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View QRO Magazine 2011 U.K. Festival Guide in a larger map
May
What: Camden Crawl
Where: London, England, U.K.
When: April 30 – May 1
Who: The Lemonheads, Killing Joke, British Sea Power, Razorlight, Simian Mobile Disco, Graham Coxon, Frankie & The Heartstrings, MNDR, OFWGKTA, The Phantom Band,Slow Club, Those Dancing Days, PVT, Banjo or Freakout!, Johnny Foreigner, Jonquil, Wild Palms, and many more
Why: If you can stay upright, or even if you can’t, make your way across Camden town.
Web: www.thecamdencrawl.com
What: The Great Escape
Where: Brighton, England, U.K.
When: May 12-14
Who: DJ Shadow, Friendly Fires, Sufjan Stevens, Okkervil River, The Sounds, Handsome Furs, Art Brut, The Antlers, Gang Gang Dance, The Joy Formidable, Starfucker, The Radio Dept., Cults, The Vaccines, Holy Ghost!, Oh Land, Suuns, Frankie & The Heartstrings, Olöf Arnalds, The Phantom Band, Twin Shadow, Anna Calvi, Warpaint, Miami Horror, Foster the People, White Denim, The Wave Pictures, Max Richter, Braids, Hey Rosetta!, Brasstronaut, Young the Giant, Grouplove, PS I Love You, Smoke Fairies, and many more
Why: Get away from it all with the new music showcase that is The Great Escape.
Web: www.escapegreat.com
What: ATP curated by Animal Collective
Where: Minehead, England, U.K.
When: May 13-15
Who: Animal Collective, Big Boi, Gang Gang Dance, Beach House, Lee Scratch Perry, Black Dice, Ariel Pink’s Haunted Graffiti, Atlas Sound, Meat Puppets, Micachu & The Shapes, and many more
Why: The first of two weekends (see below) at Butlin’s Holiday Centre is curated by the über-praised Animal Collective, and features a lot of acts in the same experimental vein. Read & see much more in our 2010 recap here
Web: www.atpfestival.com/events/atpanimalcollective.php
What: BBC Radio One’s Big Weekend
Where: Carlisle, England, U.K.
When: May 14-15
Who: Lady Gaga, Foo Fighters, Black Eyed Peas, My Chemical Romance, The Strokes, Friendly Fires, Ellie Goulding, Noah & The Whale, Panic! At the Disco, Two Door Cinema Club, The Vaccines, Cage the Elephant, The Joy Formidable, Calvin Harris, and many more
Why: The biggest free ticketed event in Europe, BBC Radio One’s Big Weekend this year heads to Carlisle in Cumbia.
Web: www.bbc.co.uk/radio1/bigweekend/2011
What: Liverpool Sound City
Where: Liverpool, England, U.K.
When: May 19-21
Who: Black Lips, Fucked Up, Spank Rock, Philip Selway, Clinic, Amanda Blank, Frank Turner, Funeral Party, The Rural Alberta Advantage, Handsome Furs, Cults, The Whip, Zeus, Yuck, Chain & The Gang, Colourmusic, Braids, Veronica Falls, Winter Gloves, Mazes, and many more
Why: Venues across Liverpool try to find the next Beatles.
Web: www.liverpoolsoundcity.co.uk
What: Stag & Dagger
Where: London, England & Glasgow, Scotland, U.K.
When: May 19 & 21
Who: Wire, Warpaint, Toro y Moi, Admiral Fallow, Mazes, Clinic, New Young Pony Club, Son and Daughters, Banjo or Freakout, The Rural Alberta Advantage, Colourmusic, Yuck, Kurt Vile, Zeus, and many more
Why: Stagger through venues in London & Glasgow for Stag & Dagger.
Web: www.staganddagger.com
What: Friends of Mine
Where: Cheshire, England, U.K.
When: May 20-22
Who: Bad Lieutenant, The Cribs, The Charlatans, Badly Drawn Boy, The Fall, Buzzcocks, Toro y Moi, The Phantom Band, Yuck, The Wedding Present, The Whip, Black Lips, Dutch Uncles, The Answering Machine, and more
Why: Friends of Mine head to Cheshire.
Web: www.fomfest.com
What: The Trip
Where: Anglesey, Wales, U.K.
When: May 27-29
Who: Colorama, Mungolian Jetset, Beverly Martin, and more
Why: Wales’ northwest isn’t worth The Trip.
Web: www.thetripfestival.co.uk
What: Beached
Where: Manchester, England, U.K.
When: May 28
Who: The Draymin, Little Comets, Airship, The Bears, and more
Why: An electro-dance event with DJs and acts you’ve never heard of.
Web: www.beachedfestival.com
What: Evolution
Where: Quayside, England, U.K.
