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Festival Guide 2013 was brought to you in association with Bristol's Big Green Week
Welcome... ..to the 2014 festival guide. You may have heard people say that there are too many festivals around. Back in the ‘good old days’ there was Glastonbury, Reading and maybe a couple of others. Now it seems like there are ten-a-penny, and every weekend in the summer there is, somewhere in the UK, a green field covered in hipsters and their children nodding their heads to music played by men with beards wearing trilbys. But the fact is the dozens of new festivals that have sprung up in the last decade just offer more choice, and if you can’t find one that takes your fancy, then there’s probably something wrong with you. So whether you’re into indie, dance, heavy metal or folk music, whether you’re happiest seeing an outdoor Shakespeare play or lying back on the grass while hot air balloons fly overhead, there’s something for everyone in this guide. The ones in Bristol, or nearby, are marked “local event”. See www.bristolpost.co.uk for news of those as the summer goes on.
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2014 May .................. 4 June ................15 July ................ 22 August ........... 26 September ...... 31 October .......... 32 November ...... 33 Further afield .33 THE FESTIVAL TEAM Writer/researcher Steve Mellen, James Palmer Sub-editor Steve Mellen Production Cath Evans Commercial manager Paul Kimberely Advertising sales Adam Burrows Publications co-ordinators Ruth Wood, Emma Gorton Bristol Office Bristol News & Media, Temple Way, Bristol, BS99 7HE Tel: 0117 942 8491 Fax: 0117 934 3566
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MAY
THE2014FESTIVALS All details were correct at time of going to press
MAY ● LOCAL EVENT
BRISTOL FOOD CONNECTIONS Where: Lloyds Amphitheatre and Harbourside, Bristol When: 1-11 May Taste, Learn, Eat, Do, Bake, Watch, Explore, Brew, Share, Shop, Grow, Listen, Drink, Feel, Enjoy, Hear, Smell, Meet, Talk, Cook. I think they have summed it up quite nicely themselves. Some of the big hitters of the TV chef world, including Tom Kerridge, will make appearances, and some BBC shows will be going out live from Bristol during the festival. Price: Various. Web: www.bristolfoodconnections.com LIVERPOOL SOUND CITY Where: Various across Liverpool When: 1-3 May The largest metropolitan music and arts festival in the UK focussing on three diverse themes; football, music and style - in the city that claims to have invented at least two of them. The musical side of the festival is headlined by The Kooks with a number of speakers lined up on the conference side of things. Price: £66 weekend ticket. Web: www.liverpoolsoundcity. co.uk ● LOCAL EVENT
EAT DRINK BRISTOL FASHION Where: Queen Square, Bristol When: 1-18 May Returning for its third year, the event showcases the very best chefs that Bristol and the South West has to offer, think Pony and Trap and you’ll have an idea of the fare on offer. You’ll be able to enjoy some of the region’s best food
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and drink (and circus performers!) while live music plays. Price: priced per event, starting at £20. Web: eatdrinkbristolfashion.co.uk RIBBLE VALLEY JAZZ FESTIVAL Where: Various, Clitheroe, Lancashire When: 1-6 May Head north for an array of jazz musicians with an emphasis on young emerging talent. Price: A number of acts will be featured on the Saturday, free of charge, with other events individually priced. A whole weekend ticket costs £70. Web: www.rvjazzandblues.co.uk ● LOCAL EVENT
TEMPLES FESTIVAL Where: Motion nightclub, Bristol When: 2-4 May This event will see the band Brutal Truth play their last-ever gig in the UK. Expect to come out with your ears reverberating during three days of very heavy metal and punk. The main headliners are Electric Wizard, Neurosis, Clutch, Gehanna, Doom and Repulsion. Price: £90.10 for the whole weekend, day tickets £37.80. Web: www.templesfestival.co.uk LIVE AT LEEDS Where: Various, Leeds When: 2-5 May One way to feel like you’re still young and hip is to lead to Live at Leeds and pretend you’ve heard of all the exciting new acts that will be performing. One day they’ll be household names and you’d have got in on the ground floor. Appearing will be Lauren Aquilina, Clean Buttons and many more. Price: £25 weekend ticket. Web: www.liveatleeds.com
DEVERILLS FESTIVAL OF PERFORMING ARTS Where: Various, The Deverills When: 2-5 May An eclectic mixture of Music, Drama and comedy completes this celebration of the performing arts, which takes place in a valley in Wiltshire. The weekend includes music from the Bath Philharmonia, Spectra Musica and the Carducci String Quartet as well as performances from theatre groups Angel Exit and Kepow. Price: Events are priced individually with the most expensive being £14. Web: www.deverillsfestival.com TROYFEST Where: Baskerville Hall Hotel, Hay-On-Wye When: 2-4 May Imagine a music festival without the rain, mud and wellies. This is it. Located in and around a stunning country mansion in Hereford, Troyfest features a number of DJ’s, bands and comedy acts and claims to offer the same entertainment as a larger festival in more comfortable surroundings. Fans of Sherlock Holmes may be disappointed to hear that the programme does not feature elderly lords of the manor being pursued by giant black hounds. Price: £75 for a weekend ticket. Web: troyfest.co.uk ● LOCAL EVENT
BRISTOL FOLK FESTIVAL Where: St George’s and Bristol Folk House, Bristol When: 3-4 May The joyful union of St George’s and the Bristol Folk House to champion music from the city and way beyond. Joyful if you like folk that is. Former Idlewild frontman Roddy Woomble is among the
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MAY bigger names. Price: £68 weekend ticket. Web: bristolfolkfestival.co.uk DUMBFEST MUSIC AND COMEDY FESTIVAL Where: The Phoenix Theatre, Bordon, Hampshire When: 3 May Party, and feel good about it. Now in its fifth year, this festival is just one day long, and all the proceeds go to the Teenage Cancer Trust. Dumbfest always attracts a combination of exciting young talent and already established performers. Acts include Electric Eel Shock, Lloyd Yates, Joey Page and Thrill Collins. Price: £20. Web: www.dumbfest.com BRIGHTON FESTIVAL Where: Various, Brighton When: 3-25 May A diverse collection of the arts, from music to circus, film to literature and everything in between in the city that rivals Bristol for the title of “coolest place beginning with a B outside London”. Price: Various, some free. Web: brightonfestival.org ● LOCAL EVENT
BANK HOLIDAY CIDER SPECTACULAR Where: Bristol Cider Shop, Bristol When: 3-4 May Local cider, meat and a sprinkling of music. What’s not to like? Plus it’s over a Bank Holiday weekend so your sausage hangover can be soothed on the Monday, if needs be. Price: Free during the day, £5 on the evening. Web: www.bristolcidershop.co.uk ISLE OF WIGHT WALKING FESTIVAL Where: Various, Isle of Wight When: 3-18 May Sadly Aerosmith are not headlining. If they were, Steve Tyler could tell everyone taking part to “walk this way”. More than 200 walks are included in the programme
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this year, which is sponsored by Garmin – which is ironic, because if you need a sat nav there, you’re clearly not meant to be behind the wheel. Price: Various, some free. Web: www.isleofwightwalkingfestival.co.uk DART MUSIC FESTIVAL Where: Dartmouth, South Devon When: 16-18 May One of the more picturesque locations for a festival this summer, just don’t expect to see many bigname acts. Having said that, you won’t be spoiled for choice as there are around 90 solo artists or bands scheduled to play. Price: priced per act, many free. Web: dartmusicfestival.co.uk ATOMIC VINTAGE FESTIVAL Where: The Sywell Aerodome, Northampton When: 3-4 May You’ll feel like you’ve walked onto the set of Grease in this celebration of all things vintage 1950’s. Accompanying 23 bands and DJ’s are an open air drive-in cinema, jive dance classes, a vintage care show and much more. Meaning that it’s suitable for T-Birds and Pink Ladies alike. Price: £39 per day, plus £20 for a weekends camping pitch. Web: www.atomicfestival.co.uk CROOKFEST Where: Crook Town AFC, Crook, Durham When: 3-4 May Two days of rock music where nothing will seem real, given the number of tribute acts on stage including State of Quo, Bon Jovi Forever and our personal favourite Sabbatica. Price: Tickets are priced at £15 per day or £25 for a weekend pass. Web: search for CrookFest on Facebook. TRINITY FOLK FESTIVAL Where: Holy Trinity Church, Guildford
When: 3rd May Can fun ever come to Guildford? Maybe. Organisers are promising the best of folk, roots and acoustic music, with Martyn Joseph (ask your dad) headlining alongside Sony Award winner Jez Lowe. Holy Trinity Church boasts great acoustics we’re told. Price: adults £20, seniors £18, children and students £15. Web: www.trinityfolkfestival.co.uk ● LOCAL EVENT
BCEXPO Where: The Future Inn, Cabot Circus, Bristol When: 10-11 May No music to champion here, just a weekend of worship of all things comic book and pop culture. Expect big names from the worlds of comic and sci-fi and perhaps some interesting lift journeys for other hotel customers that weekend, sandwiched between people in Star Trek fancy dress. Price: £16 weekend ticket. Web: www.bristolexpo.co.uk NEWBURY SPRING FESTIVAL Where: Various, Newbury, Berkshire When: 10-24 May A collection of classical and jazz music and celebrity speakers brought to Berkshire from all over the world. If you ever wanted to heckle Maureen Lipman (you beast) then now’s your chance. Price: various, priced per act. Web: www.newburyspringfestival. org.uk ● LOCAL EVENT
CRIMEFEST 2014 Where: Bristol Marriott, College Green When: May 15-18 More than 100 writers from the genre of stabbings, stranglings and poisonings will gather in Bristol to put together a programme featuring interviews, panels, a gala dinner and – this being crimewriting – one or two surprises. There will be workshops, murder pub
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MAY quizzes and the chance to meet new authors. Price: Many events are priced individually but an overall weekend pass will set you back £150 Web: www.crimefest.com ● LOCAL EVENT
MAYFEST Where: Various, Bristol When: 15-25 May The Bristol Old Vic is the castle around which the moat of creativity that is Mayfest swirls. Loved by the Guardian, this is an impressive array of contemporary theatre from Bristol talent and beyond. Price: various, priced per event. Web: mayfestbristol.co.uk STOURBRIDGE BLUES FESTIVAL Where:Old Halesonians Rugby Club, Stourbridge When: 16-17 May Stourbridge once gave us Ned’s Atomic Dustbin, the Wonderstuff and PWEI. How times change. Now, this festival sees 15 blues acts playing across two days. Virgil and the Accelerators, Dani Wilde and Brothers Grove are on the bill. Price: £15 weekend ticket, plus free parking and camping. Web: www.stourbridgebluesfestival.co.uk ● LOCAL EVENT
BATH INTERNATIONAL MUSIC FESTIVAL Where: Various, Bath When: 16-26 May Ten days when the streets of Bath (well, mostly the Guildhall) echo to the sound of music. While some festivals are just a few years old, this one is looking good at 66 with one of its most promising line-ups to date including the Bath Philarmonia, Gould Piano Trio and Stacey Kent. Price: various, some free. Web: bathfestivals.org.uk/music
When: 17-18 May Yeeee-ha! A huge array of music, beer and food with some motor sport thrown in. The music sounds like it will be a sideshow here, with 90 food outlets and 40 unique ales as well as ciders and wines thrown in. Don’t expect Ed Sheeran or Damien Rice. Do expect men in leather jackets getting sunburnt. Price: £30 weekend ticket with free camping. Web: www.racingrocks.eu ● LOCAL EVENT
RAVE ON AVON Where: Stokes Croft, Bristol When: 17 May This used to be the after party for Brisfest, but as that’s not happening this year, it stands as an event on its own, celebrating Bristol’s musical culture and encompassing all of the major venues in and around Stokes Croft. Best of all, it’s free. Price: free. Web: www.brisfest.co.uk GLYNDEBOURNE Where: Glyndebourne, East Sussex When: May 17 to August 24
More Mozart than you can shake a conductor’s wand at (other composers also feature), but you’ll have to set aside a few quid to go to many of the events. Mixed in with the symphonies are plenty of cinema screenings and talks. Price: Tickets range from £20 up to £250, depends on the event and where you sit or stand. Web: glyndebourne.com RHS CHELSEA FLOWER SHOW Where: Royal Hospital, Chelsea When: 20-24 May An orgy of geraniums and roses, with the most-filmed plants in the world being dragged to London in their various pots. Prices vary from £26 up to £68, but if that all seems a bit much to go and see Alan Tictchmarsh, then there’s always Leigh Woods, which you can wander round for nothing. Price: varies depending on what day and time you go. Web: www.rhs.org.uk HAY FESTIVAL Where: Brecon Beacons National Park, Wales When: 22 May – 1 June If book festivals were boxers, this one would be Mike Tyson.
RHS Chelsea Flower Show
RACING ROCKS Where: Rockingham Motor Speedway, Northamptonshire
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MAY Maybe with his teeth filed down and drinking elderflower cordial. A heavyweight on the literature scene, organisers increasingly want people who attend to take part in workshops and discussions. Price: Various. Web: www.hayfestival.com BEARDED THEORY Where: Catton Hall, South Derbyshire When: 22-25 May The Stranglers and UB40 headline this one, which won an award last year in the “small festival” category. Should you happen to have a plectrum in your back pocket, you can take advantage of one of the numerous ‘busk stops’ where anyone can turn up and perform. You won’t need a beard to get in, by the way. Price: £87 for a weekend ticket. Web: www.beardedtheory.co.uk HOW THE LIGHT GETS IN Where: Globe at Hay, Hay-OnWye When: 22 May – 1 June The world’s largest Music and Philosophy festival (not that there is a huge amount of competition) returns with this year’s theme, Jaguarskills at Run to the Sun
‘Heresy, Truth and the Future’. Thought provoking debates and lectures are accompanied (you may think strangely, we couldn’t possibly comment) by music from Charlotte Church, Sandi Thom and The Hoosiers. Norman Lamont and Michael Howard are both on the bill, if you fear it might be a Guardianista love-in. Price: £34 for a 10 day pass. Web: howthelightgetsin.iai.tv RUN TO THE SUN Where: Newquay View Resort, Trevelgue, Newquay When: May 23-26 Last year’s event was widely announced as the last, but the festival, which began way back in 1987, is now under new ownership and returns again this summer. Jaguarskills, who livened up Brisfest last year in the Saturday night, is one of the bigger names playing Price: Weekend tickets start at £75. There’s plenty of space for your camper van, but that will cost a bit more. Web: www.runtothesun.co.uk LECHLADE Where: Riverside Park, Lechlade When: 23-25 May
Proof that anywhere can stage a music festival if people get their heads together. More than 80 musical acts (but don’t expect big names) play across three stages in this lovely spot in the Cotswolds. You’ll find rock, regga, punk, ska and jazz on offer. It’s a good event to take the family to, as under 16s get in free. Price: £77 for weekend and camping. Web: lechdalefestival.co.uk ● LOCAL EVENT
CHIPPENHAM FOLK FESTIVAL Where: Various, Chippenham When: 23-26 May Another event to make the pubs and burger stalls of a small town lick their lips and prepare to laugh all the way to the bank. More than 200 bands, dance troupes and other events are promised in this homage to traditional folk music. No new kid on the block this, as the festival is now in its 43rd year. Price: Weekend tickets are £94 adults, £47 youths and children under 10 go free. Web: www.chippfolk.co.uk RADIO 1’S BIG WEEKEND Where: George Square, Glasgow When: 23-25 May In the 1980s Simon Bates used to stand on a stage in Blackpool in ill-fitting shorts while people shouted requests for him to play Rick Astley. Radio 1 on the road has come a long way since then. Their flagship event arrives in Glasgow with headliners including Pharrell, Rita Ora and The 1975. Zane Lowe and Pete Tong will be Djing. Price: Free (but online registration is required). Web: www.bbc.co.uk/radio1 ● LOCAL EVENT
VEGFEST Where: The Amphitheatre and Waterfront Square, Bristol When: 23-25 May Vegan food and other attractions during the day, with live music in
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Roy Ayers at Happy Days
though, see below. Price: Price: £105 adults, £50 children. Web: www.elderflowerfields.co.uk
the evening. Headliners are Peter Hook, with Boney M and Black Roots also playing. Prices: Evenings are £15 advance, £20 on the gate. Entry to the day will cost £3. Web: bristol.vegfest.co.uk C-FAB FESTIVAL Where: Carbourne Parva, The Lincolnshire Wolds When: 23-26 May Tucked away on a wooded farm in the Lincolnshire Wolds is C-Fab, an event with an emphasis on country, folk and blues. Highlights include the music of Jess Morgan, Emily Moulton and Ryan Thomas. It was the only festival we could see advertising a lindyhop session, by the way. Price: £40 weekend ticket. Web: www.c-fab.co.uk ● LOCAL EVENT
BATH FRINGE FESTIVAL Where: Various, Bath When: 23 May – 8 June Little was known about this year’s event at the time of going to press. But based on years gone by you can be promised a collection of street theatre, music, dance and art in this well-manicured Bristol neighbour Price: Various, lots free. Web: www.bathfringe.co.uk GLASTONBUDGET Where: Turnpost Farm, Wymeswold, Leicestershire
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When: 23-25 May Even better than the real thing, sang Bono once. This festival claims to be the world’s biggest and best gathering of tribute acts. The Bootleg Beatles are playing, along with Oashish, Blurb and The Fillers. Price: £72 weekend ticket. Web: www.glastonbudget.org UNORTHODOX PARADOX Where: Fellfoot Wood, Lake Windemere When: 23-25 May Come away from it all, leaving the stresses and strains of day to day life behind, and connect with the beautiful surroundings of Lake Windermere. Unorthadox Paradox has no corporate sponsorship, no fast food and no cash points. Instead the emphasis is simply on the eclectic mix of music, headlined by Ultrasound. Price: £50 weekend ticket. Web: unorthodoxparadox2014. wordpress.com ELDERFLOWER FIELDS Where: Pippingford Park, near Brighton When: 23-26 May If you needed any more proof that festivals are not just for teenagers, here it is. While mums and dads enjoy 40 bands across two stages, their children are kept amused by parkour, archery and trying new instruments. You’ll pay for the joy of being away from the little ones
HOGSOZZLE MUSIC FESTIVAL Where: Frogmore Hill, Stevenage When: 23-26 May Stevenage’s musical claim to fame used to be that it was near Knebworth. Now it has a festival of its own featuring music, comedy and a hog roast. Prices: From £49 to £69 for a weekend ticket. Web: hogsozzle.com DONCASTER FOLK FESTIVAL Where: Various, Doncaster When: 23-25 May Acts already confirmed include The Willows, Clive Gregson, Hat Fitz and Cara and Rita Payne. Plus an array of home cooked food and real ales are also on offer. Price: £35 weekend ticket. Web: www.doncasterfolkfestival. org.uk KINTYRE SONGWRITERS FESTIVAL Where: Cambletown Grammar School, Cambletown When: 23-25 May Enough standing around watching someone else play, this one is all about discovering the next Morrissey (and hopefully not the next Kelly Osbourne), with an emphasis on undiscovered songwriters. Don’t play Mull of Kintyre. That joke’s been done before. Price: £15 per day. Web www.kintyresongwritersfestival.co.uk/v2/ ● LOCAL EVENT
DOT TO DOT Where: Various, Bristol When: 24 May Bristol is the meat in the sandwich between Manchester and Nottingham as the Dot to Dot Festival crosses the country. The highlights are almost too many to mention, but keep a special eye
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MAY out for Lauren Aquilana, Peace and The Pizza Underground who are fronted by Macaulay Culkin. Price: £20. Web: www.dottodotfestival.co.uk
mostly about the apple juice. Their website even talks about ‘incider trading’ and ‘incider knowledge’. Price: £28 weekend ticket. Web: www.scrumpstock.co.uk
Four Fighters, Kazabian and Black Eyes Peaz. Price: £28 for weekend ticket. Web: www.wannaseefestival.com
LEESTOCK MUSIC FESTIVAL Where: Melford Hall, Sussex When: 24-25 May Now in its 7th year, the festival set up in memory of local musician Lee Dunford, who was struck down by Hodgkins Lymphoma at the age of 17, goes from strength to strength. This year it’s headlined by The Lightning Seeds and Tony Wight. Price: £30 weekend ticket. Web: leestock.org
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BRISTOL ACOUSTIC MUSIC FESTIVAL Where: Colston Hall, Bristol When: 25 May Bristol record label Jelli Records presents local acts and national names, including Beth Rowley (who belongs in both categories). Chris Wood, Stackridge and Thea Gilmore are also playing, while Richard Digance will provide some laughs. If the Bristol International Jazz and Blues Festival is anything to go by, the Colston Hall is a perfect venue for one-off events with multiple acts. Price: £27. Web: www.colstonhall.org
MILLSTONE ROCKS Where: The Millstone Pub, Wigan When: 23-26 May A three-day charity music festival with an array of local bands including The Sonic Revolvers. Price: Free. Web: Search for Millstone Rocks on Facebook. HAPPY DAYS Where: Imber Court Sports Club, East Molesey When: 24-25 May A festival with its eye firmly on yesteryear with an emphasis on the 1970s, 80s and 90s. Organisers promise themed retro bars, where you can drink between watching Roy Ayres, Jocelyn Brown and Kym Sims. I wonder what a retro 80s themed bar would be – miners fighting with policemen while yuppies try and get out of the way maybe. Price: £60 weekend ticket. Web: www.happydaysfestival. co.uk/ SCRUMPSTOCK Where: Bicton Arena, East Budleigh When: 24-25 May Ciders, ales, ciders, a bit of music, and also ciders. Caned & Able, the Thee Waltons and Skimmity Hitchers are playing, but it’s
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SUMMERSET LIVE Where: Oaktree Park, Highbridge, Somerset When: 24-25 May Another one to escape the hipsters at I’ll wager. The festival combines a bucking bronco competition and gladiator duel (we’re guessing with fake weapons) with some local musical talent. All proceeds go to two local charities – BARB (Burnham-On-Sea Rescue Boat) and the Somerset Community Foundation). So just think, your ticket price is helping save people who forget the tides goes out AND comes in. Price: £25 weekend ticket plus camping. Web: www.summersetlive.com ● LOCAL EVENT
LOVE SAVES THE DAY Where: Castle Park, Bristol When: 24-25 May Fast becoming Bristol’s biggest music event (in terms of audience and volume) the 3rd Love Saves the Day festival has been expanded to include a second day, such is its popularity. A long list of DJs, including Annie Mac, SBTRKT, Jamie XX and Bodhi, will help fill Castle Park over the weekend. Price: Weekend tickets range from £39.50 to £69.50. Web: lovesavestheday.org WANNASEE Where: Heritage Park Football Stadium, Bishop Auckland, County Durham When: 24-25 May Another one where you lean to the person next to you (make sure if it’s a woman, it’s someone you know) and whisper: “Are those real?”. Tribute acts from Europe converge on County Durham, including Queen II, Green Date,
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SUNRISE CELEBRATION Where: Chepstow Estate, Monmouthshire When: May 29-June 1 An event on the move, leaving Thoulstone Park near Frome for a new home on the England/Wales border this year. Under the slogan “going back to our roots” organisers have put together a bill featuring Reeps One, The Correspondents, MC Xander and Only Joe. There’s a “spit and sawdust” stage – you don’t get more back to your roots than that. Price: Tickets (which are available from the Bristol Ticket Shop) are £99 for a weekend adult pass and £225 for a family. Web: sunrisecelebration.com THE ACOUSTIC FESTIVAL OF BRITAIN Where: Uttoxeter Racecourse, Wood Lane When? 30 May – 1 June The home of all things unplugged, the Acoustic Festival of Britain plays host to a string (no pun intended) of accomplished performers such as Steve Harley (Cockney
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JUNE
DON’T MISS WOMAD 2014 l YOU may notice some common themes
in many of the larger festivals listed in this guide, those being global corporations as sponsors, artists who’ve sold albums in the millions, other artists who just happen to have a new album out, and Paolo Nutini. If something in your soul cries out for a genuine alternative, then head to the Wiltshire countryside (Charlton Park near Malmesbury to be precise) and take in the joyful noise that is Womad. It’s the one festival that can claim to bring the world together, and this year’s line-up features artists from India, Korea, Iran, Senegal, Zimbabwe, Cameroon, Norway, Malaysia, Madagascar, Burkina Faso, Mali, Belarus and..Wales. You can walk in one direction to hear African drumming or a samba band, then retrace your steps to catch some Eastern European folk singing. With a musical offering so diverse, it’s hard to apply any generic terms but the one thing you can say is that it’s broadly music that brings a smile to your face. If you’re worried this all sounds a bit too niche, a bit too varied and strange well, may we redirect you to the V Festival where you can nod your head to mainstream indie rock to your heart’s content. But if you’re prepared to try something new, and engage with a festival that is genuinely for the whole family – thousands of parents have introduced their children to it, and they in turn have done the same with theirs – then why not give Womad a try. It’s not diversity for diversity’s sake, there are big names such as Brighton soul star Alice Russell, the amazingly funky Fat Freddy’s Drop, and legend Bobby Womack. Perhaps appropriately in the year the world remembers the horrors of the Rwandan genocide which tore the country apart 20 years ago, The Good Ones – a trio who survived the massacres – will be bringing their acoustic sound in the dialect of their capital Kigali to Womad. WOMAD 2014 JULY 24-27 CHARLTON PARK NEAR MALMESBURY PRICE: ADULT WEEKEND £160, TEENAGE WEEKEND £80, CHILD UNDER 13 FREE WEB: WOMAD.CO.UK
Rebel), Fairpoint Convention, Matt Cardle and Emma Stevens headline. Price: £95 weekend ticket. Web: www.acousticfestival.co.uk WYCHWOOD FESTIVAL Where: Cheltenham Racecourse When: May 30-June 1 A great event to take the kids to, with plenty of family-friendly activities in the programme. And given that the line-up features
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the Levellers, The Stranglers, The Boomtown Rats and Bad Manners, expect plenty of fathers to drag their children towards the main stage shouting: “Come on, I saw this lot in 1986, you’ll love them.” Justin Fletcher, who plays Mr Tumble on CBeebies, gives you a flavour of what’s on the menu for children. Price: Adult weekend ticket is £125, day passes from £40 Web: www.wychwoodfestival.com
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BREAKIN’ CONVENTION Where: Colston Hall When: Saturday, May 31 For one day this summer Bristol’s Colston Hall will become home to all things hip hop. Run by Sadlers Wells, Breakin Convention is a UK-wide festival of hip hop dance theatre and will feature live DJs, freestyle dance jams, a graffiti exhibition and workshops. This event will feature the amazing ILL-Abilities, an international group of performers who have overcome extraordinary challenges to become some of the best dancers in the world. Price: From 310.21 to £16.13, including booking fee. Web: breakinconvention.com
JUNE ● LOCAL EVENT
STAND UP FOR SLAPSTICK Where: Colston Hall When: June 3 Give the organisers credit, they have assembled a very, very good line-up for this event with Al Murray and Dara O’Brian appearing along with Jack Dee, Richard Herring, Tony Hawks, Jo Caulfield and Jeremy Hardy. Proceeds go to Bristol’s Slapstick Festival. Tickets: £27.50. Web: www.slapstick.org.uk ● LOCAL EVENT
THE TIMES CHELTENHAM SCIENCE FESTIVAL Where: Various, Cheltenham When: 3-8 June The uninitiated amongst us will expect smoking test tubes and beakers with some unidentified bubbling liquid that wouldn’t look out of place in Dexter’s Lab. And while that may be true this is also a sophisticated affair with a number of notable seminars on doping in sport and brain stimulation. Price: Sessions are individually priced.
