumpkins and Whitesnake will ensure a noisy weekend.
■ Weekend ticket from £199.80 ( downloadfestival.co.uk).
GLASTONBURY Worthy Farm, Somerset; June 26-30.
glasto is back after a fallow year. Stormzy, The Killers and The Cure headline. Janet Jackson, Liam gallagher, vampire Weekend, Billie Eilish and Janelle Monáe will be there, too, while Kylie plays the Pyramid Stage 14 years after being forced to cancel.
The weather phenomenon known as the European Monsoon may wreak its usual havoc, but the BBC coverage will again be exhaustive. a resale of returned tickets starts next Thursday for fans who register online by Tuesday.
■ Weekend ticket £253 ( glastonbury festivals.co.uk).
LOVE SUPREME Glynde Place, East Sussex; July 5-7.
Britain’S biggest outdoor jazz festival isn’t just for connoisseurs. There’s a strong soul, R&B and hip-hop flavour too, with jazzers Jamie Cullum and The Brand new Heavies joined by Lauryn Hill, gladys Knight and newcomer Mahalia. Composer Orphy Robinson will recreate van Morrison’s astral Weeks on the marimba, and there are film showings and salsa classes.
■ Weekend ticket from £148.50 ( lovesupremefestival.com).
CORNBURY Great Tew Park, Oxon; July 5-7.
a COTSWOLDS jamboree for foodies and fashionistas, the festival dubbed Poshstock has lined up an impressive cast of heritage acts for its 18th year.
The Beach Boys, The Specials and a reunited Keane all appear, while others heading to Chipping norton include Beverley Knight and Echo & The Bunnymen. The Hairy Bikers host a pop-up restaurant.
■ Weekend ticket from £191 ( cornburyfestival.com).
BRITISH SUMMER TIME Hyde Park, London; July 5-14.
launched six years ago, when the Stones played, BST is a series of stand-alone, open-air concerts for capital dwellers — and this year’s line-up is stellar.
Celine Dion (July 5) and Barbra Streisand (July 7) engage in a battle of the divas, while Stevie Wonder (July 6), Florence + The Machine (July 13) and Robbie Williams (July 14) also headline.
Many of the support acts would make decent bill-toppers, with Bryan Ferry, Lionel Richie and the Black Eyed Peas also on hand.
■ Day ticket from £73.60 ( bst-hydepark.com).
TRNSMT Glasgow Green; July 12-14.
a nOn- CaMPing affair staged across a July weekend, TRnSMT has taken the place of T in The Park in the Scottish calendar. an ideal fit for the airbnb generation, this year’s line-up features Stormzy plus Years & Years on Friday, Catfish and The Bottlemen plus Sigrid on Saturday and george Ezra, Snow Patrol and Jess glynne on Sunday.
■ Day ticket £67.95 ( trnsmtfest.com).
LARMER TREE Cranborne Chase, Wilts; July 18-21.
a long-running boutique event on the Wiltshire-Dorset border, Larmer Tree has remained a small event by choice and offers a picturesque setting — and clean loos — in Cranborne Chase’s victorian pleasure gardens. Jack Savoretti, gomez, Jade Bird and The Shires provide the entertainment as the festival is staged for a 29th time. ■ Weekend ticket £191.47 ( larmertreefestival.co.uk).
LATITUDE Henham Park, Southwold; July 18-21.
unashamedly middle-class Latitude celebrates its 14th year with a diverse programme. george Ezra, Snow Patrol and Lana Del Rey headline, with Marina, Sigrid, neneh Cherry and Jenny Lewis also on the bill. Sadler’s Wells are curating dance performances, with yoga classes on offer in the ‘Solas’ retreat. ■ Weekend ticket from £218.70 ( latitudefestival.com).
KENDAL CALLING Lowther Deer Park, Cumbria; July 25-28.
a medium-sized gem in the Lake District, Kendal Calling boasts a reliable mix of rock and dance. The Courteeners, Doves, Chic and Orbital are the main attractions, and Tom Jones puts in a rare festival appearance. Dream Wife, The Big Moon and Blood Red Shoes head a series of female-fronted guitar bands. ■ Weekend ticket £152.95 ( kendalcalling.co.uk).
GREEN MAN Brecon Beacons; August 15-18.
SET in the Black Mountains of Wales, green Man is the bucolic destination for fans of americana and indie. Father John Misty headlines alongside Eels and Four Tet. Sharon van Etten and Julia Jacklin showcase excellent new albums.
With beer tents serving local brews and a science area for children, a week-long Settler’s Pass allows access from august 13. Welsh drizzle may be part of the fun.
■ Weekend ticket £198 (greenman.net).
VICTORIOUS Southsea Common, Portsmouth; August 23-25.
a stone’S throw from The Solent, victorious Festival is now putting together high-calibre bills. This year’s eighth edition features The Specials, Rudimental, new Order, The vaccines, Clean Bandit and all Saints. Bloc Party play their debut album Silent alarm in full. ■ Weekend ticket from £121 ( victoriousfestival.co.uk).
READING & LEEDS Richfield Avenue, Reading, and Bramham Park, Leeds; August 23-25.
parents should brace themselves for tears and lost phones as teens descend on Reading and Leeds after digesting gcse results. With the onus on the music, The 1975, Post Malone, Twenty One Pilots and Foo Fighters headline with Charli XCX, Billie Eilish and Bastille providing support.
■ Weekend ticket £221.40 ( readingandleedsfestival.com).