When: May 28-29
Who: Iggy & The Stooges, Plan B, Two Door Cinema Club, Tinie Tempah, Caribou, Katy B, The Kills, Billy Bragg, Annie Mac, Spank Rock, Darwin Deez, Jamie Woon, Detroit Social Club, Hercules & Love Affair, Smoke Fairies, Clare Maguire, and more
Why: The Tyne welcomes Evolution.
Web: www.evolutionfestival.co.uk
What: Dot to Dot
Where: Bristol, Nottingham & Manchester, England, U.K.
When: May 28-30
Who: Hurts, We Are Scientists, Darwin Deez, The Naked and Famous, …And You Will Know Us By the Trail of Dead, The Joy Formidable, Cults, Braids, Dom, and more
Why: Bristol-to-Manchester-to-Nottingham – connect the Dot to Dot.
Web: www.dottodotfestival.co.uk
June
What: Wychwood
Where: Cheltenham, England, U.K.
When: June 3-5
Who: The Charlatans, The Waterboys, Ian Anderson, Robyn Hitchcock, The Travelling Band, The Wurzels, and more
Why: Which way to Wychwood?
Web: www.wychwoodfestival.com
What: We, the People
Where: Bristol, England, U.K.
When: June 4-5
Who: Chase and Status, The Streets, Annie Mac, Lee ‘Scratch’ Perry, and more
Why: We, the People of the United Kingdom, in order to form a more perfect festival…
Web: www.wethepeoplefestival.co.uk
What: Intro
Where: Middlesbrough, England, U.K.
When: June 5
Who: Feeder, Wolf Gang, Fun Lovin Criminals, Jon Fratelli, Clinic, Young Rebel Set, Darwin Deez, Trash Talk, and more
Why: A host of stages in Middlesbough Town Centre.
Web: www.introfestival.co.uk
What: Summer Break
Where: Newquay, England, U.K.
When: June 5-9 & 12-16
Who: Chase and Status, Annie Mac, Nero, and more
Why: During the weekdays of the first half of June, make your way to the beach at Newquay.
Web: www.summerbreak.co.uk
What: Download
Where: Donington, England, U.K.
When: June 10-12
Who: Def Leppard, System of a Down, Linkin Park, The Darkness, Avenged Sevenfold, The Gaslight Anthem, The Pretty Reckless, Duff McKagan’s Loaded, Bowling For Soup, Puddle of Mudd, Biohazard, Devil Wears Prada, and more
Why: Download the hard rock.
Web: www.downloadfestival.co.uk
What: Isle of Wight
Where: Isle of Wight, England, U.K.
When: June 10-12
Who: Kings of Leon, Foo Fighters, Kasabian, Beady Eye, Kaiser Chiefs, Pulp, Iggy & The Stooges, Joan Jett & The Blackhearts, Tom Jones, Manic Street Preachers, Public Image LTD, Band of Horses, We Are Scientists, Big Country, Nick Lowe, Imelda May, Two Door Cinema Club, Hurts, The Vaccines, Stornoway, Jeff Beck, Lissie, Semi Precious Weapons, The Like, and more
Why: In 2002, the massive Isle of Wight Festival was revived for the first time since 1970 (when it out-drew Woodstock), and is one of the biggest today.
Web: www.isleofwightfestival.com
What: RockNess
Where: Loch Ness, Scotland, U.K.
When: June 10-12
Who: The Chemical Brothers, Kasabian, Paolo Nutini, Two Door Cinema Club, DJ Shadow, The Cribs, Frightened Rabbit, Magnetic Man, Annie Mac, Glasvegas, The Wombats, We Are Scientists, Lissie, Simian Mobile Disco, Jamie Woon, Jim Jones Revue, The Twilight Sad, The Boxer Rebellion, and more
Why: The banks of Loch Ness hosts a dance party, ’cause Bessie likes to boogie!
Web: www.rockness.co.uk
What: Meltdown
Where: London, England, U.K.
When: June 10-19
Who: Ray Davies, Yo La Tengo, Terry Jones & Michael Palin, Nick Lowe, The Sonics, Madness, Wire, Ron Sexsmith, Anna Calvi and more
Why: The Southbank Centre arts complex, which includes Royal Festival Hall, holds another year of concerts throughout the complex, chosen by this year’s curator, The Kinks’ Ray Davies.
Web: meltdown.southbankcentre.co.uk
What: Parklife Weekender
Where: Manchester, England, U.K.
When: June 11-12
Who: Two Door Cinema Club, Chase & Status, DJ Shadow, Kary B, Mark Ronson, Boys Noize, Mystery Jets, Annie Mac, Fake Blood, Metronomy, Everything Everything, Hercules & Love Affair, Grandmaster Flash, Darwin Deez, Spank Rock & Amanda Blank, Mount Kimble, Matthew Dear, and more
Why: Take the weekend and go to the park for this electronic festival.
Web: parklife.uk.com
What: Beach Break
Where: Pembrey, Wales, U.K.