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Bad Manners at Symmetry Festival
at old Beetles, and what’s wrong with that? (Other VW –branded vehicles will be on show). For any surfers reading this, Washingpool Farm is where Bristol’s man-made surf lake might be built. Price: £25 weekend ticket. Web: www.bristolvolksfest.co.uk
Web: www.cheltenhamfestivals. com/science THE GATE TO SOUTHWELL FOLK FESTIVAL Where: Southwell, Nottinghamshire When: 5-8 June Live folk music across three stages, craft stalls, dance displays and real ale and cider. Price: £90 weekend ticket. Web: www.southwellfolkfestival. org.uk ROCKFIELD COUNTRY MUSIC FESTIVAL Where: Rockfield, Monmouth When: 5-8 June You won’t have to travel far from Bristol to find this festival, which offers anything that takes your fancy once you put a cowboy hat on. This includes line dancing lessons, a mechanical bull and the national fast draw championships. Once you’ve elbowed past Wyatt Earp to get to the bar, Sidewinder and Cole Jackson, among others, will provide the tunes. Price; Weekend tickets are £35 in advance, £40 on the gate. Web: www.countrymusicfestival. co.uk ● LOCAL EVENT
LET’S ROCK BRISTOL Where: Ashton Court When: 6-8 June Having been launched in Blaise
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Castle last year, this event, an orgy of 1980s nostalgia, moves to the bigger surroundings of Ashton Court. Bananarama – who are a Bristol band let’s not forget – Belinda Carlisle, Heaven 17, T’Pau, Rick Astley, Go West and Nick Kershaw are all down to appear. Prices: Weekend tickets are £75.60 for adults and £29 for children, while day tickets are £42.12 for adults and £19.44 for children. There are also weekend tickets with camping, and family deals. Web: www.letsrockbristol.co.uk HEART OF ROCK AND BLUES FESTIVAL Where: Penmaenau Farm, near Builth Wells When: 6-8 June Another event “over the bridge”. The highs of rock and the lows of the blues combined into one festival, with acts including the Steve Gibbons Band. Price: £55 weekend ticket. Web: www.heartofrockandblues. com ● LOCAL EVENT
HERITAGE BRISTOL VOLKSWAGEN WEEKEND Where: Washingpool Farm, Easter Compton, Bristol When: 6-8 June Activities and music will be included in the ticket price but let’s not kid ourselves, this is about looking
SYMMETRY FESTIVAL Where: Sennowe Park, Norfolk When: 6-8 June Ignore all the jokes about inbreeding, Norfolk is actually a very sophisticated place these days. Symmetry is five themed stages, designed by local artists, hosting a number of acts including Bad Manners and Babyhead. Price: Weekend tickets start at £70. Web: www.symmetryfestival.co.uk ● LOCAL EVENT
RITCHEY/HERITAGE VOLKSWAGEN BRISTOL BIKEFEST Where: Ashton Court When: June 7-8 What began as a few people pedalling round has evolved into one of the more established UK mountain bike endurance races. Using the singletrack all-weather surface at Ashton Court, the racing begins at 9am Saturday and finishes with a big party in the evening. You can arrive from Friday night to check out the course and enjoy some local DJ sets before the main action begins. Places are limited so book now. Price: Vary depending on if you enter as a solo rider or team, but they range from £32 for the threehour event to £38 for the 12-hour event. Web: www.bike-fest.com ● LOCAL EVENT
SPORTBEAT FESTIVAL Where: Oxstalls Sports Park, Plock Court, Gloucester When: 7-8 June Gloucester folk are proud of their sporting prowess, which is why in amongst sets by Razorlight, Rever-
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JUNE end and the Makers, The Hoosiers and The Ordinary Boys, you can indulge in some rugby sevens, laser tag and zorbing. Price: £45 weekend ticket. Web: sportbeatfest.com PARKLIFE WEEKENDER Where: Heaton Park, Manchester When: 7-8 June Snoop Dogg is scheduled to appear, fortunately in the role of rap superstar rather than price comparison website salesman, in this North Manchester park where the Stone Roses made their comeback two years ago. Bastille, Foals and Rudimental accompany in what is shaping up to be a strong line-up. Price: £80 weekend ticket. Web: www.parklife.uk.com ● LOCAL EVENT
GRILLSTOCK Where: Bristol Harbourside When: June 7-8 It’s great to have the Fun Lovin’ Criminals and a host of other bands playing at Grillstock but for many people it’s about the meat, not the beat. Come and sample some of the world’s best ribs, chops, burgers, steaks, pulled pork, bacon, hot dogs and anything else you can think of that used to be an animal. Price: Day tickets start at £12, a weekend ticket is £20. Web: grillstock.co.uk WHITE CLIFFS BLUES FESTIVAL Where: Bluebirds, Snargate Street, Dover When: 7 June An all-day event featuring six English blues acts in support of the River Dour Project. Robin Bibi, King Bees and the Dave Jackson Band feature. Price: £15 for the day. Web: whitecliffsmusic.weebly.com ● LOCAL EVENT
PENTECOST PARTY IN THE PARK Where: Castle Park, Bristol When: 8 June
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A party in Broadmead’s back garden, arranged by a number of Bristol’s churches. Music – including a lot of gospel - sport and other activities are promised. Price: Free. Web: togetherforbristol.org SUMMER BREAK Where: Porth, near Newquay When: June 8-12 If I told you thousands of students celebrating the end of their exams were going to descend on a small Cornish village under orders from the promoters to adorn themselves in crazy fancy dress, you might well run a mile in the opposite direction. Anyway, this is a rite of passage for students, featuring a beach Olympics, an one-site radio station, barbecues, hot tubs, an inflatables arena and camping area divided into three different villages under the respective names of Creators of Mischief, Makers of Madness and Providers of Mayhem. Credit to the organisers for telling festivalgoers that anyone who goes into Newquay itself in “crude” fancy dress may well get their collar felt after weary locals have called the police. Price: From £45 to £95 Web: www.summerbreak.co.uk PICKERING 60’S FESTIVAL Where: Pickering, North Yorkshire When: 11-15 June Pickering turns the clock back to the swinging 60’s with live music, a vintage vehicle parade and fancy dress. Price: Free. Web: www.pickering60sfestival. co.uk
Van Morrison, Jason Donovan and the Beach Boys, but nothing says summer like singing along with “Californian Girls” Price: Various, and some events have already sold out Web: www.hamptoncourtpalacefestival.com THE ISLE OF WIGHT FESTIVAL Where: Seaclose Park, Newport, Isle of Wight When: 12-15 June Growing in stature, once again the Isle of Wight Festival has attracted some big names to entertain the people making the ferry crossing. Biffy Clyro, Red Hot Chili Peppers and Kings of Leon give the line-up a “rock” feel, although other genres will be available. Price: £202 for the weekend, £80 for the day. Web: www.isleofwightfestival.com THE EDEN FESTIVAL Where: Raehills Meadows, Moffat, Dumfries and Galloway, Scotland When: 12-15 June Music at this year’s always environmentally conscious event comes in the form of headliners Biffy Clyro at Isle of Wight Festival
HAMPTON COURT PALACE FESTIVAL Where: Hampton Court Palace, London When: June 11-25 It probably won’t attract the younger crowd, given that the line-up features Jools Holland,
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JUNE De La Soul and Artful Dodger. New attractions include a drive-in cinema and a vintage cabaret stage. Price: £109 weekend ticket. Web: www.edenfestival.co.uk DOWNLOAD Where: Donington Park, Leicestershire When: 13-15 June Home of all things heavy metal and similar, Download will once again play host to some of the juggernauts of rock music. This year’s ear splitting riffs will be coming from Linkin Park, Aerosmith, Avenged Sevenfold and Status Quo (yes, really). Price: £205 weekend ticket incl camping. Web: www.downloadfestival. co.uk ● LOCAL EVENT
SHERSTON FEST Where: Sherston, near Chippenham When: 13-14 June Showhawk Duo playing an entirely instrumental version of Bohemian Rhapsody? Oh go on then. Some unique yet contemporary music pumped directly into the Cotswolds. Price: £25 weekend ticket. Web: sherstonfest.com WATERSIDE FEST Where: Waterside Fest, Long Lane, Holbury When: 13-15 June Fledgling festival Waterside Fest continues to expand, this year featuring ACDC tribute act Dirty DC. Price: £25 weekend ticket. Web: Search for Waterside Fest on Facebook BWN SCOOTER SKA RALLY Where: Santa Pod Raceway, Airfield Road, Podington, Wellingborough When: 13-15 June This falls firmly into the ‘does what it says on the tin’ camp, providing a number of Ska acts as
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1990s pomp, the Levellers could have sat Newton down and played a game of “who’s got the longest dreads” but these days he’d win hands down. Price: £46. Web: www.behindthecastle.co.uk ● LOCAL EVENT
Linkin Park at Download
BRISTOL FESTIVAL OF NATURE Where: Harbourside, Bristol When: 14-15 June The UK’s largest free natural history event, and it’s happening here. The norm with this one is the opportunity to get near all manner of wildlife. Price: Free. Web: www.bnhc.org.uk/home/ festival ● LOCAL EVENT
well as numerous scooter-based activities including a ride out and a custom show. Price: £35 for the full weekend. Web: www.bwmrally.co.uk GOWER FOLK FESTIVAL Where: The Greyhound Inn, Gower, near Swansea. When: 13-15 June Head down the M4 to see folk bands from Britain and abroad, including The Melrose Quartet, in an intimate setting. Only 400 tickets will be sold. Price: Weekend tickets are £50 under an early bird deal, or £60 as standard. Web: www.gowerfolkfestival. co.uk BLACKBURN FESTIVAL Where: Witton Park, Blackburn When: 14 June Second running of this festival, which showcases local bands. Price: Free. Web: blackburnfestival.co.uk BEHIND THE CASTLE Where: Sherborne Castle, Dorset When: 14 June Newton Faulkner and the Levellers are playing this one. In their
BIG GREEN WEEK Where: The Centre of Bristol When: 14-22 June A nationwide festival of ideas and activities aimed at the natural environment graces Bristol in mid-June. This is a very familyfriendly event and there’s plenty to get stuck in to, including walks and tours, talks, comedy and food markets. Price: Free. Web: biggreenweek.com EDINBURGH FILM FESTIVAL Where: Various cinemas, Edinburgh When: 18-29 June Forget Cannes, forget Venice. Edinburgh is the world’s longest running film festival and it will continue with this year’s incarnation certain to continue discovering previously unearthed film talent. Price: Various. Web: www.edfilmfest.org.uk THE WILLOWMAN FESTIVAL Where: Hillside Rural Activities Park in Knayton, North Yorkshire When: 19-22 June BBC Radio 2 and 6 DJ and former Red Dwarf star Craig Charles will preside over the Friday night
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Billy Bragg at Beverley Folk and Roots Festival
with his ‘Funk and Soul Show’. “It’s cold outside, there’s no kind of atmosphere,” went the Red Dwarf theme tune. Let’s hope this isn’t true for the Willowman. A number of bands (including the eyebrow-raisingly-named Thatcher’s Bush) are also scheduled. Price: £65 weekend ticket. Web: www.willowmanfestival. co.uk BEVERLEY FOLK AND ROOTS FESTIVAL Where: Beverley Racecourse, Beverley When: 20-22 June Chas N’ Dave, say no more. Ok, at the risk of rabbiting on music will also be provided by Billy Bragg amongst others with comedy from Sean Hughes and John Hegley. Price: £99 weekend ticket. Web: www.beverleyfestival.com 3 WISHES FAERY FEST Where: Mount Edgcumbe House and Country Park, Cremyll, Torpoint, Cornwall. When: 20-22 June Most festival goers have three wishes: For a clean toilet on day three, their smuggled-in booze not to be confiscated at the gate and sunshine. You may find it hard to believe that a festival based on fairies exists, but even if you don’t believe in them, don’t say you don’t, because they’ll die. We don’t make the rules. Expect costumes, fairy tale performers, a wide selection of vegetarian & vegan food and live music. Price: £89 weekend ticket Web: www.faeryevents.com RAVENSTONEDALE FESTIVAL Where: High Greenside Farm, Cumbria When: 20-23 June A collection of young, up and coming bands and performers, sourced from all over the country but many local, will perform in one small natural setting. Amongst these new acts are PDR Warped and Colt 45.
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Price: £60 weekend ticket Web: ravenstonedalefestival. co.uk
Chiltern Hills. Price: £25 weekend ticket. Web: www.beaconfestival.net
WATERCOMBE MUSIC FESTIVAL Where: Haselbury Mill, Haselbury, Dorset When: 20-21 June They ran out of cider at this one last year, but organisers have vowed this won’t happen again. A small but perfectly formed festival aimed at families, which features a group walk on the Sunday. Price: £60 weekend ticket, under-16’s go free. Web: www.watercombemusicfestival.com
DURHAM BLUES FESTIVAL 4 Where: Durham Gala Theatre, Durham When: 21 June Ten hours of blues performances and smaller acoustic shows featuring Royal Southern Brotherhood and Stevie Nimmo. Price: £27. Web: www.durhambluesfestival. co.uk
LAINFEST Where: Gopsall Hall Farm, Leicestershire When: 20-22 June A family-run festival that shouts loud about its non-commercial roots. Little Comets will headline with a number of other new bands from the indie/electro scenes. Price: £30 weekend ticket. Web: www.lainfest.co.uk BEACON FESTIVAL Where: Waitlington Hill Farm, near Waitlington When: 20-22 June You might be suspicious of a festival that markets itself as a “boutique family event” but this home-grown affair has expanded to feature 40 bands across three stages marking the longest day of summer on high up on the
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BRISTOL’S BIGGEST BIKE RIDE Where: Various, central Bristol When: 22 June On normal days, cyclists line up against buses, taxis and cars in a pointless, frustrating struggle to see who rules the roads. But on June 22 it’s all about two wheels with hundreds, possibly thousands if the weather’s nice, of cyclists fanning out from Bristol on various routes ranging from nine to 38 miles. Price: Free. Web: www.betterbybike AFRICA OYE Where: Sefton Park, Liverpool When: 21-22 June The UK’s largest celebration of African music and culture including Brit and Mobo award winner Finlay Quaye as well as various traders and stalls. Price: Free. Web: www.africaoye.com
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Pharell Williams at Wireless
RIVERSIDE ROCK Where: Riverside Park, Jedburgh, Scottish Borders When: 21 June Big Country (yes, they’re still going) are the biggest name at this celebration of rock. Also thrown in, for the younger festival-goers, are zorbing, a climbing wall and sumo suits. Price: £22.50. Web: www.riversiderock.co.uk GLASTONBURY Where: Worthy Farm, Pilton, Shepton Mallet, Somerset When: 25-29 June You may have heard of it. It truly is the world’s premier festival of any kind and sets a stage for some of music’s most promising young hopefuls and biggest stars alike. It’s quite easy for me to list a few of the biggest musical attractions that are gracing the various stages this year; Arcade Fire, Kasabian, Jack White, Chvrches, Kelis, Blondie, MGMT, Jake Bugg, The Black Keys, Elbow, Robert Plant and yes, even Dolly Parton. It’s as strong a line-up as you will see anywhere in the world and impressive even by Glastonbury’s own lofty standards. While only listing the headline acts is doing the festival a disservice, it is far easier than trying to explain that unique quality that makes Glastonbury what it is. Price: Doesn’t matter, if you don’t have a ticket now you’re not going. Better luck next year. Web: www.glastonburyfestivals. co.uk
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STONE VALLEY Where: The Castle Park, Stanhope When: 27-28 June It’s not just a mode of transport, it’s a way of life. Stone valley has a focus on vintage scooters and all of the music that would stereotypically come with it ranging from mod and ska to indie and northern soul. Price: £26 weekend ticket. Web: www.stonevalleyfestival. co.uk USK MUSIC FEST Where: Usk Athletic Club, Usk, Monmouthshire When: 28 June Known affectionately as Usks answer to Glastonbury. The day will be headlined by exciting party band the Soul Destroyers. Price: £18. Web: www.uskmusicfest.co.uk ● LOCAL EVENT
KEYNSHAM MUSIC FESTIVAL Where: Various, Keynsham When: 30 June – 6 July A great event brining the local community together in the name of music, with four stages of performances in the park. Price: free, suggested donation £2. Web: www.keynshammusicfestival.co.uk
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BRISTOL COMEDY GARDEN Where: Queen Square, Bristol. When: 3-6 July
This has a strong line-up that befits a city which has always produced good comedians. St John’s Ambulance will be in attendance to help treat split sides after sets by Steward Francis, Reginald D Hunter, Milton Jones and Al Murray. Price: Various. Web: bristolcomedygarden.co.uk ● LOCAL EVENT
CHELTENHAM MUSIC FESTIVAL Where: Various, Cheltenham When: 2-13 July You get a better class of musician in Cheltenham compared to other small festivals – they can afford it. Nicolas Bendetti, Different Trains the The Will Gregory Moog Ensemble are just a few of the acts down to appear. Prices: Various. Web: www.cheltenhamfestivals. com WIRELESS FESTIVAL Where: Finsbury Park, London and Perry Park, Birmingham When 4-6 July It’s 11 years old now and despite having a fairly corporate feel, the line-up at Wireless is always strong. This year it includes Kanye West, Pharrell Williams (he is a busy boy isn’t he), Basement Jaxx, Bruno Mars and Drake. Robin Thicke is also playing – sorry about that. Price: Three-day tickets £172. Web: www.wirelessfestival.co.uk NORTH WALES BLUEGRASS FESTIVAL Where: Conwy, North Wales When: 3-6 July Throw your Stetson and that belt buckle with an embossed map of Texas on it and head north for some line or square dancing with some of the best the UK has to offer. If you think that’s stereotyped the event, there will be cellos, fiddles and guitar music floating around as well as banjos and ukuleles. Price; £75 early bird weekend
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JULY ticket, £5 extra for camping. Web: www.northwalesbluegrass. co.uk BLISSFIELDS Where: Vicarage Farm, Winchester, Hampshire When: 4-5 July Don’t let the name of headline act Sleigh Bells fool you, this has every chance of being the festival that serves up the delightful sunny afternoon you might think only exists in cider TV ads. Price: £90 weekend ticket. Web: www.blissfields.co.uk BOOGIE WOOGIE FESTIVAL Where: Sturminster Newton, Dorset When: 4-6 July Fair play to the organisers for picking this attention-grabbing name – and having one of the longer urls in this guide. This is 1940s and 50s boogie as opposed to anything found on a Seventies dance floor, so dress accordingly. Price: £65 for all events. Web: www.ukboogiewoogiefestival.co.uk CORNBURY FESTIVAL Where: The Great Tew Park, Oxfordshire When: 4-6 July A line-up that reads like a dream enjoyed by those people who put together “driving music” compilation CDs. Jools Holland, The Feeling, Scouting for Girls, Simple Minds and Sophie-Ellis Bextor will appear at this Cotswolds shindig. The festival site is not far from David Cameron’s house so you may find yourself queuing behind him for a falafel burger. Price: Adult weekend tickets start at £170. Web: www.cornburyfestival.com ● LOCAL EVENT
FROME FESTIVAL Where: Various, Frome When: 4-13 July The artist roster for this one
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looks more exciting than many of the smaller events in the UK this summer. Be it opera, acoustic, folk or comedy you’re seeking you’re likely to find it here, in the prettiest town in Bristol’s swollen commuter belt. The Levellers are turning up, as are Rich Hall, Jo Brand, Seann Walsh and Phill Jupitus. Price: Various. Web: www.fromefestival.co.uk
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WAYS WITH WORDS FESTIVAL Where: Dartington Hall, Devon When: 4-14 July Head to the country to this Daily Telegraph-sponsored gathering of would-be authors. If you’ve got a cracking idea for a novel, keep it close to your chest in case Maureen from Exmouth steals it. Price: TBC. Web: www.wayswithwords.co.uk
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GODIVA FESTIVAL Where: War Memorial Park, Coventry When: 4-6 July If you can negotiate Coventry’s mind-bending ring road than a decent line-up of (mostly old school) indie rock names await. The Happy Mondays, Funeral for a Friend, We are Scientists and Buzzcocks are in the line-up. Lady Godiva rode through the streets of Coventry naked – let’s hope Shaun Ryder doesn’t do the same. If you need any incentive, it’s a free event. Price: Free. Web: www.godivafestival.com
BRISTOL PRIDE Where: Various, Bristol When: 5-12 July A week’s worth of celebrations of Bristol’s diversity, culminating on the Saturday with Pride Day (which includes live music, stalls and food) and Pride Night (headlined by the best clubnight DJ’s). Price: Various, mostly free. Web: pridebristol.co.uk TRUCKFEST SOUTH WEST Where: Three Counties Showground, Malvern When: 5-6 July We can’t pretend this is one for a music purist, Truckfest being a mixture of Monster Truck action and queuing to meet Joey Essex and one of the people from that Lizard Lick Towing show. Price: £12 per day. Web: www.truckfest.co.uk ● LOCAL EVENT
ST PAULS CARNIVAL Where: St Pauls, Bristol When: 5 July You can hear the bass for miles, so why not just head down to St Pauls and enjoy all the benefits you get from being close up. The hoard of people you’ll see can’t all be wrong. If the sun is out there is probably no better party in the city with live music, sound systems, Caribbean food and the parade. Price: Free. Web: www.stpaulscarnival.co.uk
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NIBLEY MUSIC FESTIVAL Where: North Nibley, Gloucestershire When: 5 July Unfortunately this one is already sold out, but here’s what you could have won; A circus theme playing home to the likes of The Heavy, Turin Breaks and Missing Andy. Better luck next time. Price: Sold out Web: nibleyfestival.co.uk
2000 TREES Where: Upcote Farm, Withington, Cheltenham, Glos, GL54 4BL When: 10th – 12th July A 5,000 capacity music festival set in the rolling Cotswold Hills, 2000 Trees won the ‘Grass Roots Festival’ gong at last year’s UK Festival Awards. The music is dominated by rock and indie, with a good mix of established and emerging artists. This year’s
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JULY lineup features Band Of Skulls, Public Service Broadcasting, Dan Le Sac and Scroobius Pip, Tall Ships and Three Trapped Tigers. Price: Weekend ticket £75 Web: twothousandtreesfestival. co.uk DRUM CAMP FESTIVAL Where: Near Bungay, Suffolk When: 10-13 July We can only assume from the ticket price that everyone gets a free cymbal to take home. For one weekend this sleep East Anglian outpost will be the home of all things to do with percussion, with workshops and live music. Artists are coming to play at this one from Congo, USA, Senegal, Ghana, India, Zimbabwe and Italy. Price: £160 full event, £120 weekend. Web: www.musicworldwide.org ● LOCAL EVENT
PRIDDY FOLK FESTIVAL Where: Priddy (near Cheddar Gorge) When: 11-13 July Up in the Mendip Hills, just 15 or so miles from Bristol, is a festival that began as a PTA fundraiser in the local village hall. The locals and visitors loved it so much that it’s expanded into an event with a proper festival feel. If you’re in Bristol, there is the option of enjoying everything that Priddy has to offer, but cheat by heading back to sleep in your own bed. Maz O’Connor, nominated for Radio 2 Folk Awards, is a recent addition to the line-up. Price: £72 (adult weekend with camping), £61 (weekend without camping). Web: www.priddyfolk.org T IN THE PARK When: 11-13 July Where: Balado, Kinross-shire, Scotland Biffy Clyro, Arctic Monkeys and Calvin Harris are the headline acts this year. Further down the line-up are Elbow, The 1975, Pharrell Wil-
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Artic Monkeys at T in the Park
liams, Bastille and Franz Ferdinand. Getting tickets to see The 1975’s one-off gigs is nigh on impossible so if you have the time for the long trip, this presents a good chance to catch them this summer. Price: Weekend camping: £194, day tickets £82.50. Web: www.tinthepark.com MOSTLY JAZZ, FUNK AND SOUL FESTIVAL Where: Moseley Park, Birmingham When: 11-13 July Earth, Wind & Fire (small print: experience featuring Al McKay) and the Fun Lovin’ Criminals are a couple of the highlights in store here. Mavis Staples and Courtney Pine also contribute to a strong line-up. Price: £89 weekend ticket. Web: mostlyjazz.co.uk ● LOCAL EVENT
THE BRISTOL SHAKESPEARE FESTIVAL Where: Various, Bristol When: 11-27 July Entirely staffed by volunteers, this is one of the best showcases for Bristol’s creative spirit. It’s a fair way off so some details are yet to be confirmed but if last year’s event was anything to go by expect
some of the Bard’s most popular works being played out in some of the most beautiful green spaces and buildings in the city. If they put a play on in Brandon Hill Park again, do whatever you can to get a ticket. Price: Various. Web: www.bristolshakespearefestival.org.uk DURHAM INTERNATIONAL BRASS FESTIVAL Where: Various, Durham When: 11-20 July Not as one-dimensional as it sounds. Sure, there’ll be brass bands from the UK and beyond, but British Sea Power are also appearing and there’ll be plenty of street food and smaller acts to enjoy. Prices: Various, some free. Web: www.brassfestival.co.uk BUXTON FESTIVAL Where: Various, Buxton, Derbyshire When: 11-27 July Buxton can occasionally fall victim to some pretty awful weather, given its place higher above sea level than any other town in the UK. The festival promises the cream of opera and literature. Lined up to appear are 4 Girls 4
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BEAT-HERDER FESTIVAL Where: The Ribble Valley, Lancashire When: 18-20 July Every wonder what happened to Goldie Lookin Chain? They’re plodding round the festival circuit, that’s what – including this one. The literature promises “three days of beats of barminess”. 2manyDjs and Happy Mondays also feature. Price: Weekend tickets start at £118. Web: beatherder.co.uk
The Black Keys at Latitude
Harps and The Lawson Trio Prices: Various Web: www.buxtonfestival.co.uk ● LOCAL EVENT
BACKWELL FESTIVAL Where When: Saturday, July 12 An independent event now in its sixth year, the Backwell Festival will showcase a wide range of styles and local talents. Celestine, who you may remember from The Voice, is playing along with headliners Doreen Doreen. Price: Early bird tickets (bought before May 19) are £12.50 for adults, £4 concessions with children under 12 going free (but they’ll still need a ticket). Web: www.backwellfestival.co.uk LATITUDE FESTIVAL Where: Henham Park, near Southwold, Suffolk When: 17-20 July This is the weekend that Shoreditch empties and heads north-east to this beautiful corner of Suffolk. Once an upstart on the UK festival scene, this is now established as a haven of glamping with some decent music, comedy and theatre thrown in. Two Door Cinema club, Editors, Damon Albarn and The Black Keys are in the line-up. Price: Weekend ticket £195 (although child weekend tickets are just £8), day tickets £84.50. Web: www.latitudefestival.com
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CHAGSTOCK Where: Whiddon Down, Devon When: 18-19 July When a group of friends invited some far-flung guests down for what was essentially an ambitious garden party in 2003, they couldn’t have dreamt it would end up this big. This year, thousands of people will flock to Whiddon Down on the edge of Dartmoor to see The Waterboys and The Lightning Seeds. This year’s theme is the Wild West. Yeee-ha. Price: £75 (adult weekend) £50 (child). Children under 12 get in free, although they have to register to organisers have an idea of numbers. Web: www.chagstock.info
BIRMINGHAM INTERNATIONAL JAZZ AND BLUES FESTIVAL Where: Various, Birmingham When: 18-27 July We’ve already had our version of this in Bristol, so you can head north and see if this matches the three days of standing-roomonly music that took place at the Colston Hall in March. Purists will head to see the Roy Forbes Quintet. People who grew up in the 1980s will try and catch Musical Youth (can they call themselves youth anymore?). Price: Various, mostly free. Web: www.birminghamjazzfestival.com
AUGUST
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BRISTOL HARBOUR FESTIVAL Where: City centre/Harbourside When: 18-20 July Usually the largest gathering of humanity in the city every year, the Harbour Festival attracts in excess of 200,000 people to the waterside, although there’s plenty more to it than the tall ships that visit. There’s a children’s area in Castle Park, a dance village, a special area for cyclists and….maybe….a spectacular firework display. The most welcome attraction is the sun, which always adds a certain gloss to the event. Price: Free. Web: www.bristolharbourfestival. co.uk
FARM FESTIVAL UK Where: Gilcombe Farm, Bruton, Somerset When: 1-2 August You can book a pre-pitched tent at this one, which sounds like cheating but by August plenty of people having camping fatigue. Public Service Broadcasting are headlining, but our eye was caught by the combination of acts called Melt Yourself Down followed by Beans on Toast. Price: £52.50 (weekend ticket). Web: www.farmfestival.co.uk EISTEDDFOD GENEDLAETHOL CYMRU (THE NATIONAL EISTEDDFOD OF WALES) Where: Carmarthenshire, Wales
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AUGUST When: 1-9 August Kudos to anyone who can pronounce the name of the festival after a round of shots. It promises a little bit of everything including dance performances, art, comedy, markets, poetry and technology displays. We dare you to book tickets without switching the language of the website from Welsh to English – live dangerously. Price: Various. Web: www.eisteddfod.org.uk KNEE DEEP FESTIVAL Where: Near Saltash, Cornwall When: 1-2 August Fifth year for this small, friendly event, which is taking a year off in 2015. Line-up to be confirmed at time of going to press. Price: £40 weekend ticket. Web: kneedeepfestival.com LEOPALLOOZA Where: Bude, Cornwall When: 1-3 August The greatest house party…in a field. That’s the marketing hook for this one. Surf in the morning, listen to bands in the afternoon and evening. Started in 2006 with no agenda other than fun, this festival has never lost its innocence. Long may it continue. Price: £70 weekend ticket. Web: leopallooza.com STANDON CALLING Where: Standon, Hertfordshire When: 1-3 August Maximo Park, Public Enemy and Frank Turner headline the ‘festival with a pool and a dog show’. Smashing. Price: £119 to £129 weekend ticket. Web: www.standon-calling.com Y NOT FESTIVAL Where: Pikehall, Matlock, Derbyshire When: 1-3 August Some things old and some things new at this indie-friendly event. White Lies, Dizzee Rascal, Razorlight, The Fratellis, Newton
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Faulkner, Shed Seven and Reel Big Fish are all lined up to play. Prices: £89 weekend ticket. Web: www.ynotfestivals.co.uk SIDMOUTH FOLK WEEK Where: Various, Sidmouth, Devon When: 1-8 August This one’s even older than Glastonbury – it’s been running since 1955. The ticket price is fairly hefty but if you want to gorge yourself on folk music – including some of the newest acts on the block – then you’ll find it value for money. Prices: £200 week ticket. Web: www.sidmouthfolkweek. co.uk EDINBURGH FRINGE FESTIVAL Where: Various, Edinburgh When: 1-25 August Best-known as the festival where stand-up comedy careers come to be born or die before they can walk. It’s not just comedy, as there’s plenty of theatre and dance on offer. Prices: Various, some free. Web: www.edfringe.com BIMBLE BANDADA Where: Secret Location, near Brighton When: 1-3 August Putting this guide together you get used to lots of marketing slogans but “100% solar powered” is a new one. So pray for a sunny day or they might not be enough energy to power Z-Star, Disco Panther or Morning Glory. Prices: £60 weekend ticket. Web: www.bimblebandada.com ALNWICK INTERNATIONAL MUSIC FESTIVAL Where: Alnwick, Northumberland When: 2-9 August Standing in a muddy field at V Festival while people throw plastic glasses half-full of suspicious yellow-ish liquid over your head doesn’t fill you with love for your fellow man. This event may do. Under the international peace sym-
bol of the dove, it brings theatre, dance and music acts from across the world. It started many years ago as a way of forging friendships across nationalities and has continued in the same vein. Price: Free. Web: www.alnwickmusicfestival. com ● LOCAL EVENT
PEWSEY MUSIC FESTIVAL Where: Pewsey, Wiltshire When: 2 August Music from noon until midnight including tribute band Ultimate Elton and the Rocket Band. More acts to be announced nearer the time. Price: TBC. Web: www.pewseymusicfestival. org ● LOCAL EVENT
REDFEST Where: St George Park, Bristol When: 2 August Details are scarce at time of going to press but expect the whole community to be out for a range of artistic and musical styles at East Bristol’s biggest party. The theme this year is garden parties – so bring whatever that means to you. Price: Free. Web: www.redfestbristol.co.uk ● LOCAL EVENT
UNICORN VILLAGE CAMPS Where: Wildflower Meadow, Somerset and Wiltshire border When: 2-24 August Healing through the power of song, healing through the power of constellations, healing through the power of dance. That’s more like it. Four different camps, each focusing on one of the above aspects. Price: Various. Web: jacapella.co.uk/unicorn PLAY FESTIVAL Where: Llanfyllin, Powys When: 6-10 August A celebration of all things circus. Firebreathing is banned for safety
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Jimmy Cliff at Boomtown Fair
reasons though. Price: £80 weekend ticket. Web: play-festival.co.uk BOARDMASTERS Where: Newquay, Cornwall When: 6-10 August Music, surfing, skateboarding and BMX. Leave your skinny jeans at home and bring something baggy. Snoop Dogg, Bastille and Chase and Status are among the bands playing. Price: weekend tickets start at £119. Web: www.boardmasters.co.uk BOOMTOWN FAIR Where: The Bowl, near Winchester, Hampshire When: 7-10 August If you don’t come back from this one with a sore neck from nodding along to the music, there’s something wrong with you. The Wailers, Jimmy Cliff and Bellowhead will provide some of the tunes, but that’s just scratching the surface. Price: £150 weekend ticket. Web: www.boomtownfair.co.uk BLOODSTOCK OPEN AIR Where: Catton Park, Derbyshire When: 7-10 August Heavy metal in the sun, with Megadeth headlining. Price: £137 weekend and camping. Web: www.bloodstockuk.com ● LOCAL EVENT
BRISTOL INTERNATIONAL BALLOON FIESTA Where: Ashton Court, Bristol
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When: 7-10 August It’s based in Ashton Court, but this annual celebration of flying very slowly underneath a giant car/ minion/dog/motorbike can be enjoyed all across the city as long as the prevailing winds are behaving themselves. The nightglows have to be seen up close though. A huge part of the city’s identity and visited from far and wide. Price: Free. Web: www.bristolballoonfiesta. co.uk CAMBRIDGE ROCK FESTIVAL Where: Haggis Farm Polo Club, Barton, Cambridge When: 7-10 August Cambridge tends to get associated with bikes, students and folk music, but for one weekend it’s all about rock. Ultimate Eagles, Snakecharmer and Larry Miller are playing this year. Price: £105 weekend ticket. Web: cambridgerockfestival.co.uk FAIRPORT’S CROPREDY CONVENTION Where: Cropredy, near Banbury, Oxfordshire When: 7-9 August Chas & Dave, The Australian Pink Floyd Show, The Waterboys, Al Stewart and, of course, Fairport Convention perform for the locals of Cropredy and anyone else who cares to attend. Price: £110 weekend ticket. Web: www.fairportconvention.com
GAUNTS HOUSE SUMMER GATHERING Where: Gaunts House, Wimbourne, Dorset When: 7-10 August A promotional image featuring a giant circle of people holding hands, and bands with names like Touch the Earth and Strange Folk. This is how festivals used to be, before global corporations decided to get involved. Price: £110 early bird, £140 full price. Web: www.gauntssummergathering.com REBELLION Where: Winter Gardens, Blackpool When: 7-10 August Blackpool – it’s not just candyfloss and stag parties. Stiff Little Fingers, Killing Joke, Biohazard and Street Dogs are all booked to appear. Price: £145 weekend ticket. Web: www.rebellionfestivals.com WILDERNESS Where: Alaska. No, not really. Cornbury in Oxfordshire. When: 7-10 August. Music from London Grammar and Burt Bacharach, and tutorials on den building, horse riding and archery. Price: £152 weekend ticket. Web: www.wildernessfestival.com BELLADRUM TARTAN HEART FESTIVAL Where: Belladrum Estate, near Beayly, Scotland When: 8-9 August Razorlight and the festival royalty that is Tom Jones headline this fancy dress-orientated affair. Price: £100 weekend ticket, including camping. Web: www.tartanheartfestival. co.uk SUPERNORMAL FESTIVAL Where: Braziers Park, Oxfordshire When: 8-10 August Rooted in art, the environment and
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AUGUST exploration, you’re as likely to find yourself part of a performance as you are to watch one. A festival like no other, and an alternative to the mainstream. Price: £80 weekend ticket. Web: www.supernormalfestival. co.uk CROISSANT NEUF SUMMER PARTY Where: Usk, Monmouthshire, Wales When: 8-11 August Not a million miles from Bristol, and very family friendly. This year’s theme is ‘medieval merriment’. Price: £105 weekend ticket, children under 5 go free. Web: www.partyneuf.co.uk UV FESTIVAL Where: New House Farm, near Gatwick Airport When: 9 August Whenever they record the highest summer temperature in the UK, it’s usually somewhere near Gatwick, so it makes sense to have a festival in this area. An independent festival championing all things electro. Price: Early bird £20, standard £27. Web: www.uvfestival.com ● LOCAL EVENT
BATH FOLK FESTIVAL Where: Various, Bath When: 9-17 August Five years old, this grassroots event features workshops, summer school and live music including headliners Martin Carthy and Sheelanagig. Price: No info at time of going to press, as a guide last years was £50. Web: bathfolkfestival.org WICKHAM FESTIVAL Where: Wickham, Hampshire When: 14-17 August A mostly folk festival with a little bit more accessibility for the uninitiated with some ever so slightly more ‘poppy’ acts. Bellowhead, Altan, Hugh Cornwell, Dreadzone and Thea Gilmore perform.
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Price: £150 weekend ticket. Web: www.wickhamfestival.co.uk TRIBFEST Where: Sledmere House, Sledmere, East Yorkshire When: 14-17 August This is not the greatest festival in the world, no, this is just a tribute. Almost-as-good-as-the-real-things Meet Loaf, Kings Ov Leon, Abba Revival and Slyde Alive make up much of the line-up. There’s even an Adele tribute act. Too soon? Price: £130 weekend ticket. Web: www.tribfest.co.uk ATP PRESENTS JABBERWOCKY Where: The Excel Centre, East London When: August 15-16 A new one this, two days of eclectic music under the banner of All Tomorrow’s Parties. James Blake, Darkside, Neutral Milk Hotel and Jesu are on the bill, along with plenty of acts you won’t see on the bill elsewhere. Price: Tickets start at £38.50 Web: ww.atpfestival.com BAKEWELL MUSIC FESTIVAL Where: Bakewell, Peak District When: 15-17 August One of the smaller events around, in the sort of setting that makes WI coach parties go giddy with delight. The 40 artists lined up to play include the Chas Hodges Band and John Coughlan’s Quo. Price £65 early bird with camping. Web: www.bakewellmusicfestival. com BEAUTIFUL DAYS Where: Escot Park, Devon When: 15-17 August Seasick Steve and Levellers headline this grass roots affair which features no sponsorship or advertising. Good job we’re mentioning it here then. Price: £130 weekend plus camping. Web: www.beautifuldays.org ONE LOVE FESTIVAL Where: Stockwell Farm, Leighton
Buzzard When: 15-17 August Leighton Buzzard, the home of reggae and dub. For one weekend only. Price: £140 weekend plus camping. Web: www.onelovefestival.co.uk REWIND FESTIVAL Where: Henley-on-Thames When: 15-17 August Nostalgia-fest featuring the likes of Mike and the Mechanics and The Boomtown Rats. Price: £118 weekend plus camping. Web: www.rewindfestival.com V FESTIVAL Where: Hylands Park, Chelmsford and Weston Park, South Staffs When: 16-17 August Critics say it doesn’t have the same friendly all-in-this-together spirit as Glastonbury but if you want to see 10 acts that would headline any other festival in one day then this is the event to go to. This year’s A-listers include Justin Timberlake, The Killers, Lilly Allen, Manic Street Preachers, Elbow and Ed Sheeran. Price: £189 weekend with camping. Web: www.vfestival.com FLASHBACK Where: Clumber Park, near Worksop, Nottinghamshire When: 16 August You could go and stand in a field to watch the likes of Kim Wilde, ABC, Go West and Billy Ocean, or you could just go to Reflex. It’s up to you. Price: £38. Web: www.ukeventsandproduction.com BEATLEWEEK Where: Various, Liverpool When: 20-26 August A week of all things Beatles in the city they came from. If you’re a Beatles fan looking to do a lot of learning and reminiscing then all you need is Beatle Week, and love, obviously. Price: Various. Web: www.cavernclub.org
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AUGUST SHAMBALA Where: Near Market Harbourough, Northamptonshire When: 21-24 August This festival was green long before the rest of the summer’s parties cottoned on. Music, comedy, circus, cabaret and acrobatics complement acts such as Adrian Sherwood and A Guy Called Gerald. Price: From super early bird (£99) to adult weekend ticket (£135). Web: www.shambalafestival.org BEERMAGEDDON Where: Stoke Prior, Bromsgrove When: 22-24 August There’s a band playing at this one called Lawnmower Deth. Which is how many of us recall an August Bank Holiday. But seriously, this is a growing heavy metal festival and if that’s what you’re into, this is where to find what’s new from the UK scene. Price: £40 weekend ticket. Web: www.beermageddon.co.uk CREAMFIELDS Where: Daresbury, Halton, Cheshire When: 22-24 August “This dance music all sounds the same”. Move over Grandpa, you’re at the wrong festival. This year’s most exciting sets will come from Avicii, Deadmau5, Armin van Buuren , Fatboy Slim and Steve Angello. Price: £180 weekend ticket. Web: www.creamfields.com PURBECK FOLK FESTIVAL Where: Wilkswood Farm, near Swanage When: 21-24 August An international feel to this folk festival with the English flavour being provided by the likes of The South and Turn Brakes. Price: £90 weekend ticket. Web: www.purbeckfolk.co.uk SHREWSBURY FOLK FESTIVAL Where: West Midlands Showground When: 22-25 August
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Live music (Bellowhead and Seth Lakeman high on the bill) and all the usual trimmings such as craft fairs and workshops. Price: £135 weekend ticket. Web: shrewsburyfolkfestival. co.uk READING AND LEEDS Where: Richfield Avenue, Reading and Bramham Park, Leeds When: 22-24 August There’s always a stellar line-up for this Bank Holiday weekend event and this year is no different. Queens of the Stone Age, Arctic Monkeys, Vampire Weekend, Paramore, Foster the People, Klaxons, Jake Bugg….we could go on. Start saving up now, mind. Price: £213 weekend ticket. Web: www.readingandleedsfestival.com ● LOCAL EVENT
WATCHET MUSIC FESTIVAL Where: Watchet, Somerset When: 22-24 August You thought Toploader had retired on the proceeds of Dancing in the Moonlight? Wrong. They’re playing at this one, along with Boney M, at this family-friendly shindig with the West Somerset coastline as a backdrop. Price: £60 adult weekend ticket with camping, £150 family ticket. Web: www.watchetfestival.co.uk GREENBELT Where: Boughton House, Cheltenham When: 22-25 August “Where arts, faith and justice collide”. Greeenbelt is a faith-centred festival but one with an open mind. Political comic Mark Thomas is one of many supporters who would not call themselves Christians. Discussions, lectures and music. Price: £124 weekend ticket. Web: www.greenbelt.org.uk ● LOCAL EVENT
THE OLD DUKE JAZZ FESTIVAL Where: The Old Duke, King St, Bristol
When: 23-25 August We can’t tell you who is playing at this one, but we can tell you that there are few better events to make you sit back with a pint of something cold and thank whatever deity you choose that you live in Bristol. Expect the whole of King Street to be rammed with friendly faces if the sun is out. Price: TBC. Web: www.theoldduke.co.uk SUMMER RETREAT Where: Northampton When: 23-24 August You’re unlikely to be prescribed it by a Doctor, but perhaps you should consider indulging in 48 hours of healing, drumming and music in a rural setting.. Price: free (dependant on a grant). Web: www.summerretreat.co.uk DEVIZES INTERNATIONAL STREET FESTIVAL Where: Devizes, Wiltshire When: 24-25 August Jugglers, tight-rope walkers and all manner of street performer in this Wiltshire market town. Programme includes a “confetti battle”. Price: free. Web: www.streetsofdevizes.co.uk ● LOCAL EVENT
ARCTANGENT Where: Fernhill Farm, Compton Martin, Somerset, BS40 6LD When: 28th – 30th August A proudly, fiercely alternative event showcasing music from the worlds of math-rock, post-rock and noise-rock. Held on a farm in the Mendip hills close to both Bristol and Bath, this three day session debuted last year and made the ‘Best New Festival’ shortlist in the UK Festival Awards. The 2014 lineup features 70 international cult favourites including This Will Destroy You, Russian Circles, Maybeshewill, Tall Ships, Jamie Lenman and God Is An Astronaut.
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AUGUST Price: £70 weekend ticket Web: www.arctangent.co.uk DIDMARTON BLUEGRASS FESTIVAL Where: Kemble Airfield, Gloucestershire When: 29-31 August No acts announced yet for the main stage but this always reliable festival shouldn’t disappoint. There’s an open stage where anyone can sign up to perform, plus a late-night bonfire party. Price: £45 weekend ticket. Web: didmarton-bluegrass.co.uk ELECTRIC PICNIC Where: Stradbally Estate, Co. Laois, Ireland When: 29-31 August If you’re been perusing this guide wondering when Beck is going to pop up, then it’s here, in the countryside near Dublin. As well as him there’s Outkast, Lily Allen and Portishead plus art and theatre stages. You can fly to the Irish capital from Bristol and take one of several coach options to the festival site. Price: €195 weekend ticket. Web: www.electricpicnic.ie ● LOCAL EVENT
STROUD FRINGE Where: Stroud, Gloucestershire When: 29-31 August Championing everything local, organisers will be releasing more information about what’s on at this year’s fringe in June. See the website for how you can get involved – including playing live. Price: various, many free. Web: www.stroudfringe.co.uk IGFEST Where: All over Bristol When: TBC We haven’t got a date yet for the return of igfest, where Bristol becomes a playground for all kinds of capers including zombie chases and mass tag, but it may well be in August. Unique to the city, igfest demands you leave your inhibi-
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Beck at Electric Picnic
tions at the door. Price: Usually free. Web: www.igfest.org
SEPTEMBER BESTIVAL Where: Robin Hill Country Park, Isle of Wight When: 4-7 September The Swanage Blues Festival or Scarborough Jazz Festival may disagree but this is the last big blowout of the year. This year’s line-up includes Outkast, Foals, Beck, Busta Rhymes, Paloma Faith and….this may be a misprint….Mr Motivator. Price: £180 weekend ticket. Web: www.bestival.net ● LOCAL EVENT
BRISTOL WOOL FAIR Where: Clifton Downs, Bristol When: 5-7 September The guerrilla knitting left around trees in Victoria Park or on the Goal Ferry Bridge confirms Bristol’s status in the world of needles and wool. At the Wool Fair there’ll be (deep breath) sheep, spinners, weavers, feltmakers, dyers, fibre artists, markets, workshops and more. Price: £15 weekend ticket. Web: www.bristolwoolfair.co.uk
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BRISTOL BIENNIAL 2014: CROSSING THE LINE Where: Various – centred around the Arnolfini, Bristol When: 12-21 September A festival of contemporary arts with fantastic opportunities to get involved at all levels, check the website. Price: TBC. Web: bristolbiennial.co.uk ST IVES SEPTEMBER FESTIVAL Where: Various, St Ives, Cornwall When: 13-27 September Music, art, literature and cinema all get given the individual spotlight at various points over the two weeks. A tourist trap it may be, but when the rest of us pack up our buckets and spades and leave, St Ives is home to a thriving arts scene. Prices: Various. Web: www.stivesseptemberfestival.co.uk ● LOCAL EVENT
ENCOUNTERS SHORT FILM FESTIVAL Where: Arnolfini and Watershed, Bristol When: 16-21 September Established and new filmmaking talent gets its chance at this event. It’s early in the year to have a firm
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SEPTEMBER programme but that also means there’s still time to submit your work. There will be screenings, Q&As, interviews and workshops. Price: Various, some free. Web: www.encounters-festival.org.uk ● LOCAL EVENT
PRISTON FESTIVAL Where: Priston, near Bath When: 19-21 September This festival’s slogan is “live N Local”, giving you an insight into why it was set up in the first place in the countryside south west of Bath. Price: Various, some free. Web: www.priston.org.uk/festival LOOPALLU Where: Ullapool, Scotland When: 26-27 September This takes place in the middle of nowhere, 60 miles from the nearest town, but still attracts decent headliners. Previous years have seen Franz Ferdinand, Paolo Nutini, Mumford and Sons and Ash play. The haggis must be exceptional. This year’s line-up is to be confirmed. Price: £80 plus camping. Web: www.loopallu.co.uk RAINDANCE FILM FESTIVAL Where: Central London When: 24 Sept – 5 Oct A breeding ground for new and exciting talent from with the UK’s film industry. Price: various. Web: raindancefestival.org SCARBOROUGH JAZZ FESTIVAL Where: Scarborough Spa When: 26-28 September
Pixies at Primavera Sound
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One of the country’s finest jazz festival with acts announced for this year including Jools Holland, Theo Jackson & Nathaniel Facey, 7 Pieces of Silver, Time Zone, Paradox Ensemble and Dennis Rollins’ Velocity Trio. Price: £77 weekend ticket. Web: jazz.scarboroughspa.co.uk MALVERN AUTUMN SHOW Where: Three Counties Showground, Malvern, Worcestershire When: 27-28 September An hour and a half up the M5 from Bristol you’ll find this annual celebration of the fruits of the harvest. Food, gardening and nostalgia will be on the menu, along with “monster” pumpkins grown in Illinois. Price: Price: £15 advance, £17 on the gate. Web: www.threecounties.co.uk/malvernautumn
OCTOBER SWANAGE BLUES FESTIVAL Where: Swanage, Dorset When: 3-5 October 30 top class acts across 15 indoor venues. Our maths tells us that averages out as two acts per venue, other than that details are hard to come by. Open mic and jam sessions will be on offer. Price: £10 weekend wristband. Web: www.swanage-blues.org THE TIMES CHELTENHAM LITERATURE FESTIVAL Where: Various, Cheltenham When: 3-12 October Again, it’s early in the year for a confirmed line-up but this festival comes with a startling reputation. Watch this space. Price: Various. Web: www.cheltenhamfestivals. com/literature BFI FILM FESTIVAL Where: South Bank, London When: 8-19 October Hollywood combines with independent talent at this event, which is one of the world’s premier film festivals.
Price: Various. Web: www.bfi.org.uk/iff ● LOCAL EVENT
BRISTOL BURLESQUE FESTIVAL Where: Various venues When: 9-10-11 October Another “watch this space” event but organisers are keen to hear from anyone who wants to get involved. It’s a three-day event which is returning for a second year to celebrate Bristol’s diverse burlesque scene. Price: TBC. Web: bristolburlesquefestival. co.uk ● LOCAL EVENT
BRISTOL FESTIVAL OF SONG Where: Bristol When: 10-19 October There are dozens, if not hundreds, of choirs operating across Bristol, to suit all abilities and tastes. This festival brings many of them together to celebrate the power of the human voice to move the soul. Price: Various, many free. Web: www.festivalofsong.org.uk ● LOCAL EVENT
CARY GRANT COMES HOME Where: Bristol Hippodrome When: 11-12 October A weekend dedicated to one of Bristol greatest ever exports, Hollywood great Cary Grant. Price: TBC. Web: www.hippodromebristol. co.uk TWO MOORS FESTIVAL Where: Dartmoor and Exmoor, Devon When: 16-25 October Thirty concerts of chamber music. This year’s brochure will be published in June. Price: Various. Web: www.thetwomoorsfestival.com ● LOCAL EVENT
BRISTOL CAJUN AND ZYDECO FESTIVAL Where: The Folk House, Bristol When: 17-19 October
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FURTHER Bristol Mayor George Ferguson wants the city to be more like New Orleans, and this could be one of the first steps. A taste of Louisiana music, food and dance over a weekend. Price: TBC. Web: bristolcajunfestival.com ● LOCAL EVENT
WILDSCREEN FESTIVAL Where: Bristol When: 19-24 October If you’re one of those people who can’t be bothered to watch the credits scroll up the screen at the end of TV programmes, you might not realise how many of the best wildlife documentaries are produced here in Bristol. This event will, as always, bring some of the best people in the field together. Price: TBC. Web: www.wildscreenfestival.org ● LOCAL EVENT
SIMPLE THINGS FESTIVAL Where: Various, Bristol When: 25 October A day bursting with music and innovation in some unexpected places across the city. It’s a long time to wait but the promo video will make you drool with anticipation. Price: TBC. Web: www.simplethingsfestival. co.uk
NOVEMBER ● LOCAL EVENT
BATH FILM FESTIVAL Where: Various, Bath When: 13-23 November Details sketchy at this stage but news will filter out throughout the summer. Expect a collection of shorts and feature –length films with the usual debates and interviews. Price: TBC. Web: bathfilmfestival.org.uk LONDON JAZZ FESTIVAL Where: Various, London When: 14-23 November Jazz used to be an easy target for
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comedians, but that sort of mockery seems outdated now. London’s festival has grown in reputation in recent years and if you can stand the Christmas shopping crowds, is worth a visit. Full line-up to be confirmed throughout the summer. Price: Various. Web: www.efglondonjazzfestival. org.uk
FURTHER AFIELD LE GUESS WHO Where: Utrecht, The Netherlands When: May 24 Neutral Milk Hotel and The War on Drugs head the line-up at this Dutch event. A new hip-hop only area has been introduced for this summer, featuring Antwon, Paul White and The Range, among others Price: €40 Web: leguesswho.nl PRIMAVERA SOUND Where: Barcelona, Spain When: May 28-31 They’ve got some of the best art in Europe, one of the best football teams and also one of the best festivals. Julian Cope, Arcade Fire, Slowdive, Pixies, Mogwai are among the names you’ll recognise, but there are an extraordinary number of bands playing at this event, it rivals Glastonbury even if just in terms of numbers. Price: Tickets start at €99 Web: www.primaverasound.es SUNSPLASH FESTIVAL Where: Bodrum, Turkey When: June 2-7 Hard to imagine that just down the coast are loads of British holidaymakers slowly turning red while listening to bad Europop by the pool. The fact that British DJ Gilles Peterson, respected across the world for his eclectic tastes, blesses Sunsplash with his presence gives it the seal of approval other festivals would give their right arm for. Dj sets from Karizma and Phil Asher are also lined up. This event has moved to a new
Gilles Peterson at Sunsplash
location, Aspat Beach. Price: Varies from £25 (day tickets) to £160 (week pass) Web: sunsplash-festival.com OPTIMUS PRIMAVERA SOUND Where: Porto, Portugal When: June 5-7 Held in Parque de Cidade, the largest urban park in Portugal, close enough to the Atlantic to smell the sea on the breeze, you’ll feel like you’re on holiday as well as enjoying the music, which comes from The National, Mogwai, The Pixies, Neutral Milk Hotel and Kendrick Lamar, among others. Price: Day tickets start at €55 Web: www.optimusprimaverasound.com MEADOWS IN THE MOUNTAINS Where: Polkovnik Serafimovo, Bulgaria When: June 13-15 Close to the Greek border, nestling in the Rhodopian Mountains, you’ll find a festival that draws the hedonistic, the cool and the crazy from across Europe. The organisers are passionate about offering their guests a different experience, and are also enthusiastic defend-
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FURTHER ers of their beautiful landscape. Although they make an exception for their new downhill grass bobsleigh ride. Some say it’s the most beautiful setting for a festival anywhere in Europe, why not see if they’re right. Price: From £70 (early bird bookings) to £100 Web: www.meadowsinthemountains.com ROCK AM RING Where: Nurburgring, Nurburg, Germany When: June 5-8 Run to the Hills, or more precisely Western Germany for this orgy of guitar music. Iron Maiden headline and Metallica and Linkin Park are also on the bill for those who care not for their eardrums, but it’s not all heavy. Editors, Jake Bugg, Babyshambles and Maximo Park are also playing. Price: Various Web: www.rock-am-ring.com GREENFIELD FESTIVAL Where: Interlaken, Switzerland When: June 12-14 They should try holding this one in the winter one year, to see how many avalanches it generates. The backdrop says Sound of Music, but the line-up says rock. Iron Maiden (again), Linkin Park (again), Soundgarden and Bring Me the Horizon feature. Price: £133 Web: www.greenfieldfestival.ch SONAR Where: Barcelona, Spain When: June 12-14 To celebrate its 21st birthday, Sonar organisers have put together a bill that includes Massive Attack, Royskopp and Four Tet. Known as the Barcelona Festival of Advanced Music and New Media Art, at the core of Sonar is a laid-back beat. Price: Day tickets start from €48 Web: sonar.es PINKPOP Where: Megaland, Landgraaf,
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Babyshambles at Rock Am Ring
The Netherlands When: 7-9 June At airports, the spot where you screech to a halt so your relatives or friends can to get their flight is known as “drop-off”. At Pinkpop the same procedure is called “kiss and park”. Isn’t that sweet. Let’s hope they’ve got some money left in their budget for parking stewards after booking the Rolling Stones for this summer. It’s the 45th outing for this festival, which also features Editors, Arctic Monkeys, Biffy Clyro and Arcade Fire. Price: €90 (day) €175 (weekend) Web: www.pinkpop.nl HELLFEST Where: Clisson, France When: June 20-22 Megadeth, Iron Maiden, Aerosmith, Black Sabbath, Soundgarden, Deep Purple, Status Quo. Anyone else get the impression that Hellfest is as much about nostalgia as it is the music? Still, providing the masseurs and painkillers can work their magic, there’s plenty on offer for fans who like their metal heavy. Price: Weekend tickets sold out, day tickets €79 Web: www.hellfest.fr
HURRICANE Where: Eichenring, Scheesel, Germany When: June 20-22~ Arcade Fire look to be a busy bunch this summer, popping up at this event as well as others. Joining them on the bill are Elbow, Ed Sheeran, Bastille, The Black Keys and Interpol. Price: From 199e to 279e (including travel) Web: www.hurricane.de INMUSIC FESTIVAL Where: Lake Jarun, Zagreb, Croatia When: June 23-25 The Fratellis – remember them? – pop up at Inmusic, now in its ninth year. The Black Keys, Pixies and Foals will also be playing at one of the few festivals taking place on an island. Price: €47.97 Web: www.inmusicfestival.com/en HOVE FESTIVAL Where: Tromoy, southern Norway When: June 28-July 3 Ellie Goulding tops the bill at this remote Norwegian location where you can sit on the beach or try the
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Foster the People at Open'er Festival
avant-garde cinema before even considering the music. As well as checking out what’s hot on the Norwegian music scene, The 1975, Foster the people and Foals are also playing. Price: Various Web: www.hovefestivalen.com ROSKILDE Where: Roskilde, Denmark When: June 29-July 6 In Britain we may be in love with all things Danish when it comes to TV dramas, but they’re still in love with our music it seems. The Rolling Stones headline at Roskilde, backed up by Damon Albarn, Arctic Monkeys and Bastille. Also playing are Outkast, Stevie Wonder and Chance the Rapper. Price: Weekend tickets from £210 Web: www.roskilde-festival.dk HIDEOUT FESTIVAL Where: Pag Island, Croatia When: June 30-July 3 When: The sort of sun-soaked dancefest that might well make you wonder why you ever dragged your protesting feet through the mud to see Coldplay. With Dj sets from Disclosure and Rudimental, backed up by more than 60 other acts on the island that, to the annoyance of some locals, has become Croatia’s answer to Ibiza. Price: Sold out – check out their sister Festival “Unknown” in September Web: www.hideoutfestival.com
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GARDEN FESTIVAL Where: Tisno, Croatian When: July 2-9 The slogan may be “One Step Beyond” but you won’t find Suggs sweating away on the Adriatic Coast. Be prepared to move your feet nonetheless at a festival that’s all about pushing musical boundaries, not big names. Price: Week passes start from £120, day passes from £15 Web: www.thegardenfestival.eu OPEN’ER FESTIVAL Where: Gdynia-Kawasko Airfield, Poland When: July 2-5 Step aside Ben Sheeran, this airfield in northern Poland is where Ben Howard begins his fightback to be crowned the best string plucker in the UK. Also playing are Bastille, Foster the People and Foals Price: One-day tickets €48, fourday tickets €127 Web: www.opener.pl/en ROCK WERCHTER Where: Werchter, Belgium When: July 3-6 Some 88,000 music fans will flock to this one. Sadly, if you haven’t already got a ticket, you won’t be one of them as it’s sold out. If you are missing out then it’s a shame, as a stellar line-up includes Pearl Jam, Placebo, Chase and Status, Franz Ferdinand, Eels and Foals. Price: Sold out Web: www.rockwerchter.be/en
MAIN SQUARE FESTIVAL Where: Arras, France When: July 3-6 Rocking in the surroundings of the UNESCO world heritage site of the Arras Citadel, the first day has a distinct “metal” feel to it with Iron Maiden, Alice in Chains and Mastodon playing. After that it gets a bit, but not a lot, quieter with The Black Keys, Franz Ferdinand, The 1975 and Jack Johnson playing over the next couple of days. Price: €115 (three day pass) or day passes start from €49 Web: www. mainsquarefestival.fr MONTREUX JAZZ FESTIVAL Where: Montreux, Switzerland When: July 4-19 It’s all very well having a festival of jazz that lasts nearly three weeks, but this town, on the banks of Lake Geneva, may well be beautiful but it’s also a very expensive place to stay/eat. As well as more jazz than you can shake a saxophone at, there’s Damon Albarn, Massive Attack and Outkast. Price: Various. Web: www.montreuxjazzfestival. com RUISROCK Where: Turku, Finland When: July 4-6 Example, David Guetta and The Offspring feature high on the bill at this event which is held in a Finnish national park. Price: €128 (three days) €113 (two days) €78 (one day) Web: www.ruisrock.fi EXIT FESTIVAL Where: Novi Sad, Serbia When: July 10-13 Named the best festival in Europe, Exit is proof that time heals. Bombed heavily by NATO planes in 1999, the city is now fast gathering a reputation for the way it hosts major music events. Damon Albarn, Asian Dub Foundation, Jaguarskills and Carl Cox all feature this year.
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FURTHER Price: From €115 Web: www.exitfest.org BILBAO BBK LIVE Where: Bilbao, Spain When: July 10-12 Some tempting names on the line-up here, including French indie outfit Phoenix who sing in English, putting those of us who can barely ask the way to the station in French to shame. Rolling back the years will be the Prodigy, as well as Franz Ferdinand and Band of Horses Price: One-day tickets £43, threeday tickets from £88 Web: www.bilbaobbklive.com ELECTRIC ELEPHANT Where: Tisno, Croatia When: July 10-14 Remember when Goran Ivanisevic won Wimbledon, and we all watched open-mouthed the news of him returning to Croatia, only to be stripped down to his pants by a flag-waving, flare-burning crowd of bug-eyed locals? That was when all our preconceptions of people from behind the Iron Curtain being po-faced and sullen vanished. Now Croatia is, outside of the UK, one of the best countries for festivals in Europe. More of a party than a festival this one, with various Djs and bands getting the crowd pumped up in a secluded bay. Price: Day tickets from £25, full festival tickets £120. When: www.electricelephant.co.uk POHODA Where: Airport Trencin, Slovakia When: July 10-12 Kraftwerk, Tricky, Travis, Suede…..here’s a festival to take you back to the mid 1990s. Bristol club favourite Mr Scruff is also down to appear. Price: From €49 to €199 Web: www.pohodafestival.sk DOUR FESTIVAL Where: Dour, Hainaut, Belgium When: July 17-20
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Someone should tell the organisers that you don’t HAVE to name a festival after the town where it’s being held. Looking at the line-up, this one should be called “hipster” really. Price: Four-day tickets (without camping) €107 Web: www.dourfestival.be FESTIVAL INTERNATIONAL DE BENICASSIM Where: Benicassim When: July 17-20 Another corner of a foreign field that is forever England (if England to you is Kasabian, Paul Weller, Jake Bugg, Lily Allen and the Manic Street Preachers). Price: Four-day tickets for €149. Web: www.fiberfib.com MELT! FESTIVAL Where: Ferropolis, Germany When: July 18-20 Portishead, Bombay Cycle Club, Four Tet, Royskopp, beer, pretzels, efficient recycling. Price: Three-day tickets from €135 Web: www.meltfestival.de SOUNDWAVE FESTIVAL CROATIA Where: Tisno, Croatia When: July 17-21 With pre-festival publicity parties littered all across the UK, you can dip a toe into the waters of Soundwave without heading to Croatia. Mr Scruff, Fat Freddy’s Drop and Huey Morgan will be waiting for you if you do. Price: Various Web: www.soundwavecroatia.com PITCHFORK MUSIC FESTIVAL Where: Union Park, Chicago, USA When: July 18-20 Many US acts don’t travel well, so why not see them in their own backyard. Beck headlines in the Windy City, although plenty of UK acts feature as well. Price: From $60 Web: www.pitchforkmusicfestival.com
FUJI ROCK FESTIVAL Where: Naeba Ski Resort, Niigata Prefecture, Japan When: July 25-27 Damon Albarn is racking up the air miles this summer, appearing in Fuji along with Franz Ferdinand, Basement Jaxx, Manic Street Preachers and Arcade Fire. Price: Various Web: www.fujirockfestival.com SPIRIT OF BURGAS Where: Burgas, Bulgaria When: July 27-28 Wu-Tang Clan rub shoulders with Editors at this beach festival on the shores of the Black Sea. Price: Two-day tickets for €65 Web: www.spiritofburgas.com STOP MAKING SENSE FESTIVAL Where: Tisno, Croatia When: July 31-August 3 And so we’re back to Tisno, this time for four days of dance music. The Djs, like the punters, come from across the continent for this one Price: Various, four-day passes cost £120 Web: www.stopmakingsense.eu OFF FESTIVAL Where: Katowice, Poland When: August 1-3 In the valley of the Three Ponds, a festival where organisers promise bands that have their best days ahead of them. Belle & Sebastian and Jesus and Mary Chain fans (they’re both on the bill) may disagree but there is plenty of fresh talent mixed in with the more established bands. Price: From €50 Web: www.off-festival.pl OYA Where: Medieval Park, Oslo, Norway When: August 5-8 Something old (Bryan Ferry), something new (Neutral Milk Hotel), and plenty inbetween including Queens of the Stone Age, Royskopp and Outkast.
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FURTHER Price: Sorry, this one has sold out Web: www.oyafestivalen.com
Busta Rhymes at Outlook Festival
SZIGET Where: Obudai Island, Budapest, Hungary When: August 11-18 Outkast, The 1975 and the Manics have been added to the bill recently for another festival in a beautiful location. Price: Various, from €59 Web: www.szigetfest.co.uk LA ROUTE DU ROCK Where: St Malo, France When: August 13-16 Has shoegazing returned? Slowdive are appearing at La Route du Rock and quite a few other festivals this summer. Also taking to the stage in this beautiful corner of Britanny are Portishead, Todd Terje and Moderat. Price: From £68 Web: www.laroutedurock.com PUKKELPOP Where: Hasselt, Belgium When: August 14-16 Currently down to play are Queens of the Stone Age, Kelis, Jake Bug, You Me at Six, The National and Editors Price: Day tickets €85 Web: www.pukkelpop.be/en LOWLANDS Where: Walibi World, The Netherlands When: August 15-17 Music, comedy and film are on offer here, artists confirmed include Black Lips and Janelle Monae Price: €195 Web: www.lowlands.nl ROTOTOM SUNSPLASH Where: Benicassim, Spain When: August 16-23 Some names crop up pretty regularly in this guide, people criss-crossing the continent to play as many events as they can. Some, like Ms Lauryn Hill, pop up very rarely. She’ll be at Sunsplash though, along with dozens of reggae artists.
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Price: From €60 up to €175 Web: www.rototomsunsplash.com BURNING MAN Where: Black Rock Desert, Nevada, USA When: August 25-September 1 An iconic festival, where you become a citizen of a temporary city rather than a concert goer in front of a stage. It’s as much about art and community as it is music. Price: See website for secure ticket exchange Web: www.burningman.com OUTLOOK FESTIVAL Where: Fort Punta Christo Pula, Croatia When: September 3-7 Busta Rhymes, Goldie and Lauryn Hill will be, along with plenty of others, sending some serious bass around the foundations of this 2000 year-old amphitheatre. Price: Standard ticket £140 Web: www.outlookfestival.com BERLIN FESTIVAL Where: Flughafen Templehof, Berlin When: September 5-7 I wonder if the members of Editors will ever want to see each other or the inside of a tour coach again, given how many festivals they’re doing across the continent
this summer. They’ll be rubbing shoulders with fellow well-travelled band Chase and Status in the southern suburbs of Berlin. Price: €74 Web: www.berlinfestival.de ICELAND AIRWAVES Where: Reykjavik, Iceland When: November 5-9 Held across various stages, clubs and bars, Airwaves is a festival to head to with an open mind, safe in the knowledge someone discerning has put the line-up together, and you will more than likely stumble across something new. Among familiar names like The Flaming Lips and East India Youth you’ll find a lot of local artists. Price: £98 Web: www.icelandairwaves.is CROSSING BORDER Where: Various venues, The Hague, Netherlands When: November 12-16 Not a music festival, or a literary festival, but a bit of both. In fact a lot of both. The Hague’s theatre district hosts five days of bands and books. Watch this space for details of the 2014 line-up but as a pointer, Ghost Poet, Savages and These New Puritans featured last year. Price: TBC Web: www.crossingborder.nl
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