FREE festival guide INSIDE
JAMES CABOOTER'S ULTIMATE GUIDE TO SUMMER MUSIC FESTIVALS
WAVE goodbye to showers and say hello to wet wipes because festival season is upon us. The UK boasts more outdoor events than any European country and they come in all sorts of shapes and sizes. This weekend sees the Isle Of Wight, Download, Wild Life, Parklife and the Gorillaz all-dayer Demon Dayz kick off the season in style. Here’s your guide to the best events – just don’t forget your wellies. ¬ Ticket availability and prices may vary from those listed.
Big Times
ISLE OF WIGHT Seaclose Park, IoW, June 8-11
Who’s playing: David Guetta, Arcade Fire, Rod Stewart
Why it’s great: Legends mix with kids at this historic event where Hendrix and The Who first rocked back in the day.
Tickets: £195 weekend, isleofwightfestival.com DOWNLOAD Donington Park, Leics, June 9-11 Who’s playing: System Of A Down, Biffy Clyro, Aerosmith Why it’s great: More piercings than a pin cushion factory, the nation’s metal main event also boasts burlesque and even a church to get hitched in. Tickets: From £160 weekend, downloadfestival.co.uk GLASTONBURY Pilton, Somerset, June 21-25 Who’s playing: Radiohead, Foo Fighters, Ed Sheeran Why it’s great: Europe’s biggest event packed with “I was there” moments. Tickets: Sold out, glastonburyfestivals.co.uk LOVE SUPREME Glynde Place, Lewes, June 30July 2 Who’s playing: Herbie Hancock, The Jacksons Why it’s great: The very best in jazz, soul and funk with lashings of cool music to sing along to. Tickets: £170.50 weekend, lovesupremefestival.com V FESTIVAL Hylands Park, Chelmsford, Essex and Weston Park, Staffs, August 19-20 Who’s playing: Jay Z, Pink, Stormzy
Why it’s great: The biggest names in pop celebrate in two beautiful UK parks. Tickets: £165 weekend only/ with camping £189/day tickets £89, vfestival.com READING & LEEDS Richfield Avenue, Reading and Bramham Park, Leeds, August 25-27
Who’s playing: Kasabian, Eminem, Charli XCX
Why it’s great: A rite of passage for rock fans and students celebrating getting their exam results. Hard riffs, raps and dodgy cups of bodily fluids.
Tickets: £213 weekend, readingfestival.com
City
The xx, A Tribe Called Quest, Pet Shop Boys The ultimate season-ending party with great fancy dress-up theme. £191 weekend, bestival.net
BRITISH SUMMER TIME Hyde Park, June 30-July 9 Who’s playing: Phil Collins, Justin Bieber, The Killers Why it’s great: Huge one-day events nestled in the heart of London featuring a n incred ible array of stars. And you can get the Tube home!
Tickets: Prices vary,bst-hydepark.com
BESTIVAL Lulworth Estate, Dorset, September 7-10 Who’s playing: Why it’s great: Tickets:
MADE FESTIVAL Digbeth Triangle, Birmingham July 29 Who’s playing: Chase & Status, Giggs Why it’s great: Club aficionados adore what is regarded as Birmingham’s biggest dance event. Tickets: From £49.50 day, made-festival.co.uk HOUSE OF COMMON Clapham Common, London, August 28 Who’s playing: Madness, De La Soul, Soul II Soul Why it’s great: Don’t forget your Baggy Trousers at this Bank Holiday party curated by Suggs and his ska legends Madness. Tickets: £40 day FUSION Otterspool Promenade, Liverpool, September 2-3 Who’s playing: Little Mix, Take That, Tinie Tempah Why it’s great: Two huge festival exclusives with Little Mix and Take That helping wrap up the summer. Tickets: £96.95 weekend/£53.45 day BLUESFEST London O2 Arena, October 27-29 Who’s playing: Hall & Oates, Steely Dan Why it’s great: Legends solo their hearts out in the surroundings of the world’s most popular live arena. Tickets: Prices vary, w.bluesfest.co.uk
Regional
HENLEY FESTIVAL Mill Meadows, Oxfordshire, July 5-9 Who’s playing: Chaka Khan, Pet Shop Boys, Why it’s great: Classic pop from the Boys and soul legend Chaka, plus comedy in a beautiful setting by the Thames river. Tickets: From £70 day, henleyfestival.co.uk CORNBURY MUSIC FEST The Great Tew Park, Oxfordshire, July 7-9 Who’s playing: Bryan Adams, Kaiser Chiefs, The Pretenders Why it’s great: This family event now in its 14th year celebrates music for everyone. Prices: £210 weekend/from £84 day LATITUDE Henham Park, Suffolk, July 1316 Who’s playing: The 1975, Mumford & Sons, Fleet Foxes Why it’s great: Enjoy book and poetry readings, political debates and comedy. Tickets: £197.50 weekend, latitudefestival.com STANDON CALLING Standon, Herts, July 27-30 Who’s playing: Orbital, Clean Bandit, Grace Jones Why it’s great: Interactive theatre and a swimming pool make this a unique event.
Tickets: £147 weekend, standon-calling.com CAMP BESTIVAL Lulworth Castle, Dorset, July 27-30
Who’s playing: Madness, Brian Wilson, Mark Ronson
Why it’s great: For big and little kids alike, Rob Da Bank’s sister event delivers jousting, magical woods and old skool DJs for the olds.
Tickets: £197.50 weekend, campbestival.net WILDERNESS Cornbury Park, Oxfordshire, August 3-6 Who’s playing: Two Door Cinema Club, Grace Jones, Bonobo Why it’s great: Swim in the lake and learn to make arts and crafts at this gorgeous event. Tickets: £178 weekend, wildernessfestival.com BOARDMASTERS Newquay, Cornwall, August 9-12 Who’s playing: Two Door Cinema Club, Jamiroquai, Alt-J Why it’s great: Newquay’s beaches host surf, skating and a raft of rad music acts to whet your appetite! Tickets: £194 weekend/from £59 day THE BIG FEASTIVAL Kingham, Oxfordshire, August 25-27 Who’s playing: Hacienda Classical, Olly Murs Why it’s great: Alex James and Jamie Oliver help you pile on a few pounds with culinary masterclasses as you soak up the sounds. Tickets: £159.50 weekend, jamieoliver.com FESTIVAL NO6 Portmeirion, North Wales, September 7-10 Who’s playing: The Flaming Lips, Bloc Party, Mogwai Why it’s great: Soak up some lively comedy, literature and some top music on the set of TV drama The Prisoner. Tickets: £180 weekend, festivalnumber6.com