When: June 16-20
Who: White Lies, Magnetic Man, Tinie Tempah, Katy B, We Are Scientists, Jamie Woon, Frankie & The Heartstrings, and more
Why: U.K. student festival is mostly electronic.
Web: www.beachbreaklive.com
What: London Feis
Where: London, England, U.K.
When: June 18-19
Who: Bob Dylan, Van Morrison, Thin Lizzy, The Cranberries, The Gaslight Anthem, Jimmy Cliff, Imelda May, Hothouse Flowers, Shane MacGowan, Teddy Thompson, Nanci Griffith, The Undertones, Fionn Regan, and more
Why: Older – and better – acts come to Finsbury Park.
Web: londonfeis.com
What: Barbican Blaze
Where: East London, England, U.K.
When: June 19-July 31
Who: Gregg Allman, Ryan Adams, Sharon Jones & The Dap-Kings, Basement Jaxx, Madeleine Peyroux, Medeski Martin & Wood, Esperanza Spalding, Tift Merritt, The Hidden Cameras, Mayer Hawthorne, Charles Bradley, Woodpigeon, Fool’s Gold, and more
Why: East London gets artsy in June & July.
Web: www.barbican.org.uk/blaze
What: Open House
Where: Belfast, Northern Ireland, U.K.
When: June 22-26
Who: Fleet Foxes, Laura Marlin, The Avett Brothers, Villagers, The Low Anthem, Caitlin Rose, and more
Why: Peace in Northern Ireland has brought Coors Light-sponsored Opeh House Festival to Belfast’s Cathedral Quarter.
Web: www.openhousefestival.com
What: Glastonbury
Where: Pilton, England, U.K.
When: June 24-26
Who: U2, Coldplay, Beyonce, Elbow, Morrissey, Pendulum, Paul Simon, BB King, Biffy Clyro, The Chemical Brothers, Queens of the Stone Age, Paolo Nutini, Laura Marling, Wu-Tang Clan, Mumford & Sons, Fleet Foxes, Kaiser Chiefs, Friendly Fires, Bright Eyes, White Lies, Cee Lo Green, Big Boi, Kool & The Gang, Two Door Cinema Club, The Gaslight Anthem, Tame Impala, TV On the Radio, Eels, The Vaccines, Jimmy Eat World, Janelle Monae, Glasvegas, The Streets, Noah & The Whale, The Low Anthem, Stornoway, Twilight Singers, Noisettes, Cold War Kids, Dengue Fever, The Horrors, Anna Calvi, Robyn, Warpaint, Crystal Castles, Caribou, James Blake, Jamie Woon, The Joy Formidable, Darwin Deez, Lykke Li, Tame Impala, Foster the People, The Walkmen, Graham Coxon, Jenny & Johnny, Sea of Bees, and many, many more
Why: Putting all other festivals to shame (on any continent), Glastonbury’s what the likes of Coachella & Bonnaroo wish they could be. U.K. still does festivals the best.
Web: www.glastonburyfestivals.co.uk
What: Hard Rock Calling
Where: London, England, U.K.
When: June 24-26
Who: The Killers, Bon Jovi, Rod Stewart, Kaiser Chiefs, Ray Davies, Stevie Nicks, The Kills, Imelda May, James, Adam Ant, Ryan Bingham, Vetiver, Train, Wolf Gang, Barenaked Ladies, and more
Why: Mixing (über-)veterans with more modern acts, it’s forgivable that the Hyde Park festival’s name comes from that restaurant...
Web: www.hardrockcalling.co.uk
July
What: Barbican Blaze
Where: East London, England, U.K.
When: June 19-July 31
Who: Gregg Allman, Ryan Adams, Sharon Jones & The Dap-Kings, Basement Jaxx, Madeleine Peyroux, Medeski Martin & Wood, Esperanza Spalding, Tift Merritt, The Hidden Cameras, Mayer Hawthorne, Charles Bradley, Woodpigeon, Fool’s Gold, and more
Why: East London gets artsy in June & July.
Web: www.barbican.org.uk/blaze
What: Hop Farm
Where: Paddock Wood, England, U.K.
When: July 1-2
Who: Eagles, Morrissey, Bryan Ferry, Iggy & The Stooges, Lou Reed, Brandon Flowers, Patti Smith, Death Cab for Cutie, The Human League, Ocean Colour Scene, Noisettes, City & Colour, The Walkmen, Gang of Four, Graham Coxon, Stornoway, Duke Spirit, Erland & The Carnival, Carl Barat, Clock Opera, The Head & The Heart, and many more
Why: Some of the best of yesterday with some of the best of today.
Web: www.hopfarmfestival.com
What: Godiva
Where: Coventry, England, U.K.
When: July 1-3
Who: Athlete, Jon Fratelli, and more
Why: Three-day free, ticketless, family-friendly festival with little that you want to see.
