FESTIVAL GUIDE ‘12
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FESTIVAL GUIDE 2012
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LO CA L, NA TI ON AL ,
In association with
OV LI ER INTE ST 3 RNA ED 50 TIONA L !
The UK’s best guide to all the festivals that matter
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CONTENTS
Festival Guide 2012 was brought to you in association with Bristol's Big Green Week 2012
FESTIVAL GUIDE ‘12
venuepublishing
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The UK’s best guide to all the festivals that matter
FESTIVAL GUIDE 2012
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In association with
FESTIVAL GUIDE 2012
LO CA L, NA
It’s May, so it must be time to invest in a new pair of wellies and get yourself out on the festival circuit. True, there’s no Glastonbury this year, and while there have been a few notable cancellations owing to the recession, the summery world of great big gatherings in distant fields (or, indeed, concert halls and stadia) appears to be hanging on in there – as our copious, all-embracing listings reveal. This here free guide, though, isn’t just concerned with the festival circuit’s big cheeses. Nor is it just about events which bring together a stack of top-selling music stars (although there are, of course, absolutely loads of those listed here too). As always, this year’s Venue Festival Guide ranges right across the board, from boutique raves in the heart of the countryside and specialist music beanos to literature festivals and other more cerebral fare. Add in environmental events like Bristol’s Big Green Week, city-spanning multi-venue, multimedia shenanigans and celebrations of beer, cider and – oh yes – the humble chilli – and we reckon we’ve got it covered. Read, enjoy and have a great festival season.
OV TIO N LI ER AL, INTE ST 3 RNA ED 50 TIONA L !
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2012 May .................. 6 June ................12 July ................ 27 August ...........38 September .....50 October .......... 52 November ...... 53 December .......54 Further afield .54 Index .............. 62 VENUE’S FESTIVAL TEAM Group editor Dave Higgitt Writer/researcher Leah Pritchard Vox pops Dave Reed Sub-editor Tom Phillips Production Cath Evans Advertising sales Ben Wright Commercial manager Becky Davies Publications co-ordinator Sam Ulewicz Festival Guide 2012 was brought to you by Venue Publishing, Bristol News & Media, Temple Way, Bristol BS99 7HD. Tel: 0117 942 8491. Email: editor@venue. co.uk. Web: www.venue.co.uk. A digital version of this guide can be found on our website. Because we care.
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A message from our sponsor… Bristol’s good at festivals and it’s pretty good at the green stuff, so where better to host the UK’s first ever major festival of sustainability than here? BIG Green Week, which runs from 9-17 June 2012 is going to be not just big, it’s going to be huge. It’s got art, comedy, music, poetry and even sport... with the first ever electric bike World Championship. Plus there’s a host of fantastic speakers, from internationally renowned BIG names to our very own local experts, delivering a programme of inspiring talks and debates. The action kicks off with a family-friendly programme of outdoor entertainment on Saturday 9 and Sunday 10 June, including Bristol’s biggest market, and that electric bike World Championship. From Monday to Friday there’ll be plenty more food for thought with the morning muse, thought for the day and lunchtime talks, as well as classic wildlife films, trips and lots more entertainment. On the final weekend, BIG Green Week is teaming up with the Festival of Nature for yet more family-friendly entertainment down by the harbourside. Oh, and because it’s Bristol, and because we’re good at this sort of thing, there’s an amazing festival fringe of over 40 other events happening all around the city. So get yourself a discount Green Pass and come and join the biggest party in town. Ffi: www.biggreenweek.com
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THE2012FESTIVALS All details were correct at time of going to press
MAY ● LOCAL EVENT
CHELTENHAM JAZZ FESTIVAL Where: Various, Cheltenham When: 2-7 May What: Held over May Bank Holiday, Cheltenham Jazz features Paloma Faith as artist in residence, Jamie Cullum as guest director and an exclusive live broadcast of BBC Radio 2’s Friday Night is Music Night celebrating Ray Charles, to give you but a taste of what’s on offer this year. Price: various. Tel: 0844 880 8094. Web: www.cheltenhamfestivals. com/jazz CAMDEN CRAWL Where: Various, Camden Town, London When: 4-6 May What: Camden’s answer to SXSW features eight comedy stages plus an unbelievable number of musical performances, including Death in Vegas, Alabama 3, Glasvegas and The Futureheads. Price: £67.50 w/e. Tel: 0871 220 0260. Web: www.thecamdencrawl.com The Futureheads call in on the Camden Crawl (4-6 May)
PURAVIDA BELTANE LOVE EXPLOSION Where: Osho Leela, Gillingham, Dorset When: 4-7 May What: Looking for a conscious clubbing experience? Not quite sure what that means? Puravida is the only festival of its kind in the UK, providing a safe environment for you to go wild in. They’ve got meditation, workshops and “chilling” throughout the day, then bands and DJs to keep you wideeyed until 4am. Price: £139 adult w/e dorm, £118 camping, food included. Tel: 01747 821221. Web: www.puravida.uk.com ISLE OF WIGHT WALKING FESTIVAL Where: Various, Isle of Wight When: 5-20 May What: In their 14 years they’ve grown from 39 to over 250 walks designed to suit all ages and abilities. There are few places better, with over 500 miles of wellmaintained footpaths and over half of the island being recognised as an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Price: various, many free.
Tel: 01983 823070. Web: www. isleofwightwalkingfestival.co.uk ● LOCAL EVENT
BRISTOL FOLK FESTIVAL Where: Colston Hall, Bristol When: 5-7 May What: Family-friendly folk festival held at Colston Hall every May Bank Holiday weekend. Eat, shop, ceilidh, take part in a workshop or maybe an impromptu jam, or relax at one of the many musical performances – Cara Dillon, Show of Hands and Afro Celt Sound System are confirmed as headliners this year. Price: £80 adult w/e, day tickets from £30, family tickets available. Tel: 0117 922 3686. Web: www.bristolfolkfestival.com BRIGHTON FESTIVAL Where: Various, Brighton When: 5-27 May What: A colossal collection of music (modern and classical), art, theatre, dance and literature. This year’s guest director is actress and political activist Vanessa Redgrave, and highlights include ‘Mandela’s Children’, a tribute to Gil Scott-Heron and ‘The Music and Legacy of Joy Division’. Price: various, many free. Tel: 01273 709709. Web: www.brightonfestival.org ● LOCAL EVENT
SIMPLE THINGS Where: Various, Bristol When: 6 May What: Highlights of Simple Things 2011 were, well, pretty much everything we were lucky enough to stumble into... this year promises to similarly overwhelming, with performances from Squarepusher, Death in Vegas, Caribou and the inimitable Grimes. Price: £30
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MAY I’ll never forget… “This night at Boomtown festival when a group of women dressed up as geishas performed an exorcism on my mate.” FROSTY 28, SOUTH BRISTOL early bird. Web: www.simplethingsfestival.co.uk GREAT ESCAPE Where: Brighton and Hove When: 10-12 May What: 300 bands playing 30 venues over three days: The Great Escape’s focus is on exposing 15,000 music fans to the best new artists of 2012 (and beyond). Lineup also features big names like Maximo Park, The Temper Trap, Ben Kweller and Loney Dear. Price: three days from £45. Web: www.escapegreat.com DART MUSIC FESTIVAL Where: Dartmouth, South Devon When: 11-13 May What: Picturesque seaside celebration, with Hamilton Loomis, Grainne Duffy and The Military Wives. Price: various, many free. Web: www.dartmusicfestival. co.uk NEWBURY SPRING FESTIVAL Where: Various, Newbury, Berkshire When: 12-26 May What: Combining the Olympic theme of international youthful excellence with British tradition in quintessentially English surroundings is the name of the game for this year’s Newbury Spring Festival, which features the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, Zeffirelli’s ‘Otello’, Mugenkyo Taiko Drummers and many more. Price: various. Web: www.newburyspringfestival.org.uk ● LOCAL EVENT
BRISTOL INTERNATIONAL COMIC AND SMALL PRESS EXPO Where: Various, Bristol When: 12-13 May What: All things comic get an airing, with exhibitors including
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fish4comics, The Island of Dr Geof and Knockabout, plus guests including Marvel and DC’s Denny O’Neil, Mark Buckingham and Ian Churchill. There’s also the Bristol Cosplay Olympics and Strictly Cosplay, a Strictly Come Dancingstyle competition (with some great prizes up for grabs). Price: £12 adult w/e, £6 child, £7/£4 day tickets. Web: www.bristolexpo. co.uk LIVERPOOL SOUNDCITY Where: Various, Liverpool When: 17-19 May What: The name first appeared at Austin’s infamous SXSW at a showcase of the UK’s best north west acts. Now it’s a hugely respected international music, media and technology conference and live arts and music festival, sprawling across Merseyside. Featuring Professor Green, The Temper Trap and Death in Vegas. Price: £150. Web: www.liverpoolsoundcity.co.uk ● LOCAL EVENT
MAYFEST Where: Bristol Old Vic & others, Bristol When: 17-26 May What: The Guardian called it “A mix of work so tasty it makes you want to up sticks and move to Bristol permanently” – so lucky it’s right on Venue’s doorstep, then. A unique annual festival of contemporary theatre, this year it sees the National Theatre of Scotland doing ‘The Strange Undoing of Prudencia Hart’, a mixture of movement and sound from John Moran and Mercurial Wrestler’s ‘Magna Mysteria’. Price: various. Web: www.mayfestbristol.co.uk STAG AND DAGGER Where: Various, Glasgow
When: 19 May What: For just £17.50, you can dip into one of many venues across Glasgow, with the chance to see performances from Django Django, White Denim, Bear In Heaven, Death Grips, Niki & The Dove and more. Price: £17.50. Web: www. staganddagger.com GLYNDEBOURNE Where: Glyndebourne, nr Lewes, East Sussex When: 20 May-26 Aug What: Those dates aren’t typos – this festival really does run for three months. Naturally, there’s a lot on offer – from Purcell’s ‘The Fairy Queen’ to Puccini’s ‘La Boheme’, Rossini’s ‘La Cenerentola’ and Mozart’s ‘Le Nozze di Figaro’. There’s also plenty of cinema, talks and special events. Price: various. Tel: 01273 813813. Web: www. glyndebourne.com RHS CHELSEA FLOWER SHOW Where: Royal Hospital, Chelsea, London When: 22-26 May What: There’s a whole load of additions to this horticultural hang-out for 2012, including Fresh (modern, inventive gardens and tradestands), RHS Environment (innovative solutions to problem areas) and new food courts and restaurants. On top of that, there’s the regular feast of imaginative gardening ideas. Price: tickets start around £18, adv. booking required. Tel: 0844 871 7627 Web: www.rhs.org.uk ● LOCAL EVENT
BATH FRINGE FESTIVAL Where: Various, Bath When: 25 May-10 June What: With 170-odd events across 17 days, Bath Fringe hosts some of the weirdest and most wonderful
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artforms known (and unknown) to man. From street theatre to music, dance to interactive art, kids’ to green events, it’s impossible to leave without finding something you love. Price: various. Tel: 01225 480079. Web: www.bathfringe.co.uk ATP PRESENTS I’LL BE YOUR MIRROR CURATED BY MOGWAI Where: Alexandra Palace, London When: 25-27 May What: There’s no festival that consistently books seminal acts like ATP does, but they’re showing off with this year’s IBYM headliners, which include Slayer (performing ‘Reign in Blood’ in its entirety), post-rock pioneers Mogwai (who curate Saturday’s bill) and the recently reformed Afghan Whigs. Price: £130 w/e, day tickets from £39. Web: www. atpfestival.com OFF THE TRACKS SPRING FESTIVAL Where: Donington Park Farmhouse, nr Derby, Derbyshire When: 25-27 May What: The spring edition of this Derbyshire festival features Hawkwind, Wilko Johnson and Dub Pistols. Price: £70 adult w/e. Web: www.offthetracks.co.uk
9651. Web: www.salisburyfestival.co.uk ACOUSTIC FESTIVAL OF BRITAIN MAYFEST Where: Uttoxeter Racecourse, Staffordshire When: 25-27 May What: Katrina has unplugged not just her Waves but her instruments to grace the stage at this celebration of all things acoustic, also featuring The Animals, Joan Armatrading and The Move. Price: £95 adult w/e camping, £20 child w/e camping, day tickets available. Tel: 0333 9000 919. Web: www.acousticfestival.co.uk ● LOCAL EVENT
VEGFEST BRISTOL Where: The Ampitheatre and Waterfront Square, Bristol When: 25-27 May What: The best place to make up for not eating your vegetables this year. This vegan event – the world’s biggest – is completely free and completely packed with cookery demos, talks, cinema, a kids’ area, an animal sanctuary
and a whole bunch of musical acts (including Finley Quaye and Neville Staple of The Special) to boot. Price: free. Web: bristol. vegfest.co.uk ● LOCAL EVENT
SOMERSET CHILLI FESTIVAL Where: Bath Racecourse, Bath When: 26-27 May What: Somerset Chilli Festival is one of two halves. From 10am the site is open to all things chilli; sampling, cookery demonstrations and competitions, whilst wandering performers roam the race course. Then as the sun sets, the musical entertainment starts, with Steve Harley & Cockney Rebel, The Blockheads, Alabama 3, KT Tunstall, The Wedding Present and more. Price: £60 w/e early bird, £160 family w/e. ● LOCAL EVENT
BATH INTERNATIONAL MUSIC FESTIVAL Where: Various, Bath When: 30 May-10 June What: Since 1948, BIMF has attracted some of the world’s best Feel the heat: KT Tunstall braves Somerset Chilli Festival (26-27 May)
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SALISBURY INTERNATIONAL ARTS FEST Where: Various, Salisbury, Wiltshire When: 25 May-9 June What: Dance, performance, theatre, comedy, music and literature are all covered at this arts festival, with highlights including Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre presenting ‘Henry V’ and Jon Richardson and Shappi Khorsandi. Price: various, many free. Tel: 0845 241
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JUNE
orchestral, chamber, contemporary jazz and world music. This year’s highlights include the opening night gala opera, a celebration of the Life and Music of Kathleen Ferrier and Mozart’s ‘The Magic Flute’. Price: various, many free. Tel: 01225 462231. Web: www. bathmusicfest.org.uk ● LOCAL EVENT
ROYAL BATH & WEST SHOW Where: Royal Bath & West Showground, Shepton Mallet When: 30 May-2 June What: The country’s biggest rural festival hosts over 600 trade stands, the National Cheese Awards and the UK’s biggest cider competition – after which, you can check out some art exhibitions or squeeze yourself into a canoe, marvel at birds of prey or enter the pie-baking competition. Price: £19 adv. Tel: 01749 822222. Web: www.bathandwest.com HAY LITERARY FESTIVAL Where: Brecon Beacons National Park, Wales When: 31 May-10 June What: Celebrating its 25th year, Hay Festival invites a programme of international writers and thinkers to debate and share stories, this year including David Walliams, Chris Evans, Tim Minchin, Michael Morpurgo and Rolf Heuer. Price: various. Web: www.hayfestival.com ● LOCAL EVENT
BREAKIN’ CONVENTION Where: Colston Hall, Bristol When: 31 May What: A critically acclaimed international festival of hip-hop dance theatre, featuring Hype/Lil Hype, Root MC, Swindon Dance YDA and Xclusive. Price: £17, £10 under18s. Web: www.colstonhall.org
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ORKNEY FOLK FESTIVAL Where: Various, Orkney, Scotland When: 31 May-3 June What: Concerts, ceilidhs, pub sessions, youth concerts and a fiddlers rally at this Scottish folk festival, with performances from Eddie Reader, Hom Bru and Le Vent du Nord. Price: tbc. Tel: 01856 851331. Web: www.orkneyfolkfestival.com
JUNE GLASTONBUDGET Where: Turnpost Farm, Wymeswold, Leiceistershire When: 1-3 June What: T-Rexstasy, Pearl Jammer, Absolute Bowie and The Kinx are among the 130 bands set to play Europe’s biggest tribute festival this year. Price: £62.50 adult w/e, £58 teen, £35 young person. Web: www.glastonbudget.org HEBDEN BRIDGE BLUES FESTIVAL Where: Hebden Bridge, Halifax When: 1-3 June What: The Hebden Bridge Blues Festival – the biggest of its kind in Yorkshire – hit the ground running in 2011, its inaugural year, and plans to keep that momentum going this time around, with performances from Todd Sharpville, Cherry Lee Mewis, Marcus Bonfanti, Paddy Milner, Ben Poole and Mitch Laddie. Price: £55 w/e, day tickets £27.50. Web: www.yorkshirebluesfestival.co.uk MEADOWLANDS FESTIVAL Where: Glynde Place, East Sussex When: 1-3 June What: A diverse and vibrant music, comedy and spoken word festival in the beautiful South Downs, with Swingrowers, Lamb
and Portico Quartet. Price: £85 adult w/e, £45 teens, £20 children, under-5s free. Web: www. meadowlandsfestival.com ASHBURTON BLUES FESTIVAL Where: Seale-Hayne, Newton Abbot When: 1-3 June What: You could head to SealeHayne for the weekend to watch headliners Eric Bibb, Elkie Brooks and Andy Fairweather Low, or you could grab a day ticket for a fiver, take in some fringe gigs, visit the resident artists’ studios, the craft fair in the Great Hall or pig out in the Cake House. Price: £100 w/e, camping/day tickets available. Tel: 07855 307556. Web: www.ashburtonbluesfestival.com PLAYFEST Where: New Eccles Hall, Quidenham, Norwich When: 1-3 June What: It’s only their second year, but they’re already playing with the big boys: Ash, Pigeon Detectives, The Big Pink and Roots Manuva are all invited this year, plus there’s a brand new family playpen, book nook, creative tent and picnic area. Price: £80 w/e camping, £35 Saturday day ticket. Web: www.playfest.co.uk CHESTER FOLK FESTIVAL Where: Kelsall, nr Chester When: 1-4 June What: Pack your Spring Bank Holiday weekend with live music, comedy and dance, workshops and childrens’ events at this Chester celebration of all things folk. Line-up includes Chris Wood, The Churchfitters and Steve Tilston. Price: £62 w/e camping. Web: www.chesterfolk.org.uk
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FESTFOLK THE ARTIST
FRANCOIS MARRY, FRANCOIS & THE ATLAS MOUNTAINS
NICE N’ SLEAZY Where: Trimpell Sports and Social Club, Morecambe, Lancashire When: 1-3 June What: With Acid Drop, Wasted Life, Guttersluts and X Rippers on the bill, we reckon it’s best to leave the kids at home for this one. Price: £40 adult w/e camping. Web: www.nicensleazy.co.uk RUN TO THE SUN Where: Trevelgue Holiday Park, Porth, Newquay When: 1-4 June What: Fans from all over Europe flock to Run to the Sun for the VW and Custom Car Show, the DJs, bands, comics, the silent disco and the spirit of ‘87: RttS prides itself on being corporation-free. On the music stages this year are Pendulum, Judge Jules, Netsky and more. Price: £75 adult, £37.50 child adv. Tel: 01637 851851. Web: www.runtothesun.co.uk ● LOCAL EVENT
CHIPPENHAM FOLK FESTIVAL Where: Chippenham Town Centre, Wiltshire When: 1-4 June What: Over 200 events in 14 venues over just four days: this national festival sees some of the best folk song and dance in the country. Whether you’re a singer or a listener, a seasoned pro or a ceilidh amateur, there’ll be something for you. Price: £82 adult w/e, £41 youth (10-15 yrs), early bird. Tel: 01249 657190. Web: www.chippfolk.co.uk ● LOCAL EVENT
UKULELE FESTIVAL OF GREAT BRITAIN Where: Various, Cheltenham When: 1-3 June What: The festival runs slightly earlier this year (because of the
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Festivals are usually more laidback, especially as we’re not headlining anywhere. Most of the crowd will not have heard us before. There is less pressure to please the audience compared to when we’re the only band playing in a venue to people who want to hear the album. I wish the people who enjoy music during the festivals kept the same attitude all year long, but I think a lot of people only experience live music during the summer. Venues, where a band can express itself with more subtlety, get less and less crowded during the non-festival period. Meanwhile music becomes a more and more industrial operation in the summer, with some art squeezed in here and there. “Saying that, the vibe at festivals is so special, it’s a real treat to be part of it. It feels very open. I can understand you’d want to throw yourself deeply into it and make it a defining moment in your holiday. We’ll do the same, and 33 times in a row! This is the first time we’ve had so many lined up and it’s very exciting. We like playing outdoors. People are wandering past the stage and they decide if they want to stop and listen to the band or just keep walking. It’s a very natural way to get into new music. “Bigger sound systems make us enjoy our own performance in a different way. Last year we played at Rock en Scene and the monitors on stage were the same volume they usually have playing out into the audience in a smaller venue: the sound was huge. We use a lot of bass keyboards and low-sounding beats in our music and the festivals PAs are better at reproducing those sounds. Playing festivals also means playing on a larger stage, which means broader dance moves and longer distances to run about and go visit the other band members. I might get a wireless guitar so I can crowd surf while playing wild solos. “As a lot of bands play the same circuit, it might be an opportunity to make new friends. The catering is usually a meeting point. We might become best pals with Snoop Dog and Azealia Banks by the end of the summer, who knows? It’s also a time to find out if your tour manager has superpowers. There are so many opportunities to lose the more euphoric side of your band. The man in charge has to have a superhero side to him to keep everything under control from behind his sunglasses. Jubilee) and it promises to be extra special as a result, with plenty of events going on locally should you wish to extend your visit to Cheltenham. Of course uke can stick to the little guitars if you wish, with Gerald Ross (USA), Nico’O (FR) and Manitoba Hal (CA) amongst others taking to the stage this year. Price: £35 adult w/e, £25 junior, day tickets available. Tel: 07415 130400. Web: www.ukulelefestival.co.uk
WESSEX FOLK FESTIVAL Where: Around the Old Harbour, Weymouth, Dorset When: 1-3 June What: There’s a whole host of bluegrass and folk musicians, morris and ceilidh dancing, and way more, as Wessex Folk takes over the beautiful coastal town of Weymouth for the weekend. Price: tbc (around £10/£8 concs). Tel: 01305 823013. Web: www. wessexfolk.co.uk
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Take a stroll down memory lane with Billy Ocean at Happy Days (2-3 June)
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BRISTOL JUBILEE CONCERT Where: The Mall, Cribbs Causeway, Bristol When: 2 June What: Brit nominee Pixie Lott headlines this free celebration of the Queen’s Jubilee in a specially built arena outside The Mall. ‘X Factor’ finalist Misha B supports, as do Young Kato, with Bristol born comedian Joel Dommett as compere. Price: free, ticket req’d. See website. Web: www. mallcribbs.com/jubilee.php IREBY FESTIVAL Where: Ireby, Cumbria When: 1-2 June What: They’ve got a reputation for their hospitality as well as their great folk/jazz line-up, which this year features Altan, The Demon Barbers, Kieran Goss and Henry Priestman. Price: adult weekend £50, day tickets from £15. Tel: 01697 371645. Web: www.irebyfestival.co.uk STRUMMERCAMP Where: Manchester Rugby Club, Cheadle When: 1-3 June What: Celebrating the life, music and influence of Joe Strummer, this Cheadle festival sees Jim Jones Revue, Dub Pistols, The Lovely Eggs and New Model Army taking to the stage to honour the Clash co-founder. Price: £65 adult w/e, £20 child w/e, day tickets £35 adult, £10 child. Web: www. strummercampfestival.co.uk HAPPY DAYS FESTIVAL Where: Imber Court Sports Club, East Molesey, Surrey When: 2-3 June What: A hip stroll down memory lane, with Light of the World,
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Level 42 and Billy Ocean. Price: £68 two-day pass, £35 day ticket. Web: www.happydaysfestival.co.uk LONG DIVISION FESTIVAL Where: Various, Wakefield When: 2 June What: A three-day multi-venue festival in Wakefield, the second edition of Long Division features The Vaselines, Art Brut, Aidan Moffat & Bill Wells and Herman Dune. Price: from £16.50. Web: www.longdivisionfestival.co.uk ● LOCAL EVENT
DOT TO DOT Where: Various, Bristol When: 2 June What: DHP, one of the city’s best and most prolific promoters, takes over the best venues in Bristol with an eclectic line-up of local, national and international acts. The Drums, Willy Mason, Summer Camp, Willis Earl Beal, Hooray for Earth and Beth Jeans Houghton are already on the bill, with more to come. D2D moves to Nottingham on Sun 3 and Manchester on Mon 4 June. Price: £20 early bird. Web: www.dottodotfestival.co.uk
FIELD DAY Where: Victoria Park, London When: 2 June What: Consistently featuring the biggest and most talked-about left-field artists, and taking over Victoria Park for a day of everything from electronic to freak-folk, indie rock to breezy pop. Franz Ferdinand, Andrew Bird, Austra, Julia Holter, Grimes, Liars, Hudson Mohawke, Mazzy Star and SBTRKT all play this year. Price: £45, £69.50 inc pass to Apple Cart. Web: www. fielddayfestivals.com ● LOCAL EVENT
THE LAST JUBILEE Where: Bath Racecourse, Bath When: 2-4 June What: Anarchy at Bath Racecourse as Buzzcocks, The Damned and Eddie & The Hot Rods turn the usually tranquil setting into a punker’s paradise. If it sounds a little riotous, fear not, there’s also spacious camping grounds, family-friendly facilities, on-site parking, market stalls and plenty of other entertainment. Price: £125 w/e camping, £45 day tickets. Web: www. lastjubilee.co.uk.
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JUNE I’ll never forget… “Harmonising with the sound of the portaloo-draining van at Shambala festival on my saxophone. I was also dressed as a granny at the time” NEIL 32, ST ANDREWS ● LOCAL EVENT
TRANQUIL MOMENTS HOLISTIC WEEKEND Where: Winscombe, Somerset When: 2-3 June What: How do you photograph an aura? Find out here during two days of all things holistic, from healings and reflexology to aromatherapy and Indian head massage. There’s jewellery and crafts too, plus a whole bunch of food stalls. Price: £4, under-16s free, must be accompanied by adult. Web: www.holisticweekend.co.uk EXETER RESPECT Where: Belmont Park, Exeter When: 2-3 June What: The city’s annual celebration of diversity, with a headline performance from DJ Nihal (Radio 1), plus three stages of world music and loads of community activities. Price: free. Web: www. exeter-respect.org EVOLUTION Where: Gateshead Quayside, Newcastle When: 3-4 June What: Seeing as there’s no work on Tuesday (thanks to the Jubilee), Evolution runs Sunday to Monday this year, with Dizzee Rascal, Deadmau5, Maximo Park and Noah & The Whale. Price: £35 w/e, £25 day tickets. Web: www. evolutionfestival.co.uk ● LOCAL EVENT
LOVE SAVES THE DAY Where: Castle Park, Bristol When: 3 June What: The team behind Glastonbury Dance Village’s Wow! stage, last year’s See No Evil and one half of the brains behind In:Motion come together to bring you the first edition of this Bristol Bank
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Holiday bash, featuring Annie Mac, Amirali, Bonobo and Futureboogie. Price: £19.50. Web: www. lovesavestheday.org
Price: festival tickets from £30, day tickets from £8. Tel: 01543 262223. Web: www.lichfieldarts. org.uk/rajb.asp
APPLE CART Where: Victoria Park, London When: 3 June What: If Field Day has too much emphasis on “day” and not enough “field” for you, why not double up your ticket and hang around in Victoria Park for another 24 hours? It’s only Apple Cart’s second year, but you wouldn’t know it by the line-up: Noah & the Whale, Stornoway and Adam Ant, plus comedy, art and cabaret! Price: £29.50, £69.50 inc pass to Field Day. Web: www.theapplecartfestival.com
PICKERING 60S FESTIVAL Where: Pickering, North Yorkshire When: 7-9 June What: 60s tribute acts, parades and performances at this small, free hippyfest. Price: free. Web: www.pickering60sfestival.co.uk
GOLD COAST OCEANFEST Where: Croyde, North Devon When: 5-17 June What: There’s beach volleyball, beach football, skate and BMX demos, an aquathon, surfing, a Big Boy Paddle Race... and some music too. Performers include Ben Howard, Natty, Dog Is Dead, Newton Faulkner and Dry the River. Price: £40 adult w/e, £30 child. Tel: 01271 817000. Web: www.goldcoastoceanfest.co.uk LICHFIELD REAL ALE JAZZ AND BLUES FESTIVAL Where: Lichfield Rugby Club, Lichfield, Staffordshire When: 7-10 June What: With variation that belies its name, Lichfield welcomes all sorts, including flamenco, gypsy jazz, modern jazz, brass ensembles and funk, as well as the expected acoustic and electric blues. The line-up this year includes Paul Cox & Charlie Fabert, Wonderbrass and Eduardo Niebla.
ROCKNESS Where: Loch Ness, Scotland When: 8-10 June What: This monster of a festival won NME’s Best Small Festival award two years in a row, and it obviously plans on doing so again for 2012, with a line-up of Mumford & Sons, Ed Sheeran, Deadmau5, Justice, Biffy Clyro and Friendly Fires. Price: £159 adult w/e camping, £145 student, day tickets available. Web: www. rockness.co.uk WIMBORNE FOLK FESTIVAL Where: Wimborne, Dorset When: 8-10 June What: A weekend of traditional English and Celtic song and dance dotted around the Dorset town of Wimborne. They’re got everything from Appalachian to morris, ceildih to guggenmusik, plus a whole host of other words we can’t quite pronounce. Price: £82 w/e camping, £74 w/e, individual event tickets available. Tel: 01202 623740. Web: www. wimbornefolkfestival.co.uk ● LOCAL EVENT
HERITAGE BRISTOL VOLKSWAGEN WEEKEND Where: Washingpool Farm, Easter Compton, Bristol
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DON’T MISS SIMPLE THINGS
JUNE
l Talk to anyone who attended the inaugural
Simple Things last year and we can guarantee you won’t need us to sell it to you... but we’re persistent as anything so we’ll try anyway. For 14 hours, 60 forward-thinking musicians descend on Bristol’s city centre, occupying eight stages in six venues for some of the most aurally striking performances you’re likely to hear all year. Whilst last year’s lineup leaned strongly towards the electronic/hip-hop side of things, there are going to be a fair few more guitars this time around. Squarepusher headlines; combining speedy slap bass and intricate chordal arrangements to make jazz fusion-influenced dance music. Also high up the bill are psychedelic rockers Death in Vegas, who aren’t averse to throwing in a bit of krautrock, dub and electro. Our picks of the rest are numerous, including futuristic bloopy electronics from Grimes (whose ‘Visions’ is one of the most simultaneously out-there/accessible/wonderful releases of the year so far); the hip hop-tinged Hudson Mohawke, who performs his live AV set; earbleedingly loud post-industrialists Factory Floor and the warped, androgynous synthpop of Berlin’s Planningtorock. SIMPLE THINGS IS ON 6 MAY (WWW.SIMPLETHINGSFESTIVAL. CO.UK)
When: 8-10 June What: Check out the newest Dub models on the market, live music from The Emperials, get your hair cut at discounted prices by Mack Daddy’s, check out the 50-seat cinema, the BMX/skate ramp, have a go on the dodgems or watch The City of Bristol Acrobatic and Gymnastics team display. Price: £25 w/e camping, £10 children 12-16 yrs, day tickets available. Tel: 0117 954 0045. Web: www.bristolvolksfest.co.uk ● LOCAL EVENT
WYCHWOOD MUSIC FESTIVAL Where: Cheltenham Racecourse When: 8-10 June What: Headliners this year are James, Bellowhead and The Saw Doctors, with performances also confirmed from The Damned, Hawkwind and Dodgy. If you’re not sold yet, there’s also poetry, comedy, workshops (including pilates, yoga and flamenco), kids’ literature and a headphone disco. Price: £115 adult w/e, £90 concs, £55 10-15 yrs, £15 5-9 yrs, under5s free. Web: www.wychwoodfestival.com
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GOWER FOLK FESTIVAL Where: Gower Heritage Centre, Parkmill, Gower, nr Swansea When: 8-10 June What: There are only a few hundred places at this stunning Gower peninsula folk fest, with Le Vent du Nord, Jackie Oates Band and Heretique on the bill. Price: £55 adult w/e, concs £50, children £25. Tel: 01792 850803. Web: www.gowerfolkfestival.co.uk SPITALFIELDS MUSIC Where: Various, Spitalfields, London When: 8-23 June What: With an emphasis on jazz, world, classical and contemporary, this London festival has more events than you can shake a stick at. Amongst these are discussions on the Amsterdam Baroque Orchestra, 17th-century English dining with Bach and Handel, and Alan Gilbey telling tales of the East End. Price: various. Web: www. spitalfieldsmusic.org.uk DOWNLOAD FESTIVAL Where: Donington Park, Leicestershire When: 8-10 June
What: It’s Download’s 10th anniversary and they’re not celebrating quietly. Headliners this year include Black Sabbath, Metallica performing the ‘Black Album’ in its entirety, and The Prodigy. Price: £200 w/e five night camping. Web: www.downloadfestival.co.uk ● LOCAL EVENT
CELEBRATING AGE Where: Various, Bristol When: 9-23 June What: Throughout the festival period, Celebrating Age will be putting on a series of activities and events for older people. We’ve yet to receive all the details but with the Olympic-sounding theme of ‘Going for Gold – Older, Wiser, Fitter!’, we’ve got a couple of ideas... The festival launches on College Green (9 June) and closes at Colston Hall (23 June). Price: mostly free. Tel: 0117 927 6614. Web: www.bristol.gov.uk/page/ celebrating-age-festival-2012 LONDON GREEN FAIR Where: Regents Park, London When: 9-10 June What: The capital’s largest free green festival with cutting-edge contemporary music, high-profile speakers and poetry and spoken word. Price: free. Tel: 0207 324 4693. Web: www.londongreenfair.org ● LOCAL EVENT
RITCHEY BRISTOL BIKEFEST Where: Ashton Court, Bristol When: 9-10 June What: Using the brand new Ashton Court course for the first time, Ritchey Bristol Bikefest will also have a distinctly Bavarian theme, with traditional costume, pretzels at the bar and oompah music. Price: £33 for 12/6-hour events,
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FESTFOLK THE CURATOR
ANIKA MOTTERSHAW, BELLA UNION Bella Union is a record label founded by Simon Raymonde (of the Cocteau Twins) in 1997. Simon still heads up the label and three other people currently work alongside him – Mark, who is label manager and A&R; Luke, who looks after online press; and myself. I have the rather ambiguous title of ‘label assistant’, a title kindly gifted to me by Mark after, announcing our roles in the company in a meeting with a band’s manager, I declared I ‘do stuff’. “Stuff” is simply the short way of describing what I do – I work with Simon on our syncs/licensing requests and managing I Break Horses, and do stuff like update bellaunion.com and our various other online spaces. By September I’ll have been working at the label for just over two years. Because it’s such a small label I get to join in on lots of our happenings and events, and this year we have many exciting things up our sleeves. “2012 marks Bella Union’s fifteenth anniversary, and to celebrate we are taking over a whole day of End of the Road festival. All the stages programmed by Bella Union across the whole festival for one whole day. It’s pretty exciting. End of the Road is such a wonderful festival and to be part of it is quite the honour. I think the bands they usually select are very Bella U-compatible so it feels like a perfect match, with many of our bands having already performed at the festival over the years. “We invited all of our active roster and those who could make it will be present, including Beach House, Midlake, Dirty Three, John Grant and many, many more. The label has such an eclectic roster so we’ll have a real nice variety of artists playing throughout the day. This year we will be working with the amazing Van Dyke Parks, who is a treasure and living legend. He’ll be performing on our day at the festival, which I’m personally very, very excited about. We also have some friends of the label playing – Luke who works at the label also plays in the band Still Corners, who will be performing, and my wonderful friends Peggy Sue (who are on Witchita Recordings) will play a set. All in all, it’s probably going to be one of the funnest days ever.
£27 for 3-hour event. Tel: 0117 9532698. Web: www.bike-fest. com/bristol PARKLIFE WEEKENDER Where: Platt Fields Park, Manchester When: 9-10 June What: Musical madness with The Flaming Lips, Dizzee Rascal, Nero, Noah & The Whale, Justice and many more. Price: £64.50 adult w/e, £38.50 day ticket. Tel: 0161 835 3500. Web: www.parklife. uk.com
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● LOCAL EVENT
BIG GREEN WEEK Where: Colston Hall & various, Bristol When: 9-17 June What: Big Green Week celebrates Bristol’s role as an innovative, sustainable city, with a programme of speakers, art, culture and entertainment. There’s an electric bicycle extravaganza, comedy nights, talks from famous campaigners, writers and professors, and a whole load more. Price: various, £10 green pass gives you priority booking and discounts.
Web: www.biggreenweek.com ● LOCAL EVENT
LONGBOROUGH FESTIVAL OPERA Where: Longborough, Moreton-inMarsh, Gloucestershire When: 9 June-29 July What: Opera overlooking the spectacular Evenlode valley, with Mozart’s ‘The Magic Flute’, Janacek’s ‘Katya Kabanova’ and Wagner’s ‘Götterdämmerung’. Price: various. Tel: 01451 830 292. Web: www.lfo.org.uk SUMMER BREAK Where: Trevelgue Holiday Park, Newquay, Cornwall When: 10-14 & 17-21 June What: Who doesn’t need an excuse for four days and nights of partying in Newquay? Students, that’s who. But here it is anyway, in the form of beach parties, fancy dress, world famous DJs and probably a couple of alcopops too. Price: camping £59/person, caravan from £89/person. Web: www.summerbreak.co.uk ● LOCAL EVENT
TIMES CHELTENHAM SCIENCE FESTIVAL Where: Various, Cheltenham When: 12-17 June What: Over 300 thinkers, comedians, writers and scientists (who’d a thought?) descend on Cheltenham to explore and celebrate all things scientific. There’s Quinten Cooper, Vivienne Westwood, Tali Sharot, Alan Winfield and Dr Adam Rutherford discussing topics from monopoly to deforestation, robots to optimism. Price: various. Web: www.cheltenhamfestivals.com/science BEACH BREAK LIVE Where: Pembrey Country Park, South Wales When: 14-18 June What: It’s no coincidence that this
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JUNE I’ll never forget… “Me and loads of my mates went to NASS fest in Shepton Mallet. There were massive skate jams and rollerblading. Cancer Bats played, who were totally sick.” CHLOE MACFARLANE 17, REDLAND student-centric coastal carousal is timed perfectly to coincide with the end of those dreaded exams. Let your hair down with Chase and Status, Dizzee Rascal and Friendly Fires or, if you’re not a student, pretend you’ve worked hard all year and party anyway. You deserve a break. Price: £129 adult w/e, £109 students. Web: www.beachbreaklive.com HAMPTON COURT PALACE FESTIVAL Where: Hampton Court Palace, London When: 14-24 June What: The historic Base Court provides a stunning backdrop for the open-air concerts which, for the festival’s 20th anniversary, feature Van Morrison, James Morrison (no relation), Jools Holland, Katie Melua and Squeeze. Price: various. Tel: 020 8241 9818. Web: www.hamptoncourtpalacefestival.com GLADE FESTIVAL Where: Houghton Hall, King’s Lynn, Norfolk When: 14-17 June What: If you’re the kind of festivalgoer who has no trouble staying up beyond sunrise, Glade is just the place for you. With a number of their stages running until 8am on Saturday and Sunday morning this year, and a line-up of Gaudi, Rusko and Shpongle, we recommend you book that Monday off now. Price: £135. Web: www.gladefestival.com MIDDLEWICH FOLK AND BOAT FESTIVAL Where: Various venues, Middlewich, Cheshire When: 15-17 June What: Great beers, picturesque waterways, morris dancing and ceilidhs, fringe gigs and every inch of mooring taken up by narrowboats. Music from Show of Hands with Miranda Sykes
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and Mark Radcliffe & the Big Figures, plus many more. Price: various, mostly free. Tel: 01606 833434 Web: www.midfest.org.uk ● LOCAL EVENT
THE LADY BOYS OF BANGKOK Where: Sabai Pavilion, Castle Park, Bristol When: 15-23 June What: OK, strictly speaking this isn’t a festival, but there’s a distinctive spirit of carnival about this all-new party-style production from the famed Lady Boys – and it happens in a festival-esque venue, the splendid Sabai Pavilion. Expect the likes of Beyoncé and Lady Gaga to get the Lady Boys treatment this time round. Price: £20-£27 adult/£10-£14.50 student. Tel: 0871 705 0705. Web: www.ladyboysofbangkok.co.uk SONIC ROCK SOLSTICE Where: Penmaemau Farm, Builth Wells, Wales When: 15-17 June What: Trance/techno, space rock and heavy metal have all sent representatives to headline SRS this year, in the form of System 7, Hawklords and Girlschool. Price: £65. Tel: 0844 884 2920. Web: www.sonicrocksolstice.com FALMOUTH INTERNATIONAL SEA SHANTY FESTIVAL Where: Various, Falmouth When: 15-17 June What: Raise some money for the RNLI (to date they’ve raised over £40,000 for the cause), keep the history of the days of sail alive, or simply enjoy singing shanties and songs of the sea at these Cornish concerts. Price: various. Web: www. falmouthshout.com TOWERFEST COUNTRY MUSIC FESTIVAL Where: Drax Sports & Social Club
Festival Fields, Drax, North Yorkshire When: 15-17 June What: With a 92% (!) return rate of 2010 customers in 2011, you know Towerfest must be doing something right. It could be the stellar line-up (C’est La Vie, Carolann B, Pete Jones), the impressive camping and caravanning facilities or the rifle shooting, knife throwing, horse shoe throwing... in any case, you’d better get some practice and throw your money at them soon, we don’t anticipate tickets being available for much longer! Price: £30 w/e pass, £20 camping. Web: www.towerfest.co.uk THREE WISHES FAERY FEST Where: Mount Edgecumbe House & Country Park, Cornwall When: 15-17 June What: One for the adults. There’s a Mermaids, Pirates & Pixies Party, live music from your favourite faery bands and the chance to mingle with your favourite mythical characters under the solstice stars. Children are obviously welcome but they’ll probably get bored. Price: £75 three-day adult, £30 under-16s, under-12s free. Web: www.faemagazine.com LOVEBOX Where: Victoria Park, London When: 15-17 June What: Hot Chip, The Rapture, Crystal Castles and Friendly Fires play the 10th birthday bash of this Central London three-dayer. Price: £99 w/e, £49.50 day tickets. Web: www.lovebox.net ● LOCAL EVENT
BIG MINI WEEKEND Where: Washingpool Farm, Easter Compton, Bristol When: 15-17 June What: Expect loads of extra features during this special edition of Bristol’s Miniday, which has joined forces with the H4H Mini
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JUNE
Cruise for its 20th event. Combined, they present the Big Mini Weekend, with the infamous Help for Heroes Cruise, a special Royal Jubilee party, live music, a disco, BBQ and way more. Price: £15 w/e, £7 Sunday show, under-12s free. Tel: 0117 954 0045. Web: www.bristolminiday.co.uk ● LOCAL EVENT
YOU & YOUR WORK Where: Arnolfini & The Wellspring Healthy Living Centre, Bristol When: 15-16 June What: Y&YW’s ninth year features three original participatory art commissions, one international performance project and four national performance works, plus a whole load of live music and food. Price: free. Web: youandyourwork.blogspot.co.uk LAPSTOCK Where: Lapford, Devon When: 15-16 June What: Family festival deep in the heart of Devon: there’s plenty more TBA on the line-up yet, but let Centre Excuse, Thieves Like Us and Leigh Needham whet your appetite for now. Price: £13 adv Saturday, £15 door, no adv for Friday. Web: www.lapstock.org.uk GOLDEN DOWN Where: Black Bush Valley, Matterley Estate, Hampshire When: 15-17 June What: It’s a first, not only for Golden Down, but for the location, a stunning valley in the heart of Hampshire. It’s a boutique festival with only 5,000 tickets available, and performances from Apparat, Four Tet, Submotion Orchestra and Ghostpoet. Price: £125 w/e. Web: www.goldendownfestival.co.uk
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BEVERLEY FESTIVAL Where: Beverley, Yorkshire When: 15-17 June What: The focus is on folk, acoustic and roots, but that says nothing of the eclectic market stalls, the comedy, the literature, the dance, the... you get the idea. Amongst the confirmed acts so far are Chumbawumba, Martin Carthy, The Whiskey Dogs and The Mighty Doonans. Price: £113 adult w/e camping, day tickets from £30. Tel: 01377 217569. Web: www.beverleyfestival.com
and Peatbog Faeries. Price: £79 w/e. Web: www.edenfestival.co.uk
GRASSINGTON FESTIVAL Where: Grassington, nr Skipton, North Yorkshire When: 15-30 June What: One of the most eclectic events in this guide, Grassington has everything from folk music to community art, quirky fringe theatre to celebrations of cinema. Full programme TBA. Price: various, many free. Web: www.grassingtonfestival.org.uk
POLPERRO FESTIVAL Where: Polperro, Cornwall When: 16-24 June What: Born from old traditions and a desire to attract more people to this beautiful village, Polperro Festival is a free festival with a bonfire, mayoral ceremony, comedy, carnivals and music. Price: free. Web: www.polperrofestivalsandlights.co.uk
THREE COUNTIES SHOW Where: Three Counties Showground, Malvern, Worcs When: 15-17 June What: It’s the region’s premier agricultural show, showcasing the best of rural life, with food and farming fun for the whole family. See some animals, do some rural crafts, stickmaking, cider drinking... kids go free on Saturday. Price: £17 adult adv, £20 door. Web: www. threecounties.co.uk EDEN FESTIVAL Where: Raehills Meadows, Moffat, Dumfries & Galloway, Scotland When: 15-17 June What: Eight stages in the stunning Raehills Meadows host acts at this ecologically sound and carbonfriendly festival, including Badly Drawn Boy, The Cuban Brothers
● LOCAL EVENT
BRISTOL FESTIVAL OF NATURE Where: Bristol Harbourside When: 16-17 June What: It’s the UK’s largest free celebration of the natural world and it’s right on Venue’s doorstep. All ages are invited to do some wildlife exploration in the heart of the city. Price: free. Web: www.festivalofnature.org
GOLOWAN FESTIVAL Where: Penzance, Cornwall When: 16-24 June What: Midsummer’s day has always been cause for wild celebration in Penzance (it’s also the feast day of the town’s patron saint). Why not stretch that out over nine days with ceilidhs, theatre, processions and parties? Why not, indeed. Price: free. Web: www.golowan.org ● LOCAL EVENT
CORSHAM FESTIVAL Where: Corsham, Wiltshire When: 16-17 June What: This year’s new look Corsham Festival has events taking place all over town, with an emphasis on getting the community involved. There’ll be a variety of free outdoor entertainment, a food festival, a free family day and lots more. Price: free. Web: www.corshamfestival.org.uk
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JUNE I’ll never forget… “A big group of my friends went to Sziget festival in Hungary. It’s on this amazing island – but I can’t remember any of the music I saw!” AKOS BODA 25, SLOVAKIA ● LOCAL EVENT
OPERA AT IFORD Where: Iford Manor, nr Bath When: 16 June-11 Aug What: Iford really has a Handel on the opera world and this year showcases ‘Susanna’, Mozart’s ‘Seraglio’ and Verdi’s ‘Falstaff’. Price: various. Tel: 01225 868 124. Web: www.ifordarts.co.uk LONDON FEIS Where: Finsbury Park, London When: 16-17 June What: Bob Dylan once again tops the bill this year at this celebration of predominantly Gaelic rock and folk. Price: tbc. Web: www.ukfestivalguides.com/festival/2012/london-feis-festival CHESTER ROCKS Where: Chester Racecourse, Chester When: 16-17 June What: Last year’s pop Saturday and rock Sunday have been reversed for this year’s Chester Rocks, with The Courteeners, Cast and The Rifles preceding Pixie Lott, Katy B and Labrinth. But whether you like to mosh before you boogie or the other way around, we’re pretty sure no one will notice you’re doing the wrong dance after a couple of pints. Price: £35 day tickets. Web: www.chester-rocks.com ● LOCAL EVENT
BRISTOL’S BIGGEST BIKE RIDE Where: Sets off from Bristol Harbourside When: 17 June What: The UK’s premier cycling city needs to keep its reputation up somehow, and what better way to help out than to join its biggest bike ride? With routes ranging from nine to 38 miles, this event caters to all abilities, with food
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and entertainment to complete the festivities. Price: free, register online. Web: www.betterbybike. info/bikeride MANANAN INTERNATIONAL FESTIVALS Where: Erin Arts Centre, Port Erin, Isle of Man When: 19-30 June What: There’s a focus on classical music, but that doesn’t mean you won’t catch of a glimpse of folk, jazz, cabaret, drama, puppets, lectures and talks... and maybe even some flower arranging. The festival patron this year is renowned pianist Stephen Hough. Price: various. Tel: 01624 835858 Web: www.erinartscentre.com EDINBURGH INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL Where: Cinemas across Edinburgh When: 20 June-1 July What: It’s the world’s longestrunning film festival with a reputation for being the first stop for some of the world’s biggest and most loved films. Price: various. Web: www.edfilmfest.org.uk ISLE OF WIGHT FESTIVAL Where: Seaclose Park, Newport, Isle of Wight When: 21-24 June What: The Boss himself, Bruce Springsteen, heads the line-up this year, with Los Angeles’ Beth Hart and our very own Noel Gallagher also at the top of the bill. Price: £190 adult w/e camping, £95 7-12 yrs, under-6s free. Tel: 0844 499 9955. Web: www. isleofwightfestival.com WILLOWMAN FESTIVAL Where: Lenthor Farm, North Yorkshire When: 21-24 June
What: Whether you’re into rock, blues, soul, funk, ska, dancehall or folk, you’re going to find something to like at Willowman. What better way to spend the longest days of the year than with Vintage Trouble, Neville Staple, DJ Derek, Utah Saints and Benjamin Francis Leftwich? Price: £70 adult w/e, £35 young person, day tickets £50/£25. Web: www.willowmanfestival.co.uk BLUES ON THE FARM Where: Pump Bottom Farm, Chichester When: 21-24 June What: Staged in a 40-acre setting on the Sussex coastal plain, a few miles south of Chichester, this winner of Best British Blues Festival at 2010’s British Blues Awards will play host to 20 acts this year, including King King, The Blues Band and The Todd Sharpville Band. Price: £95 adult w/e early bird, £47.50 child w/e early bird, £99/£49.50. Tel: 01243 773828. Web: www.bluesonthefarm.co.uk GOTTWOOD ELECTRONIC MUSIC AND ARTS Where: Anglesey, Wales When: 21-24 June What: A green rave festival in Wales, Gottwood sees performances from The Correspondents, Tiger & Woods and Dinky. Price: £85. Web: www.gottwood.co.uk ● LOCAL EVENT
SUNRISE CELEBRATION Where: Bruton, Somerset When: 21-24 June What: The music includes The Imagined Village, Gaudi and The Egg, but there’s so much more on offer at this Somerset festival. There’s performance art, talks, workshops, healers and crafts, a Tibet area, kids’ area and fair-
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TOP FIVE: FAMILY FRIENDLY FESTIVALS Five festivals the kids will love as much as you will SHAMBALA There’s a dedicated flat family camping area near the car park, bedtime stories, and a play area with free face painting, puppet-making, costume-designing, dragon-drawing and much more, plus there’s an overnight adventure with bushcraft expert and storyteller Chris Holland if the kids want to be rid of you for the night (9-15-year-olds only.) 23-27 Aug, secret location LARMER TREE There are 11 acres of magical gardens to explore, the Emmy Award-winning Farmer Jason performing a lively music show and an absolutely huge number of workshops specifically aimed at under-10s (right down to baby yoga!). There’s also a YouthZone for the teenagers. 11-15 July, Dorset GREEN MAN Formerly just for kids, Green Man’s brand new ‘Future Generations’ area now caters to anyone under 18, from toddlers to teens and any adults smart enough to sneak their way in. There are six action-packed activity areas and plenty of open grassy areas for the little ones to run around. 17-19 Aug, Wales END OF THE ROAD If the woodland library, games area and enchanted forest don’t keep the kids happy (they certainly keep most of the adults entertained), why not get their faces painted, take them along to a workshop or book a Boutique Babysitter for 4 hours off? 31 Aug-2 Sept, Dorset WATCHET FESTIVAL Watchet have got a dedicated kids’ corner with free creative activities, storytelling and way more to keep their imaginations running wild for 12 solid hours, from midday until 6pm on the Saturday and Sunday. 24-26 Aug, Watchet
ground. It’s also one of the most eco-friendly and ethical events on the circuit. Price: £115 adult w/e, £25 child. Web: www.sunrisecelebration.com HOME Where: Dartington Hall, Devon When: 22-23 June What: Home brings together artists from its South West doorstep with performers from the far reaches of the globe, including Poland and Ethiopia. They also present pianist Ryoko Nuruki’s
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debut UK performance. Price: £58.50 adult w/e, £43.50 concs, day tickets from £20. Web: www.dartington.org/home LIVE FROM JODRELL BANK Where: Jodrell Bank, Lower Withington, Cheshire East When: 23-24 June What: Staged live in the shadow of the Lovell Telescope, two huge concerts, one headlined by Paul Weller with support from Graham Coxon, the other by Elbow, with Field Music, Cherry Ghost and
many more. Price: £35 day tickets. Web: www.jodrellbanklive. co.uk RADIO ONE’S BIG WEEKEND Where: Hackney Marshes, London When: 23-24 June What: Registration has now closed, but if you were lucky enough to secure a free ticket, you’ll be treated to performances from Rihanna, Jay-Z, Jessie J, Ed Sheeran and about 40 others, all in the central London setting of Hackney Marshes. Price: free; registration now closed. Web: www.bbc.co.uk/radio1/hackneyweekend/2012 AFRICA OYE Where: Sefton Park, Liverpool When: 23-24 June What: Party hats at the ready. As if it weren’t enough that they’re the UK’s largest free African music and culture festival, this year they celebrate 20 years of being so. Confirmed so far are The Endless Journey (Niger) and Yaaba Funk (Ghana/UK), with more to come. Price: free. Tel: 0151 708 6200. Web: www.africaoye.com GUERNSEY FESTIVAL OF PERFORMING ARTS Where: The Rabbit Warren, Guernsey When: 23-24 June What: In their first year they had Primal Scream performing ‘Screamadelica’ in full and Ocean Colour Scene closing out Saturday’s festivities with ‘The Day We Caught the Train’. How are they topping it this year? With Macy Gray, Kaiser Chiefs, The Charlatans, and about 80 more. Price: £85 adult w/e, £55 day tickets, juniors £65/£40, kids £25/£15. Web: www.guernseyfestival.gg
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JUNE I’ll never forget… “Bjork’s set at Bestival last year. It was at night and people were lighting these huge Chinese lanterns and letting them off into the air.” LUKAS HOPWOOD 25, CITY CENTRE EDEN SESSIONS Where: Eden Project, St Austell, Cornwall When: 23 June-8 July What: A series of huge gigs held in the stunning, unique setting of The Eden Project in Cornwall. This year’s line-up features Tim Minchin (23 June), Example (30 June), Frank Turner (1 July), Plan B (6 July) and Blink-182 (8 July), with more TBA soon. Price: all shows £35. Tel: 01726 811972. Web: www.edenproject.com WORLDPRIDE LONDON Where: London When: 23 June-8 July What: The biggest LGBTQ pride event ever (expected to attract over 1 million visitors) is set to take place in our fair capital this year. They’re not letting on much yet, but the parade (7 July) will run from Baker Street to Soho, taking in more of London’s iconic landmarks than ever, and will be followed by their hugest street party yet. There’ll also be a family area for those bringing the little ones. Price: various, main parade free. Web: www. pridelondon.org CRYSTAL PALACE GARDEN PARTY Where: Crystal Palace Park Bowl, London When: 23-24 June What: The park’s concert bowl is a picturesque amphitheatre beside a scenic lake and in the past it has seen the likes of Pink Floyd and The Beach Boys take to its stage. CPGP returns to its 70s/80s rock roots with Rick Wakeman and Hawkwind on Saturday, then a celebration of the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee on Sunday with The London Gala Symphony Orchestra (plus many more.) Price: early
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bird day tickets from £30 Sat, £20.50 Sun. Web: www.crystalpalacegardenparty.com CITY OF LONDON FESTIVAL Where: Various, London When: 24 June-27 July What: The city’s capital comes to life with other 100 free events, performances from The Brodsky Quartet, the English National Ballet, The Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment and way, way more. Price: various, many free. Tel: 0845 120 750. Web: www.colf.org BLUES FEST LONDON Where: Various venues, London & Manchester When: 26 June-6 July What: Last year – Blues Fest’s first – blues legend BB King received a standing ovation lasting several minutes before he’d even played a note. This year, they hope to top that, expanding to Manchester as well as London, with performances from Tom Jones, Van Morrison, Ronnie Wood, Robert Cray, Eric Bibb and many more. Price: various. Tel: 0844 844 0444. Web: www.bluesfestlondon.com MOSTLY JAZZ, FUNK & SOUL FESTIVAL Where: Moseley Park, Birmingham When: 29 June-1 July What: Emphasis on the ‘mostly’. The festival boasts George Clinton, Parliament-Funkadelic and Roots Manuva alongside comedy, spoken word and discussion. Price: £79 adult w/e, day tickets from £28.50. Web: www.mostlyjazz.co.uk ● LOCAL EVENT
WINTERWELL Where: Secret location, Gloucestershire
When: 29 June-2 July What: We have no idea where this is (well, we have some idea), but if you like the look of the line-up and the idea of drinks flowing like “commuters’ tears”, you can buy one of the 1,000ish tickets and let us know. Booked so far: Casiokids, London Afro Beat, Clockopera and The Nextmen. Price: £120 w/e. Web: www. winterwell.co.uk BEAT HERDER FESTIVAL Where: The Ribble Valley, Lancashire When: 29 June-1 July What: This year’s fancy dress theme is still under wraps but rest assured the festival’s quotas for ‘beats and barminess’ will be met: they’ve already got half of it covered, with confirmed performances from Death in Vegas, Orbital and Lee ‘Scratch’ Perry. Price: £100 adult w/e, £17 under12s, 18 months & under free. Tel: 01535 611100. Web: www. beatherder.co.uk CORNBURY FESTIVAL Where: Great Tew Park, Oxfordshire When: 29 June-1 July What: An English country fair with some huge names, including Elvis Costello, James Morrison, Jools Holland, Macy Gray, The Waterboys, Will Young and Seasick Steve. Price: £150 adult w/e, £175 inc camping, £75/£100 youth, £10/£15 children. Tel: 0844 581 0777. Web: www.cornburyfestival.com HOP FARM FESTIVAL Where: Hop Farm, Paddock Wood, Kent When: 29 June-1 July What: Hop Farm Festival has already confirmed exclusive UK
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JUNE I’ll never forget… “Lovebox had all these performance arts tents. I remember one guy teaching people how to do dance-workout routines. It was raining and everyone was doing the limbo in the mud.” PAUL HOMER 27, KNOWLE performances from Bob Dylan and Peter Gabriel & The New Blood Orchestra, plus a UK festival exclusive from Suede. Not bad for a festival in its fifth year, with no sponsorship or branding. And that’s not all that’s on offer – expect late-night comedy, the “ultimate indie disco” and a fun fair, plus – of course – a whole load more music acts. Price: £150 w/e camping early bird. Web: www.hopfarmfestival.com SHIRES SHOW Where: Ternhill, Shropshire When: 29-30 June What: The National Chopper Club’s annual custom motorcycle show – probably best for bike enthusiasts, but if you need some leverage to persuade your loved ones to join you, there’s a bunch of entertainment (musical and otherwise) all weekend. Price: £20 adult w/e camping adv., £25 door. Tel: 07769 580033. Web: www.chopper-club.com/eastshropshire/shires CRAWLEY FOLK AND BEER FESTIVAL Where: The Hawth, Crawley, West Sussex When: 29 June-1 July What: If you get a little brave after a few ales, head to the beer tent to try out your tunes on the new busking stage; if not, carry your ale over to the main stage to enjoy the usual mix of strumming solo acts and folky ensembles, including Touchstone, Cajun Dawgs, Lowri Evans and Sean Taylor. Price: tbc. Web: www. hawth.co.uk LEDBURY POETRY FESTIVAL Where: Various, Ledbury, Herefordshire When: 29 June-8 July
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What: This year’s poet-in-residence is the inaugural Te Mata New Zealand Poet Laureate, Bill Manhire, to give you an idea of the calibre of speakers and workshop runners. There’s also Owen Sheers, Simon Armitage, Jane Hirshfield, Paul Muldoon and many more. Price: various. Tel: 0845 458 1743. Web: www. poetry-festival.com GODIVA FESTIVAL Where: War Memorial Park, Coventry When: 29 June-1 July What: Local, national and international acts play to an audience of 80,000. Details tba. Price: free. Web: http://godiva.coventry. gov.uk BLISSFIELDS Where: Vicarage Farm, Winchester, Hampshire When: 29 June-1 July What: Two very different headline performances at Blissfields this year, with Patrick Wolf playing an intimate piano set on Friday night followed by poppunk trio Noisettes storming the stage on Saturday. There’s also Charli XCX, Spector and Lucy Rose. Price: £74 adult w/e, £49 youth w/e, day tickets from £16. Web: www.blissfields.co.uk ● LOCAL EVENT
WOMAD Where: Bristol Zoo When: 30 June What: Two stages bearing (get it?) a selection of excellent musicians from across the globe, workshops for the little monkeys, late opening to visit the animals that want to hang out late, a Bath Ales bar and the Bristol Zoo global bazaar... and all the proceeds go to saving 175 species
from extinction and establishing over 30 field conservation and research programmes worldwide. Pretty neat. Price: £20 adult, £5 children, under-5s free. Discounts for Zoo members. Web: www. womad.org ● LOCAL EVENT
TRUCKFEST SOUTHWEST Where: Royal Bath & West Showground, Shepton Mallet When: 30 June-1 July What: Increasingly more hauliers truck down to this motorfest each year – and with 30th anniversary celebrations in 2012, it promises to be the biggest yet. It’s not just for knowledgeable enthusiasts though; there’s something for the whole family – motorcycle stunts, TV and stage stars (inc Lisa Kelly this year), demonstrations and talks. Price: £12 adult, £5 child. Tel: 0844 209 7363. Web: www.truckfestsouthwest. co.uk ● LOCAL EVENT
GRILLSTOCK Where: Bristol Harbourside When: 30 June-1 July What: They’re really raising the bar for alliteration with their tagline of “music, meat and mayhem”, but we wouldn’t have it any other way. There’s a great big BBQ cook-off, a chilli eating competition and, of course, rockabilly, Cajun, bluegrass and country music on the main stage. Price: £15 w/e adv, £10 day tickets. Tel: 0117 230 6328. Web: www. grillstock.co.uk ● LOCAL EVENT
EASTON ARTS TRAIL Where: Easton, Bristol When: 30 June-1 July What: There’s plenty for everyone here, as over 100 local painters,
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Build a sandcastle or catch Rizzle Kicks at T4 on the Beach (1 July)
photographers, sculptors, performers, craftspeople and artists of all sorts exhibit their work in their homes and other local venues, in and outdoors. Price: free. Web: www.eastonartstrail.co.uk HIGH DEFINITION DANCE FESTIVAL Where: Ilford, Essex When: 30 June What: Get your rave hats ready (is it obvious we don’t get out much? Are we pulling this off?) for this dance festival, with Fedde Le Grand, Pendulum, Mark Knight and Ms Dynamite. Price: £25 early bird, £40 after. Tel: 07720 344180. Web: www.highdefinitionfestival.co.uk
JULY ● LOCAL EVENT
T4 ON THE BEACH Where: Weston-super-Mare When: 1 July What: It’s hard to believe but it’s T4 on the Beach’s 10th anniversary this year. Start making that zany banner now and you might be joining Professor Green, Rizzle Kicks, Little Mix, Labrinth, Cover Drive and Dappy on the TV, with over 20 more acts tba. Price: £40. Web: www.channel4.com/t4/ t4otb-11 ● LOCAL EVENT
KEYNSHAM MUSIC FESTIVAL Where: Keynsham Memorial Park, Keynsham When: 1 July What: Small community affair with an emphasis on everything local and fair. Four stages, featuring some of the best South West acts, including Why Kill Ian and Great Natives. Price: free. Tel: 0117 986 8683. Web: www.keynshammusicfestival.co.uk
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● LOCAL EVENT
CHELTENHAM MUSIC FESTIVAL Where: Various, Cheltenham When: 4-15 July What: This year’s programme falls between the Jubilee and the Olympics, with a theme of flying the flag for the best of British music. Included in this are a Debussy masterclass, a concert of Royal Musical Treasures (inc Handel, Parry and Elgar) and performances by Nigel Kennedy, Sarah Connolly and the Carducci Quartet. Price: various. Web: www.cheltenhamfestivals. com/music ● LOCAL EVENT
BATH AMERICANA FESTIVAL Where: Various, Bath When: 4-8 July What: If bluegrass and old-timey strings are your thing, there’s no need to fork out for transatlantic plane tickets. Bath Americana festival brings this and more (film, dance and performance) to your doorstep for five days of rootsy American amusement. Price: concerts individually priced. Web: www.bathamericanafestival.co.uk DRUM CAMP FESTIVAL Where: Nr Bungay, Suffolk When: 5-8 July
What: Percussion, voice and dance from across the globe, this year featuring Claudio Kron & PapaJaca (Brazil), Ballet Nimba (Guinea), Dilanga (UK/Cuba) and Mazaj (UK/Egypt). Price: £150 adult w/e, £75 young person, £45 child. Web: www.karamba.co.uk NOVA FESTIVAL OF ARTS AND MUSIC Where: Bignor Park, Pulborough, West Sussex When: 5-8 July What: Racy acting, art displays, hot tubs and nighttime camp fires, hot showers, famous artists, a British pub and seriously good local food and drink at this intimate Sussex festival. Musical line-up includes Tune-Yards, Fink, Ghostpoet and Fionn Regan. Price: £139 adult w/e, £100 student, under-12s free (booking req’d). Web: www.novafestival.co.uk AMERICANA INTERNATIONAL Where: The County Showground, Newark, Notts When: 5-9 July What: They’ve got thousands of American cars, motorbikes, semitrucks, RVs, and five stages of live music: this celebration of culture from across the pond (the biggest and longest running of its kind in Europe) attracts more than
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JULY I’ll never forget… “Secret Garden last year; it’s my favourite festival. It’s in Cambridgeshire and there’s a massive lake. The best parts were Leftfield’s set and the fireworks at the end.” EMILY TOOMER 21, SOUTHVILLE 70,000 visitors every year, and it’s no wonder. Price: £90 four-day ticket. Tel: 0115 939 0595. Web: www.americana-international. co.uk ● LOCAL EVENT
LADYFEST BRISTOL Where: Various, Bristol When: 6-8 July What: In the tradition of the Olympia, Washington-based festival, Ladyfest Bristol aims to showcase women in the community via music, art, film, DJs, comedy, poetry and workshops, with profits going to Womankind, One25, The Well and Rape Crisis. The music includes Gabby Young, Rachael Dadd, This Is the Kit and Shrag. Price: £20 early bird, £25. Web: bristolladyfest.wordpress.com BOOGIE WOOGIE FESTIVAL Where: Various, Sturminster Newton, Dorset When: 6-8 July What: All things boogie woogie! In their eighth year, there’ll be the usual melting pot of workshops, sessions and talks, with performances from Frank Muschalle, Lluis Coloma, Jelly Germain and Big John Carter, among others. Price: £55 all inclusive, children half-price, various event prices. Tel: 01258 471194. Web: www. ukboogiewoogiefestival.co.uk BLOC WEEKEND Where: London Pleasure Gardens, Royal Victoria Docks, London When: 6-7 July What: Bloc has a new home this year, overlooked by post-industrial derelict buildings in London’s Pleasure Gardens. It’s the biggest and most diverse line-up yet, including Orbital, Snoop Dogg, Richie Hawtin, Flying Lotus and
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Gary Numan. Price: £99 w/e. Web: www.blocweekend.com WIRELESS Where: Hyde Park, London When: 6-8 July What: Deadmau5, Drake and Rihanna headline these huge Hyde Parks shows, with Nicki Minaj, Example, Jessie J, J Cole, The Weeknd and Professor Green (and way more) making the phrase ‘support act’ seem about as useful as a chocolate kettle. Price: day tickets from £49.50, combi tickets available. Web: www.wirelessfestival.co.uk LOUNGE ON THE FARM Where: Merton Farm, Canterbury When: 6-8 July What: It’s an eco-friendly, familyfriendly, locally sourced boutique festival, but if you’re lounging on this farm, you’re doing it wrong. The music includes The Wombats, Emeli Sande, The Charlatans and Roots Manuva. Price: £115 adult w/e, £105 student. Web: www. loungeonthefarm.co.uk ● LOCAL EVENT
FROME FESTIVAL Where: Various, Frome When: 6-15 July What: Exhibitions, walks, talks, comedy, drama and all forms of music at venues across Frome, including Reef, The Idiot Bastard Band (Phill Jupitus, Ade Edmondson, Neil Innes and Roland Rivron), Hank Wangford and Ian McMillan. Price: various. Tel: 01373 455420. Web: www. fromefestival.co.uk FUSE Where: Beacon Park, Lichfield When: 6-8 July What: This free community
arts festival’s theme this year is ‘Rhythm, Rings, Sticks & Strings’, and promises an eclectic line-up of rock, folk, funk and flamenco, with Silvanes Family Band, Ash Mandrake and Flamexicano, plus an open mic session, craft activities, comedy and shanty singing. Price: free. Web: www.fuselichfield. org.uk WAKESTOCK Where: Cardigan Bay, North Wales When: 6-8 July What: Beginners and experienced boarders can ride the waves caused by the rumbles of Calvin Harris, Dizzee Rascal and Ed Sheeran or, for the less adventurous festival-goer, simply watch some of the world’s greatest boarders compete for the title of Wakestock Champion 2012. Price: £125 w/e camping, £100 w/e, day w/camping £70, day £45. Tel: 01758 741095. Web: www. wakestock.co.uk T IN THE PARK Where: Balado, Kinross-shire, Scotland When: 6-8 July What: Is this the biggest festival with a dedicated ceilidh tent? Probably. Among the huge acts heading to Scotland this year are Snow Patrol, The Stone Roses, Kasabian, New Order and Florence and the Machine. Price: £189 w/e camping, £77.50 day tickets. Web: www.tinthepark.com BIRMINGHAM INTERNATIONAL JAZZ FESTIVAL Where: Various, Birmingham When: 6-15 July What: They really do mean international. Some 50 venues see 150 performances from musicians
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DON’T MISS ATP PRESENTS I’LL BE YOUR MIRROR l ATP festivals have nearly always taken place
from the USA (Daryl Sherman, Greg Abate, Carol Sudhalter), Czech Republic (Teens Jazzband Velke Losiny), France, Latvia, Poland, Italy, Hungary and China. Price: various, mostly free. Tel: 0121 454 7020. Web: www. birminghamjazzfestival.com DARE 2 Where: Tollard Royal, Salisbury When: 6-8 July What: Circus skills, mountain boarding, off-road biking and clay modeling are all on offer at this action-packed three-dayer, plus music and some excellent locally sourced food and cider. Price: £30 weekend, day tickets from £10, group tickets available. Tel: 01725 516 222. Web: www. dare2festival.co.uk ● LOCAL EVENT
PRIDDY FOLK FESTIVAL Where: Priddy, Somerset When: 6-8 July What: For fiddle, accordion and acoustic guitar fans, this local folk fest features Ewan McLennan, Ben Waters, Sheelanagig and The Boat Band, plus arts, craft, clothing and childrens’ stalls. Price: £72 adult w/e camping, lots free. Web: www.priddyfolk.org BURTON AGNES JAZZ AND BLUES FESTIVAL Where: Burton Agnes, Driffield, East Yorks When: 6-8 July What: Three days of performances in Burton Agnes’ Elizabethan Hall and its grounds, surrounded by rolling fields and pristine woodland. There’s a Children’s Corner for the families in attendance, with 15 acres of gardens to explore; a maze, jungle garden and giant games. And, of course,
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in the strange comfort of holiday parks, much to city-dwellers’ dismay, who have to trek out to Minehead for the reformations and performances of entire albums that ATP have become infamous for. Londoners can rejoice though, as I’ll Be Your Mirror returns to the capital for its second year, curated by seminal post-rockers Mogwai. The line-up is pretty heavy on Friday, with American thrash metallers Slayer headlining and playing the entirety of 1986’s ‘Reign in Blood’. There’s also aggressive hip-hoppers Death Grips, sludge metal pioneers Melvins and stoner doomers Sleep. Saturday is bubblegum pop by comparison, with Mogwai headlining and Dirty Three, Mudhoney and angular indie rockers Chavez. Sunday sees the recently reformed Afghan Whigs playing what looks to be their first performance since the 90s, alongside 80s Bronx rap group Ultramagnetic MCs, a UK exclusive from The Make-Up and Archers of Loaf. ATP Cinema will be present, as will the ever-pretentious mix-tape swap. If you’re looking to catch some rare one-off performances this summer, IBYM is the place. I’LL BE YOUR MIRROR RUNS 25-27 MAY (WWW.ATPFESTIVAL.COM)
the music, from Alligators, Val Marshall, Ian Siegal and more. Price: £50 (£40 before 1 June) adult w/e, £48 (£38) concs. Web: www.burtonagnes.com
DJ Fresh, Sum 41 and Chiddy Bang on the music stages. Price: £79 adult w/e camping, £45 child w/e camping. Web: www. nassfest.com
DURHAM INTERNATIONAL BRASS FESTIVAL Where: Various venues, Durham, Northumberland When: 6-22 July What: It’s not just the horns, bugles on cornets on show here – this festival aims to unite brass, folk, opera, dance and spectacular outdoor theatre. Price: various, many free. Tel: 0191 332 4041. Web: www.brassfestival.co.uk
INDIETRACKS Where: Midland Railway, Butterly, Derbyshire When: 6-8 July What: For lovers of all things independent and underground. This year Indietracks joins forces with influential Oakland, CAbased Slumberland Records, who will help curate the outdoor stage. Artists confirmed so far include Veronica Falls, Allo Darlin’ and Go Sailor. Price: £60 w/e, £32.50 day tickets. Web: www. indietracks.co.uk
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RELENTLESS NASS (NATIONAL ACTION SPORTS SHOW) Where: Royal Bath & West Showground, Shepton Mallet, Somerset When: 6-8 July What: Watch some of the world’s best athletes in BMX, skateboarding, inline skating and motocross compete across three action-packed days, or check out
YORK EARLY MUSIC FESTIVAL Where: Various, York When: 6-14 July What: Britain’s premier festival of historically informed performance. This year, they’ll be reflecting on the Olympic ideals of excellence and aspiration, with a focus on
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Jack Dee: as happy as ever to be playing Latitude Festival (12-15 July)
though it could also be the line-up of soulsters The Christians, Dodgy, Imperial Leisure and The Roving Crows which had everyone reaching for their wallets. Price: sold out. Web: www.nibleyfestival.co.uk ● LOCAL EVENT
music from the Renaissance period. Performances will come from Hesperion XXI directed by Jordi Savall, Fagiolini presenting Alessandro Striggio’s Mass in 40 parts (staged in the round), and many more. Price: various. Tel: 01904 658338. Web: www.ncem.co.uk WAYS WITH WORDS FESTIVAL Where: Dartington Hall, Devon When: 6-16 July What: Literature fans, save the date for this lively and joyful 10day event. Mingle with authors and likeminded word buffs to celebrate language and ideas. Price: tbc. Tel: 01803 867373. Web: www.wayswithwords.co.uk
Johnson), locally sourced hot and cold food, homemade cakes, a kids’ tent, bar and a unique community feel. Price: £17 adult adv, under-12s free but ticket needed. Web: www.galhampton.com ● LOCAL EVENT
ST PAULS CARNIVAL Where: St Pauls, Bristol When: 7 July What: It’s one of the most joyous, colourful, celebratory events on Bristol’s calendar; a Caribbean spectacular with some of the most exciting food, music, dance and drinks of the year. Price: free. Tel: 0117 944 4176. Web: www. stpaulscarnival.co.uk
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GALHAMPTON PARTY IN THE PARK Where: Galhampton, South Somerset When: 7 July What: After their sixth consecutive sell out in 2011, the small village of Galhampton once again plays host to Party in the Park. It’s one day with eight bands (inc Wilko
NIBLEY MUSIC FESTIVAL Where: North Nibley, Gloucestershire When: 7 July What: Tickets sold out in 36 hours this year. It’s a record for the festival; a bummer for everyone else. In its sixth year, it seems its reputation for being one of the friendliest fests out there has done it justice,
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PRIDE BRISTOL Where: College Green, Bristol When: 7-14 July What: A week of festivities (including Tom Marshman at the Cube and the SingOut gay choir) which ends on 14 July with Bristol’s biggest Pride Parade yet, continuing into an evening street fiesta with a huge after-party at the O2 Academy. College Green will also see a ‘Co-Operative’ community area, sampling teams, ‘Enterprise’ family area and exciting musical and artistic performances across a number of stages. Money raised through donations and fundraisers will be going to Freedom Youth, Bristol’s dedicated LGBT Youth Service which is under threat from recent funding cuts. Price: various, main event free. Web: www. wearefest.com BUXTON FESTIVAL Where: Various, Buxton, Derbyshire When: 7-25 July What: Set in the heart of the Peak District, the long-running Buxton Festival has a reputation for celebrating the best in opera, music and literature. Performances this year include ‘Too Hot to Handel’, ‘The Turn of the Screw’ and ‘L’Olimpiade’. For full details, see their website. Price: various. Tel: 01298 70395. Web: www. buxtonfestival.co.uk ● LOCAL EVENT
BUDDHAFIELD Where: Blackdown Hills, Culm-
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JULY
head, Somerset When: 11-15 July What: All this talk of festivals getting a bit rowdy for you? Fear not, Buddhafest is here to ease your body and your mind, with a series of workshops, discussions, performances and treatments, set in the Blackdown Hills. Don’t just take it from us – it’s an official Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Price: £110 adult, £90 concs, £40 13-16 yrs, £20 3-12 yrs. Tel: 07572 852533. Web: www.buddhafield.com LARMER TREE FESTIVAL Where: Larmer Tree Gardens, Dorset When: 11-15 July What: Over 70 diverse artists across six stages in the stunning Larmer Tree Gardens in Dorset, plus comedy, workshops and street theatre, with an intimate crowd of only 4,000. Tickets have sold out for 17 years, and it’s no wonder with the likes Amadou & Mariam, Jools Holland and The Levellers playing this year. Price: £190 fiveday ticket, day tickets from £36. Tel: 01725 552300. Web: www. larmertreefestival.co.uk HEBRIDEAN CELTIC FESTIVAL Where: Stornoway, Scotland When: 11-14 July What: This might just be the furthest north the UK festival circuit will take you this year, but it should be well worth the trip, with The Proclaimers, The Waterboys, Larkin Poe and Admiral Fallow all on the bill. Price: £70 w/e, £55 concs, under-14s free. Tel: 01851 621234. Web: www.hebceltfest. com LATITUDE FESTIVAL Where: Henham Park, Southwold, Suffolk
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When: 12-15 July What: The alternative music festival on Suffolk’s Sunrise Coast. Bon Iver, Elbow, Paul Weller, Laura Marling, St Vincent and Lana Del Rey are all confirmed, plus some ridiculously good comedy from Jack Dee, Rich Hall, Lee Nelson and Russell Kane. Price: £175 adult w/e camping, child ticket 5-12 yrs £5. Tel: 020 7009 3001. Web: www.latitudefestival.co.uk ● LOCAL EVENT
2000 TREES FESTIVAL Where: Upcote Farm, Cheltenham, Gloucestershire When: 12-14 July What: An intimate, environmentally friendly festival which books some of the UK’s biggest upand-coming acts for their 4,000 capacity main stage. Catch 65daysofstatic, Dry the River, Future of the Left, Imperial Leisure and Tellison this year. Price: £66 w/e camping, children under 10 free. Web: www.twothousandtreesfestival.co.uk QUEST Where: Newton Abbot Racecourse, Devon When: 12-15 July What: Small enough to feel at home, this natural health show and healing festival celebrates its 17th edition this year, with workshops, exhibitions, kids’ entertainment and music from Beloved One, Kora Colours and Jon Sterckx. Price: £89 family (2 adults/2 children), adult w/e £22, child £4/day. Tel: 01392 580889. Web: www.questuk. co.uk ● LOCAL EVENT
MARLBOROUGH JAZZ FESTIVAL Where: Various, Malborough, Wiltshire
When: 13-15 July What: 100 performances, 20 venues, three days, and just one ticket to access them all. The “mini New Orleans” (The Telegraph) has Red Stripe Band, The Filthy Six and Clare Teal this year. Price: £61 w/e stroller adv. Tel: 01672 515095. Web: www. marlboroughjazz.com ELY FOLK FESTIVAL Where: Ely City Football Club, Ely, Cambridgeshire When: 13-15 July What: Concerts, workshops, ceilidhs, morris dancing, childrens’ entertainment, a real ale bar and food and trade stalls in one place at this folk festival, with Show of Hands, Breabach, Ewan McLennan and Lady Maisery on stage. Price: £59 adult w/e early bird, day tickets from £29. Tel: 07500 527334. Web: www.elyfolkfestival.co.uk ● LOCAL EVENT
NAILSEA BEER AND CIDER FESTIVAL Where: West End Park, Nailsea, North Somerset When: 13-15 July What: Also known as Applefest, this boozey bash boasts over 100 beers and ciders and a childrens’ village, and raises money this year for St Peter’s Hospice. Price: £7 adv. Tel: 01275 810818. Web: www.appelfest. btck.co.uk SOUNDWAVES FESTIVAL Where: Various, Brighton When: 13-15 July What: We’re still awaiting confirmation of the line-up for the 2012 edition of this visual arts and music festival, but we’re assured some of the world’s best experimental music and sound
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TOP FIVE: GREEN FESTIVALS Saving the world, one festival at a time EDEN FESTIVAL This Scottish festival goes the extra mile to make sure it stays carbon neutral, calculating all unavoidable emissions (right down to the festival-goers’ transportation to and from the festival) with help from the Crichton Carbon Centre, and then compensating locally within D&G after the weekend. There’s also a pedal-powered stage and cafe, celebrating all things sustainable. 15-17 June, Dumfries & Galloway BIG GREEN WEEK Rather than moping about the disappointing amount of progress between the Rio Earth Summit 20 years ago and now, Big Green Week takes the matter into its own hands to celebrate the positives, encourage politicians, and give the community a feel for all the creative thinking and practical action that’s happening all over the country, through inspiring demonstrations of what ‘living sustainably’ means in practice. 9-17 June, Bristol LATITUDE From the reusable beer cups to the dedicated Green Messengers making sure recyclables, compost and landfill waste are separated correctly, there’s a huge focus on making this festival as environmentally friendly as possible. Check out the ‘Latitude Green’ section on their website for some great advice on what you can do to help. 12-15 July, Suffolk LONDON GREEN FAIR The world’s largest free green festival is entirely powered by renewable forms of energy, including hydrogen, wind, solar and recycled vegetable oil. In 2011 they gave away 500 trees to visitors to help offset the carbon used in the event infrastructure delivery. 9-10 June, London CROISSANT NEUF Croissant Neuf’s mantra is all about minimum impact; maximum fun. The whole event is solar- and wind-powered, from the sound systems to the stage lights, plus there are experts on site giving talks and running displays on renewable energy and sustainability. 10-12 Aug, Monmouthshire
installations will be taking over Brighton. Price: tbc. Web: arts. brighton.ac.uk/soundwaves BUDLEIGH SALTERTON MUSIC FESTIVAL Where: Budleigh, East Devon When: 13-21 July What: A week of lunchtime, afternoon and evening concerts, with a focus on classical performance and
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recitals. This year’s opera is Puccini’s ‘Madama Butterfly’. Price: various. Tel: 01395 445275 Web: www.budleigh-festival.org.uk SWANAGE JAZZ FESTIVAL Where: Swanage, Dorset When: 13-15 July What: There are five venues within strolling distance of the seafront in the centre of town,
making it easy to take in one of the 50+ sessions, ranging from swing to Dixieland, contemporary to mainstream. There’s also a boat trip and a steam train jazz dance (whether it’s the train doing the dancing or not, we’ve yet to confirm). Price: £71 w/e stroller until 31 May, £76 after. Web: www. swanagejazz.org TOLPUDDLE MARTYRS FESTIVAL AND RALLY Where: Tolpuddle, Dorset When: 13-15 July What: A pilgrimage of sorts for trade unionists and socialists – it’s a mix of political discussion, music, banner processions, wreath laying and Methodist service – honouring the sacrifice and celebrating the triumphant return of six transported village farm workers in the 1800s. Price: £25 adult w/e, £15 camping. Tel: 01305 848 237. Web: www. tolpuddlemartyrs.org.uk GUILFEST Where: Stoke Park, Guildford When: 13-15 July What: Nominated twice as the best medium-sized festival at the UK Festival Awards, this independently-run Guildford gathering features Bryan Ferry, Jools Holland, Olly Murs and Jimmy Cliff. Price: £130 adult w/e camping, child w/e camping £80. Tel: 0871 230 1106. Web: www.guilfest.co.uk CAMBRIDGE SUMMER MUSIC FESTIVAL Where: Various, Cambridge When: 13 July-4 Aug What: Giving exposure to upcoming talent as well as old favourites, highlights this year include the Benedetti Trio, Melvyn Tan, Elin
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JULY I’ll never forget… “Drinking in a van with a big group of my mates behind the drum & bass and jungle stage at Brisfest. The bass was so loud that the whole van was rocking.” CRAIG CLARKE 39, NORTH BRISTOL Manahan Thomas and Crispian Steele Perkins. Price: tbc. Tel: 01223 894161. Web: www.cambridgesummermusic.com HARD ROCK CALLING Where: Hyde Park, London When: 13-15 July What: A series of huge open-air concerts held in London’s Hyde Park. This year’s performers are grunge giants Soundgarden (13 July), Bruce Springsteen and The E Street Band (14 July – sold out) and Paul Simon (15 July), with plenty of incredible opening acts to complete the all-star bills. Price: day tickets from £50. Web: www.hardrockcalling.co.uk RHYTHMS OF THE WORLD Where: Hitchin, Hertfordshire When: 14-15 July What: A registered charity in itself, Rhythms of the World aims to unite diverse communities with music, dance, arts and cuisine from around the world. Line-up includes Raghu Dixit, Ska Cubano and CW Stoneking. Price: £10 adult, £5 6-17 yrs. Web: www. rotw.org.uk ● LOCAL EVENT
SUMMER BREEZE Where: Warren Farm, nr Swindon, Wiltshire When: 14-15 July What: KT Tunstall heads the bill on Saturday, with the USA’s Vintage Trouble doing the same on Sunday. Feast on some great food, real ale and cider, or check out the children’s entertainers and craft arena, trade stalls, vintage fair or the acoustic lounge. Price: £35 adult w/e camping, £25 youth w/e camping, day tickets available. Web: www.summerbreezefest.co.uk
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● LOCAL EVENT
TEWKESBURY MEDIEVAL FESTIVAL Where: Tewkesbury, Gloucestershire When: 14-15 July What: Centred around a reenactment of the 1471 Battle of Tewkesbury, and featuring around 2,000 warriors fighting on the original site of the battle, TMF sees re-enactors from across the globe turning back the clock to the sights, sounds and smells of Medieval times. Price: free, donations. Web: www.tewkesburymedievalfestival.org ONE LOVE PEACE FESTIVAL Where: Mabley Green, London When: 15 July What: Inspired by the One Love Peace Concert held in Kingston in 1978, this year they’ve got Diddy (aka Puff Daddy, P Diddy, Sean Combs, Puff, Puffy... are we missing any?), Rev Run, Chip and T-Pain on the bill. Price: £45, under-12s free. Web: www. originalonelove.com CASTLE CONCERTS Where: Rochester Castle, Rochester, Kent When: 18-21 July What: Three huge names for this year’s summer concerts: rhythm and blues from Jools Holland, pop hits from the newly reformed Steps and a soul party with Billy Ocean & Alexander O’Neal. Price: various. Tel: 01634 338141. Web: www.whatsonmedway.co.uk ● LOCAL EVENT
BATH GUITAR FESTIVAL Where: Various, Bath When: 19-30 July What: A celebration of everything axe, with Mike and The
Mechanics, Badi Assad, Richard Thompson, David Russell, Nigel North and many more, with all styles from classical to rock. Price: tba. Web: www.bathboxoffice.org.uk PORT ELIOT FESTIVAL Where: St Germans, Cornwall When: 19-22 July What: Apparently Napoleon said it was one of the most beautiful places in the country, Port Eliot, so what better place for some of the best speakers and musicians, fashionistas and cabaret-ers... including John Cooper Clarke, Jessica Hynes and The Bees. Price: £150 adult w/e, £75 child (8-15 yrs), under-8s free. Tel: 01503 232783. Web: www.porteliotfestival.com SECRET GARDEN PARTY Where: Mill Hill Field, Abbots Ripton, Cambs When: 19-22 July What: There’s no sponsorship and a strong emphasis on audience participation; The Secret Garden Party is the festival to quieten the inner cynic in all of us. Or it’s a great excuse to get down to Alabama Shakes, Little Dragon and The Duke Spirit. Price: £195 tier 5 adult w/e, all other tiers sold out. Web: www. secretgardenparty.com CHAGSTOCK Where: Whiddon Down, Chagford, Devon When: 20-21 July What: Described by Ade Edmondson as “The best little festival in the South West”, this friendly gathering has KT Tunstall, Alabama 3 and Seth Lakeman leading the proceedings this year. Price: £65 adult, £40
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JULY I’ll never forget… “Coldplay’s set at Glastonbury was probably the best 90 minutes of my life. The Wombats were wicked too: at the end of the set the drummer threw his sticks into the crowd and one of them hit me on the head!” DAVE BROWN 19, ST GEORGE child, £170 family, day tickets available. Tel: 01392 667080. Web: www.chagstock.info TRUCK FESTIVAL Where: Hill Farm, Steventon, Oxon When: 20-21 July What: Another anniversary (their 15th) and another line-up to lighten your wallet. Sample some local ales in the rolling Oxfordshire countryside as you watch The Temper Trap – who join Mystery Jets as headliners – British Sea Power, The Low Anthem, Villagers and Guillemots. Price: £69 adult w/e camping, under-12s free, ticket req. Web: www.thisistruck. com ● LOCAL EVENT
FESTIVAL ON THE FARM Where: Purton, Nr West Swindon When: 20-22 July What: The line-up is tba, but there’s 28 bands, a juggling workshop, kids’ activities, a bouncy castle, face painting, a henna tattooist and way more on the farm this year. Price: £39 adult w/e, £35 concs, day tickets from £15, discount for Facebook group. Tel: 01793 772999. Web: www.festivalonthefarm.co.uk ● LOCAL EVENT
BRISTOL HARBOUR FESTIVAL Where: Bristol Harbourside When: 20-22 July What: It’s one of Bristol’s biggest and best free festivals; taking over the Harbourside to bring you circus, dance, music, theatre and hopefully some sun in which to enjoy it all. Expect so much more than this tiny blurb will allow us to tell you about. Price: free. Web: www.bristolharbourfestival.co.uk ● LOCAL EVENT
VILLAGE PUMP FOLK FESTIVAL Where: White Horse Country Park,
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Trowbridge, Wiltshire When: 20-22 July What: Big folk acts, exciting up-andcomers and energetic ceilidhs. Village Pump has Seth Lakeman, Show of Hands and Oysterband headlining this year. Price: £110 adult w/e. Web: www.villagepumpfolkfestival. co.uk SUMMERTYNE AMERICANA FESTIVAL Where: The Sage, Gateshead, Tyne & Wear When: 20-22 July What: A sizzling celebration of Americana, with Dr John, John Hiatt & The Combo, Wanda Jackson, Jenny O and Darrell Scott. Price: tbc. Web: www.thesagegateshead.org COCKROCK Where: Wellington Farm, Cockermouth When: 20-22 July What: If the name’s putting you off, let the line-up change your mind: punk legends Buzzcocks lead the bill, with Tinchy Stryder, The Subways and Goldie Lookin’ Chain all appearing. Their aim is to promote and encourage local musicians so there’s a whole bunch of up-and-coming talent on the bill, plus all proceeds go to The Pride of Cumbria Air Ambulance and Cockermouth Mountain Rescue. Price: £60 adult w/e camping. Web: www.cockermouthrockfestival.com DEER SHED FESTIVAL Where: Baldersby Park, Topcliffe, North Yorkshire When: 20-22 July What: The theme for this year’s Deer Shed is scary, mythological, fairy tale, imaginary, cuddly, extraordinary monsters... the Venue staff will be there in regular attire then. Headliners this year are St Etienne, Villagers and Cherry Ghost. Price: £69 adult
w/e camping, £20 children (6+). Tel: 01845 595980. Web: www. deershedfestival.com 80S REWIND FESTIVAL Where: Scone Palace, Perth, Scotland When: 20-22 July What: The 80s! It feels like we get further away from them every year. Not at Rewind though, and this year they’ve got Right Said Fred, UB40 and Village People to help relive the decade in style. Price: £95 adult w/e camping, £47.50 child w/e camping, day tickets £50/£25. Web: www. rewindfestival.com FESTIVAL AT THE EDGE Where: Stokes Barn, Much Wenlock, Shropshire When: 20-22 July What: Once upon a time – 21 years ago, to be exact – FATE began its celebration of storytelling in Shropshire. There’s comedy, performance, theatre and music, as well as a children’s festival running consecutively. Price: £90 adult w/e, day tickets available. Tel: 01939 236626. Web: www. festivalattheedge.org ● LOCAL EVENT
SULIS SOUNDTRACK Where: Bath Racecourse When: 21 July What: A brand new Bath festival to celebrate the 2012 Olympics with an internationally renowned musical line-up (Jools Holland, Vintage Trouble), plus a whole host of sporting events, including the opportunity to try out judo, archery, tae kwondo, wrestling and about a bazillion others. Every sports club in Bath and North East Somerset is going to be there. There will also be special activities for under-fives, so it’s one for the whole family. Price: £70 family ticket. Web: www.bathmusicplus. co.uk
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NORTHERN PRIDE Where: Leazes Park, Newcastle Upon Tyne When: 21 July What: Northern Pride’s aim is to reduce homophobia, promote awareness of equality and to unite LGBTQ communities across the region, bringing LGBTQ people and their friends and families together in a safe environment, with music and other entertainment, including performances from Jay Geordie Shore, Kay C and Totally GaGa. Web: www. northern-pride.com SPLENDOUR Where: Wollaton Hall, Nottingham When: 21 July What: Splendour has grown to be Nottingham’s largest outdoor music event, attracting over 20,000 visitors of all ages. This year’s bill features Dizzee Rascal, Katy B, Razorlight and The Levellers. Price: £37.50, under10s free. Web: www.splendourfestival.com ● LOCAL EVENT
TYNTESFIELD TAKEOVER Where: Tyntesfield, Bristol When: 22 July What: Organised by the TYNTE Youth Panel, Tyntesfield Takeover is a showcase of young local bands, including Mayans, Lydia Rose and Coy Mistress. Price: free. Web: www. nationaltrust.org.uk/tyntesfield/ join-in/page-1 ROX MUSIC AND ARTS FESTIVAL Where: Seafront, Bognor Regis When: 23-24 July What: Recognising a need for a means of showcasing the talents of the youngsters of Bognor Regis, this festival was founded by Steve Goodheart and Terry Slade in 1991. Nowadays, it attracts thousands of
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Hot Chip join Happy Mondays and Earth, Wind & Fire at Camp Bestival (26-29 July)
visitors, with music and art workshops for 11-19-year-olds, plenty for the little ones and two music stages. Price: free. Tel: 01243 863769. Web: www.the-rox.com WARWICK FOLK FESTIVAL Where: Warwick School, Warwick, Warwickshire When: 26-29 July What: A weekend of traditional and contemporary folk, featuring Eddi Reader, Nic Jones with Joe Jones & Belinda O’Hooley, Jim Moray and Edward II. There’s plenty to do for the whole family, with workshops, ceilidhs, theatre, craft and dance. Price: £100 adult w/e camping, £92 concs, £50 junior, under-10s free. Tel: 01926 776438. Web: www. warwickfolkfestival.co.uk CAMP BESTIVAL Where: Lulworth Castle, Dorset When: 26-29 July What: For a taste of Bestival in a more child-friendly environment, you couldn’t do much better than Camp Bestival, with its kids’ garden, cabaret and theatre, and performances from Hot Chip, Earth, Wind & Fire, Happy Mondays and Kool & The Gang, plus a festival exclusive from Mr Tumble. Price: £175 adult w/e camping, £170 student w/e camping. Web: www. campbestival.net CAMBRIDGE FOLK FESTIVAL Where: Cherry Hinton Hall, Cambridge When: 26-29 July
What: This one’ll already be permanently markered on every folk fan’s calendar. This year James Vincent McMorrow, Joan Armatrading, Phantom Limb and John Prine play. Price: £120 full festival, £88 concs. Tel: 01223 457555. Web: www. cambridgefolkfestival.co.uk ● LOCAL EVENT
WOMAD Where: Charlton Park, Malmesbury, Wiltshire When: 27-29 July What: Jimmy Cliff, Hugh Masekela and Orquesta Buena Vista Social Club are amongst the big names joining the celebrations at this year’s 30th anniversary jaunt through the best of global culture. Plus the usual WOMAD welter of family-friendly activities, workshops and the like. The globe-trotting festival also shows up at Cáceres in Spain (18-20 May), Sicily (5-8 July) and Bristol Zoo (30 June – see separate listing). Price: £135 weekend/£70 teen/children free. Tel: 0118 960 6060. Web: www.womad.co.uk LEOPALLOOZA Where: The Wyldes, Bude, Cornwall When: 27-29 July What: Hidden away in a North Cornish valley, Leopallooza has a raucous spirit and a line-up that features the cream of new UK music, including Turbowolf, Dan le
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JULY I’ll never forget… “Cosquin Rock festival in Argentina. Gustavo Cerati and Marcel Alberto were there making great rock music.” MARCEL ALBERTO 17, ECUADOR Sac vs Scroobius Pip and Fenech Soler. Price: £50 adult w/e, day tickets £15. Tel: 07534 401472. Web: www.leopallooza.com ● LOCAL EVENT
GOSSINGTON Where: Gossington, Gloucestershire When: 27-29 July What: Set in the rolling Gloucestershire countryside, Gossington sees Seth Lakeman, Flight Brigade and Juan Zelada take to the stage during a weekend of real ale and local produce in a family-friendly atmosphere. Price: £45 w/e early bird, £50. Web: www.gossington.com BIMBLE BANDADA Where: Secret location near Brighton When: 27-29 July What: Just when you thought you knew what to expect, Bimble Bambada moves to yet another secret location. There’ll definitely still be plenty of food, entertainment, and music from Bad to the Bone, A.S.M. and Kalakuta Millionaires. Price: sold out. Web: www.bimblebandada.com MARYPORT BLUES FESTIVAL Where: Maryport, Cumbria When: 27-29 July What: The small Cumbrian harbour town comes alive with the best of the blues, including Solway Deltas, House of Three Hands and The Mentulls. Price: £15 w/e trail ticket, £6 day. Web: www.maryportblues.com ● LOCAL EVENT
FARMFESTIVAL UK Where: Gilcombe Farm, Bruton, Somerset When: 27-28 July What: They started in the back of a
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truck with a few band-friends and a few music-loving friends – six years on, they maintain this spirit, but they’re growing every time. What does that mean for you? Watching great bands in what feels like your back garden is what. The Boy Least Likely To, Submotion Orchestra and Fingathing play this year. Price: £35 adult early bird, child £20. Tel: 0845 838 9924. Web: www.farmfestival.co.uk BARBICAN INTERNATIONAL JAZZ & BLUES FESTIVAL Where: Quayside Quarter, Plymouth When: 27-29 July What: The picturesque quayside quarter plays host to this jazz and blues festival, which this year takes places alongside the Plymouth Classic Boat Rally, for a weekend of nautical, finger-clicking enjoyment. Price: various, some free. Web: www.barbicanjazzandbluesfestival.com KENDAL CALLING Where: Lowther Deer Park, Lake District When: 27-29 July What: An award-winning independent in the Lake District, this year featuring Dizzee Rascal, James, Maximo Park and Feeder, plus a glow dance tent, Tim Peaks diner, garden of Eden and ladybird childrens’ area. Price: £105 adult w/e, 11-15 yrs £50. Web: www. kendalcalling.com SINGING STICKS DIDGERIDOO MUSIC FESTIVAL Where: Northampton, Northamptonshire When: 27-28 July What: From traditional to modern and dance music, this festival revels in all things to digdgeri-do with those
droney pipes. Price: £50 adult w/e camping, £10 children, under-10s free. Web: www.singingsticks.co.uk GLOBAL GATHERING Where: Long Marston Airfield, Stratford-upon-Avon When: 27-28 July What: They run 10 festivals as far away as Ukraine, Poland and Australia, but for the UK leg they’ve got Chase & Status, Friendly Fires, Armin van Buuren and Tinie Tempah. Price: £105. Tel: 01789 739988. Web: www.globalgathering.com DEVON DUB FEST Where: Bicton College, Budleigh Salterton, Devon When: 27-29 July What: Many a reggae fan has skanked into Devon (we assume) only to be massively disappointed by this family festival aimed at VW lovers. There’s live bands, DJs, traders, auto jumble and loads of other entertainment, plus a VW Summer Ball on Saturday. This year’s theme is black tie and ball gown, so dust off those fancy rags! Price: £25 adult w/e, £15 children. Web: www.devondubfest.co.uk NOZSTOCK Where: Bromyard, Herefordshire When: 27-29 July What: A festival formed of performance, art, electronic supersounds and some good old-fashioned guitar strumming, with The Proclaimers, Dreadzone, The Correspondents and Andy C & MC GQ. Price: £80 adult w/e. Web: www.nozstock.com KOSMIC KENS PSYCHEDELIC DREAM FESTIVAL Where: Bobbies Farm nr Uffculme, Devon
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DON’T MISS PLAYGROUP FESTIVAL: LOST TOYS l Fancy dressing up as a robot, dinosaur, ragdoll or
teddy bear and paying homage to the great ‘lost toys’ of your youth? Of course, you do. Especially when you’re going to spend three days in the splendid surroundings of an ancient deer park and take part in one almighty teddy bears’ picnic. Launched in 2010, Playgroup Festival bigs up the small things in life: a boutique festival with only 5,000 revellers, staff and performers on site, it aims to deliver “a personal experience more akin to the early days of Glastonbury or your first kiss”. It’s a chance to escape the rat race, take part in site-wide games, parades and other activities and make the most of five music and cabaret stages, on-site arts tents and installations, healing fields, kids’ arena and locally sourced gastro delights. And that’s not to mention the musical line-up, which ranges from 50-piece carnival bands and roving gypsy troupes to electronica from the likes of Submotion Orchestra, DJ Format, The Herbaliser, Hidden Orchestra, The Correspondents, High Rankin, Nedry and Belleruche amongst many others. PLAYGROUP FESTIVAL: LOST TOYS RUNS FROM 3-5 AUG (WWW.PLAYGROUPFESTIVAL.COM)
When: 27-29 July What: A psychedlic spin on the small, friendly, old school festival, Kosmic Kens sees Here & Now, PreMed, Litmus and Paradise 9 take to its stages this year. Price: £40, £25 kids. Web: www.deviantamps.com ● LOCAL EVENT
THE IGGF FESTIVAL Where: Gossington, Gloucestershire When: 27-29 July What: The International Gypsy Guitar Festival encapsulates passion, melody and technical ability like no other. Price: £45 w/e early bird, £50. Web: www.theiggf.com TATTON PARK PICNIC CONCERTS Where: Tatton Park, Knutsford, Cheshire When: 28-29 July What: If you’ve ever seen a live music show with fireworks, you know you’re going to need to stock up on Kleenex before this one. Saturday night sees the world famous Hallé and their choir of 100 voices take to the stage, followed by ‘Back to the 80s’ on Sunday, with Tony Hadley
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and Rick Astley leading the lineup. Price: £56 w/e. Web: www. tattonparkconcerts.com
AUGUST MELTDOWN Where: Southbank Centre, London When: 1-12 Aug What: With Antony Hegarty (of Antony and the Johnsons, plus collaborations with Björk, Yoko Ono, Devendra Banhart and more) as 2012’s director, Meltdown is sure to have an extremely special line-up. This is all tba in the coming months. Price: various. Tel: 0844 875 0073. Web: meltdown.southbankcentre.co.uk REBELLION UK Where: Winter Gardens, Blackpool When: 2-5 Aug What: Punk and alternative are on the bill at this four-day, sixstage, 200+ band rocker. This year, they’ve got Rancid, Public Image Limited and Stiff Little Fingers. Price: £130 adult w/e, Thur £30, £50 day tickets FriSun. Tel: 0247 660 1678. Web: www.rebellionfestivals.com
● LOCAL EVENT
REDFEST BRISTOL Where: Redfield, Bristol When: 2-4 Aug What: An eclectic range of folk, rock, dance, jazz, reggae and world music acts, film screenings for young and old audiences, cabaret, photography exhibitions, street art and children’s entertainment come to the community of Redfield. Price: free. Web: www.redfestbristol.co.uk ● LOCAL EVENT
FIELDVIEW FESTIVAL Where: Little Somerford, Wiltshire When: 2-5 Aug What: The line-up is still tba but if you’re looking for an independent, grass roots festival which aims to have salsa, beatbox, pottery and yoga workshops (and way more!) plus an eclectic musical bill, look no further. Price: £50. Web: www.fieldviewfestival.co.uk CAMBRIDGE ROCK FESTIVAL Where: Haggis Farm Polo Club, Barton, Cambridge When: 2-5 Aug What: Take a trip back to the 60s and 70s, sorta, with this Cambridge classic rock festival. Caravan return alongside Ultimate Eagles, ZZ Tops, Focus and Snakecharmer. Price: £89 adv adult w/e, £99 Aug onwards. Web: www.cambridgerockfestival.co.uk WICKHAM FESTIVAL Where: Wickham, Hampshire When: 2-5 Aug What: There’s Jools Holland, KT Tunstall, The Proclaimers, Bellowhead and Show of Hands playing in the rolling farmland of Wickham, with plenty to do for families on top. Price: £135 adult w/e, £67.50 under-16s, under-10s free, £25 per tent. Tel: 023 8071 1818. Web: www.wickhamfestival.co.uk
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AUGUST
PLAYGROUP FESTIVAL: LOST TOYS Where: Eridge Park, Tunbridge Wells When: 3-5 Aug What: Now in its third year, Playgroup Festival is keeping things intimate, with only 5,000 folk on site for three days’ worth of games, parades and impromptu activities, plus music from carnival bands, roving gyspy troupes and electronica from the likes of DJ Format, The Herbaliser, The Correspondents and more. Price: £95 adult/£77 teen/£10 under-12s. Web: www.playgroupfestical.com YNOT Where: Pikehall, Matlock, Derbyshire When: 3-5 Aug What: The Wombats, We Are Scientists, The Pigeon Detectives and The Subways visit the Peak District for this “small, fresh and loud” rock fest, winner of the best Grassroots Festival at the 2011 UK Festival Awards. They also won Best Toilets, if that’s something that keeps you up at night. Price: £75 w/e camping, under-12s free. Web: www.ynotfestivals.co.uk BELLADRUM TARTAN HEART FESTIVAL Where: Belladrum Estate, nr Beauly, Inverness-shire, Scotland When: 3-4 Aug What: Travis, The Wombats, We Are Scientists and Beverley Knight are amongst the acts confirmed for this Scottish family-friendly festival. If you migrate away from the main music stages, expect to see to see cabaret, poetry, literature, yoga and dance tuition, to name but a few. Price: £95 adult w/e camping, under-12s free but booking required. Tel: 01463 741366. Web: www.tartanheartfestival.co.uk
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SIDMOUTH FOLK WEEK Where: Various, Sidmouth, Devon When: 3-10 Aug What: Traditional butchers, bakers and boutique jewellery shops; surrounded by red sandstone cliffs and the green hills of the Sid Valley; ice-creams and naps on the beach... luckily at SFW you don’t have to choose between the folk music and the scenery, or they’d have quite the challenge on their hands. Seth Lakeman, Edward II and Martin Simpson all play this week-long celebration. Price: £248 adult, £186 young adult, £88 youth, £44 over-7s, under-7s free. Tel: 01395 577952. Web: www.sidmouthfolkweek. co.uk
nicipal Waste and Cancer Bats. Price: £96 adult w/e camping inc animal park entry. Web: www. hevy.co.uk
EDINBURGH FRINGE FESTIVAL Where: Various, Edinburgh When: 3-27 Aug What: The mother of all festivalswhich-need-no-introductionbut-we’ll-try-anyway, Edinburgh fringe is the largest of its kind on Earth, an absolute explosion of theatre, dance, music, comedy and everything else in-between. For 24 hours on 25 days, artists from the internationally renowned to the unknown turn Edinburgh into the most culturally happening place in the world. Price: various. Tel: 0131 226 0026. Web: www.edfringe.com
GLASTONBURY CHILDREN’S FESTIVAL Where: Abbey Park Playground, Glastonbury When: 3-6 Aug What: Keep an eye on the website for more details later in the year – they’re still being ironed out – but expect child-friendly performance, workshops, fun and games. Price: tbc. Web: www.childrensworldcharity.org
HEVY MUSIC FESTIVAL Where: Port Lympne Wild Animal Park, Kent When: 3-6 Aug What: If the petrifying skull/ shark/zombie-monster on their website animates rather than alarms, this roaring rally is probably for you. Line-up includes Descendents, Converge, Mu-
STANDON CALLING Where: Standon, Hertfordshire When: 3-5 Aug What: They started with a swimming pool, a BBQ, 25 friends and a set of decks. The first time they set up a stage, it collapsed. But fear not, they’ve grown since then, whilst still maintaining that DIY ethos; this year the line-up includes !!!, Crazy P, Beardyman and Death in Vegas. Price: £99 w/e, £78 two days, day tickets £39. Web: www.standon-calling. com ● LOCAL EVENT
ENGLISH HERITAGE PICNIC CONCERTS Where: Audley End House, Saffron Walden, Essex When: 3-5 Aug What: Far less stuffy than you’d imagine, this year’s line-up features Jools Holland, Rick Astley, Midge Ure and T’pau. Price: day tickets from £32. Web: www. picnicconcerts.com ● LOCAL EVENT
BASHAM FESTIVAL Where: Manor Farm, Melksham When: 4-5 Aug
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AUGUST I’ll never forget… “My birthday at Brownstock. My mates decided to spray-paint my tent. The aerosol fumes woke me up and I was livid. So, as an apology, Daisy agreed to be my servant for the rest of the day!” DAISY 30 & PAUL 25, STOKES CROFT What: It’s only in its first year but Basham promises to be a vibrant affair – musical performances are already confirmed from Alonestar, Cantaloop and Left Step Band – plus there’s on-site camping, kids’ arenas, workshops, activity tents and great food, making this perfect for families. All proceeds to Dorothy House Hospice Care. Price: £44 adult w/e, £22 w/e 1217 yrs, free under 11 (booking req). Tel: 07846 134989. Web: www. bashamfestival.com EISTEDDFOD GENEDLAETHOL CYMRU (NATIONAL EISTEDDFOD OF WALES) Where: Vale of Glamorgan, South Wales When: 4-11 Aug What: A cultural smorgasbord of music, dance, performance, art, ceremonies, comedy, competitions and market stalls. There’s the UK premiere of Karl Jenkins’s Beirdd Cymru, Only Men Aloud and the Cymanfa Ganu to look forward to. Price: adult day tickets from £15 (it pays to book in advance). Tel: 0845 409 0800. Web: www. eisteddfod.org.uk UNICORN CAMPS Where: Child Okeford, Dorset When: 4-12, 13-17 & 18-26 Aug What: Usually, when festivals say they’re ‘alternative’, you can pretty much sure they’re not... but we’re willing to say these guys really have earned the title. There’s a Natural Voice Camp (4-12 Aug) to explore your vocal potential, their first Healing Camp (13-17 Aug) featuring Family Constellations and Sufism, and a Peace Through the Arts Camp (18-26 Aug), which is based on the Dances of Universal Peace. Price: various, discount for advance bookings. Tel: 07527 123813. Web: www.unicorncamps.com
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ALNWICK INTERNATIONAL MUSIC FESTIVAL Where: Alnwick, Northumberland When: 4-11 Aug What: Musicians and dancers from India to Romania grace the picturesque historical town of Alnwick for eight days of cultural festivity. Price: free. Web: www. alnwickmusicfestival.com ● LOCAL EVENT
PEWSEY MUSIC FESTIVAL Where: Cooper’s Field, Pewsey, Wiltshire When: 4 Aug What: Friendly little one-dayer with Charly Coombes & The New Breed, Swindon’s Slagerij, spook-rocky Melodramas and Dolly & The Clothes Pegs. Price: tbc (around £5). Web: www. pewseymusicfestival.com CREATION FEST Where: Royal Cornwall Showground, Wadebridge, Cornwall When: 4-10 Aug What: Music, bible teaching, seminars, workshops, sport, film, ‘Creation Kids’ and family fun at this Bible Week bash. Brenton Brown, Chip Kendall Band, Universal Royalty and The Bear Hug Band all confirmed so far. Price: free, camping (per night) £10 adults, £5 children, 0-4 free. Tel: 0844 879 4703. Web: www. creationfest.org.uk GREAT BRITISH BEER FESTIVAL Where: Olympia, London When: 7-12 Aug What: Britain’s biggest beer festival, in Britain’s biggest pub, with over 800 different real ales, ciders and foreign beers for the 50,000-strong crowd to try. There’s also food and music. Price: £23 season ticket, £8 day ticket. Tel: 01727 867201. Web: www.gbbf.org.uk
RELENTLESS BOARDMASTERS Where: Fistral Beach & Watergate Bay, Newquay, Cornwall When: 8-12 Aug What: Their surfing, longboarding, skateboarding and BMX-ing competitions will bring some of the world’s best sportspeople to Newquay for one week only but if that’s not enough to convince you, they’ve also got performances from Ed Sheeran, Dizzee Rascal, The Ting Tings, Maximo Park and many more tba. Price: £89 w/e camping, £72 w/e, £40 day tickets. Web: www.boardmasters.co.uk ● LOCAL EVENT
BRISTOL INTERNATIONAL BALLOON FIESTA Where: Ashton Court, Bristol When: 9-12 Aug What: The 34th Bristol Balloon Fiesta brings the city four days of inflatable fun – over 100 hot air balloons will take to the sky on three occasions, with nightglows and firework displays planned across the weekend too. Price: free. Tel: 0906 711 2191. Web: www.bristolballoonfiesta.co.uk BOOMTOWN FAIR Where: The Bowl, Matterley Estate, nr. Winchester, Hampshire When: 9-12 Aug What: The town walls have expanded to give Boomtown double the space it had in 2011, but fear not, intimacy lovers, the population is only increasing by a fraction. The line-up is definitely huge, though, with Reel Big Fish, Natty, Caspa and Dub Pistols. Price: adult w/e from £121. Web: www.boomtownfair.co.uk EDINBURGH INTERNATIONAL FESTIVAL Where: Various, Edinburgh When: 9 Aug-2 Sept
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FESTIVAL FOLK THE PHOTOGRAPHER
SONNY MALHOTRA, @PHOTOSONNY
What: There’s world class opera from Britain and beyond, four London Symphony Orchestra performances, scintillating international contemporary dance and far more music, theatre and talks than we could possibility list here. Price: various. Tel: 0131 473 2000. Web: www.eif.co.uk FAIRPORT’S CROPREDY CONVENTION Where: Cropredy, nr Banbury, Oxfordshire When: 9-11 Aug What: Organised by Fairport Convention themselves, this Cropredy-based outdoor extravaganza welcomes over 20,000 guests each year. Line-up includes Fairport Convention (quelle surprise), Squeeze, Joan Armatrading and Richard Thompson. Price: £100 adult w/e early bird (before 31 May). Web: www. fairportconvention.com GAUNTS HOUSE SUMMER GATHERING Where: Gaunts House, Wimbourne, Dorset When: 9-12 Aug What: The aim of this year’s Gaunts House Summer Gathering is to provide a sacred experience – that’s why they’re going vegetarian and hosting a ‘dry bar’, though they promise not one ounce of fun will be sacrificed. If the self discovery gets too much, dance it out with Frank Perry, Don Coreaux and Flutatious. Price: £95 adult early bird before 31 May, £120 after, accom available. Tel: 01202 841522. Web: www.gauntssummergathering.com BLOODSTOCK OPEN AIR FESTIVAL Where: Catton Hall, Derby
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For me, music festival photography is by no means all about the music. Yes, it’s fantastic to be paid to go and watch some of the best and biggest artists in the world, but what I really enjoy is taking photos of the people and capturing the atmosphere. Festival photography is documentary photography with some live music work thrown in for good measure. As a result, I try to make sure my experience of a festival isn’t too far removed from what you or anyone else would experience. Just with access to nicer toilets. And the occasional free beer or ten. “If I’ve got to stay in a tent for the duration, I’ll take one or two camera bodies, three lenses, a laptop and lots of batteries with me. Carrying several kilos of incredibly expensive gear around all day, every day, through hordes of sweaty swaying people can be a worrisome time, but it’s better than coming back to find your tent has been picked clean by an opportunist thief. If I’m lucky enough to be staying in a hotel, I’ll bring almost everything I own with me and pick and choose gear based on what the day is going to be like. “All pit photographers will eventually have ‘disagreements’ with pit security, but often just being nice and getting to know them over the course of the festival (they’re not all soulless robots, honest!) will help avoid any problems. It’s even allowed me to shoot in areas that are normally completely off limits. And if you ever make the mistake of making a mortal enemy, the chances are that the same security guard will be at every festival you ever shoot, giving you the evil eye and forever getting in your otherwise perfect shot. “Over the years of shooting festivals I’ve ended up in some odd and often unrepeatable situations. Of the most publishable; I’ve been chased by spear wielding Zulu warriors, I’ve had tea with Ray Davies and beer with 2manydjs. I’ve been (accidentally. I hope) spat on by Jay-Z and once saw a zebra on stilts get married to a man in a dress. I’ve been chatted up by people hoping to snag a backstage pass (‘My... that’s a big lens you have there...’) and although I’m yet to give one up, people are welcome to keep trying. “At its worst, festival photography is stressful, risky, cold and damp. At its best it’s a laugh a minute, you get to hear some of your favourite artists from two metres away and you can meet some insane people and then commit whatever embarrassing act they’re performing to photographic memory, and somehow... somehow, earn a living from it. When: 9-12 Aug What: The ear doctors of Derby are licking their lips and rubbing their hands together at the prospect of another Bloodstock. We expect no less of this heavy metal fest than for them to announce their Saturday headliner on 6/6 at 6pm, joining Behemoth, Alice Cooper, Dimmu Borgir and Dio on their mission to create the world’s first guitar-induced earthquake. Devil
horns at the ready. Price: £115 w/e camping, day tickets available. Web: www.bloodstock.uk.co DARTMOOR FOLK FESTIVAL Where: Village Hall & nearby fields, South Zeal, nr Oakhampton, Devon When: 10-12 Aug What: A friendly, traditional festival with ceilidhs, song and music sessions, Dartmoor stepdance and
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Presumably Eddi Reader hopes that Broadstairs Folk Week will be perfect (10-17 Aug)
beautiful Victorian town of Saltburn. It’s their 14th anniversary this year, and they’ve got Marie Little, Vin Garbutt and Dark Horses there to celebrate. Price: £58 adult w/e, £29 junior, under10s free. Tel: 01287 622623. Web: www.saltburnfolkfestival.com
broomdance championships, craft displays, pub sessions and childrens’ events. Price: £45 adult w/e camping, £20 kids. Web: www. dartmoorfolkfestival.co.uk ● LOCAL EVENT
CROISSANT NEUF SUMMER PARTY Where: Usk, Monmouthshire, Wales When: 10-12 Aug What: Starting off as a singular solar-powered stage at Glastonbury, Croissant Neuf has grown into a highly respected eco-festival in its own right. It’s soldiering on without Glasto this year, and has performances scheduled from Seth Lakeman, Gabby Young & Other Animals and Willy Mason. Price: £95 adult, £75 student, £38 kids. Web: www.croissantneuf.co.uk BROADSTAIRS FOLK WEEK Where: Broadstairs, Kent When: 10-17 Aug What: A week-long folk fest with top-notch established acts and a whole bunch of exciting newcomers. Eddi Reader, Oysterband, Benjamin Zephaniah and Chris Wood are all confirmed so far. Price: £234 week season ticket w/camping, many other options available. Tel: 01843 604080. Web: www.broadstairsfolkweek. org.uk
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SUPERNORMAL FESTIVAL Where: Brazier’s Park, Oxfordshire When: 10-12 Aug What: If you’re looking to get away from the corporate feel of some the bigger festivals, Supernormal is quite the alternative, with a focus on cult bands and experimental music, impromptu and timetabled performance. James Blackshaw, Caroline Weeks and Sauna Youth are playing, plus Bristol’s best-loved film nights are showcased in the Pentagram Cinema. There’s also art, workshops and a fire circle. Price: £65 adult w/e, £40 teen, under-13s free w/ adult. Web: www.supernormalfestival.co.uk WILDERNESS Where: Cornbury, Oxfordshire When: 10-12 Aug What: A veritable feast of music, theatre and food at this Cotswolds carnival. Wilco, Rodrigo y Gabriela, Sharon Jones & The Dap-Kings and Spiritualized are all on the line-up. Price: £119-£139 adult w/e. Web: www.wildernessfestival.com SALTBURN FESTIVAL OF FOLK MUSIC, DANCE AND SONG Where: Various, Saltburn, North Yorkshire When: 10-12 Aug What: Huge folk festival set in the
KNEE DEEP FESTIVAL Where: Secret location, nr Liskeard, Cornwall When: 10-11 Aug What: Nestled in a quiet corner of Cornwall, there’s creative arts and fresh musical talent at this independent, community-run festival. Line-up includes Tall Ships, Willy Mason, Islet and Hey Sholay. Price: £25. Web: www. kneedeepfestival.com BAKEWELL MUSIC FESTIVAL Where: Bakewell, Peak District When: 10-12 Aug What: Third year of this intimate, family-friendly festival: 40 bands across the genres of rock, blues, Latin, country, folk, jazz and bluegrass, children’s entertainment (inc clowns) and the finest local ales from the Thornbridge Brewery. Price: £50 w/e early bird, £65, day tickets from £15. Web: www.bakewellmusicfestival.com DRONFIELD MUSIC FESTIVAL Where: Dronfield Woodhouse Sports & Social Club, Dronfield, Derbyshire When: 12 Aug What: So far this annual charity bash has raised over £25,000 for great causes. Line-up this year features Gary J Armstrong, The Canyon and way more, plus the usual acoustic tent and kids’ entertainment. Price: £10 adults, £4 concs. Web: www.dronfieldmusicfestival.co.uk
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AUGUST I’ll never forget… “Summer Gatecrasher 2002, me and my brother were together when DJ Sasha played ‘Wavy Gravy’: it was such a special moment.” TOMAS BAILEY 25, SOUTHVILLE ● LOCAL EVENT
BATH FOLK FESTIVAL Where: Various, Bath When: 13-19 Aug What: This new grass roots festival has done well to attract some internationally renowned artists and a wealth of local talent in its first three years. Bathe in the folky sounds of Dave Swarbrick, Spiers & Boden, Karen Tweed, Des Hurley and many more. Price: £60 festival pass, £50 under17s, under-10s free. Web: www. bathfolkfestival.org TRIBFEST Where: Sledmere House, Sledmere, East Yorkshire When: 16-19 Aug What: We’re not sure if there are awards for the best name but our money’s on Stereophonies if there are. As you may have guessed, Tribfest is a tribute music festival, with big names like The Clone Roses, The Black Eyed Peaz and Green Date playing this year. There’s also a ‘Kidzone’, comedy tent and silent disco, where they play covers of John Cage’s ‘4’33”’. Price: £85 adult w/e, £65 youth, £45 child, under-5s free but ticket req. Web: www.tribfest. co.uk SUMMER SUNDAE WEEKENDER Where: De Montfort Hall & Gardens, Leicester When: 17-19 Aug What: An intimate one, this, with just 7,000 tickets available. Now in its 12th year, Summer Sundae Weekender boasts a line-up of Adam Ant, Death in Vegas, Francois and the Atlas Mountains, Katy B and Tune-Yards. Price: £105 adult w/e, £70 young person, £35 child, under-4s free. Tel: 0116 233 3111. Web: www. summersundae.com
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BEAUTIFUL DAYS Where: Escot Park, Devon When: 17-19 Aug What: They’ve got no corporate sponsorship, no branding and they don’t advertise, yet they still won Best Family Festival at the UK Festival Awards 2011. It says a lot about just how much people are enjoying this Levellers-run Devon get-together, which this year features performances by Frank Turner, Jethro Tull’s Ian Anderson, PIL and Billy Bragg. Price: £120 adult w/e, under-16s £60, various other concs available. Web: www.beautifuldays. org 80S REWIND FESTIVAL Where: Henley-on-Thames When: 17-19 Aug What: Never gonna give those 80s up. The Oxfordshire leg of this celebration of the decade has Rick Astley, T’Pau and The Bangles helping keep that eternal flame alight. Price: £95 adult w/e camping, £47.50 child w/e camping, day tickets £50/£25. Web: www.rewindfestival.com GREEN MAN FESTIVAL Where: Glanusk Park, Wales When: 17-19 Aug What: Set in the heart of Wales’ breathtaking Black Mountains, this year Green Man celebrates its 10th birthday with Van Morrison, Feist, Stephen Malkmus, TuneYards, of Montreal and many, many more. Price: £145 adult w/e camping, £125 student. Web: www.greenman.net ROCKIN’ THE PARK Where: Clumberpark, Worksop, Nottinghamshire When: 17 Aug What: A trip back to the 70s with
a day of classic rock in Clumberpark, featuring Hawkwind, Brit Floyd and Carl Palmer. Price: £31.95 adult, £22 14 & under, under-5s free. Tel: 01909 512534. Web: www.ukeventsandproduction.com V FESTIVAL Where: Hylands Park, Chelmsford, Essex & Weston Park, South Staffs When: 18-19 Aug What: Tickets are gone, as usual, but if you’ve already got yours and want a pat on the back, here you go: The Stone Roses, The Killers, Snow Patrol, Nicki Minaj, Keane, Madness. And more, yes. Price: sold out. Web: www.vfestival. com INTERNATIONAL BEATLE WEEK FESTIVAL Where: Various, Liverpool When: 22-29 Aug What: International Beatle Week Festival is a great excuse for enthusiasts and casual fans alike to come together (sorry) to celebrate the Liverpool foursome in the city where it all began. The festivities range from tribute acts to walks, talks and tours. Price: packages from £179. Web: www. beatlesfestival.co.uk FRIGHTFEST Where: Empire Cinema, Leicester Square, London When: 23-27 Aug What: Described by ‘Pan’s Labyrinth’ director Guillermo del Toro as “The Woodstock of gore”, this five-day scare-a-thon is packed with premieres, previews, signings, talks and plenty of screaming. Pack your earplugs. Price: tbc, on sale 30 June. Tel: 020 8296 0555. Web: www. frightfest.co.uk
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Billy Bragg’s got his eye on Shambala (23-27 Aug)
itself on being not-for-profit, corporation-free and wonderfully diverse. There’s a world music stage, dance tent, cinema, comedy and theatre, with performances from Alfie Ordinary, Cantaloop and Fossil Collective. Price: £85 adult w/e, £45 junior w/e. Web: www.limetreefestival.co.uk ● LOCAL EVENT
TOWERSEY FESTIVAL Where: Towersey Playing Field, Towersey, Oxon When: 23-27 Aug What: Squeeze the last drop out of the festival season before the kids head back to school. Towersey have got Bellowhead, The (Beautiful) South, Edward II and The Martin Simpson Trio, and a seriously impressive children’s festival with crafts, clockwork dancing creatures, interactive art projects and more! Price: £124 adult season w/ camping until 31 May, then £139. Web: www. towerseyfestival.com SHAMBALA Where: Nr Market Harbourough, Northamptonshire When: 23-27 Aug What: What better theme for this year’s festival than ‘Celebration’? Not just in the usual drunken dancey festival sense (the line-up this year features Roots Manuva and Billy Bragg!) – Shambala encourage you to toast the future by jumping in a Shambala hot tub,
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checking out some of the beautiful interactive art installations or getting the kids hula hooping, sandcastle-building or workshopping in the craft field. Price: £119 adult, £79 teens, £29 kids. Web: www.shambalafestival.org AEON FESTIVAL Where: Shobrooke Park, Devon When: 24-26 Aug What: A ‘Shoestring Boutique Festival’ with a focus on “cultural loveliness” and “melodramatic popular song”. They’ve got a lake, an amphitheatre, some huge trees and a resident cricket club; if you need an excuse to get away for August bank holiday weekend, make this it. Price: £60 adult w/e early bird, £70 otherwise, day tickets and concs available. Web: www.aeonfestival.com LIMETREE FESTIVAL Where: Masham, North Yorkshire When: 24-26 Aug What: A small, independent three-dayer, Limetree prides
WATCHET MUSIC FESTIVAL Where: Parsonage Farm, Watchet, Somerset When: 24-26 Aug What: With amazing views of the West Somerset coastline and beyond, this family-friendly ale- and cider-fuelled revelry features over 50 live music acts, including The Wurzels, The Blockheads, Miles & Erica and Mad Dog Mcrea. Price: £60 adult w/e camping, £35 youth, 12 & under free w/adult. Web: www.watchetfestival.co.uk WAREHAM MUSIC FESTIVAL Where: Various, Wareham, Dorset When: 24-26 Aug What: Promising to be their biggest and best year yet, WMF will be taking over a whole host of venues over the August Bank Holiday weekend to bring you performances from Jim Etherington, Voodoo Vegas and The Skimmity Hitchers. Price: free. Web: www.wareham-music.org.uk GREENBELT FESTIVAL Where: Prestbury, Cheltenham When: 24-27 Aug What: Talks from Rev Richard Coles and Giles Fraser, music from Nitin Sawhney and Bruce Cockburn, performance from OperaUpClose and Kepow Theatre, and comedy from James Acaster and Robin Ince, this Christian festival is one to trigger your crea-
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AUGUST
tivity. Price: £120 adult w/e, £75 concs, £65 under-18s. Web: www. greenbelt.org.uk
camping, day tickets from £60. Tel: 0151 707 1309. Web: www. creamfields.com
SOLFEST Where: Tarnside Farm, Cumbria When: 24-26 Aug What: This independent, familyfriendly operation realises the festival experience is far more than the hour spent watching the headline act – they put the effort in to make every minute a joy, though we’re not sure how they make tent-setting-up any less of a royal pain in the a... nyyway, this year they’ve got walkabout artists, workshops, kite displays and way more, plus performances from Adam Ant and KT Tunstall. Price: £85 adult early bird, £95 after. Web: www.solfest.org.uk
SHREWSBURY FOLK FESTIVAL Where: West Midlands Showground, Shrewsbury When: 24-27 Aug What: Blowzabella’s marathon ceilidh, KT Tunstall, Richard Thompson and Show of Hands are some of the performers of note for this year’s SFF. If festivals aren’t really your thing, this might just be (stay with us...): there’s free onsite wifi, hot showers, proper toilets, loads of entertainment for the kids and youngsters, workshops, sessions and a craft fair. Price: £145 adult w/e camping, £75.50 youth, £24.50 child, under-4s free. Tel: 01743 892800. Web: www.shrewsburyfolkfestival.co.uk
SUMMER RETREAT HEALING AND MUSIC FESTIVAL Where: Overstone Scout Camp, Overstone, Northampton When: 24-26 Aug What: Drumming and healing are on the menu at this Northamptonshire relax-a-thon. There’s a children’s play area if you’re planning on bringing the whole family, otherwise check out the fire dancing troupe and drum workshops, with way more tbc. Price: £50 adult w/e, £10 child w/e, day tickets from £10. Web: www.summerretreat.co.uk CREAMFIELDS Where: Daresbury, Halton, Cheshire When: 24-26 Aug What: Dance music fans from all corners of the globe flock to Cheshire for one of the world’s biggest electronic music events, featuring Deadmau5, David Guetta, Groove Armada, Tiesto and Calvin Harris. Price: £135 w/e
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BEERMAGEDDON Where: The Black Horse, Derbyshire When: 24-26 Aug What: Dedicated to the true heart of British heavy metal, Beermageddon sees performances from Evil Scarecrow, Imperial Vengeance, Sanguine and way more. Price: £30 w/e camping. Web: www.beermageddon.co.uk RHYTHM FESTIVAL Where: Mansion House, Old Warden Park, Biggleswade When: 24-26 Aug What: Rhythm Folk and Rhythm & Blues join forces with Rhythm Festival this year to become... Rhythm Festival. So much rhythm. Bringing those beats this year are Show of Hands, Lau, The Travelling Band, Scott Matthews and The Strawbs. Price: £99 adult w/e before 31 May, £119 after. Web: www.rhythmfestival.com
READING AND LEEDS FESTIVALS Where: Richfield Avenue, Reading & Bramham Park, nr Weatherby, Leeds When: 24-26 Aug What: The infamous two-headed beast has predictably booked some huge acts this year, with headline performances from The Cure, Kasabian and Foo Fighters, as well as Paramore, Florence and the Machine, The Black Keys, At the Drive-in and Azealia Banks. Price: £197.50 adult w/e camping, £85 day tickets. Web: www. readingfestival.com & www. leedsfestival.com PURBECK FOLK FESTIVAL Where: Swanage, Dorset When: 24-26 Aug What: They work from a broad definition of folk and it’s reflected in the line-up; KT Tunstall, Shooglenifty, Larkin Poe and The Destroyers all play this year’s festival. It’s set on a small sheep farm (the bar is in a barn) with a stunning view of the Purbeck Hills. Price: £80 adult w/e early bird (until 29 June), £85 after, youth £40/£45, under-12s £10/£10. Web: www. purbeckfolk.co.uk SOUTH WEST FOUR WEEKENDER Where: Clapham Common, London When: 25-26 Aug What: Clapham Common plays host to a loud, dance-tastic bill, including Chase & Status, Skrillex, 2ManyDJs, Eric Prydz and Skream & Benga. Price: £87.50 w/e save, £90 after, day tickets from £45. Web: www.southwestfour.com ● LOCAL EVENT
WESTONBIRT TREE FEST Where: Westonbirt Arboretum, nr Tetbury, Gloucestershire When: 25-27 Aug
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TOP FIVE: BEST OF THE SOUTH WEST Local heroes ATP CURATED BY THE NATIONAL Expect some huge names from the Brooklyn indie-rockers. It may be in December but it’s also one of the only festivals where you get a bed (and a kitchen if you splash out an extra £10!). 7-9 Dec, Minehead SIMPLE THINGS 14 hours of some of the most adventurous and striking acts out there. This year’s line-up is even more eclectic and forward-thinking than last. Pretty much the best value for money of any festival this year. 6 May, Bristol DOT TO DOT Cross some of the city’s best venues off your list, catch some big-name national/international acts or up-and-coming locals at this multi-venue, indie-centric all-dayer. 2 June, Bristol LOVE SAVES THE DAY Huge Jubilee celebration from the big-time promoters behind Glastonbury Dance Village’s Wow! stage, See No Evil, In:Motion, Just Jack and Futureboogie. 3 June, Bristol BATH FILM FESTIVAL Last year there were 43 diverse films on the bill including Steve McQueen’s critically acclaimed ‘Shame’. If you fancy finding out which flicks will be the big hitters at the box office before everyone else, Bath’s the place to be. 15-25 Nov, Bath
What: Storytelling, falconry and archery comprise this childfriendly arboreal celebration, which also features live music, nature-inspired crafts and gifts, plus a huge demonstration of expert wood-carving. Price: £30 adult w/e, £26 concs, children free, £60 camping per pitch. Web: www.forestry.gov.uk/ westonbirt-treefest TWINWOOD FESTIVAL Where: Twinwood, Clapham, near Bedford When: 25-27 Aug What: For some vintage vivaciousness, you could do worse than this 40s and 50s music and dance festival in Clapham. There’s plenty to jive and swing to, with four days of live music, including Strollin’ Steve & Rockin’ the Joint, Pasadena Roof Orchestra, Max Raabe & Palast Orchester and The Bombshellettes. Price:
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£65 adult, £12 child, day tickets available. Tel: 01923 282725. Web: www.twinwoodevents.com
● LOCAL EVENT
DIDMARTON BLUEGRASS FESTIVAL Where: Cotswold Airport, Gloucestershire When: 30 Aug-2 Sept What: They claim to offer the cheapest pint on the UK festival circuit, so grab a couple of yeasty ones, sit around the nightly bonfire and enjoy some of the world’s best bluegrass music. Price: tbc. Web: www.didmarton-bluegrass.co.uk ● LOCAL EVENT
NATIONAL GARDENING SHOW Where: Bath & West Showground, Shepton Mallet When: 31 Aug-2 Sept What: For the green-fingered festival-goer, the National Gardening Show is a place to get expert advice, learn new crafts and discover hidden talents. Price: £10 adult adv, under-16s free. Web: www.bathandwest. com/national-gardening/95
● LOCAL EVENT
● LOCAL EVENT
DEVIZES INTERNATIONAL STREET FESTIVAL Where: Devizes, Wiltshire When: 26-27 Aug What: Street theatre explodes onto the streets of Devizes for a weekend of cabaret, clowning, dance and much more. Price: free. Web: www.streetsofdevizes. co.uk
BROOME FARM CIDER FESTIVAL Where: Broome Farm, Ross-onWye When: 31 Aug-2 Sept What: There’s a Friday evening ceilidh, “meet the cider makers” on Saturday, a fantastic craft market on Sunday and live music throughout the weekend at this cider-centric celebration. Price: tbc, on sale June. Web: www. rosscider.com
● LOCAL EVENT
BURNHAM-ON-SEA FOLKFEST Where: Various, Burnham-on-Sea When: 30 Aug-2 Sept What: Another folky freebie focusing on the acoustic, last year Burnham welcomed Boxcar Aldous Huxley, Uiscedwr and 3 Daft Monkeys to its stages. Price: free. Web: www.folkfest.co.uk
OFF THE TRACKS SUMMER FESTIVAL Where: Donington Park Farmhouse, nr Derby, Derbyshire When: 31 Aug-2 Sept What: Just about the last chance you’ll have to hit a summer festival this year, the line-up is tba, but
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SEPTEMBER I’ll never forget… “A few years back I was at this amazing cider festival. I remember it was a beautiful, sunny day and DJ Derek’s set suited the vibe perfectly.” CASPER HARRIS 32, SOUTH BRISTOL expect plenty of activities to keep the family entertained. Price: £70 adult w/e. Web: www.offthetracks.co.uk UNDERAGE FESTIVAL Where: Shoreditch Park, London When: 31 Aug What: As far as we remember, there are very few things that are great about being a teenager, but Underage Festival, had it existed back then, would have been one of them. Last year’s line-up featured Frankie & the Heartstrings, Janelle Monae and Bombay Bicycle Club. This year’s is still being confirmed but we’re pretty sure, 13-17-year-olds, that we’re going to be jealous. Price: £19.50. Web: www.underagefestivals.com END OF THE ROAD FESTIVAL Where: Larmer Tree Gardens, Dorset When: 31 Aug-2 Sept What: Bella Union celebrate their 15th anniversary at EOTR on Friday, with performances from Beach House, Van Dyke Parks and Dirty Three. Add to this the much-awaited return of indie rockers Grandaddy, plus Grizzly Bear, Tindersticks and many more, in one of the most intimate, magical festival settings you’re every likely to experience. Price: £150 adult w/e camping, youth £120, child £50, under-5s free. Web: www.endoftheroadfestival. com FYLDE FOLK FESTIVAL Where: Fleetwood, Fylde, Lancashire When: 31 Aug-2 Sept What: The 40th Fylde Folk Festival is a mouthful to say; the line-up a eyeful to behold. 3,000 people attend every year to enjoy
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the music in hotels, pubs and outdoors – this year they’ve got Show of Hands, Vin Garbutt, Roy Bailey and Grace Notes playing across the weekend. Price: £65 w/e early bird, many others available. Tel: 01253 872317. Web: www.fylde-folk-festival.com ● LOCAL EVENT
STROUD FRINGE Where: Stroud, Gloucestershire When: 31 Aug-2 Sept What: Taking place in the summer holidays for the first time in its history, there’s now no excuse to miss the hundreds of performers arriving in Stroud for a weekend of performance art, music, theatre, dance and way more! Price: various, many free. Web: www.stroudfringe.co.uk ELECTRIC PICNIC Where: Stradbally Hall, County Laois, Ireland When: 31 Aug-2 Sept What: The Cure, The Killers, Elbow and Sigur Ros are the big pulls for this Irish gathering, set amid the rolling lawns of Stradbally Hall. Price: €230 adult w/e camping. Web: www. electricpicnic.ie
SEPTEMBER PRIDE IN BRIGHTON AND HOVE Where: Brighton and Hove When: 1 Sept What: Brighton’s LGBTQ celebration kicks off on 1 September with a huge parade. Price: various, parade free. Web: www.brightonpride.org JERSEY LIVE Where: Royal Jersey Showground, Jersey When: 1-2 Sept What: 14 miles off the coast of
France, Jersey plays host to the biggest live musical event in the Channel Islands. Line-up tba but last year featured Madness, Plan B and The Streets. Price: tbc. Web: www.jerseylive.org.uk SUNDOWN Where: Norfolk Showground, Norwich, Norfolk When: 1-2 Sept What: Norfolk plays host to Dizzee Rascal, Chase & Status, Olly Murs and Katy B. Price: £90 adult w/e camping. Web: www. sundownfestival.co.uk ● LOCAL EVENT
BRISTOL COMEDY GARDEN Where: Queen Square, Bristol When: 5-9 Sept What: Last year saw Russell Howard, Ed Byrne, Shappi Khorsandi and more performing at BCG’s inaugural festival. This year’s line-up will be announced on Jun 1. Price: £10-£25. Web: www.bristolcomedygarden.co.uk GREENWICH COMEDY FESTIVAL Where: Old Royal Naval College, Greenwich When: 5-11 Sept What: Give your stomach muscles a work-out with Tim Minchin, Micky Flanagan, Shappi Khorsandi, Rich Hall and more. Price: various, many free. Web: www.greenwichcomedyfestival. co.uk BESTIVAL Where: Robin Hill Countryside Adventure Park, Isle of Wight When: 6-9 Sept What: Looking at the line-up for Bestival is always headacheinducing in the best possible way, and this year is no exception. They’ve got Stevie Wonder, New Order, the xx, Sigur Ros, Justice,
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De La Soul go searching for daisies at Bestival on the Isle of Wight (6-9 Sept)
The Horrors, Factory Floor, Adam Ant, Hot Chip, De La Soul and Bat for Lashes, and we’ve hardly scratched the surface. Really, listing the highlights is like trying to scratch glass with a wooden spoon. Price: £170 adult w/e camping, £120 13-17 yrs, children free. Web: www.bestival.net BLACK SHEEP BREWERY BOOTS AND BEER WALKING FESTIVAL Where: Hawes, Yorkshire Dales When: 7-9 Sept What: Unlike the possibly quite misleading Devon Dub Fest, this one is pretty self-explanatory. If you’re a fan of walking followed by a couple of cold yeasty ones, this is the place. The walks are self-guided, written by Mark Reid (author of ‘The Inn Way’ books). There’s also plenty of evening entertainment on offer, tba. Price: £27.50 (+ add cost for evening entertainment). Tel: 01765 689227. Web: www.blacksheepbrewery.com/ bootsnbeer/ ST IVES SEPTEMBER FESTIVAL Where: Guildhall, Western & St Ives Theatre When: 8-22 Sept What: Plenty of exhibitions and guided tours around the Cornish seaside town, plus performances from Kate Rusby, Billy Bragg, The Blockheads, Cara Dillon and Dougie MacLean. Price: various, mostly £18-£22. Web: www. stivesseptemberfestival.co.uk CAMBRIDGE FILM FESTIVAL Where: The Arts Picturehouse & various other venues, Cambridge When: 13-23 Sept What: The UK’s third longestrunning film festival (after London and Edinburgh), CFF has been delivering the best of the world’s independent cinema for over
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30 years. It embraces the latest technology whilst showcasing passion for the rich heritage of the artform. Price: tbc. Tel: 01223 500082. Web: www.cambridgefilmfestival.org.uk ● LOCAL EVENT
PRISTON FESTIVAL Where: Priston, nr Bath When: 14-16 Sept What: A friendly and relaxed local celebration of music and culture in an intimately beautiful village setting. There’s singing and dancing workshops, film and literary events as well as children’s art projects, plus music from Benji Bartlett, Adam Purnell and Brejeiro. Price: various, mostly free. Web: www.priston.org.uk/ festival ABERGAVENNY FOOD FESTIVAL Where: Various, Abergavenny When: 15-16 Sept What: Over 200 stalls and 35,000 visitors take over this market town in Monmouthshire. Try some Indian breakfast food from one of the pop-up restaurants, take part in a gourmet tasting session or a masterclass from some of the best known chefs from the UK and beyond. Price: various. Web: www. abergavennyfoodfestival.com
BARMOUTH FESTIVAL OF WALKING Where: Barmouth, mid-Wales When: 15-24 Sept What: Last year saw over 100 participants enjoying 350 walks over the course of the 10-day festival. A unique chance to take in the beautiful Mawddach Estuary and southern Snowdonia. Price: various, see web for details. Web: www.barmouthwalkingfestival. co.uk ● LOCAL EVENT
ENCOUNTERS SHORT FILM FESTIVAL Where: Watershed, Bristol When: 18-23 Sept What: The UK’s longest running competitive short film and animation festival welcomes the appointment of new short film programmer Gaia Meucci this year (who’s worked on Edinburgh Film Festival, amongst others). There’ll be the usual showcases from filmmakers and animators, alongside Q&As, interviews and workshops. Price: up to £10, many free. Web: www.encounters-festival.org.uk LOOPALLU Where: Ullapool, Scotland When: 21-22 Sept What: On paper, starting a
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Fancy travelling all the way to Ullapool? Paolo Nutini reckons you should (Loopallu, 21-22 Sept)
MALVERN AUTUMN GARDEN AND COUNTRY SHOW Where: Three Counties Showground, Malvern, Worcestershire When: 29-30 Sept What: One for the food and gardening lovers, with cookery demonstrations, gardening talks, vegetable displays, vintage tractors, crafts and more. Price: £15 Sat, £13.50 Sun. Tel: 01684 584900. Web: www.threecounties.co.uk ● LOCAL EVENT
remote Scottish island festival 60 miles from the nearest town sounds like an unnecessarily elaborate way to get yourself committed. Seven years later, however, with bands like Franz Ferdinand, Paolo Nutini, Ash and Buzzcocks all having graced their stage, it’s everyone else who seems loopy. Price: £75 adult w/e camping. Web: www. loopallu.co.uk ● LOCAL EVENT
BRISFEST Where: Ashton Court, Bristol When: 22-23 Sept What: Brisfest returns to the beautiful Ashton Court setting of the festival that inspired it. It’ll be bigger, with over 500 bands, DJs, comedians, cabaret, circus and dance performances, street art, workshops and over 20,000 visitors. Keep an eye on Venue for updates! Price: £30 weekend early bird, £55 early bird inc after-party. Tel: 0117 3281492. Web: www.brisfest.co.uk RAINDANCE FILM FESTIVAL Where: Central London When: 26 Sept-7 Oct What: 20th anniversary of this
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silver-screen festival, with some of the best underground, indie and DIY films of the year. Price: tnc. Web: www.raindance.co.uk PORTHCAWL ELVIS FESTIVAL Where: Grand Pavilion, Porthcawl, Wales When: 28-30 Sept What: Celebrate the second highest selling artist of all time at the largest festival of its kind in the world, with official shows taking place in the Grand Pavilion and fringe events happening in over 20 venues around the town. Price: various, many free. Web: www.elvies.co.uk SCARBOROUGH JAZZ FESTIVAL Where: Scarborough Spa When: 28-30 Sept What: It’s their 10th anniversary so the proceedings are a little bit more special this year (and The Guardian has already named it one of their top five jazz festivals). So far they’ve got the Quentin Collins/Brandon Allen Quartet, the Darius Brubeck Quartet and Martin Taylor & Alan Barnes on the bill. Price: various, some free. Tel: 01723 376774. Web: www. scarboroughjazzfestival.co.uk
UNDERGROUND FESTIVAL Where: Gloucester Guildhall When: 29-30 Sept What: Line-up tba, but last year’s edition saw Morning Parade, Dog Is Dead, Francesqa and Theme Park take to the stage of Gloucester’s Guildhall. Price: free. Web: www.undergroundfestival.co.uk
OCTOBER SWANAGE BLUES Where: Swanage, Dorset When: 5-7 Oct What: 50 gigs in 15 indoor venues, daily open mic and buskers, plus electric jam sessions on Friday and Saturday... whether you’re an aspiring blues-o or a casual fan, it’s a friendly atmosphere and a diverse range of music that caters to all. Price: £10 w/e. Web: www.swanage-blues. org ● LOCAL EVENT
WALK THE LINE (UK) Where: Various, Cheltenham When: 5-6 Oct What: Not the only Walk the Line in this here festival guide, but the only one within spitting distance of Venue HQ. The line-up is tba but last year featured Ellen & The Escapades and Tellison, plus
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NOVEMBER I’ll never forget… “Rusko’s boat party at Outlook, I was wearing nothing but blue speedos sized for 10-year-olds. This was 9am, I drank too much and had a bit of trouble in the toilet and there’s evidence on Facebook!” PETE HEWITT 22, CITY CENTRE music industry debates featuring key figures from the local music scene. Price: £12 w/e, £6 Fri, £9 Sat. Web: www.walkthelinefestival.co.uk ● LOCAL EVENT
TIMES CHELTENHAM LITERATURE FESTIVAL Where: Various, Cheltenham When: 5-14 Oct What: 2011 saw over 500 events, 600 speakers, more than a handful of top-notch guest directors and loads of free family activities. As always, the line-up is under wraps until August-ish, but we’ll say with confidence that whether you make a day or a week of it, this will be unmissable. Price: various. Web: www.cheltenhamfestivals.com/literature TUSK FESTIVAL Where: Star & Shadow, Newcastle Upon Tyne When: 5-7 Oct What: Live music producers Tusk Music have handpicked a smorgasbord of international acts for this, their second Tusk Festival. Japanese avant-garde (Keiji Haino), Virginia drone (Pelt) and Chicago lo-fi (Hieroglyphic Being) are all on the bill. Price: £25 adult w/e early bird. Web: www. tuskfestival.com SHAKEDOWN Where: Stanmer Park, Brighton When: 6 Oct What: Last year’s first Shakedown went so well, they’re back for another punt, with Dizzee Rascal leading the proceedings. Price: £38.50 early bird. Web: www.shakedown.co.uk BFI LONDON FILM FESTIVAL Where: South Bank, London When: 10-25 Oct
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What: It’s the 56th year for the UK’s largest film festival, one that encompasses Hollywood as much as it does the best in independent film-making. Check out 2012’s best cinematic releases before they hit the big screens nationally, or take in a talk, workshop or masterclass from some of the industry’s biggest hitters. Price: various. Web: www.bfi.org.uk/lff TWO MOORS FESTIVAL Where: Dartmoor & Exmoor, Devon When: 11-20 Oct What: Now in its 12th year, Classic FM’s Two Moors is a festival of international standing – the programme will be published in June but expect some big hitters alongside exciting up-and-comers. Price: various. Tel: 01643 831006. Web: www.thetwomoorsfestival.com LOWENDER PERAN Where: Ponsmere Hotel, Perranporth When: 17-21 Oct What: Celebrating Cornwall’s rich cultural heritage with five days of traditional music, dance and storytelling, and exploring the links with Brittany, Ireland, Isle of Man, Scotland and Wales. Price: tba. Tel: 01872 553 413. Web: www.lowenderperan.co.uk SHOWMAN’S SHOW Where: Newbury Showground, Berkshire When: 17-18 Oct What: This is all a bit meta for our tiny brains. The Showman’s Show is an outdoor event services exhibition... as in, a festival for people who want to put on festivals. From car parks to catering, flooring to fireworks, if you want to be the next Michael Eavis, this
is probably the best place to start. Price: free. Tel: 01747 854099. Web: www.showmans-directory. co.uk ● LOCAL EVENT
BRISTOL CAJUN AND ZYDECO FESTIVAL Where: Bristol Folk House When: 19-21 Oct What: Do the Cajun jitterbug, two step, or (the Venue move of choice) convulse in time to the rootsy Louisiana sounds of Cajun and zydeco music at the Folk House. There’ll be jam sessions, dance workshops, plus performances from R Cajun & The Zydeco Brothers, Downtown Cajun Band and many more! Price: tbc (around £50 w/e, £10 gigs, £5 workshops). Tel: 01227 274340. Web: www.bristolcajunfestival. com ● LOCAL EVENT
FROME BLUES FESTIVAL What: Cheese & Grain, Frome When: 21 Oct What: Details tba but this, the first Frome Blues Festival, promises to be a joyous day full of music, food and booze. Price: £22 early bird. Tel: 01373 455420. Web: www.cheeseandgrain. co.uk/2012/03/frome-bluesfestival
NOVEMBER LONDON JAZZ FESTIVAL Where: Various, London When: 9-18 Nov What: World class artists and emerging stars comprise the lineup of this London celebration of all things jazz, including performances from Salif Keita, Tigran Hamasyan and Melody Gardot. Price: various. Web: www. londonjazzfestival.org.uk
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FESTFOLK THE VETERAN PHIL MORRIS
My first experience of an outdoor music festival was the Stonehenge Peoples Free Festival at summer solstice in June 1984. This gave me a lifelong love of music festivals, but was a very different experience to the many commercial festivals there are now. I was 17 and high unemployment and the miners’ strike were the backdrop. Me and a mate decided to catch the National Express down to Salisbury and make our way to Stonehenge, based on stories we’d heard from friends (not internet or mobiles phones back then) as it was free and several artists we liked were apparently on the bill – Hawkwind, Here and Now, Roy Harper and others. “At that time I knew nothing about Stonehenge itself, or the festival, but I later discovered it had been started by a guy called Wally Hope (which is where the ‘Where’s Wally?’ cartoons originated... but that’s another story, several in fact). “With our coach tickets, a budget of £5, two sleeping bags and a Blue Peter survival kit, we hit the road and managed to get to Amesbury, two miles from the site, where a procession of hundreds of like-minded ‘weekenders’ like us were making their way on foot, the two miles to Stonehenge. It was an amazing sight as you got to the top of the hill about half a mile away and Stonehenge itself came into view on one side of the road, and on the other side a patchwork of tents, 30,000 people and a pyramid stage. Arriving on site there was feeling of pure elation (no drugs involved) at being in the middle of this huge party event pulled together by the ‘counter culture’ on the basis of ‘bring what you expect to find’. The main stage had many underground bands playing over several days but also, with Stonehenge being on the route from London to Glastonbury, many of the acts playing Glastonbury at that time would drop by and play Stonehenge for free. Through the night there were ‘happenings’ and gigs all over the site by bands and groups of people who had just driven down with their own equipment. Though it was much smaller in terms of numbers than Glastonbury is now, its spirit dwarfs the festivals of today and much was lost when the police, under orders from Mrs Thatcher, crushed the Stonehenge festival the following year. Quite simply, it had become a threat to ‘the powers that be’ at that time. “Thankfully 1984 was a great summer and we spent a few days having the time of our lives until our £5 and a further £1 note we had found ran out and we reluctantly hit the road back home with heads full of memories and inspiration. Parts of Glastonbury and possibly Green Man occasionally touch upon what I experienced at Stonehenge 84, but though things have moved on massively, technically and in terms of organisation, no festival has ever matched up to the sense of freedom and togetherness experienced there.”
● LOCAL EVENT
BATH FILM FESTIVAL Where: Various, Bath When: 15-25 Nov What: Immerse yourself in some of the best upcoming independ-
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ent cinema, from the established to the emerging talent. There’s plenty of debate, talks and interviews too, for when your eyes start to turn a little square. Price: tba. Web: www.bathfilmfestival. org.uk
DECEMBER ● LOCAL EVENT
ATP CURATED BY THE NATIONAL Where: Butlins, Minehead When: 7-9 Dec What: If you’re aware of The National, you’re probably aware of just how many friends they have, which makes the prospect of them curating a festival all the more exciting. So far, they’re called in favours from The Antlers, Sharon Van Etten, Owen Pallett and My Brightest Diamond, but expect the line-up to at least double before December. Price: £170-£180, inc accom. Web: www.atpfestival. com
FURTHER AFIELD WALK THE LINE (NL) Where: The Hague, The Netherlands When: 11-12 May What: Seven venues in The Netherlands’ beautiful political capital host (mainly underground-ish indie pop) acts from across the globe, including Bombay Bicycle Club, Diagrams, Lower Dens, Liz Green and Beth Jeans Houghton. Price: €40 two-day pass, €25 day. Web: www.walkthelinefestival.nl PINKPOP Where: Megaland, Landgraaf, The Netherlands When: 26-28 May What: Pinkpop has seen some pretty legendary performances, from Radiohead to Pearl Jam, Outkast to Massive Attack. It takes place on the Pentecost weekend (Pinksteren in Dutch, hence the name), and this year sees Bruce Springsteen, Linkin
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FURTHER
Park, Soundgarden, The Cure and The Specials grace its stages, to name a few. Price: €160 w/e, €80 day tickets. Web: www. pinkpop.nl LE GUESS WHO Where: Various, Utrecht, The Netherlands When: 26 May What: More than 10 must-see progressive pop acts take to the ancient city centre of Utrecht, including Bear In Heaven, Moonface (Spencer Krug of Wolf Parade/Sunset Rubdown), Sharon van Etten and Julia Holter. Price: €20. Web: www. leguesswho.nl SAN MIGUEL PRIMAVERA SOUND Where: Barcelona, Spain When: 30 May-3 June What: The minute Primavera adds to its line-up, the ears of independent music-lovers the world over perk up, and it’s no surprise. So far they’ve announced Bjork, Justice, M83, Wilco, Beirut, Rufus Wainwright, Yo La Tengo, Beach House, Mudhoney, Girls and way more. The trouble with their timetables is deciding who to miss. Price: €190. Web: www.primaverasound.com
room for three nights + festival, many packages available. Web: www.sunsplash-antalya.com ROCK AM RING Where: Nurburgring, Nurburg, Germany When: 1-3 June What: It’s all ausverkauft already but if you managed to kaufen a karte, you’ll see Linkin Park, Metallica and Die Toten Hosen headlining. Price: sold out. Web: www.rock-am-ring.com OPTIMUS PRIMAVERA SOUND Where: Porto, Portugal When: 7-10 June What: The Portugal leg of the infamous Primavera Sound, it’s a cheaper alternative but seemingly not all that less mindblowing on the line-up side of things, with Suede, Explosions in the Sky, The Rapture and Yann Tiersen all confirmed so far. Price: €99. Web: www.primaverasound.com
MEADOWS IN THE MOUNTAINS Where: Rhodopian Mountains, Bulgaria When: 8-10 June What: Nestled in the stunning heart of the Rhodopian Mountains near Bulgaria’s Greek border, the brand new Meadows in the Mountains festival features Crazy P, Will Saul, Bicep and Riot Jazz. Price: £65. Web: www.meadowsinthemountains. com SONAR Where: Barcelona, Spain When: 14-16 June What: The 19th year of this electronic exploration sees performances from LCD Soundsystem’s James Murphy, The Roots, New Order and Fatboy Slim, plus a load of multimedia art too. Price: €155 w/e, €39 day tickets. Web: www.sonar.es HELLFEST Where: Clisson, France
Y viva España! Fatboy Slim leads the sing-alongs at Sonar (14-16 June)
SUNSPLASH FESTIVAL Where: Hillside Su, Antalya, Turkey When: 31 May-3 June What: Turkey’s fifth largest city, on the turquoise coast, Antalya boasts miles of beaches backing onto arresting mountain scenery. The audience is just 500 for this boutique festival; the artists include Daddy G, Gilles Peterson, Kenny Dope Gonzalez and Norman Jay. Price: £430 pp double
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FURTHER I’ll never forget… “Seeing The Cure last year at Bestival. Me and my friends had been waiting down the front for hours. When they played ‘Just Like Heaven’ I reckon I actually was in heaven.” APHRAKIELY 26, MONTPELIER When: 15-17 June What: This French metalfest is not for the faint of heart – they’ve got Ozzy Osbourne, Guns N’ Roses, Megadeth and Lynyrd Skynyrd to pummel your eardrums this year. Price: €149, €66 day pass. Web: www.hellfest.fr
Croatian capital has already got Franz Ferdinand, The Cranberries, Plan B, Gogol Bordello and Mando Diao on the bill, with plenty more to follow. Price: three-day ticket from £39. Tel: 0844 232 4475. Web: www. inmusicfestival.com/en
What: On the shores of Lake Geneva, this prestigious jazz festival comprises two weeks of swinging celebration, with Noel Gallagher and Herbert Grönemeyer confirmed so far. Price: various. Tel: 0041 21 966 44 44. Web: www. montreuxjazzfestival.com
GREENFIELD FESTIVAL Where: Interlaken, Switzerland When: 15-17 June What: Die Arzte, Limp Bizkit and The Offspring headline this Swizz metalfest. Price: ₣198 three-day pass. Web: www.greenfieldfestival.ch
ROCK WERCHTER Where: Werchter, Belgium When: 28 June-1 July What: Pearl Jam, Red Hot Chili Peppers, The Cure and Editors bring the rock to the Belgian village of Werchter this year. Price: €195 four-day ticket, €79 day tickets. Web: www.rockwerchter. be
OPEN’ER FESTIVAL Where: Gydnia-Kosakowo Airfield, Gdynia, Poland When: 4-7 July What: Winner of Best Major Festival at the European Festival Awards two years running, they’ve got a ferris wheel, silent disco, kids’ zone, signing tent and wifi, and performances from Bjork, Major Lazer, Franz Ferdinand, New Order and Public Enemy. Price: PLN 410 adult w/e camping. Web: www.opener. pl/en
HURRICANE Where: Eichenring, Scheessel, Germany When: 22-24 June What: Die Arzte, The Cure, Blink-182, Justice, Rise Against, The Stone Roses, the xx... New Order are on the third line of the bill on their website. The third line! Price: €135. Web: www. hurricane.de HOVE FESTIVAL Where: Tromoy, southern Norway When: 26-29 June What: Held on the largest island in the southern part of the country, there’s Norway you could be disappointed with the line-up of this Scandinavian festival – Snoop Dogg, Skrillex, The Shins, Rise Against and Lana Del Rey top the bill. Price: NOK 2500 w/e. Web: www.hovefestival. com T-MOBILE INMUSIC FESTIVAL Where: Lake Jarun, Zagreb, Croatia When: 28-30 June What: This festival with a focus on multiculturalism in the
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HIDEOUT FESTIVAL Where: Zrce Beach, Island of Pag, Croatia When: 29 June-1 July What: Another beach festival, this time on the Island of Pag in Croatia. The line-up includes Ricardo Villalobos, Chase & Status, Loco Dice, Annie Mac and Skream & Benga. Price: £99. Tel: 0113 2172983. Web: www. hideoutfestival.com MAIN SQUARE FESTIVAL Where: Arras, France When: 29 June-1 July What: Set in the – you guessed it – main square of the tiny French village of Arras, this festival always manages to pull some huge names out of the bag. This year, there’s Simple Minds, Garbage, X, The All-American Rejects, Azealia Banks and Blink-182, to name a few. Price: €135 w/e, €59 day tickets. Web: www.mainsquarefestival.fr MONTREUX JAZZ FESTIVAL Where: Montreux, Switzerland When: 29 June-14 July
POHODA Where: Airport Trencin, Slovakia When: 5-7 July What: The calibre of the line-up is plane to see, with Lou Reed, Elbow, Kasabian and The Kooks at the top of the bill this year. Price: €85 w/e adv, €99. Tel: 0042 12207 08251. Web: www. pohodafestival.sk ROSKILDE Where: Roskilde, Denmark When: 5-8 July What: With a line-up of around 200 artists, there’s something for everyone at this Danish gathering, with The Roots, Bjork, The Cure, Bruce Springsteen and Bon Iver. Price: nine-day ticket from DKK 1790. Web: www.roskildefestival.dk RUISROCK Where: Ruissalo, Turku, Finland When: 6-8 July
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What: Held for the first time in 1970, it joins Pinkpop as the longest-running European rock festival. It doesn’t look too far back for its music though, with Pulp, Refused, Azealia Banks, Bloc Party and The Mars Volta on the bill. Price: €115 three days, €100 two days, €70 one day. Web: www.ruisrock.fi FESTIVAL INTERNACIONAL DE BENICASSIM Where: Benicassim, Spain When: 12-15 July What: Little-known singersongwriter Bob Dylan is headlining this year, with the newly reformed Stone Roses and At the Drive-in, New Order and Florence and the Machine. No big names, then. There’s a beach to hang out on if you don’t fancy checking out those up-and-comers. Price: £155 four-day ticket. Web: www. fiberfib.com BILBAO BBK LIVE Where: Bilbao, Spain When: 12-14 July What: Looking to practise your Spanish? Probably best you avoid this Basque bash then, but if you want to see some of the world’s biggest artists in the sunny climes of Bilbao, they’ve already confirmed Radiohead, The Cure, Snow Patrol, Bloc Party and Garbage, for pretty much the same price as seeing a Radiohead concert in London. Figures. Price: £88 adult w/e camping, day tickets £46. Web: www.bilbaobbklive.com/2012 ELECTRIC ELEPHANT Where: Tisno, Croatia When: 12-16 July What: Sun, sea, boat parties, and music from Michael Mayer, Optimo, Jonny Abstract and Will
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Exit strategy: Plan B goes to Serbia (12-15 July)
Tramp!. Price: £89.99 adult w/e. Tel: 0161 278 5650. Web: www. electricelephant.co.uk EXIT FESTIVAL Where: Novi Sad, Serbia When: 12-15 July What: Overlooking the Danube, Novi Sad Castle is the dramatic setting for Exit Festival, which this year features Guns N’ Roses, Duran Duran, New Order and Plan B on its line-up. Price: €119 adult w/e, €33 camping. Web: www.exitfest.org DOUR FESTIVAL Where: Dour, Hainaut, Belgium When: 12-15 July What: With 200 bands on seven stages over four days, you’re going to need to make sure you get in as many naps as possible during the journey over to Belgium. Franz Ferdinand, Squarepusher, Battles, James Blake, Bon Iver, Nada Surf, The Flaming Lips, Against Me! and Speech Debelle are amongst the acts you will be sprinting about to see. Price: €117 w/e camping, day tickets from €50. Web: www.dourfestival.be PITCHFORK MUSIC FESTIVAL Where: Chicago, USA When: 13-15 July What: One of the world’s most influential music websites brings some of the world’s most influ-
ential musicians to Union Park in Chicago. A$AP Rocky, Atlas Sound, Wild Flag, Feist, Dirty Projectors, Grimes, Lower Dens, Sleigh Bells and Willis Earl Beal all play, plus way more. Price: $110 w/e. Web: www.pitchforkmusicfestival.com MELT! FESTIVAL Where: Ferropolis, Germany When: 13-15 July What: The 15th edition of Melt features M83, Gossip, Maya Jane Coles, The Whitest Boy Alive, Richie Hawtin, Caribou and many, many more. Price: €126 w/e. Web: www.meltfestival.de VALKHOF AFFAIRE Where: Nijmegen, The Netherlands. When: 14-20 July What: This completely free festival takes place in The Netherlands’ oldest town. The line-up is tba as we go to press, but look at previous years’ bills and you’ll see the absolute cream of the (mostly) indie rock crop – Liars, WHY?, SBTRKT, Los Campesinos!, St Vincent and The Antlers. Price: free. Web: www.de-affaire.nl SOUNDWAVE FESTIVAL CROATIA Where: Tisno, Croatia When: 19-23 July What: There’s a private beach,
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TOP FREE FESTIVALS BRISTOL HARBOUR FESTIVAL The harbourside becomes unrecognisable during a weekend of music, dance, circus, theatre and more food than you could possibly ever try. 20-22 July, Bristol
boat parties and a line-up which includes the utterly unmissable De La Soul, Fink and DJ Yoda. If you can’t make it over to Croatia, check the website for details of some of their UK launch parties inc London on 5 May. Price: £105 w/e. Web: www.soundwavecroatia.com FUJI ROCK FESTIVAL Where: Naeba Ski Resort, Niigata Prefecture, Japan When: 27-29 July What: Radiohead, The Kooks, The Shins, Justice and The Stone Roses make the trek up Mount Takenoko for this huge Japanese rock festival. Price: ¥41,800 adult w/e, ¥44,800 w/ camping. Web: www.fujirockfestival.com STOP MAKING SENSE FESTIVAL Where: Tisno, Croatia When: 2-6 Aug What: A truly eclectic collection of musical delights by the sea. Need2Soul, Lil’ Louis, A. Skillz and The Correspondents are all set to play. Price: £100 adult w/e. Web: www.stopmakingsense.eu
AFRICA OYE Expect some of the biggest names from Africa, the Caribbean and South America at the country’s biggest free celebration of African music and culture. It’s undoubtedly some of the most joyous music in the world but there’s extra cause for partying this year as the festival hits the big two-oh. 23-24 June, Liverpool REDFEST BRISTOL A volunteer-run community festival, Redfield welcomes a whole host of music, film, cabaret, comedy, animation, graffiti and photography-doers to East Bristol for a weekend of relaxed fun. 2-4 Aug, Bristol VEGFEST BRISTOL There’s enough going on at the world’s biggest vegan event to distract even the biggest meat-eaters, with Ready Steady Chef competitions, huge live music acts and an animal sanctuary. 25-27 May, Bristol GOLOWAN FESTIVAL Get a really good taste for the port-town of Penzance at this historically fuelled, wild celebration. There’s a Cornish film night, mock mayoral election and a local young artist showcase. 16-24 June, Cornwall
Buuren, Mark Knight and Richie Hawtin. Price: BGN 200 w/e pass. Web: www.spiritofburgas. com
OFF FESTIVAL Where: Katowice, Poland When: 3-5 Aug What: Some of the best independent, underground, experimental and leftfield artists head to Poland, including Thurston Moore, Akron/ Family, Baroness and Kim Gordon. Price: €50 adult w/e camping. Web: www.off-festival.pl
SZIGET Where: Obudai Island, Budapest, Hungary When: 6-13 Aug What: Look at any list of the best European festivals and you’re more likely than not to see Sziget on that list. The Hungarians have booked LMFAO, the xx, Paolo Nutini, The Ting Tings and Flying Lotus so far. Price: €225 week pass w/ camping. Web: www. sziget.hu
SPIRIT OF BURGAS Where: Burgas, Bulgaria When: 3-5 Aug What: If you like boutique and you like the beach, you’ll probably love the spirit of this Bulgarian bash, whose line-up features Dutch trance-man Armin van
OYA Where: Medieval Park, Oslo, Norway When: 7-11 Aug What: Beautiful boutique festival in Norway’s capital, performances this year come from The Stone Roses, Florence and the Machine,
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Feist, Yelawolf, Bjork, The Black Keys and Bon Iver. Price: festival passes sold out, day passes from NOK 725. Web: www.oyafestivalen.com LA ROUTE DU ROCK Where: St Malo, France When: 10-12 Aug What: Set in the walled port city of St Malo in Brittany, performances at La Route du Rock take place in the crumbling walls of an old castle (there’s also a small stage on the beach): the xx, Spiritualized, Stephen Malkmus & The Jicks and Colin Stetson are confirmed so far. Price: £66 w/e. Web: www.laroutedurock.com ROTOTOM SUNSPLASH Where: Benicassim, Spain When: 16-22 Aug What: There’s something about joyous dubby sounds combined with Spanish sunshine that has made this a mecca for reggae
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Skrillex’ll be joining the likes of Bloc Party and Foo Fighters at Lowlands (17-19 Aug)
lovers. Mighty Diamonds, Pablo Moses and Linval Thompson play this year. Price: €210 seven-day pass w/camping. Web: www. rototomsunsplash.com PUKKELPOP Where: Hasselt, Belgium When: 16-18 Aug What: Foo Fighters and Pukkelpop go way back. In 1995, the band played their first European show at the festival. They played again in 1997, 2003 and even as recent as last year, but they can’t stay away; they’ll be returning in 2012 to headline alongside Bjork and The Stone Roses. Price: tbc. Web: www.pukkelpop.be/en LOWLANDS Where: Walibi World, The Netherlands When: 17-19 Aug What: This Dutch festival is set right next to Walibi World (not an animal park, but a theme park – it used to be a Six Flags) and has some fittingly exhilarating acts booked – Bloc Party, Foo Fighters and Skrillex are just a few of the confirmed acts so far. Price: €185 w/e camping, €207 inc theme park access. Web: www. lowlands.nl BURNING MAN Where: Black Rock Desert, Nevada, USA When: 27 Aug-3 Sept What: 50,000 people travel to Nevada’s Black Rock Desert for one of the most culturally influential festivals in existence. It’s an experiment in temporary community with an emphasis on radical self-expression. Confused? You should be. Price: tickets available through Secure Ticket Exchange Program; see website. Web: www.burningman.com
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OUTLOOK FESTIVAL 2012 Where: Petrcane Festival, Croatia When: 30 Aug-3 Sept What: If the idea of underground electronic music in an abandoned fort appeals, you’re going to have a positive outlook on this Croatian bass music and soundsystem culture festival, featuring Fat Freddy’s Drop, Skream, Andy C and Jah Shaka. Price: £135. Web: www.outlookfestival.com BERLIN FESTIVAL Where: Flughafen Tempelhof, Berlin When: 7-8 Sept What: Huge names flock to the German capital, including The Killers, Franz Ferdinand, Major Lazer and Sigur Ros. Price: €81.40. Web: www.berlinfestival.de ATP PRESENTS I’LL BE YOUR MIRROR CURATED BY GREG DULLI Where: Asbury Park, New Jersey, USA When: 21-23 Sept What: Fans of The Afghan Whigs will have been whigging out over news of their reformation at the end of last year; just imagine the noises they’re making knowing singer Greg Dulli is curating this New Jersey edition of I’ll Be Your
Mirror. Line-up so far includes comedian Louis CK, hip-hop giants The Roots and Godspeed You! Black Emperor. Dulli noted. Price: $199 w/e. Web: www. atpfestival.com ICELAND AIRWAVES Where: Reykjavik, Iceland When: 31 Oct-4 Nov What: There are around 6,000 visitors to Iceland Airwaves each year, which is a pretty big deal for a country with a population smaller than Bristol. So they make a big deal of the line-up, with Daughter, Friends and Django Django confirmed so far, and probably about another 150 to go. Price: tbc. Web: www.icelandairwaves.is CROSSING BORDER Where: Various, The Hague, The Netherlands When: 14-17 Nov What: Set in the truly stunning theatre district of The Hague, Crossing Border takes over some of the city’s most beautiful buildings for four days of music, literature and more. Previous years have seen performances from St Vincent, Laura Marling, Fleet Foxes and readings from Michael Madsen and The Freewheelin’ Suze Rotolo. Price: tbc. Web: www.crossingborder.nl
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INDEX
Page numbers in bold refer to display ads or editorial panels. Page numbers in light refer to listing entries
A ABERGAVENNY FOOD FESTIVAL 51 ACOUSTIC FESTIVAL OF BRITAIN MAYFEST 11 AEON FESTIVAL 46 AFRICA OYE 24, 59 ALNWICK INTERNATIONAL MUSIC FESTIVAL 40 AMERICANA INTERNATIONAL 27 APPLE CART 15 ASHBURTON BLUES FESTIVAL 12 ATP CURATED BY THE NATIONAL 48, 54 ATP PRESENTS I’LL BE YOUR MIRROR CURATED BY MOGWAI 11, 29 ATP PRESENTS I’LL BE YOUR MIRROR CURATED BY GREG DULLI 61 B BAKEWELL MUSIC FESTIVAL 42 BARBICAN INTERNATIONAL JAZZ & BLUES FESTIVAL 37 BARMOUTH FESTIVAL OF WALKING 51 BASHAM FESTIVAL 39 BATH AMERICANA FESTIVAL 27 BATH FILM FESTIVAL 48, 54 BATH FOLK FESTIVAL 45 BATH FRINGE FESTIVAL 8 BATH GUITAR FESTIVAL 33 BATH INTERNATIONAL MUSIC FESTIVAL 11 BEACH BREAK LIVE 18 BEAT HERDER FESTIVAL 25 BEAUTIFUL DAYS 45 BEERMAGEDDON 47 BELLADRUM TARTAN HEART FESTIVAL 39 BERLIN FESTIVAL 61 BESTIVAL 50 BEVERLEY FESTIVAL 21 BFI LONDON FILM FESTIVAL 53 BIG GREEN WEEK 5, 18, 32, 64 BIG MINI WEEKEND 19 BILBAO BBK LIVE 57 BIMBLE BANDADA 37 BIRMINGHAM INTERNATIONAL JAZZ FESTIVAL 28 BLACK SHEEP BREWERY BOOTS AND BEER WALKING FESTIVAL 51 BLISSFIELDS 26 BLOC WEEKEND 28, 49 BLOODSTOCK OPEN AIR FESTIVAL 41 BLUES FEST LONDON 25 BLUES ON THE FARM 23 BOOGIE WOOGIE FESTIVAL 28 BOOMTOWN FAIR 40, 63 BREAKIN’ CONVENTION 12 BRIGHTON FESTIVAL 6 BRISFEST 43, 52 BRISTOL CAJUN AND ZYDECO FESTIVAL 53 BRISTOL COMEDY GARDEN 50 BRISTOL FESTIVAL OF NATURE 21 BRISTOL FOLK FESTIVAL6 BRISTOL HARBOUR FESTIVAL 34, 59 BRISTOL INTERNATIONAL BALLOON FIESTA 40 BRISTOL INTERNATIONAL COMIC AND SMALL PRESS EXPO 8 BRISTOL JUBILEE CONCERT 14 BRISTOL’S BIGGEST BIKE RIDE 23 BROADSTAIRS FOLK WEEK 42 BROOME FARM CIDER FESTIVAL 48 BUDDHAFIELD 30 BUDLEIGH SALTERTON MUSIC FESTIVAL 32 BURNHAM-ON-SEA FOLKFEST 48 BURNING MAN 61 BURTON AGNES JAZZ AND BLUES FESTIVAL 29 BUXTON FESTIVAL 30 C CAMBRIDGE FILM FESTIVAL 51 CAMBRIDGE FOLK FESTIVAL 35 CAMBRIDGE ROCK FESTIVAL 38 CAMBRIDGE SUMMER MUSIC FESTIVAL 32 CAMDEN CRAWL 6 CAMP BESTIVAL 35 CASTLE CONCERTS 33 CELEBRATING AGE 17 CHAGSTOCK 33 CHELTENHAM JAZZ FESTIVAL 6 CHELTENHAM MUSIC FESTIVAL 27 CHESTER FOLK FESTIVAL 12
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CHESTER ROCKS 23 CHIPPENHAM FOLK FESTIVAL 13 CITY OF LONDON FESTIVAL 25 COCKROCK 34 CORNBURY FESTIVAL 25 CORSHAM FESTIVAL 21 CRAWLEY FOLK AND BEER FESTIVAL 26 CREAMFIELDS 47 CREATION FEST 40 CROISSANT NEUF SUMMER PARTY 32, 42 CROSSING BORDER 61 CRYSTAL PALACE GARDEN PARTY 25 D DARE 2 29 DART MUSIC FESTIVAL 8 DARTMOOR FOLK FESTIVAL 41 DEER SHED FESTIVAL 34 DEVIZES INTERNATIONAL STREET FESTIVAL 48 DEVON DUB FEST 37 DIDMARTON BLUEGRASS FESTIVAL 48 DOT TO DOT 14, 48 DOUR FESTIVAL 57 DOWNLOAD FESTIVAL 17 DRONFIELD MUSIC FESTIVAL 42 DRUM CAMP FESTIVAL 27 DURHAM INTERNATIONAL BRASS FESTIVAL 29 E EASTON ARTS TRAIL 26 EDEN FESTIVAL 21, 32 EDEN SESSIONS 25 EDINBURGH FRINGE FESTIVAL 39 EDINBURGH INTERNATIONAL FESTIVAL 40 EDINBURGH INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL 23 80S REWIND FESTIVAL 34, 45 EISTEDDFOD GENEDLAETHOL CYMRU (NATIONAL EISTEDDFOD OF WALES) 40 ELECTRIC ELEPHANT 57 ELECTRIC PICNIC 50 ELY FOLK FESTIVAL 31 ENCOUNTERS SHORT FILM FESTIVAL 51 END OF THE ROAD 24, 50 ENGLISH HERITAGE PICNIC CONCERTS 39 EVOLUTION 15 EXETER RESPECT 15 EXIT FESTIVAL 57 F FAIRPORT’S CROPREDY CONVENTION 41 FALMOUTH INTERNATIONAL SEA SHANTY FESTIVAL 19 FARMFESTIVAL UK 37 FESTIVAL AT THE EDGE 34 FESTIVAL INTERNACIONAL DE BENICASSIM 57 FESTIVAL ON THE FARM 34 FIELD DAY 14 FIELDVIEW FESTIVAL 38 FRIGHTFEST 45 FROME BLUES FESTIVAL 53 FROME FESTIVAL 28, 58 FUJI ROCK FESTIVAL 59 FUSE 28 FYLDE FOLK FESTIVAL 50 G GALHAMPTON PARTY IN THE PARK 30 GAUNTS HOUSE SUMMER GATHERING 41 GLADE FESTIVAL 16, 19 GLASTONBUDGET 12 GLASTONBURY CHILDREN’S FESTIVAL 39 GLOBAL GATHERING 37 GLYNDEBOURNE 8 GODIVA FESTIVAL 26 GOLD COAST OCEANFEST 15 GOLDEN DOWN 21 GOLOWAN FESTIVAL 21, 59 GOSSINGTON 37, 44 GOTTWOOD ELECTRONIC MUSIC AND ARTS 23 GOWER FOLK FESTIVAL 17 GRASSINGTON FESTIVAL 21 GREAT BRITISH BEER FESTIVAL 40 GREAT ESCAPE 8 GREEN MAN 24, 45 GREENBELT FESTIVAL 46
GREENFIELD FESTIVAL 56 GREENWICH COMEDY FESTIVAL 50 GRILLSTOCK 26 GUERNSEY FESTIVAL OF PERFORMING ARTS 24 GUILFEST 32 H HAMPTON COURT PALACE FESTIVAL 19 HAPPY DAYS FESTIVAL 14 HARD ROCK CALLING 33 HAY LITERARY FESTIVAL 12 HEBDEN BRIDGE BLUES FESTIVAL 12 HEBRIDEAN CELTIC FESTIVAL 31 HELLFEST 55 HERITAGE BRISTOL VOLKSWAGEN WEEKEND 15 HEVY MUSIC FESTIVAL 39 HIDEOUT FESTIVAL 56 HIGH DEFINITION DANCE FESTIVAL 27 HOME 24 HOP FARM FESTIVAL 25 HOVE FESTIVAL 56 HURRICANE 56 I ICELAND AIRWAVES 61 IGGF FESTIVAL 38 INDIETRACKS 29 INTERNATIONAL BEATLE WEEK FESTIVAL 45 IREBY FESTIVAL 14 ISLE OF WIGHT FESTIVAL 23 ISLE OF WIGHT WALKING FESTIVAL 6 J JERSEY LIVE 50 K KENDAL CALLING 37 KEYNSHAM MUSIC FESTIVAL 27 KNEE DEEP FESTIVAL 42 KOSMIC KENS PSYCHEDELIC DREAM FESTIVAL 37 L LA ROUTE DU ROCK 59 LADYBOYS OF BANGKOK 2, 19 LADYFEST BRISTOL 28 LAPSTOCK 21 LARMER TREE 16, 24, 31 LAST JUBILEE 14 LATITUDE 31, 32 LE GUESS WHO 55 LEDBURY POETRY FESTIVAL 26 LEOPALLOOZA 35 LICHFIELD REAL ALE JAZZ AND BLUES FESTIVAL 15 LIMETREE FESTIVAL 46 LIVE FROM JODRELL BANK 24 LIVERPOOL SOUNDCITY 8 LONDON FEIS 23 LONDON GREEN FAIR 17, 32 LONDON JAZZ FESTIVAL 53 LONG DIVISION FESTIVAL 14 LONGBOROUGH FESTIVAL OPERA 18 LOOPALLU 51 LOUNGE ON THE FARM 28 LOVE SAVES THE DAY 15, 22, 48 LOVEBOX 19 LOWENDER PERAN 53 LOWLANDS 61 M MAIN SQUARE FESTIVAL 56 MALVERN AUTUMN GARDEN AND COUNTRY SHOW 52 MANANAN INTERNATIONAL FESTIVALS 23 MARLBOROUGH JAZZ FESTIVAL 31 MARYPORT BLUES FESTIVAL 37 MAYFEST 8 MEADOWLANDS FESTIVAL 12 MEADOWS IN THE MOUNTAINS 55 MELT! FESTIVAL 57 MELTDOWN 38 MIDDLEWICH FOLK AND BOAT FESTIVAL 19 MONTREUX JAZZ FESTIVAL 56 MOSTLY JAZZ, FUNK & SOUL FESTIVAL 25
N NAILSEA BEER AND CIDER FESTIVAL 31 NATIONAL GARDENING SHOW 48 NEWBURY SPRING FESTIVAL 8 NIBLEY MUSIC FESTIVAL 30 NICE N’ SLEAZY 13 NORTHERN PRIDE 35 NOVA FESTIVAL OF ARTS AND MUSIC 27 NOZSTOCK 37 O OFF FESTIVAL 59 OFF THE TRACKS SPRING FESTIVAL 11 OFF THE TRACKS SUMMER FESTIVAL 48 ONE LOVE PEACE FESTIVAL 33 OPEN’ER FESTIVAL 56 OPERA AT IFORD 23 OPTIMUS PRIMAVERA SOUND 55 ORKNEY FOLK FESTIVAL 12 OUTLOOK FESTIVAL 2012 61 OYA 59 P PARKLIFE WEEKENDER 18 PEWSEY MUSIC FESTIVAL 40 PICKERING 60S FESTIVAL 15 PINKPOP 54 PITCHFORK MUSIC FESTIVAL 57 PLAYFEST 12 PLAYGROUP 7, 38, 39 POHODA 56 POLPERRO FESTIVAL 21 PORT ELIOT FESTIVAL 33 PORTHCAWL ELVIS FESTIVAL 52 PRIDDY FOLK FESTIVAL 4, 29 PRIDE BRISTOL 30 PRIDE IN BRIGHTON AND HOVE 50 PRISTON FESTIVAL 51 PUKKELPOP 61 PURAVIDA BELTANE LOVE EXPLOSION 6 PURBECK FOLK FESTIVAL 47 Q QUEST 31 R RADIO ONE’S BIG WEEKEND 24 RAINDANCE FILM FESTIVAL 52 READING AND LEEDS FESTIVALS 47 REBELLION UK 38 REDFEST BRISTOL 38, 59 RELENTLESS BOARDMASTERS 40 RELENTLESS NASS (NATIONAL ACTION SPORTS SHOW) 29 RHS CHELSEA FLOWER SHOW 8 RHYTHM FESTIVAL 47 RHYTHMS OF THE WORLD 33 RITCHEY BRISTOL BIKEFEST 17 ROCK AM RING 55 ROCK WERCHTER 56 ROCKIN’ THE PARK 45 ROCKNESS 15 ROSKILDE 56 ROTOTOM SUNSPLASH 59 ROX MUSIC AND ARTS FESTIVAL 35 ROYAL BATH & WEST SHOW 12 RUISROCK 56 RUN TO THE SUN 13, 20 S SALISBURY INTERNATIONAL ARTS FEST 11 SALTBURN FESTIVAL OF FOLK MUSIC, DANCE AND SONG 42 SAN MIGUEL PRIMAVERA SOUND 55 SCARBOROUGH JAZZ FESTIVAL 52 SECRET GARDEN PARTY 33 SHAKEDOWN 53 SHAMBALA 24, 36, 46 SHIRES SHOW 26 SHOWMAN’S SHOW 10, 53 SHREWSBURY FOLK FESTIVAL 47 SIDMOUTH FOLK WEEK 39 SIMPLE THINGS 6, 17, 48, 58 SINGING STICKS DIDGERIDOO MUSIC FESTIVAL 37 SOLFEST 47 SOMERSET CHILLI FESTIVAL 11 SONAR 55 SONIC ROCK SOLSTICE 19 SOUNDWAVE FESTIVAL CROATIA 57
SOUNDWAVES FESTIVAL 31 SOUTH WEST FOUR WEEKENDER 47 SPIRIT OF BURGAS 59 SPITALFIELDS MUSIC 17 SPLENDOUR 35 ST IVES SEPTEMBER FESTIVAL 51 ST PAULS CARNIVAL 30 STAG AND DAGGER 8 STANDON CALLING 39 STOP MAKING SENSE FESTIVAL 59 STROUD FRINGE 50 STRUMMERCAMP 14 SULIS SOUNDTRACK 34 SUMMER BREAK 18 SUMMER BREEZE 33 SUMMER RETREAT HEALING AND MUSIC FESTIVAL 47 SUMMER SUNDAE WEEKENDER 45 SUMMERTYNE AMERICANA FESTIVAL 34 SUNDOWN 50 SUNRISE CELEBRATION 4, 23 SUNSPLASH FESTIVAL 55 SUPERNORMAL FESTIVAL 42 SWANAGE BLUES 52 SWANAGE JAZZ FESTIVAL 32 SZIGET 59 T T IN THE PARK 28 T4 ON THE BEACH 27 TATTON PARK PICNIC CONCERTS 38 TEWKESBURY MEDIEVAL FESTIVAL 33 THREE COUNTIES SHOW 21 THREE WISHES FAERY FEST 19 TIMES CHELTENHAM LITERATURE FESTIVAL 53 TIMES CHELTENHAM SCIENCE FESTIVAL 18 T-MOBILE INMUSIC FESTIVAL 56 TOLPUDDLE MARTYRS FESTIVAL AND RALLY 32 TOWERFEST COUNTRY MUSIC FESTIVAL 19 TOWERSEY FESTIVAL 46 TRANQUIL MOMENTS HOLISTIC WEEKEND 15 TRIBFEST 45 TRUCK FESTIVAL 34 TRUCKFEST SOUTHWEST 26 TUSK FESTIVAL 53 TWINWOOD FESTIVAL 48 TWO MOORS FESTIVAL 53 2000 TREES FESTIVAL 31 TYNTESFIELD TAKEOVER 35 U UKULELE FESTIVAL OF GREAT BRITAIN 13 UNDERAGE FESTIVAL 50 UNDERGROUND FESTIVAL 52 UNICORN CAMPS 40 V V FESTIVAL 45 VALKHOF AFFAIRE 57 VEGFEST BRISTOL 11 VEGFEST BRISTOL 59 VILLAGE PUMP FOLK FESTIVAL 34 W WAKESTOCK 28 WALK THE LINE (NL) 54 WALK THE LINE (UK) 52 WAREHAM MUSIC FESTIVAL 46 WARWICK FOLK FESTIVAL 35 WATCHET FESTIVAL 16, 24, 46 WAYS WITH WORDS FESTIVAL 30 WESSEX FOLK FESTIVAL 13 WESTONBIRT TREE FEST 47 WICKHAM FESTIVAL 38 WILDERNESS 42 WILLOWMAN FESTIVAL 23 WIMBORNE FOLK FESTIVAL 15 WINTERWELL 25 WIRELESS 28 WOMAD 35 WOMAD AT BRISTOL ZOO 9, 26 WORLDPRIDE LONDON 25 WYCHWOOD MUSIC FESTIVAL 17, 60 Y YNOT 39 YORK EARLY MUSIC FESTIVAL 29 YOU & YOUR WORK 21
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