LET’S PARTY
Still mourning the fact there is no Glastonbury this year? Fear not, there is a host of other music festivals worth exploring. beyond checks out the best of the fest.
Close to home…
UNDERNEATH THE STARS
It might not be quite Worthy Farm, but Cinderhill Farm feels a world away from Barnsley, which is just down the road. Now in its fifth year, the festival was founded by folk singer Kate Rusby and has the relaxed atmosphere you’d expect from the woman known as the Barnsley Nightingale. As well as Rusby, this year there will be performances from the likes of Steve Earle and the Dukes, Laura Cortese and the Dance Band and the brilliantly named California Feetwarmers. Very family friendly, there’s also a whole programme of children’s activities.
July 20th to 22nd. underthestarfest.co.uk
DEER SHED FESTIVAL
Deer Shed at Baldersby Park in Topcliffe, North Yorkshire, has been described as “perfect: a wondrous box of delights for young, middle and old alike”. It’s a lot to live up to, but this year’s line-up, featuring Goldfrapp, Drenge, Field Music, Public Service Broadcasting, Gaz Coombes, Joan As Police Woman, This Is The Kit and Nadine Shah, looks pretty impressive. There’s also a theme, which for 2018 is Making Waves, so expect a few watery attractions too.
July 20th to 22nd. deershedfestival.com
TRAMLINES
It’s famed as one big party and given this year marks its 10th anniversary it’s likely to be even bigger than usual. The longest running music festival in the city of Sheffield will see Stereophonics, Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds and Craig David’s TS5 take to the stage as headliners. For the first time this year there will also be a comedy stage, a pop-up cinema, an expanded family area and a new Leadmills Stage showcasing upcoming talent.
July 20th to 22nd. tramlines.org.uk
Hit the road…
TRNSMT
Billed as hogmanay in the summer, this Glasgow fest started last year as a replacement for T in the Park and is already proving a big draw. This summer will see it expand to two weekends with the chance to see some upcoming bands on the smaller stages while the headline sets have already been bagged by Arctic Monkeys, Liam Gallagher, Stereophonics, Queen and Adam Lambert and The Killers.
June 29th to July 1st & July 6th & 8th. trnsmtfest.com
LATITUDE
It has been described as having more in common with a European festival than your standard British music fest. This year Latitude in Southwold will see The Killers, alt-J and Solange top the bill with the likes of Belle and Sebastian, The Vaccines, Wolf Alice and Rag n’ Bone Man bringing up the rear. With a full cabaret and arts programme, the comedy tent will welcome Harry Hill, Bridget Christie, Alan Davies and Dylan Moran.
July 12th to 15th. latitudefestival.com
WILDERNESS
There aren’t many festivals where you can watch Nile Rodgers and Chic and then book yourself in for a fly fishing workshop, but Wildersness in the Cotswolds is one of them. Founder Jo Vilder said she wanted an event where people could experience all the arts in a rural setting and where wild swimming is positively encouraged. Aside from the back to nature bit, Bastille, Jon Hopkins and Groove Armada will also be performing.
August 2nd to 5th. wildernessfestival.com
Further afield…
EXIT FESTIVAL
Founded in 2000 as a student movement, fighting for democracy and freedom in Serbia and the Balkans, this is a festival with a conscience. Set in the spectacular Petrovaradin Fortress in the city of Novi Sad, Exit has been regularly named Europe’s best festival and this is reflected in the artists they attract. This year, the main man will be David Guetta, with Martin Garrix, Migos, Fever Ray, LP, Ziggy Marley, Adam Beyer, Ida Engberg, Alice Merton providing decent support. Grace Jones will also be performing, and always worth a watch.
July 12th to 15th. exitfest.org
FIB
Short for Festival Internacional de Benicàssim, FIB takes place in the centre of Benicassim, a town on the east coast of Spain between Valencia and Barcelona and the best part is that there is never any mud as no one has seen a rain cloud there in July for years. The three main stages focus on mainly pop, rock and electronica artists. Liam Gallagher, The Killers, Travis Scott, Two Door Cinema Club, Jessie Ware, Bastille and Catfish & The Bottlemen are already packing their sun cream for this year and make sure you leave some time to explore the beach.
July 19th to 22nd. benicassimfestival.co.uk
FESTIVAL DU BOUT DU MODE
It translates as the Land’s End Festival and with the main stages right at the end of the Crozon peninsula in Brittany, it lives up to its name. Quite possibly the festival circuit’s most cosmopolitan event, it is situated at the very heart of the Parc Naturel Régional d’Armorique. Enjoying stunning views of the Breton coastline for backdrop and in the shade of pretty little houses scattered amongst the grasslands of Landrevarzec, this music festival is a must for lovers of world music with Labrassbanda and Grand Corps Malade joining the likes of Caro Emerald and Rag ‘n’ Bone Man.