Festivals...regardless of whether you love or hate the concept of thousands of people in a muddy field, the season has returned.The weather may not be quite up for it this year, but it will get better (hopefully). Without mainstream giant Glastonbury to outshine the rest, this year smaller festivals are to be given the chance to shine. Here's my guide to what's on, where and who's headlining.
1. Festival International De Benicassim July 12-15
The hottest European festival returns for another year in the Spanish sunshine. Located in Valencia, this festival is more than just a festival - it's a holiday. With three stages, four days and 100+ artists you're never short of something to do. The festival is situated right on the coast too, so once the music's over you can hit the beach to cool off. Alternatively if you're more of a city stroller, than local delights such as Barcelona and Madrid are only a couple of hours away. A four day ticket will set you back £155, however it's worth it to see the likes of Bob Dylan, The Stone Roses, New Order, Florence + The Machine, At The Drive In, Noel Gallagher's High Flying Birds, The Horrors, Miles Kane, The Vaccines, The Maccabees, Howler, Spector, Crystal Castles and many more.
2. Reading & Leeds Festival August 24-26
Let's face it; Reading & Leeds is the festival that we will all be watching this year. Without Glasto this is the festival the focus has altered to. We'll see performances from The Cure, Kasabian, Foo Fighters, Paramore, Florence + The Machine, The Black Keys, Bombay Bicycle Club, The Vaccines, Kaiser Chiefs, You Me At Six, Enter Shikari, The Shins, The Maccabees, Foster The People, Graham Coxon, Passion Pit, Spector, Friends, Two Door Cinema Club, The Cribs, Dry The River, The Horrors, Tribes and that's only half of the artists featured across the weekend. Weekend tickets are £197.50 which includes camping from August 23rd.
3. Tramlines Festival July 20-22
This festival is incredible and it's free! What more could you ask for? Located in Sheffield, this event begun in 2009 and was a massive hit with the crowds; it returned in following years. With their slogan "Free for all" this is a festival that gives back to the community. The aim was to create an environment where you could wander in and out of your own accord, but don't let that fool you. The ticketless event is so popular with festival goers that to ensure entry to the main stage, you'd have roughly a two hour wait. So it's best to get there early and queue up. This year's line up sees artists such as Roots Manuva, We Are Scientists, Field Music, Ms Dynamite, Toddla T, Alt-J, Beth Jeans Houghton, Chew Lips, Frankie & The Heartstrings, Eugene McGuinness, Spector, Theme Park, This Many Boyfriends and Toy gracing the multiple venues. There's plenty more acts to be seen though, if that impressive lime up doesn't satisfy your musical cravings.
4. Latitude July 12-15
Residing on the Suffolk Coast, Latitude is a festival that is home to so much more than just music. It features elements such as: Comedy, Cabaret, Theatre, Film, Poetry, Literature, Dance, DJs, Art and Fashion. This year's line up includes Paul Weller, Bon Iver, Elbow, Metronomy, Laura Marling, Ben Howard, Richard Hawley, Michael Kiwanuka, Bat For Lashes, Simple Minds, Edward Sharpe and the The Magnetic Zeros, Alabama Shakes, White Lies, Lana Del Rey, Silver Seas, The Horrors, SBTRKT, Smoke Fairies, Wild Beasts, M83, Zola Jesus, Django Django, Breton and there's so much more to see throughout the weekend. Tickets for the festival come in different packages. A standard campsite ticket will cost you £175 and day tickets are £75 each. Children aged 5-12 years can purchase tickets for £5 but must be accompanied by an adult.
5. V Festival August 18-19
Some have said that V's lineup has disappointed this year, however I don't believe it has. With something for everyone, this is a festival that definitely doesn't disappoint. Here you can catch sets from The Stone Roses, Noel Gallagher's High Flying Birds, The Killers, Snow Patrol, David Guetta, Ed Sheeran, Nicki Minaj, Tinie Tempah, Madness, Olly Murs, Example, Keane, Friendly Fires, Ben Howard, Maverick Sabre, Gossip, Newton Faulkner, Reverend & The Makers, Tom Jones, Nero, Happy Mondays, Noah & The Whale, Frank Turner, The Enemy, Miles Kane, Frank Ocean, The Feeling, Lawson plus more artists. Tickets for this festival cost £180 for a weekend camping ticket and for a day ticket it will cost you £86.
0 comments: