England my England – QRO’s U.K. Festival Guide returns! Our North American Festival Guide is bigger than every for the nineth year in a row. And now we go back to where the mother tongue began, to take on the little country that oh-so-could, Great Britain! See last year’s U.K. Festival Guide
Updated continuously throughout the year with new acts, dates, festivals & coverage
April & May | June | July | August | September& November |
April & May
What: Hit the Deck
Where: Bristol & Nottingham, England, U.K.
When: April 25-26
Who: Skindred, While She Sleeps, Cancer Bats, A Great Big Pile of Leaves, The Early November, and more
Why: Hit the Deck with some emo in Bristol & Nottingham.
Web: www.hitthedeckfestival.com
What: Vantastival
Where: Dundalk, Ireland
When: May 1-3
Who: Delorentos, Goldie Lookin Chain, Jinx Lennon, The Crayon Set, and more
Why: Have a Vantastival. See much more in our 2014 photo gallery here
Web: www.vantastival.com
What: Live at Leeds
Where: Leeds, England, U.K.
When: May 1-4
Who: Carl Barat & The Jackals, The Cribs, Thurston Moore, Palma Violets, We Were Promised Jetpacks, Dry the River, Stornoway, Dutch Uncles, Eagulls, Emmy the Great, Gaz Coombes, Hookworms, Swim Deep, The Strypes, Scars On 45, BRONCHO, and many more
Why: Venues across Leeds are live. See much more in our 2014 photo gallery here
Web: www.liveatleeds.com
What: The Great Escape
Where: Brighton, England, U.K.
When: May 14-16
Who: Albama Shakes, Kate Tempest, Skepta, The Strypes, George the Poet, Admiral Fallow, Andy Shauf, Baxter Dury, Blanck Mass, Broods, Choir of Young Believers, Cold Fronts, Creepoid, Delta Rae, Django Django, Duke Garwood, Dutch Uncles, Gaz Coombes, George Maple, Happyness, Jack + Eliza, Joyce Manor, K. Flay, Kevin Devine, Lee Bains III & The Glory Fires, Mew, PINS, Seinabo Sey, Sóley, Sun Club, Swim Deep, Tei Shi, The Cribs, Thurston Moore Band, TOPS, and more
Why: Get away from it all with the new music showcase that is The Great Escape.
Web: www.escapegreat.com
What: Dot to Dot
Where: Manchester, Bristol & Nottingham, England, U.K.
When: May 22-24
Who: Saint Raymond, Rae Morris, Swim Deep, PINS, Best Coast, Fat White Family, The Wytches, Honeyblood, Hinds, Walking On Cars, and more
Why: Manchester-to-Bristol-to-Nottingham – connect the Dot to Dot. Read & see more in our recap from Nottingham here
Web: www.dottodotfestival.co.uk
What: Liverpool Sound City
Where: Liverpool, England, U.K.
When: May 22-24
Who: The Flaming Lips, Belle & Sebastian, The Vaccines, Thurston Moore Band, Gaz Coombes, Everything Everything, The Cribs, Fat White Family, Swans, Stealing Sheep, Peace, Dum Dum Girls, Unknown Mortal Orchestra, Dutch Uncles, Cymbals Eat Guitars, Iceage, and more
Why: The home of The Beatles is Sound City.
Web: www.liverpoolsoundcity.co.uk
What: Threadfest
Where: Bradford, England, U.K.
When: May 22-24
Who: Richard Dawson, Sir Richard Bishop, Circle, Vision Fortune, and more
Why: Follow the Thread for a fourth year.
Web: www.bradfordthreadfest.com
What: BBC Radio One’s Big Weekend
Where: Norwich, England, U.K.
When: May 23-24
Who: Muse, Foo Fighters, Taylor Swift, Florence & The Machine, David Guetta, George Ezra, Fall Out Boy, Imagine Dragons, Ben Howard, Rita Ora, Charli XCX, Catfish & The Bottlemen, The Vaccines, Clean Bandit, Rudimental, alt-J, Hozier, James Bay, SOAK, Snoop Dogg, and more
Why: The biggest free ticketed event in Europe, BBC Radio One’s Big Weekend this year heads to Norwich.
Web: www.bbc.co.uk/radio1/bigweekend
What: Slam Dunk
Where: Leeds, Hatfield & Wolverhampton, England, U.K.
When: May 23-25
Who: You Me At Six, Taking Back Sunday, Architects, Don Broco, While She Sleeps, Reel Big Fish, The Wonder Years, The Bronx, We Are the Ocean, Gallows, Bayside, H20, Mariachi El Bronx, and more
Why: Slam Dunk gets in the hoop in Leeds, Hatfield, and Wolverhampton.
Web: www.slamdunkmusic.com
What: Wychwood
Where: Cheltenham, England, U.K.
When: May 29-31
Who: UB-40, Ladysmith Black Mambazo, The Proclaimers, The Wonder Stuff, Craig Charles, Ghostpoet, Lucy Rose, and more
Why: Which way to Wychwood? See much more in our 2012 photo gallery here
Web: www.wychwoodfestival.com
What: Camden Rocks
Where: London, England, U.K.
When: May 30
Who: Skindred, While She Sleeps, New Model Army, Funeral For a Friend, …And You Will Know Us By the Trail of Dead, The Twang, Dinosaur Pile-UP, Glen Matlock, Richie Ramone, and more
Why: Camden area of London rocks hard.
Web: camdenrocksfestival.com
June
What: Lunar
Where: Warwickshire, England, U.K.
When: June 5-7
Who: Tinariwen, Wilko Johnson, Public Service Broadcasting, Sun Ra Arkestra, The Fall, Sylvan Esso, Robyn Hitchcock, My Brightest Diamond, and more
Why: Head outside of Birmingham to be Lunar.
Web: lunarfestival.co.uk
What: Field Day
Where: London, England, U.K.
When: June 6-7
Who: Ride, Caribou, Patti Smith, Allah-Las, Baxter Dury, Cashmere Cat, Cheatahs, DIIV, Chet Faker, Ducktails, Eagulls, Ex Hex, Django Django, Gaz Coombes, Hookworms, FKA Twigs, Jacco Gardner, Mac DeMarco, My Brightest Diamond, Savages, Viet Cong, Hudson Mohawke, Kindness, John Talabot, Owen Pallett, Philip Selway, Run the Jewels, Ratking, Sylvan Esso, Tei Shi, tUnE-yArDs, Viet Cong, and more
Why: Victoria Park’s Field Day makes Hackney a whole lot more liveable.
Web: fielddayfestivals.com
What: Parklife Weekender
Where: Manchester, England, U.K.
When: June 6-7
Who: Disclosure, Rudimental, Ben Howard, George Ezra, Nas, Mark Ronson, Fatboy Slim, Grace Jones, Wu-Tang Clan, Caribou, Metronomy, Jessie Ware, James Blake, The Roots, James Bay, FKA Twings, Jungle, Jamie xx, Nicolas Jaar, Everything Everything, Hudson Mohawke, Chet Faker, Baauer, Mac DeMarco, Action Bronson, Earl Sweatshirt, Buraka Som Sistema, BADBADNOTGOOD, Tei Shi, Richie Hawtin, Annie Mac, and more
Why: Take the weekend and go to the park for this electronic festival. Parklife!
Web: parklife.uk.com
What: Isle of Wight
Where: Isle of Wight, England, U.K.
When: June 11-14
Who: Blur, Fleetwood Mac, The Black Keys, The Prodigy, Pharrell Williams, Paolo Nutini, You Me At Six, James, First Aid Kit, Counting Crows, Kool & The Gang, Imedla May, James Bay, Kodaline, Jessie Ware, Suzanne Vega, Groove Armada, Paul Oakenfold, Ash, Billy Idol, The Charlatans, Stiff Little Fingers, 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: Download
Where: Donington, England, U.K.
When: June 12-14
Who: Slipknot, Muse, KISS, Judas Priest, Faith No More, Mötley Crüe, Five Finger Death Punch, A Day To Remember, Slash, Clutch, Rise Against, Billy Idol, Marilyn Manson, Black Stone Cherry, Enter Shikari, Motionless In White, Godsmack, Andrew W.K., Yellowcard, Body Count, Suicidal Tendencies, and more
Why: Download the hard rock.
Web: www.downloadfestival.co.uk
What: Long Division
Where: Wakefield, England, U.K.
When: June 12-14
Who: British Sea Power, Ash, Pulled Apart By Horses, Fat White Family, Future of the Left, Sweet Baboo, and more
Why: The best math out there. Read more in our recap here
Web: www.longdivisionfestival.co.uk
What: Bushstock
Where: London, England, U.K.
When: June 13
Who: Villagers, Michael Kiwanuka, The Beach, Nadine Shah, Lucy Rose, Honeyblood, and more
Why: Events around Sheperd’s Bush in London.
Web: www.bushstock.co.uk
What: British Summer Time
Where: London, England, U.K.
When: June 18-27
Who: The Who, Taylor Swift, Blur, Kylie, The Strokes, Beck, Ellie Goulding, Grace Jones, Paul Weller, Metronomy, Future Islands, Chic feat. Nile Rodgers, Kaiser Chiefs, The Horrors, Johnny Marr, Temples, Gaz Coombes, Public Service Broadcasting, Drenge, Vintage Trouble, The Wytches, St. Paul & The Broken Bones, Hinds, Sleaford Mods, and more
Why: Enjoy British Summer Time in Hyde Park.
Web: www.bst-hydepark.com
What: Body & Soul
Where: Clonmellon, Ireland
When: June 19-21
Who: Flight Facilities, Savages, Ásgeir, Austa, Goat, Nightmares On Wax, Rhye, Lamb, Matthew E. White, Dan Deacon, SOHN, Brandt Brauer Frick, Songhoy Blues, Natalie Prass, Shit Robot, Jonathan Toubin, and more
Why: Bring your Body and Soul to Ballinlough Castle.
Web: bodyandsoul.ie
What: Glastonbury
Where: Pilton, England, U.K.
When: June 24-28
Who: Kanye West, Foo Fighters, The Who, Florence & The Machine, Pharrell Williams, alt-J, Lionel Ritchie, Motörhead, Mary J. Blige, Alabama Shakes, Paloma Faith, Patti Smith, The Chemical Brothers, Rudimental, deadmau5, Ben Howard, Hot Chip, George Clinton, Flying Lotus, FKA Twigs, Caribou, Run the Jewels, Mark Ronson, Super Furry Animals, Belle & Sebastian, The Vaccines, Ryan Adams, Future Islands, George Ezra, The Waterboys, Suede, FFS, The Maccabees, Enter Shikari, Clean Bandit, Jessie Ware, Courtney Barnett, Spiritualized, Jamie xx, Mavis Staples, Hozier, Father John Misty, The Fall, Todd Terje, JUNGLE, Sleaford Mods, Catfish & The Bottlemen, Azealia Banks, Charli XCX, Sharon Van Etten, Wolf Alice, Perfume Genius, Fat White Family, La Roux, Death Cab For Cutie, Lianne La Havas, Death From Above 1979, PEACE, and many, many more
Why: Coming in full-force this year, with five days, 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. Read & see much more in our recap here
Web: www.glastonburyfestivals.co.uk
What: Wireless
Where: London & Birmingham, England, U.K.
When: June 28 & July 4-5
Who: Drake, Avicii, David Guetta, A$AP Rocky, Kendrick Lamar, Nicki Minaj, Major Lazer, Mary J Blige, Jessie J, Nero, Knife Party, Clean Bandit, Duke Dumont, Chidish Gambino, Stromae, Joey Bada$$, ilovemakonnen, Charli XCX, Travi$ Scott, Grandmaster Flash, Jaden & Willow Smith, and more
Why: Finsbury Park in London and Perry Park in Birmingham welcomes a mostly mainstream, mostly dance, and many Americans for now two weekends of Wireless.
Web: www.wirelessfestival.co.uk
July
What: Blissfields
Where: Winchester, England, U.K.
When: July 3-4
Who: The Horrors, John Grant, Simian Mobile Disco, Public Service Broadcasting, Glass Animals, Ghostpoet, Grandmaster Flash, Songhoy Blues, Dub Pistols, and more
Why: Head to Vicarage Farm in Winchester from some Bliss(fields).
Web: blissfields.co.uk
What: Godiva
Where: Coventry, England, U.K.
When: July 3-5
Who: The Wombats, Fun Lovin’ Criminals, Embrace, The Beat, Don Broco, Pulled Apart By Horses, Slaves, and more
Why: Three-day free, ticketless, family-friendly festival with only some stuff that you want to see.
Web: www.godivafestival.co.uk
What: Wireless
Where: London & Birmingham, England, U.K.
When: June 28 & July 4-5
Who: Drake, Avicii, David Guetta, A$AP Rocky, Kendrick Lamar, Nicki Minaj, Major Lazer, Mary J Blige, Jessie J, Nero, Knife Party, Clean Bandit, Duke Dumont, Chidish Gambino, Stromae, Joey Bada$$, ilovemakonnen, Charli XCX, Travi$ Scott, Grandmaster Flash, Jaden & Willow Smith, and more
Why: Finsbury Park in London and Perry Park in Birmingham welcomes a mostly mainstream, mostly dance, and many Americans for now two weekends of Wireless.
Web: www.wirelessfestival.co.uk
What: Calling
Where: London, England, U.K.
When: July 4
Who: Noel Gallagher’s High-Flying Birds, Ryan Adams & The Shining, Modest Mouse, The Hives, Echo & The Bunnymen, Wolf Alice, Bleachers, and more
Why: Calling heads to Clapham Common.
Web: www.callingfestival.co.uk
What: 2000 Trees
Where: Gloucestershire, England, U.K.
When: July 9-11
Who: Deaf Havana, Alkaline Trio, The Subways, We Are the Ocean, Idlewild, Young Guns, And So I Watch You From Afar, Pulled Apart By Horses, Future of the Left, The Xcerts, The Twilight Sad, Benjamin Booker, We Were Promised Jetpacks, and more
Why: A line-up studded with buzzing U.K. bands & more.
Web: www.twothousandtreesfestival.co.uk
What: T In the Park
Where: Kinross, Scotland, U.K.
When: July 10-12
Who: Noel Gallagher’s High-Flying Birds, Kasabian, David Guetta, AVICII, The Prodigy, Sam Smith, Stereophonics, The Script, The Libertines, Rudimental, Twin Atlantic, Jamie T, Fatboy Slim, alt-J, Paloma Faith, Hozier, George Ezra, Mark Ronson, The War On Drugs, Annie Mac, Hot Chip, Jessie J, Above & Beyond, The Wombats, Alabama Shakes, The Vaccines, Kodaline, Afrojack, The Proclaimers, Duke Dumont, St. Vincent, Catfish & The Bottlemen, Jessie Ware, Enter Shikari, The Cribs, James Bay, Modest Mouse, Marina & The Diamonds, The Twilight Sad, Charli XCX, Palma Violets, and more
Why: T In the Park goes for big names British & not.
Web: www.tinthepark.com
What: Electric Daisy Carnival London
Where: London, England, U.K.
When: July 11
Who: Carnage, Friction, Cosmic Gate, Art Department, Dmitri Vegas & Like Mike, Claude Vonstroke, Hardwell, Steve Aoki, Tiësto, Paul Van Dyk, and more
Why: America’s massive Electric Daisy Carnival comes across the pond. See much more in our photo gallery of 2013 EDC NY here
Web: electricdaisycarnival.co.uk
What: Latitude
Where: Southwold, England, U.K.
When: July 16-19
Who: alt-J, Portishead, Noel Gallagher’s High-Flying Birds, Caribou, James Blake, Manic Street Preachers, Wild Beats, Laura Marling, Lianne La Havas, José González, Naomi Shelton, Benjamin Booker, Jon Hopkins, The Vaccines, SBTRKT, Django Django, Catfish & The Bottlemen, La Roux, Public Service Broadcasting, Savages, Toro y Moi, Sun Kil Moon, Unknown Mortal Orchestra, Thurston Moore Band, The Districts, Drenge, Duke Garwood, and more
Why: Suffolk’s Sunrise Coast welcomes another great line-up to Latitude. See much more in our 2011 photo gallery here
Web: www.latitudefestival.co.uk
What: Lovebox
Where: London, England, U.K.
When: July 17-18
Who: Snoop Dogg, Rudimental, Cypress Hill, Jessie Ware, Hot Chip, Annie Mac, Bonobo, Mark Ronson, Little Dragon, Danny Brown, Action Bronson, Groove Armada, and more
Why: Victoria Park holds a two-day Love(box)-in.
Web: loveboxfestival.com
What: Truck
Where: Steventon, England, U.K.
When: July 17-18
Who: The Charlatans, Basement Jaxx, Clean Bandit, Temples, Augustines, Public Service Broadcasting, Peter Hook & The Light, Darwin Deez, Fat White Family, Pulled Apart By Horses, Ghostpoet, Lucy Rose, Eagulls, The Wytches, Bo Ningen, Honeyblood, and more
Why: Truck delivers the Anglo for its sixteenth year. Read & see much more in our 2013 recap here
Web: truckfestival.com
What: Beat-Herder
Where: Lancashire, England, U.K.
When: July 17-19
Who: Basement Jaxx, Erol Alkan, Levellers, Martha Reeves & The Vandellas, Nightmars On Wax, Sugar Hill Gang, and more
Why: Beats are herded in Lancashire country. Read & see much more in our recap here
Web: www.beatherder.co.uk
What: Splendour
Where: Nottingham, England, U.K.
When: July 18
Who: The Specials, James, Jess Glynne, Roots Manuva, Bananarama, The Twang, and more
Why: Nottingham’s Wollaton Park holds a Splendid little festival. Read and see more in our recap here
Web: www.splendourfestival.com
What: Secret Garden Party
Where: Cambridge, England, U.K.
When: July 23-26
Who: JUNGLE, The Cat Empire, Public Service Broadcasting, Angus & Julia Stone, Temples, Bears Den, Roots Manuva, and more
Why: An estate, including Georgian farm house, hosts the unusual Secret Garden Party.
Web: www.secretgardenparty.com
What: Wickerman
Where: Kirkcarswell, Scotland, U.K.
When: July 24-25
Who: The Waterboys, Squeeze, Tom Odell, Example, Jimmy Cliff, Lulu, Example, Stereo MC’s, Sugar Hill Gang, Neneh Cherry, Julian Cope, Pere Ubu, This Is the Kit, Errors, PAWS, and more
Why: While other festivals feast on imports, Wickerman is near 100% Made in the U.K.
Web: www.thewickermanfestival.co.uk
What: Deer Shed
Where: North Yorkshire, England, U.K.
When: July 24-26
Who: John Grant, Billy Bragg, The Unthanks, The Wedding Present, Villagers, The Felice Brothers, Dan Croll, Dutch Uncles, Honeyblood, Hinds, Emmy the Great, Dutch Uncles, and more
Why: A kid-friendly festival at Baldersby Park – whose theme this year is ‘Up In the Air’.
Web: www.deershedfestival.com
What: Indietracks
Where: Ripley, England, U.K.
When: July 24-26
Who: The Pains of Being Pure At Heart, The Go! Team, The Wave Pictures, Cinerama, and more to be announced
Why: Of course the English would combine a music festival with their love of trains – twice on the same weekend…
Web: www.indietracks.co.uk
What: Tramlines
Where: Sheffield, England, U.K.
When: July 24-26
Who: Wu-Tang Clan, Basement Jaxx, The Charlatans, Buzzcocks, Martha Reeves, Billy Bragg, The Sugar Hill Gang, Ghostpoet, Dutch Uncles, Rolo Tomassi, And So I Watch You From Afar, and more
Why: Of course the English would combine a music festival with their love of trains – twice on the same weekend… See more in our 2012 photo gallery here
Web: www.tramlines.org.uk
What: Cambridge Folk
Where: Cambridge, England, U.K.
When: July 30 – August 2
Who: Van Morrison, Sinead O’Connor, Rosanne Cash, Ladysmith Black Mambazo, Richard Thompson, Loudon Wainwright III, Ladysmith Black Mambazo, Peggy Seeger, Jason Isbell, North Mississippi Allstars, Sarah Jarosz, Skinny Lister, and more
Why: The U.K. has folk festivals, too – and a good one in Cambridge Folk. Read much more in our recap here
Web: www.cambridgefolkfestival.co.uk
What: Camp Bestival
Where: Dorset, England, U.K.
When: July 30 – August 2
Who: Basement Jaxx, De La Soul, James, Johnny Marr, Sinead O’Connor, Laura Mvula, Steve Mason, Pop Will Eat Itself, The Skatalites, Dan Le Sac vs Scroobius Pip, Kitty, Daisy & Lewis, Peter Hook & The Light, The Wedding Present, Public Service Broadcasting, 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: Kendal Calling
Where: Cumbria, England, U.K.
When: July 30 – August 2
Who: Elbow, Snoop Dogg, Kaiser Chiefs, The Vaccines, James, Kodaline, Levellers, The Horrors, Nick Mulvey, Billy Bragg, Soul II Soul, Augustines, Public Service Broadcasting, Less Than Jake, British Sea Power, Lucy Rose, Bipolar Sunshine, Gaz Coombes, Mark Lanegan, Groove Armada, Grandmaster Flash, Walking On Cars, and more
Why: The lake district is calling… See much more in our 2013 photo gallery here
Web: www.kendalcalling.com
What: Farm
Where: Somerset, England, U.K.
When: July 31 – August 1
Who: Lamb, Submotion Orchestra, Nightmares On Wax, and more
Why: How ya gonna keep ’em down on the Farm?
Web: farmfestival.co.uk
What: Y Not
Where: Derbyshire, England, U.K.
When: July 31 – August 2
Who: Snoop Dogg, Basement Jaxx, Primal Scream, Ocean Colour Scene, Johnny Marr, Less Than Jake, Nick Mulvey, We Are Scientists, Augustines, Reverend & The Makers, Pulled Apart By Horses, Bo Ningen, Honeyblood, Walking On Cars, and more
Why: Why not Y Not? Why not indeed… See more in our photo gallery here
Web: www.ynotfestivals.co.uk
August
What: Cambridge Folk
Where: Cambridge, England, U.K.
When: July 30 – August 2
Who: Van Morrison, Sinead O’Connor, Rosanne Cash, Ladysmith Black Mambazo, Richard Thompson, Loudon Wainwright III, Ladysmith Black Mambazo, Peggy Seeger, Jason Isbell, North Mississippi Allstars, Sarah Jarosz, Skinny Lister, 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 30 – August 2
Who: Basement Jaxx, De La Soul, James, Johnny Marr, Sinead O’Connor, Laura Mvula, Steve Mason, Pop Will Eat Itself, The Skatalites, Dan Le Sac vs Scroobius Pip, Kitty, Daisy & Lewis, Peter Hook & The Light, The Wedding Present, Public Service Broadcasting, 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: Kendal Calling
Where: Cumbria, England, U.K.