Web: www.godivafestival.co.uk
What: Wireless
Where: London, England, U.K.
When: July 1-3
Who: The Black Eyed Peas, The Chemical Brothers, Pulp, David Guetta, Chase & Status, Plan B, Grace Jones, TV On the Radio, The Streets, Tinie Tempah, Aphex Twin, Bruno Mars, Foals, Chromeo, The Horrors, Far East Movement, Janelle Monae, Metronomy, Battles, The Pretty Reckless, Digitalism, The Naked & Famous, Jay Electronica, Roky Erickson, The Whip, Neon Trees, Michael Franti & Spearhead, DeVotchKa, Funeral Party, The Like, Clock Opera, and more
Why: Hyde Park welcomes a mostly mainstream, mostly dance, and many Americans for Wireless.
Web: www.wirelessfestival.co.uk
What: iTunes
Where: London, England, U.K.
When: July 1-31
Who: Paul Simon, Coldplay, Foo Fighters, Duran Duran, Moby, My Chemical Romance, Jessie J, White Lies, Bruno Mars, Manic Street Preachers, Mogwai, Kasabian, Arctic Monkeys, Linkin Park, Beady Eye, Friendly Fires, Adele, The Wombats, Raphael Saadiq, Glasvegas, Noah & The Whale, Seasick Steve, Magnetic Man, Jimmy Eat World, Neon Trees, The Naked & Famous, Smoke Fairies, Jamie Woon, Errors, and more
Why: All of July, that digital music website so small that it only just got The Beatles hosts everyone from Paul Simon to Linkin Park & more at Camden’s Roundhouse.
Web: www.itunesfestival.co.uk
What: Jodrell Bank
Where: Lower Withington, England, U.K.
When: July 1-to be announced
Who: Flaming Lips, British Sea Power, OK Go, Alice Gold, and more to be announced
Why: A series of shows in the shadow of the massive Lovell Telescope, kicked off by that most extraplanetary of bands, Flaming Lips.
Web: www.jodrellbanklive.co.uk
What: Oxegen
Where: Kildare, Ireland
When: July 7-10
Who: The Black Eyed Peas, Foo Fighters, Coldplay, The Script, Paolo Nutini, Arctic Monkeys, The Strokes, My Chemical Romance, Brandon Flowers, The National, deadmau5, Pendulum, Beady Eye, Slash, Weezer, Two Door Cinema Club, Calvin Harris, Eels, The Vaccines, Manic Street Preachers, Noah & The Whale, Glasvegas, Jimmy Eat World, Friendly Fires, Bright Eyes, Crystal Castles, OFWGKTA, The Pretty Reckless, Ocean Colour Scene, The Naked & Famous, Pete Doherty, Jenny & Johnny, Hurts, Metronomy, and more
Why: Breath in the fresh Irish air at Oxegen with a massive line-up.
Web: www.oxegen.ie
What: Somerset House
Where: London, England, U.K.
When: July 7-17
Who: My Morning Jacket, Beady Eye, Blondie, Ellie Goulding, Eels, Stornoway, Imelda May, Hurts, and more
Why: London’s Somerset House hosts some classy-but-great acts in July.
Web: www.somersethouse.org.uk/music/default.asp
What: Lounge On the Farm
Where: Canterbury, England, U.K.
When: July 8-10
Who: The Streets, Echo & The Bunnymen, Ellie Goulding, The Vaccines, The Joy Formidable, Graham Coxon, Everything Everything, Art Brut, Jamie Woon, Summer Camp, Slow Club, Fujiya and Miyagi, Frankmusic, Smoke Fairies, Egyptian Hip Hop, Hannah Peel, and more
Why: Lounge On the Farm with Anglo acts telling Canterbury Tales.
Web: www.loungeonthefarm.co.uk
What: Sonisphere
Where: Knebworth, England, U.K.
When: July 8-10
Who: Metallica, Biffy Clyro, Slipknot, Weezer, Slayer, Limp Bizkit, Motörhead, Megadeath, Anthrax, Bad Religion, Mastadon, Volbeat, Sum 41, House of ain, Cancer Bats, and more
Why: Europe is united under the banner of hard rock thanks to the multiple Sonisphere Festivals across the continent, including the U.K.
Web: uk.sonispherefestivals.com
What: T In the Park
Where: Kinross, Scotland, U.K.
When: July 8-10
Who: Foo Fighters, Coldplay, Arctic Monkeys, The Strokes, Pulp, Beyonce, My Chemical Romance, deadmau5, Pendulum, Brandon Flowers, Beady Eye, Slash, Weezer, Manic Street Preachers, Jimmy Eat World, White Lies, Bruno Mars, Blondie, Friendly Fires, Calvin Harris, KT Tunstall, Big Country, Hurts, Crystal Castles, Ocean Colour Scene, Eels, The Vaccines, Bright Eyes, OFWGKTA, Noah & The Whale, Twin Atlantic, City and Colour, The Airborne Toxic Event, Jenny & Johnny, Diplo, Stornoway, The Naked & Famous, Metronomy, Tame Impala, The Phantom Band, Grouplove, The Head & The Heart, and more
Why: T In the Park has captured big-names from seemingly every genre for more than you could possibly want.
Web: www.tinthepark.com
What: Wakestock
Where: Abersoch, Wales, U.K.
When: July 8-10
Who: Biffy Clyro, The Wombats, Ellie Goulding, The Cribs, Far East Movement, The Noisettes, The Joy Formidable, Pulled Apart By Horses, Neon Trees, Innerpartysystem, and more
Why: Have some water sports with your musical festivities.
Web: www.wakestock.co.uk
What: The Glade
Where: Winchester, England, U.K.
When: July 10-12
Who: Trentemoller, Adam Beyer, Global Communication, Dirty Vegas, and more
Why: What originally started as a stage at Glastonbury (see above) has grown into a full-fledged dancetronic festival.
Web: www.gladefestival.com
What: Latitude
Where: Southwold, England, U.K.
When: July 15-17
Who: The National, Suede, Paolo Nutini, My Morning Jacket, Hurts, Bright Eyes, The Cribs, Glasvegas, KT Tunstall, Iron & Wine, They Might Be Giants, Bombay Bicycle Club, Eels, Foals, Echo & The Bunnymen, Lykke Li, The Vaccines, Lyle Lovett, OMD, Avi Buffalo, Anna Calvi, Crocodiles, Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros, Jenny & Johnny, Foster the People, Gold Panda, Kele, The Nake & Famous, British Sea Power, Deerhunter, Esben & The Witch, Isobell Campbell & Mark Lanegan, Violens, Wanda Jackson, and more
Why: Suffolk’s Sunrise Coast welcomes another great line-up to Latitude. See much more in our photo gallery here
Web: www.latitudefestival.co.uk/home
What: GuilFest
Where: Guildford, England, U.K.
When: July 15-17
Who: Roger Daltrey, James Blunt, Razorlight, Echo & The Bunnymen, Erasure, Adam Ant, Public Image LTD, Ziggy Marley, Hugh Cornwell, Galows, U.K. Subs, and more
Why: This independent festival skews older in its acts.
Web: www.guilfest.co.uk
What: Lovebox
Where: London, England, U.K.
When: July 15-17
Who: Snoop Dogg, Scissor Sisters, The Wombats, Blondie, Jessie J, Metronomy, The Drums, Robyn, Santigold, Lykke Li, Architechture In Helsinki, Groove Armada, Ziggy Marley, The Joy Formidable, Flying Lotus, Uffie, and more
Why: Victoria Park holds a three-day upbeat Love(box)-in.
Web: www.lovebox.net
What: The Secret Garden Party
Where: Cambridge, England, U.K.
When: July 21-24
Who: Bloncie, Matt & Kim, Peter Bjorn and John, The Boxer Rebellion, YACHT, Mystery Jets, The Jim Jones Revue, Phenomenal Handclap Band, Smoke Fairies, Sparrow & The Workshop, and more
Why: An estate, including Georgian farm house, hosts the unusual Secret Garden Party, which also has one the best festival websites out there.
Web: www.secretgardenparty.com/2011
What: Wickerman
Where: Kirkscarswell, Scotland, U.K.
When: July 22-23
Who: James, Feeder, Echo & The Bunnymen, The Damned, From the Jam, The Noisettes, and more
Why: While other festivals feast on imports, Wickerman is 100% Made in the U.K.
Web: www.thewickermanfestival.co.uk
What: Deer Shed
Where: North Yorkshite, England, U.K.
When: July 22-24
Who: I Am Kloot, Caitlin Rose, Tigers That Talked, The Go! Team, Admiral Fallow, Frankie & The Heartstrings, Erland & The Carnival, The Neat, and more
Why: A minor, kid-friendly festival at Baldersby Park.
Web: www.deershedfestival.com
What: Tramlines
Where: Sheffield, England, U.K.
When: July 22-24
Who: Ash, Los Campesinos!, Frankie & The Heartstrings, The Futureheads, Islet, Mazes, The Duke Spirit, Dam Mantle, Errors, Frankmusik, Hymns, Johnny Foreigner, Twin Atlantic, and more
Why: Take the tram to venues across Sheffield for this free festival. See much more in our photo gallery here
Web: www.tramlines.org.uk
What: Truck
Where: Steventon, England, U.K.
When: July 22-24
Who: Gruff Rhys, Graham Coxon, Philip Selway, The Go! Team, Dean Wareham, Justin Townes Earle, Sea of Bees, Jonny, Liam Finn, Electric Soft Parade, Nathaniel Rateliff, The Duke & The King, Islet, Chad Valley, and more
Why: Truck goes with solo acts (including a Blur and a Radiohead). Read & see much more in our 2010 recap here
Web: www.thisistruck.com
What: ATP: I’ll Be Your Mirror
Where: Minehead, England, U.K.
When: July 23-24
Who: Portishead, PJ Harvey, Grinderman, Godspeed You! Black Emperor, Caribou, Beach House, Swans, Liars, and many more
Why: The second of two weekends (see above) at Butlin’s Holiday Centre, now moved to July, is Portishead’s ‘I’ll Be Your Mirror’. See much more in our photo gallery here
Web: www.atpfestival.com/events/ibymportishead.php
What: Ben & Jerry’s Double Scoop Sundae
Where: London & Manchester, England, U.K.
When: July 23-24
Who: Maxïmo Park, Ocean Colour Scene, Gary Numan, Ash, The Duke & The King, Fun Lovin’ Criminals, and more
Why: Ben & Jerry’s Ice Cream gives you the double-double with a Saturday and a Sunday(e) on Clapham Common in Lambeth and Heaton Park in Manchester – line-ups switch day-to-day.
Web: www.benjerry.co.uk/sundae/
What: Splendour
Where: Nottingham, England, U.K.
When: July 24
Who: Scissor Sisters, Blondie, Feeder, and more
Why: Nottingham’s Wollaton Park holds a Splendid little festival.
Web: www.splendourfestival.com/
What: Cambridge Folk
Where: Cambridge, England, U.K.
When: July 28-31
Who: Laura Marling, Richard Thompson, Mary Chapin Carpenter, Frank Turner, Justin Townes Earle, Caitlin Rose, James Vincent McMorrow, and more
Why: The U.K. has folk festivals, too.
Web: www.cambridgefolkfestival.co.uk
What: Camp Bestival
Where: Dorset, England, U.K.
When: July 28-31
Who: Primal Scream, Blondie, Mark Ronson, Laura Marling, House of Pain, Frankie & The Heartstrings, Caitlin Rose, Groove Armada, James Vincent McMorrow, and more
Why: The "baby sister" of Bestival (see below), Camp Bestival hosts some older acts and some newer electronica at Lulworth Castle.
Web: www.campbestival.net
What: Indietracks
Where: Ripley, England, U.K.
When: July 29-31
Who: Edwyn Collins, The Hidden Cameras, Jeffrey Lewis, Suburban Kids With Biblical Names, and more
Why: Of course the English would combine a music festival with their love of trains…
Web: www.indietracks.co.uk
What: Prestonpans
Where: East Lothian, Scotland, U.K.
When: July 30
Who: Jon Fratelli, N-Trance, and more
Why: East Lothian welcomes Prestonpans.
Web: www.facebook.com/EastLothianMusicFestival
August
What: Big Chill
Where: Leicester, England, U.K.
When: August 4-7
Who: Kanye West, Chemical Brothers, Rodrigo y Gabriela, Empire of the Sun, Robert Plant & The Band of Joy, Jessie J, James Blake, Sharon Jones & The Dap-Kings, Calvin Harris, Metronomy, Warpaint, Four Tet, Wild Beasts, Hercules & Love Affair, Janelle Monae, Ariel Pink’s Haunted Graffiti, Jamie Woon, Here We Go Magic, Electrelane, The Knocks, Crystal Fighters, and more
Why: Big Chill goes with the biggest & Westiest.
Web: www.bigchill.net/festival.html
What: Rebellion
Where: Blackpool, England, U.K.
When: August 4-7
Who: The Damned, The Subhumans, Jello Biafra & The Guantanomo School of Medicine, Pennywise, Bouncing Souls, The Dickies, Citizen Fish, UK Subs, Glen Matlock & The Philistines, and many more
Why: The punks come to Blackpool – but it’s the older bands who still do it best.
Web: www.rebellionfestivals.com
What: Underage
Where: London, England, U.K.
When: August 5
Who: Alex Winston, Bombay Bicycle Club, Crystal Fighters, Frankie & The Heartstrings, Janelle Monae, Dutch Uncles, The Knocks, Pulled Apart By Horses, Is Tropical, and more
Why: Lincoln Park has a unique festival: open to 14-18 year-olds only.
Web: www.underagefestivals.com
What: Belladrum Tartan Heart
Where: Inverness, Scotland, U.K.
When: August 5-6
Who: Echo & The Bunnymen, Texas, Anna Calvi, Teddy Thompson, Frank Turner, and more
Why: That’s pretty far north…
Web: www.tartanheartfestival.co.uk
What: Y Not
Where: Derbyshire, England, U.K.
When: August 5-7
Who: Maxïmo Park, The Go! Team, Feeder, New Young Pony Club, Art Brut, Jamie Woon, Admiral Fallow, The Duke Spirit, Wolf Gang, Egyptian Hip Hop, Dutch Uncles, and more
Why: Why not Y Not? Why not indeed…
Web: www.ynotfestivals.co.uk
What: Field Day
Where: London, England, U.K.
When: August 6
Who: Ariel Pink’s Haunted Graffiti, Gruff Rhys, The Horrors, The Sea and Cake, Twin Shadow, James Blake, Junip, Anna Calvi, Matthew Dear, Electrelane, Born Ruffians, Clock Opera, Jamie Woon, Mount Kimble, and more
Why: Victoria Park’s Field Day makes Hackney a whole lot more liveable.
Web: fielddayfestivals.com
What: The Apple Cart
Where: London, England, U.K.
When: August 7
Who: Patrick Wolf, Badly Drawn Boy, Chilly Gonzales, Magic Numbers, Steve Mason, and more
Why: The only music festival with a proper magic stage.
Web: theapplecartfestival.com
What: Summer Sundae
Where: Ledbury, England, U.K.
When: August 12-14
Who: Graham Coxon, Toots & The Maytals, The Antlers, The Phantom Band, Blood Red Shoes, Shonen Knife, Born Ruffians, The Jim Jones Revue, Teddy Thompson, Admiral Fallow, and more
Why: Having expanded to multiple days, a Sundae would go down nice.
Web: www.summersundae.com
What: Green Man
Where: Brecon Beacons, Wales, U.K.
When: August 19-21
Who: Fleet Foxes, Explosions In the Sky, Iron & Wine, The Avett Brothers, Destroyer, The Low Anthem, Noah & The Whale, Laura Marling, Holy Fuck, Gruff Rhys, Destroyer, James Blake, Suuns, The Antlers, Wild Nothing, Robyn Hitchcock, Lia Ices, She Keeps Bees, Admiral Fallow, Hannah Peel, Other Lives, The Travelling Band, and more
Why: Head to Glasnusk Park in Wales because Green Man is totally saving your life right now, bro.
Web: www.greenman.net
What: V Festival
Where: Chelmsford & Staffordshire, England, U.K.
When: August 21-22
Who: Eminem, Arctic Monkeys, Rihanna, Plan B, The Script, Dizzie Rascal, Pendulum, Kaiser Chiefs, Calvin Harris, Manic Street Preachers, Primal Scream, Ellie Goulding, The Wombats, Bruno Mars, Mark Ronson, Big Audio Dynamite, Glasvegas, Big Country, Squeeze, Hurts, KT Tunstall, Wiz Khalifa, Good Charlotte, Hanson, Kele, Ocean Colour Scene, Clare Maguire, Noisettes, Stornoway, Gomez, Morcheeba, The Airborne Toxic Event, Chromeo, Fitz & The Tantrums, Frankmusik, Imelda May, and more
Why: The Virgin Group gives double your festival, in both Hylands Park & Weston Park, simultaneously, as artists play one park on Saturday, and the other on Sunday.
Web: www.vfestival.com
What: Leeds
Where: Leeds, England, U.K.
When: August 26-28
Who: Muse, My Chemical Romance, Pulp, The Strokes, 30 Seconds to Mars, Elbow, Beady Eye, Jane’s Addiction, The National, Interpol, The Offspring, The Streets, White Lies, Crystal Castles, Simian Mobile Disco, Rise Against, Death From Above 1979, Noah & The Whale, Mount Kimble, Pete Doherty, The Horrors, Two Door Cinema Club, Panic! At the Disco, The Vaccines, Henry Rollins, Frank Turner, New Found Glory, Warpaint, Metronomy, The Kills, Architects, The Joy Formidable, The Naked & Famous, OFWGTKA, and more
Why: Indie meets mainstream at co-festivals Leeds & Reading (see below) with a stacked line-up.
Web: www.leedsfestival.com
What: Reading
Where: Reading, England, U.K.
When: August 26-28
Who: Muse, My Chemical Romance, Pulp, The Strokes, 30 Seconds to Mars, Pulp, Elbow, Beady Eye, Jane’s Addiction, The National, Interpol, The Offspring, Interpol, White Lies, Crystal Castles, The Streets, Simian Mobile Disco, Deftones, Jimmy Eat World, Friendly Fires, Death From Above 1979, Noah & The Whale, Mount Kimble, Pete Doherty, The Horrors, Rise Against, Panic! At the Disco, The Vaccines, Henry Rollins,Two Door Cinema Club, Warpaint, Metronomy, Frank Turner, New Found Glory, The Kills, Architects, The Joy Formidable, The Naked & Famous, OFWGTKA, and more
Why: Indie meets mainstream at co-festivals Leeds & Reading (see below) with a stacked line-up. Read & see much more in our recap here
Web: www.readingfestival.com
September
What: Bingley
Where: Bingley, England, U.K.
When: September 2-4
Who: Chase & Status, Fun Loving Criminals, Maxïmo Park, Feeder, Stereo MC’s, Athlete, Jon Fratelli, Mystery Jets, and more
Why: The City of Bradford Council holds an affordable fest. Read much more in our preview here
Web: www.bingleymusiclive.com
What: Electric Picnic
Where: Stradbally, Ireland
When: September 2-4
Who: Arcade Fire, Pulp, Chemical Brothers, Interpol, PJ Harvey, Beirut, Blonde Redhead, The Drums, Santigold, Joan As Policewoman, The Undertones, Public Enemy, Jimmy Cliff, DJ Shadow, Flying Lotus, Mogwai, Sinead O’Connor, White Lies, OMD, Toots & The Maytals, Lykke Li, Midlake, The Go! Team, Big Audio Dynamite, Warpaint, James Blake, The Rapture, Zola Jesus, Best Coast, Yuck, Twin Shadow, HEALTH, The Walkmen, Clap Your Hands Say Yeah, Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros, and more
Why: Ireland lights up in September thanks to Electric Picnic.
Web: www.electricpicnic.ie
What: End of the Road
Where: Salisbury, England, U.K.
When: September 2-4
Who: Beirut, Joanna Newsom, Mogwai, Midlake, Laura Marling, The Walkmen, Wild Beasts, The Fall, Lykke Li, M. Ward, Gruff Rhys, Okkervil River, Phosphorescent, Clap Your Hands Say Yeah, Best Coast, White Denim, Joan As Policewoman, tUnE-yArDs, Kurt Vile, Zola Jesus, Austra, The Black Angels, Kathryn Calder, Dan Mangan, The Deadly Syndrome, Drum Eyes, Emanuel & The Fear, The Fresh & Onlys, HEALTH, Lia Ices, The Love Language, Daniel Martin Moore, Megafaun, Cass McCombs, Other Lives, She Keeps Bees, Timber Timbre, Twin Shadow, Wild Nothing, Woods, and more
Why: The start of September sees the End of the Road.
Web: www.endoftheroadfestival.com
What: In the Woods
Where: Kent, England, U.K.
When: September 3
Who: Micachu & The Shapes, Laurel Collective, Post War Years, Anais Mitchell, Pete & The Pirates, and more
Why: Laurel Collective hosts a small festival at secret woodland location in Kent.
Web: www.inthewoodsfestival.co.uk
What: Jersey Live
Where: Jersey, England, U.K.
When: September 3-4
Who: Madness, Plan B, The Streets, The Ting Tings, Cage the Elephant, Feeder, The Rapture, Santigold, Jamie Woon, Amadou & Mariam, The Beat, Annie Mac, Jamie Woon, Summer Camp, and more
Why: U.K. music festivals come to the Channel’s Jersey Islands.
Web: www.jerseylive.org.uk
What: Bestival
Where: Isle of Wight, England, U.K.
When: September 8-11
Who: The Cure, Pendulum, Primal Scream, PJ Harvey, The Maccabees, Brian Wilson, Robyn, Fatboy Slim, Public Enemy, Crystal Castles, Big Audio Dynamite, DJ Shadow, Mogwai, Magnetic Man, Chromeo, The Droms, Noah & The Whale, Diplo, Groove Armada, Grandmaster Flash, Annie Mac, Santigold, Graham Coxon, Metronomy, Cut Copy, Yuck, Patrick Wolf, and more
Why: The biggest truly indie festival is still the Bestival.
Web: www.bestival.net
What: Harvest
Where: Kingham, England, U.K.
When: September 9-12
Who: The Kooks, The Feeling, Athlete, KT Tunstall, The Futureheads, and more
Why: Blur bassist Alex James throws a Harvest festival on his own farm.
Web: alexjamespresentsharvest.com
October & November
What: SWN
Where: Cardiff, Wales, U.K.
When: October 20-23
Who: The Fall, The Joy Formidable, Esben & The Witch, Jim Jones Revue, Veronica Falls, Elephant Stone, Clock Opera, Copy Haho, Echo Lake, Dam Mantle, and more to be announced
Why: Wales welcomes the world.
Web: www.swnfest.com
What: Supersonic
Where: Birmingham, England, U.K.
When: October 21-23
Who: Mike Watt, Bardo Pond, Zomby, Drum Eyes, Electric Wizard, Cloaks, White Hills, and more to be announced
Why: Birmingham gets Super heavy.
Web: www.supersonicfestival.com
What: Constellations
Where: Leeds, England, U.K.
When: November 12
Who: Stephen Malkmus & The Jicks, Wild Beasts, Yuck, The Antlers, BRAIDS, Givers, Dutch Uncles, Gardens & Villa, Summer Camp, and more to be announced
Why: Leeds University welcomes a Constellation of artists.
Web: constellationsfestival.com
