The Thinking Man’s Festival

Introducing KITE, a celebration of music and ideas

The end of our eternal winter is in sight and festival season beckons. But if the thought of endless days of mud, music and mayhem no longer fills you with joy, then you’ll be pleased to know there’s a new breed of festival on the scene. KITE, which launched in 2022, offers a unique blend of music, art, debate, comedy and culture. This is a festival for grown-ups.

The musical line-up has much to please old-school fans, with Brit-pop stalwarts Suede, king of comedown disco tunes Baxter Dury, and DJ, producer and composer David Holmes all scheduled to perform across the weekend.

The list of speakers is just as intriguing (last year, Delia Smith caused a stir with an unexpectedly anarchic talk). The 2023 bill includes Men’s Health columnist Alastair Campbell talking about his new book on fixing politics; Adam Kay, author of This Is Going To Hurt, discussing the health service; and journalist Marina Hyde, the only woman in 45 years to receive the Sportswriter of the Year award from the Sports Journalists’ Association. You can also catch motivational speaker Simon Sinek, who seeks to define what makes an inspiring leader; and comedians

Alistair Green and Toussaint Douglass.

The location for the three-day event is Oxfordshire’s Kirtlington Park, so when you’re not visiting one of the seven stages, checking out the record-shop truck or refuelling at the street-food stalls, just sit back and enjoy the views of the rolling hills.

For those who take their festival accommodation seriously, there are both camping and glamping options, while campervans and live-in vehicles are welcome on-site. And (whisper it) even the toilet facilities received rave reviews last year. It may be time to dig out those wellies.

‘A blend of music, art comedy and culture; a festival for grown-ups’