MUSIC FESTIVALS
IT may seem hard to believe but the winter frosts will soon be gone as the air temperature warms up and the nights get longer. This also means a fantastic line-up of music festivals will soon be taking place across the region.
A wide variety of festivals will cater for a vast audience with music to suit every genre as well as providing both family-friendly and adult-only environments.
In 2019 you can expect to see the return of some of the most popular UK festivals including family-favourite Glastonbudget - a spin on the UK’s big festival Glastonbury - followed by the rock and metal extravaganza Download, back at its regular location Donington Park.
Local favourite the 110 Above festival, which takes place near Market Bosworth, will be returning with its vibrant and friendly atmosphere, focusing on new music and the discovery of the very best of breakthrough talent, as well as Derbyshire’s YNOT and the open air heavy metal fest Bloodstock.
Read on to see the full list of music festivals arriving in or around Leicestershire this summer.
Handmade Festival
Leicester Saturday May 4 and Sunday
May 5 2019 Kicking off the outdoor scene in 2019 is the Handmade Festival - an independent music and arts festival held in the city of Leicester over the May bank holiday weekend.
From its beginning in 2013, Handmade brings music, comedy, art, film and photography to a whole host of venues across the city.
2019 headliners will include The Sherlocks, IBIBIO Sound Machine, Black Honey and Jamie Lenman accompanied by Dream State, Blood Youth, Crows, Heavy Lungs, Petrol Girls and many more.
During its reign, Handmade has grown taking over an array of venues across Leicester, this year you can expect to see the very best acts at the Attenborough Arts Centre, The Cookie, Dryden Street Social, 02 Academy 1 and 2, The Shed, The Soundhouse and The Y.
If you want to enjoy the festival experience while avoiding the temperamental British weather then Handmade is just for you.
Keep your eyes peeled on the web- site where eight more acts are due to be announced.
Tickets are now on sale and can be purchased from the website at http:// handmadefestival.co.uk/.
GlastonBudget Wymeswold, Leicestershire Friday May 24 to Sunday
May 26 2019 Allegedly the world’s biggest and best tribute festival is returning back to Leicestershire in May 2019.
A weekend of camping, more than 100 acts across five stages, fancy dress competitions and fun for all the family in a safe and well policed environment makes GlastonBudget one of the most popular festivals across the region.
With an emphasis on value for money, organisers pride themselves on their free booking-fee and inclusive parking, never mind the great range of bands and acts to keep all of their varied audiences happy across its stages and venues.
Although the line-up for 2019 is still under consideration, Britain’s foremost Michael Jackson Tribute MJUK, have been confirmed to return to the Main Stage bringing the ultimate King of Pop tribute to Leicestershire.
GlastonBudget can be enjoyed for the weekend or by the day, all weekend tickets include access to camping which has been revamped to provide a better experience for families.
New to May 2019 will be an increased amount of toilets and shower facilities across each camping area as well as the option of VIP packages, parking and tailored accommodation for those seeking the luxury festival experience.
The fancy dress competition will return to take place on Saturday evening where the winner will be invited up to the main stage to collect their prize.
Next year’s theme will be announced in due course and tickets will soon be on sale from the website at https://www.glastonbudget.org/ gb-info/#.
Download Donnington Park Friday June 14 to Sunday June 16 The world’s premier rock event, the Download festival attracts the hottest acts from across the world each year and promises to bring a popular lineup to 2019. Def Leppard, Slipknot and Tool have all been announced as this year’s headliners as well as seventeen of the world’s most recognisable bands in rock, pop punk, hardcore and metal.
Classic rock band Def Leppard will make their return to headline the main stage, playing their album Hysteria in what will be their only UK appearance of 2019.
Slash will also be teaming up with Myles Kennedy and The Conspirators to get the crowd going, alongside ‘Here I Go Again’ hit makers Whitesnake and vocalist David Coverdale, horror-rock legend Rob Zombie, Trivium, Swedish death-metallers Amon Amarth, Die Antwood, Power Trip and returning hardcore pioneers Underoath who will be returning for the first time in 13 years since their last appearance in 2005.
The three day festival offers a range of camping options for those wanting to absorb the whole atmosphere and even those who fancy a quieter experience.
2019 will offer camp options in the main area, quiet area - which includes a noise curfew at night - eco camping and not forgetting the luxurious RIP packages offering festival goers the chance to live like the ultimate rockstar with access to proper toilets, pamper areas, fire pits and live entertainment as well as warm showers and 24-hour reception from the team’s reception.
Camping tickets are now on sale from the download website at www. downloadfestival.co.uk/tickets.
Foxton Locks Leicestershire Saturday June 15 and
Sunday June 16 Foxton Locks is another family favourite festival hosting two stages of music alongside a variety of entertainment including an archery range, fire dancers, circus skills workshop, flat caps and ferret racing as well as a fun dog show, fairground rides, historic fire engines, pony rides, vintage vehicles and steam engines amongst an array of other exciting contributions.
The 2019 line up is yet to be announced but guests can expect to experience the usual music genres alongside a host of activities and events suitable for the whole family.
The festival will be open from 10am till 11.30pm on Saturday June 15 and from 10am till 6pm on Sunday June 16.
The event is entirely ran by volun- teers from Foxton Inclined Plane Trust who dedicate their time to organising and planning for free.
More details will be announced on the website at https://www.foxtonlocksfestival.co.uk/ in the new year.
Noisily Leicestershire Thursday July 11 to
Monday July 15 Offering an alternative to the mainstream festival culture is Noisily, an inclusive haven where underground music thrives and self expression flourishes.
Organisers strive to promote the five pillars which ground the festival including inclusion, the environment, wellness and education, community and creativity.
Whilst rooted in the electronic music scenes, Noisily aims to provide a holistic environment which feeds the mind, body and soul.
Set in Coney Woods, it is a celebra- tion of psychedelic art and culture where adults are invited to dress how and in whatever they like.
For those wanting to retreat away from all the noise of the woods, Noisily even has a mind, body and soul section for those festival goers wanting to look deeper into spiritualty.
Yoga instructors will be on hand to talk on topics and banquet as well as palm and tarot readings.
Having evolved over the years the Noisily boutique camping area offers prime camping real estate at its very best and is located only a stones throw away from the Mind, Body and Soul healing area.
The July line up has already been announced with big names such as Extrawelt Live, OPIUO, Captain Hook, Alex Stein and Vertical, amongst more than a dozen others who will be blasting the speakers with techno or house music.
Like previous years, the festival aims to cater to the needs of all foodies