Summer is on its way and so are some stellar festivals. Here is a month-by-month guide to Redbrick’s top festival picks of the year
APRIL
25th – 27th: Sónar Reykjavik
Sónar Reykjavik is a three-day Icelandic festival combining music, creativity and technology, and is a member of the famous Sónar festival family. Starting in 2013, it is a relatively new festival, but this has not stopped it bagging some truly fantastic artists. With a particular emphasis on electronica, some of the acts this year include: Richie Hawtin, Jon Hopkins, Little Simz, Objekt, Little Dragon, Orbital and Avalon Emerson, with the final additions to the 2019 lineup still being announced. The huge variety of international acts can be watched from within the Harpa Concert Hall (a huge glass beehive), which has been named one of Europe’s most unique concert venues. Also, Harpa’s carpark becomes an underground nightclub with sets from Icelandic and international DJs.
If the unique venue or killer list of acts are not enough to tempt you, the festival takes place during the Northern Lights season meaning you could catch a glimpse during a set through the ceiling of the Harpa Concert Hall. Bag a ticket for only €129 here.
Nina Avitabile
MAY
24th – 2nd June: ALL POINTS EAST
All Points East returns with a colossal line-up that spans multiple weekends, genres and defies expectations. Legends such as The Chemical Brothers and The Strokes share top billing alongside current taste-makers Christine and The Queens and Bring Me The Horizon, inviting the likes of James Blake, Hot Chip, Interpol and Run the Jewels with them. Mumford & Sons and Bon Iver bring two very different takes on indie folk to the main stage on the second weekend, with a diverse undercard spanning everything from Dizzee Rascal to Mac Demarco. Elsewhere, with ‘In The Neighbourhood’, (a weekday programme of free entry and activities including cinema, music, arts, street food & bars), it’s near impossible to find a day that doesn’t cater to your tastes in some quantity. It ‘all points’ to an unforgettable week of festivities not to be missed.
Tickets available here.
Kieran Read
25th – 26th: LOVE SAVES THE DAY
Playing host to a range of artists across two days, LSTD captures Bristol’s renowned underground scene alongside showcasing an array of international musical heavyweights. Day one boasts Lily Allen, Jimothy Lacoste, lo-fi pioneers Ross From Friends, Northampton’s Slowthai, IAMDDB and the DJ legend Artwork. Day two brings trailblazers of electronic music to the Paradiso Stage, including female powerhouse Peggy Gou, a Bonobo DJ set plus performances from Chaos in the CBD and DJ Seinfeld. Sunday also sees Octavian, Ray Blk, HAAi and dancehall veteran David Rodigan amongst the acts. The full line-up is available on the LSTD website.
Whilst the music is the main draw of LSTD, inspiring production, non-musical attractions and an unrivalled inclusive ethos creates a great vibe for the festival. Make sure to check-out the afterparties too, Bristol is home some of the UK’s most renowned clubs which host some huge acts over the weekend.
Tickets available here.
Rebecca Payton
25th – 26th: SLAM DUNK
To any fan of mid-2000s pop-punk and the emotional lyrics of your early teenage years, Slam Dunk Festival will be an old friend. Taking its name from Slam Dunk Records, the record company first envisaged the festival all the way back in 2006, when it was just a small event held in Leeds’s Millennium Square. Now, in the duel event locations of Leeds on the Saturday and Hatfield on the Sunday, this year’s line-up promises to be an explosive one. With All Time Low headlining the Monster Energy stage, accompanied by Simple Plan, Neckdeep, Waterparks, New Found Glory and As It Is (to name just a few), the selection of bands immediately transports me back to a simpler time.
The choice of locations allows you to pick whichever is easiest for you to travel to, with Hatfield only being an hour outside of London, or half an hour by train. For those of you more inclined to the northern region of the UK, the Leeds event is being held at Temple Newsam Park, where Temple Green Park and Ride allows easy access from the north of the city. If you want to relive your teenage years, or just revel in the sights and sounds of a true homegrown music festival, then you can pick up tickets here (where they also offer an inclusive travel package option!).
Eleanor Jeffery
26th: NORWICH SUNDAY SESSIONS
Sunday sessions returns to Earlham Park, Norwich this May for a thrilling day of entertainment, with headliners including Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds, Razorlight and The Coral. With Noel Gallagher and his band being renowned for rocking huge, outdoor venues, this gig is a chance to witness hits from their three chart-topping albums (and maybe even a few nostalgic Oasis tunes). With all of the action taking place on one main stage, fans are able to experience every second of the live music, perhaps taking a few breaks to explore the multiple bar and food options on offer. If the promise of an afternoon of indie artistry isn’t enough for you, there are also workshops provided by Bigtopmania Circus, face painting, crafts and a funfair. Children go free to this event, so why not invite your whole family along for a bank holiday of fun in the Norwich countryside?
Tickets available here.
Frankie Rhodes
30th – 1st June: PRIMAVERA
Primavera Sound has established itself as one of the most popular European festivals, and is now the go-to for those with an eclectic taste looking for a few days of sun, Estrella, and an array of artists spanning all genres. This year is set to be no exception, as the Barcelona-based festival boasts an impressive line-up, with headliners such as R&B queen Erykah Badu, psychedelic pop/rock band Tame Impala, and producer-singer-songwriter Solange.
Primavera’s diverse line-up, unlike other festivals, features an abundance of exceptional female talent. Including big names such as Kali Uchis, FKA Twigs, and Robyn, it also extends to other equally impressive, if more obscure, artists like Marie Davidson, Nilüfer Yanya, SOPHIE, and Chai. Ranging from Mac DeMarco’s alternative-indie sound, to techno DJ Avalon Emerson, and rapper JPEGMAFIA, there’s certainly something for everyone on the Catalonian coast this summer.
Frankie Stott
JUNE
7th – 8th: FIELD DAY
The consistently outstanding Field Day once again boasts a weekend of fresh, dynamic talent. Jorja Smith takes a deserving headlining spot alongside Skepta, who spearheads a crop of the greatest modern rappers around today, from elusive wordsmith Earl Sweatshirt to volatile iconoclast JPEGMAFIA, cocaine lyracist Pusha T to grime fusionist Octavian. Diplo, Bonobo, Skee Mask, The Black Madonna and Leon Vynehall proudly rep Field Day’s infatuation for electronic pioneers, and experimental rock is showcased by the likes of Deerhunter and Julia Holter.
Besides the stellar line-up, the most exciting evolution of the Field Day formula is perhaps their latest venue: Meridian Water in Enfield. With ten acres of outdoor space and four gigantic warehouses at their disposal, the event is now open to both daytime and late night events, promising to provide a wholly unique experience within a price range that is more than reasonable.
Tickets available here.
Kieran Read
7th – 8th: JUNCTION 2
Junction 2 continues to go from strength-to-strength, having secured DJ Mag’s ‘Best of British’ Best Festival award in December for the second year running, despite only bursting onto the scene in 2016. The west-London festival has now expanded across two days, with a corresponding extension of its enviable line-up. Whilst Saturday remains largely dedicated to presenting some of the most renowned names in techno, Friday broadens upon the variation in offerings that was mostly contained to The Woods stage in 2018.
To name but a few acts from the initial day’s assortment of choice selectees, Daphni, Mr. G, and DJ Koze are amongst those returning to the festival, whilst the likes of Bicep, Ricardo Villalobos, and DJ Stingray are set to make their debut. Junction 2 therefore seems to be both sticking to a winning formula and pushing its boundaries in 2019, a prospect which appears very promising.
Tickets available here.
Nathan Davies
8th: MIGHTY HOOPLA
For pop music lovers everywhere, Mighty Hoopla is a dream come true. The festival, which has been described the The Guardian as ‘the most fabulous’, is set to take over Brockwell Park in South London on Saturday 8th June for another day of wacky fun and fantastic music. Disco diva Chaka Khan will headline the proceedings, with everyone from Swedish songstress Tove Lo to Kate Nash joining her. Girl group All Saints will also be a part of the fun, with the likes of 80s favourites Bananarama, Jamelia, and Samantha Mumba bringing the nostalgia factor and their biggest hits to the capital. In addition to the music, Trinity the Tuck, the recently-crowned winner of ‘RuPaul’s Drag Race: All Stars’, will whip drag fans into a hysteria with her high energy show. Mighty Hoopla, which was founded by the same group responsible for iconic LGBTQ+ club night ‘Sink The Pink’, have curated a festival lineup which will have everybody smiling, and an atmosphere that will be safe and inclusive for all.
Tickets available here.
Ben Johns
8th – 9th: PARKLIFE
Another year, another impressive Parklife line-up. Sacha Lord and his team always want to please, ensuring they get some of the biggest names in the industry. This year is no different, with artists like Cardi B, Eric Prydz and Kaytranada topping the bill on Saturday and Solange, George Ezra and the Streets headlining on Sunday. Parklife will be showcasing some of the music’s most established icons. With names like Little Simz, Slowthai, Lauv and Krystal Klear, festival goers will be able to listen to some of the most up and coming of talent too.
Fan favourites returning to Heaton Park include Denis Sulta, Peggy Gou, Artwork and Bicep. No matter the weather, you can guarantee Parklife will be the perfect start to your summer. Taking place on the 8th and 9th of July, the festival is perfect for kicking off post-exam celebrations and a summer of good music. Selling out in record time, there are now only Sunday general admission, or VIP Weekend tickets available. Whatever your interests, Parklife has something for you, there is a reason that it is one of the most anticipated events of the year.
Remaining tickets available here.
Issy Campbell
16th: SOUNDSCAPE
Debuting in early summer this year, this one-day festival is certainly bursting onto the festival scene with confidence. Taking place in Coventry’s 40,000-capacity arena, the event boasts 7 chart-topping artists in its line-up, none of whom are stranger to big stages and bigger crowds. Hosting the likes of electro/dance pop sensations Years & Years, as well as recently-announced grime pioneer Dizzee Rascal, Soundscape promises an unmissable day of great music and impressive performances. The festival also has the honour of featuring David Guetta in his only UK live appearance of the year, who will be joined by Anne-Marie, Mabel, Clean Bandit and Rak-Su to complete the impressive line-up. The event perhaps most closely mirrors Liverpool’s Fusion Festival which usually takes place at the end of the UK festival season. But with tickets starting at just £49, and an easy journey from Birmingham, Soundscape seems a promising post-exam opportunity to embrace this summer.
Tickets available here.
Romana Essop
20th – 23rd: NOCTURNE LIVE
Taking place over four consecutive nights in June, Nocturne Live will welcome celebrated acts to the grounds of Blenheim Palace. The beautiful stately home in Buckinghamshire will provide the backdrop to the series of events which will be headlined by disco powerhouse Gladys Knight (Thursday 20th June), the inimitable Lauryn Hill (Friday 21st June), multi-million-selling rock band Tears for Fears (Saturday 22nd June) and national treasure Kylie Minogue (Sunday 23rd June). Each night will be supported by a variety of artists, with the already announced Gabrielle, Sophie Ellis-Bextor and one to watch Mahalia all set to support the proceedings.
Tickets available here.
Ben Johns
29th – 6th July: ROSKILDE
More like a pilgrimage than a festival, the marathon 8-day Roskilde Festival, held just south of the titular Danish city, attracts over 130,000 music lovers annually and is Northern Europe’s largest music festival. Since its inception in 1971, it has played host to some of modern music’s most seminal and influential headline acts, with highlights including 1999’s R.E.M and 2010’s Prince.
However, it is the variety of artistry on display here that really demonstrates just how diverse an audience Roskilde caters for; with genres ranging from old-school Hip Hop to traditional American folk. This is something that continues to the present day, with 2019’s headliners – The Cure, Bob Dylan and Travis Scott – representing a festival that’s unlikely to disappoint.
Tickets available here.
Nina Avitabile
30th: COMMUNITY
Set in the iconic London location of Finsbury Park, Community Festival is returning for its third year on 30th June 2019. Previously headlined by Two Door Cinema Club (2018) and Catfish + The Bottlemen, the London day festival has quickly become a staple of the indie-music calendar. Though still in its youth, Community has successfully set itself apart through impressive line-ups, great value for money and an undeniably stunning atmosphere.
This year’s main stage line-up is being led by old favourites The Kooks, who will be enjoying their largest headline show to date. The chart-topping Blossoms and the likes of Kate Nash and Don Broco will warm the stage up for them. The N4 stage, graced last year by Tom Grennan and many others, will be headlined by The Amazons, supported by The Night Café and more.
Tickets are currently on sale for just £40, and are available here.
Kat Smith
JULY
5th – 7th: BRITISH SUMMER TIME
Each year, Barclaycard Presents British Summer Time is responsible for bringing some of the biggest names on the planet to London’s iconic Hyde Park, and 2019’s edition is set to be no different. One of the most exciting names on the line-up include the iconic Celine Dion, who will headline on Friday 5th July, with to-be-announced special guests. The most recently announced headliner, living Broadway legend Barbra Streisand, will take over Hyde Park on Sunday 7th July with special guests. Dion and Streisand will headline the festival in what is being called both of their sole European performances this year. More names will be announced over the forthcoming months, but with an eclectic mix of iconic artists, Barclaycard Presents British Summer Time is sure to provide some of the most memorable music moments this summer.
Tickets available here.
Ben Johns
11th – 13th: MAD COOL
Mad Cool festival in Madrid offers you 3 days to fully immerse yourself in all things rock, indie and electronic. With its first year being as recent as 2016, Mad Cool is most definitely in its infancy, but it has got things right from the get go. Last year it won NME’s ‘Festival Award for Best Line-up’, with a huge variety of newcomers and legendary acts such as Arctic Monkeys, Queens Of The Stone Age, Nine Inch Nails, Depeche Mode, Pearl Jam. This year promises another fantastic lineup with the likes of The Cure, The Chemical Brothers, Iggy Pop, Disclosure, Charlotte De Witte, Bon Iver, Bonobo dj set, Jon Hopkins, Jorja Smith and many MANY more.
Unlike some Spanish festival (namely Benicàssim), there is no camping area at Mad Cool. This is probably a relief for many and gives festival goers the opportunity to explore Madrid’s accommodation options, and more importantly, to shower… Tickets, only €175, are available here.
Nina Avitabile
12th – 13th: LOVEBOX
Lovebox festival returns to Gunnersbury Park in West London again this summer, bringing with it one of the most exciting and relevant line-ups of the year. Friday night of the festival is topped by Solange, hot off the surprise release of her latest album, When I Get Home. Saturday will be closed out by Chance the Rapper, who is tipped to be releasing a new album in July, hopefully in time for the festival. Other notable artists joining them include a UK exclusive performance by Brockhampton and Cypress Hill performing their classic album Black Sunday in full as another UK exclusive. The rest of the line-up promises equally exciting music alongside collaborations with brands such as Places + Faces and Highsnobiety. Definitely not one to be missed, Lovebox promises to showcase some of the best music and culture this year.
Tickets available here.
Seb Rolley
13th: BRITISH SUMMER TIME
Anyone who has attended a British Summer Time event will know that it is an outstanding day of music, with countless food stalls to graze on, all set in London’s beautiful Hyde Park. Last year saw the likes of Michael Bublé and Bruno Mars grace the stage, but this summer we will be treated to the mighty Florence + The Machine. The band are returning to their home town for this gig, following their 5-star-rated arena tour. Amongst tracks from their latest album, High as Hope, fans can expect to hear classic hits such as ‘You’ve Got The Love’ and ‘Shake It Out’.
Joining Florence will be The National, bringing with them indie rock numbers from their latest Number 1 album, Sleep Well Beast. Lykke Li, Khruangbin and Nadine Shah will also be providing R&B, soul and post-punk vibes, making for a stunning day in the sun (hopefully!) overall.
Tickets available here.
Frankie Rhodes
18th – 20th: SÓNAR BARCELONA
Sónar festival in Barcelona, Spain is an internationally-renowned three-day festival of electronic music and digital culture that has been growing in popularity and numbers since 1994. Hundreds of thousands of music enthusiasts from around the world fly to Barcelona to experience dance and electronic music like no other. This years lineup boasts huge names such as A$AP Rocky, Andy C, Artwork, Disclosure (DJ set), DJ Koze, Floating Points, Four Tet, Kaytranada, Skepta, Underworld and Vince Staples with the most recent reveals including: Bad Bunny, Lil Uzi Vert, Louie Vega & Honey Dijon, Dj Krush and more.
Be prepared for a crazy and intense experience with live shows around the clock with both Sónar by Day and Sónar by Night. With the growing popularity of the festival, these are now held in separate venues, the former on the outskirts of Barcelona (Fira de Barcelona) and the latter in a exhibition hall near the Plaça d’Espanya. Most guests stay hotels/ hostels/ Airbnb apartments across the capital, so aim to book far in advance.
Tickets available here.
Nina Avitabile
18th – 21st: LATITUDE
Latitude returns to Suffolk’s Henham Park this year with yet another stunning, diverse line-up. George Ezra, Snow Patrol and Lana Del Rey are among those serenading the music scene, whilst Jason Manford and Michelle Wolf headline the comedy tent. With other notable acts including Slaves, Primal Scream, Sigrid and Tom Grennan, this is a festival showcasing amazing talent, spanning several genres.
Following last year’s success with the faces of Mr Brightside themselves – The Killers – the festival is back with even more diversity and choice, including the option of Luxury Latitude camping, so you can see your favourite acts in style and comfort. The sheer number of acts must be credited too; over 100 artists are scheduled, with even more to be announced. With everything from pop, rock, theatre, dance and more, Latitude is a celebration of art and culture you should think twice about missing.
Frankie Rhodes
25th – 28th: Y NOT
Dubbed by NME as one of the UK’s most beautiful festivals, Y NOT is back. It’s a festival people will religiously come back to, time and time again, even after two consecutive years of weather cancellations. And it’s no surprise. It can be easy for a festival to get lost in today’s age of events vying to be the ‘next big thing’, ever more glamorous, more ostentatious, more extravagant. But Y NOT has held its own from the beginning, keeping things refreshingly simple, doing things festivals should do, right.
This year’s line up boasts huge variety, with six headline acts, including Elbow, Franz Ferdinand, and Foals. The lineup, (which is far from being fully announced) does not just limit itself to impressive headliners. The organisers have achieved what most festivals can only dream of; the perfect balance of musical legends, such as Echo and the Bunnymen, with some of the industry’s most exciting new acts, like Idles.
Tickets available here.
Francesca Hopkirk
26th – 29th: TRUCK
Going strong since 1998, Truck festival boldly wears its labels of being the ‘god-father of the small festival scene’ and ‘anti-major festival’ with pride. Now in its 22nd year, Truck is bringing back a line-up of indie nostalgia most of us will remember from our teenage years. This year’s headliners include the likes of Two Door Cinema club, Foals, and Wolf Alice, and whilst there is a decent spattering of other veteran indie bands (see Slaves, Futureheads & co), Truck does a good job of fitting newcomers onto the bill and catering for a range of tastes.
Easy life, Shame and Idles are prime examples of the more alternative guitar heavy music that’s emerged in recent years getting a spotlight on this year’s set list. Kicking off the weekend early and starting on a Thursday, Truck also presents the perfect chance to switch up from the regular muddy scrum of some British festivals and relax in the uncrowded, picturesque fields of Oxfordshire whilst listening to an indie-tastic line-up. What’s not to love? Late July, get yourself down to Truck, scream aloud to Kate Nash singing ‘Foundations’ and relive some of those guilty indie pleasures.
Tickets available here.
David Evans
AUGUST
7th – 11th: BOARDMASTERS
Cornwall is perhaps best known for its idyllic beaches and being the birthplace of the pasty, not so much its music festivals. However, the organisers of Boardmasters Surf and Music Festival have spent the last 14 years growing its reputation to make it one of the most highly-anticipated events in the UK music calendar. From legendary East Coast hip-hop collective Wu-Tang Clan, through alternative-rock heavy hitters Foals, to genre-defying megastars Florence and the Machine – the event boasts a veritable smorgasbord of musical, talent. Whatever style of music you’re a fan of, there’s no way that you’ll be leaving disappointed. Set basically on the water’s edge at Watergate Bay in Newquay, Boardmasters is a truly unique and unforgettable experience that all music fans should try and, with the calibre of acts lined up this year, it’s as good a time as any to tick this one off your bucket list.
Tickets available here.
Jake Sandy
8th – 11th: HOUGHTON
Within the grounds of the stately hall that is its namesake, Houghton enters its third year having retained a near-mythical status since 2017, despite the daunting hype and decidedly more treacherous conditions it contended with last August. A secluded, picturesque woodland setting permits its extended license, with some sets during the 72 hours of non-stop music surpassing the 7-hour mark. As such, artists can dig deep into their records to showcase a diversity in style and track selection that other festivals cannot facilitate.
Whilst the team behind the similarly-acclaimed Anglesey festival Gottwood oversee production, the festival is curated by Fabric resident Craig Richards. Drawing upon his comprehensive expertise, Houghton’s schedule boasts the widest range of electronic music, aiming to exhibit first-rate talent both established and unknown. Exactly who this includes in 2019 is as-yet undisclosed, but it is hoped that Richards can once again retain and expand upon an impressive previous line-up.
Tickets available here.
Nathan Davies
16th – 18th: LOWLANDS
Lowlands returns for its 27th year of ever-more-spectacular entertainment this August. From 16th to 18th, the festival will take over Biddinghuizen, NL, with an eclectic mix of psych-rock, hip-hop, pop and so much more. Tame Impala, ASAP Rocky, and Anderson .Paak & The Free Nationals will be fronting one of the most diverse line-ups around, and the smaller tents are hardly having to make do, with Billie Eilish, Jorja Smith and Idles, just to name a few, already confirmed.
In short, the whole line-up is as stellar as always, and will be accompanied by renowned after parties. Not once has there been a whisper of a noise curfew on the Lowlands terrain, every night they go till the not-so-small hours of the morning. The only unenviable thing about the whole weekend is trying to get yourself out of your sleeping bag before 4pm so you can check out the extensive range of daytime activities, including yoga, swimming, arts & crafts and, of course, shopping for festival fashion – continental style.
Emily Barker
17th: ELROW TOWN
Iconic club brand Elrow will roll back into London town this August, bringing the third edition of their fun-filled day festival to a brand new venue. Taking place in North London’s Trent Park on Saturday 17th, Elrow Town promises to be a party that’s not to be missed. Expect the unexpected, but mostly expect tons of confetti, immersive stages, and sets by some of the world’s best DJs. This year’s line up is yet to be announced, but with last year featuring the likes of Fatboy Slim, Richy Ahmed, and Shy FX, those in search for a hedonistic day event with top-tier sets are not to be disappointed.
Tickets available here.
Ben Johns
22nd – 25th: CREAMFIELDS
One of the biggest and most well-known dance music festivals, Creamfields returns this August Bank holiday. Taking place in the heart of Cheshire countryside, the festival boasts one of the best dance festival line-ups in the UK. With music spanning over four days, Alan Fitzpatick, Above and Beyond, Bicep, and Chase & Status are just a few of the names on this world-class line up. Swedish House Mafia headline on Sunday, reunited for their first UK show since 2012. Adam Beyer and Cirez D also join together for the first time in the Steel Yard, which is sure to be an unmissable performance, featuring epic visuals from Eric Prydz’ production team. It’s set to be a big one and if you like electronic music, Creamfields is not to be missed.
Tickets available here.
Alex Kirkup-Lee
23rd – 25th: ROCK EN SEINE
Rock en Seine, Paris is a 3-day festival of rock and rock fusions, including punk, metal, pop and new wave. The festival has been up and running since 2003 and now well over 100,000 music fans congregate in the beautiful Parisian sixteenth-century park that houses the festival: Parc National de Saint-Cloud. The weekend boasts huge international names as well as smaller, newer and local acts and these are distributed across the four stages of the festival. Previous acts include Nine Inch Nails, Green Day, Arctic Monkeys, Massive Attack and Oasis. This year offers an exciting mix of artists ranging from The Cure, Major Lazer, Jorja Smith, Aphex Twin, Jorja Smith, Jungle, Foals, Royal Blood and the one and only Johnny Marr.
It has been referred to as ‘Paris’s answer to Glastonbury’ so if you didn’t manage to bag a ticket for Glasto this year you should definitely check out Rock en Seine for only €159 (three-day), €115 (two-day), €69 (day), tickets available here.
Nina Avitabile
23rd – 25th: READING
By now one of the most legendary and dazzling festivals in the UK, Reading is back for 2019 and, as usual, it doesn’t fail to excite. This year there is an impressive range of headliners, with The 1975, Post Malone, Twenty One Pilots and Foo Fighters taking to the main stage. A huge variety of other artists will also be appearing in Reading throughout the weekend. Royal Blood, Bastille, Charli XCX, Dappy and CHVRCHES are only a few of the acts due to perform. This festival offers a thrilling and diverse mix of talent to suit everybody, with close to 150 acts performing across the 6 stages. With such breadth, it is little wonder that Reading remains a yearly highlight for festivals.
Tickets available here.
Charlotte Yates
30th – 1st September: FIELD MANEUVERS
Described as a ‘no frills rave’, Field Maneuvers is an intimate electronic music festival set over three days, with only 700 attendees. The festival has a top-class line up, with the likes of The Black Madonna and Ben UFO headlining, along with Luke Slater and DJ Stingray. The set-up of Field Maneuvers takes the festival back to its fundamentals, channeling the spirit of 90s free raves. Décor is kept to a minimum and there are only three tents, ensuring all energy is focused on creating good music. Entering its sixth year, Field Maneuvers still manages to maintain its feeling of community. The festival is held at a secret location near London that is revealed to ticket holders closer to the event. This is arguably one of the UK’s best small festivals, and if you can get hold of a ticket in time, it’ll be an experience unlike any other.
Tickets available here.
Alex Kirkup-Lee
31st: THE DOWNS
If three days of camping and portaloos isn’t for you, or all those FABs have hit your wallet hard, or if you just want to see some really cool artists and round off your summer with a day in Bristol, The Downs is the place for you. The line-up is exploding with massive names from all across the industry, including Lauryn Hill, Grace Jones, Idles, and Loyle Carner. The event also boast an impressive array of food stalls, and you can even buy a ‘picnic box’ for you and your friends ahead of time so you get indulging as soon as you arrive. With tickets at only £55 and Bristol a stone’s throw away, The Downs is one of the best value for money festivals you could choose this summer, and is promising to be an impressive event.
Tickets available here.
Emily Barker
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