When: July 30 – August 2
Who: Elbow, Snoop Dogg, Kaiser Chiefs, The Vaccines, James, Kodaline, Levellers, The Horrors, Nick Mulvey, Billy Bragg, Soul II Soul, Augustines, Public Service Broadcasting, Less Than Jake, British Sea Power, Lucy Rose, Bipolar Sunshine, Gaz Coombes, Mark Lanegan, Groove Armada, Grandmaster Flash, Walking On Cars, and more
Why: The lake district is calling… See much more in our 2013 photo gallery here
Web: www.kendalcalling.com
What: Farm
Where: Somerset, England, U.K.
When: July 31 – August 1
Who: Lamb, Submotion Orchestra, Nightmares On Wax, and more
Why: How ya gonna keep ’em down on the Farm?
Web: farmfestival.co.uk
What: Indiependence
Where: Cork, Ireland
When: July 31 – August 2
Who: Kodaline, Basement Jaxx, The Dandy Warhols, Ash, Mark Lanegan Band, Admiral Fallow, and more
Why: Declare your Indie-pendence.
Web: indiependencefestival.com
What: Y Not
Where: Derbyshire, England, U.K.
When: July 31 – August 2
Who: Snoop Dogg, Basement Jaxx, Primal Scream, Ocean Colour Scene, Johnny Marr, Less Than Jake, Nick Mulvey, We Are Scientists, Augustines, Reverend & The Makers, Pulled Apart By Horses, Bo Ningen, Honeyblood, Walking On Cars, and more
Why: Why not Y Not? Why not indeed…
Web: www.ynotfestivals.co.uk
What: Rebellion
Where: Blackpool, England, U.K.
When: August 6-9
Who: Anti-Flag, Sick Of It All, The Misfits, Neville Staple Band, The Damned, Sham 69, Gang of Four, U.K. Subs, Subhumans, Boomtown Rats, Buzzcocks, Hugh Cornwell, M.D.C., Less Than Jake, The Partisans, and more
Why: The punks (including ska-punks) come to Blackpool – but it’s the older bands who still do it best.
Web: www.rebellionfestivals.com
What: Belladrum Tartan Heart
Where: Inverness, Scotland, U.K.
When: August 6-8
Who: Kaiser Chiefs, Manic Street Preachers, The Proclaimers, The Stranglers, Stornoway, Martha Reeves, New Model Army, King Creosote, Honeyblood, and more
Why: That’s pretty far north…
Web: www.tartanheartfestival.co.uk
What: Lake Fest
Where: Gloucestershire, England, U.K.
When: August 7-9
Who: Embrace, Ash, Billy Bragg, The Magic Numbers, New Model Army, The Selecter, and more
Why: Have a Fest by the Lake.
Web: lakefest.co.uk
What: Visions
Where: London, England, U.K.
When: August 8
Who: Camera Obscura, Holy Fuck, Fat White Family, TOY, The Antlers, Jens Lekman, Hinds, Son Lux, Ceremony, Merchandise, and more
Why: See Visions.
Web: visionsfestival.com
What: Green Man
Where: Brecon Beacons, Wales, U.K.
When: August 14-17
Who: Super Furry Animals, St. Vincent, Hot Chip, Slowdive, Goat, Father John Misty, Calexico, Charles Bradley & His Extraordinaires, Television, Mew, Courtney Barnett, The Fall, Public Service Broadcasting, Temples, The Staves, Sun Ra Arkestra, Matthew E. White, Jamie xx, Sylvan Esso, Dan Deacon, Son Lux, White Fence, Hookworms, Waxahatchee, Viet Cong, The Wave Pictures, Owen Pallett, Emmy the Great, Strand of Oaks, and more
Why: Head to Glanusk Park in Wales because Green Man is totally saving your life right now, bro.
Web: www.greenman.net
What: Shakedown
Where: Brighton, England, U.K.
When: August 15
Who: MK, Camo & Krooked, Sub Focus, and more
Why: U.K.’s party capitol welcomes a fourth year of Shakedown, this time in the hot summer.
Web: www.shakedown.co.uk
What: Belsonic
Where: Belfast, Northern Ireand, U.K.
When: August 15-26
Who: Rudimental, Paloma Faith, Stereophonics, Above & Beyond, B∆stille, All Time Low, Echosmith, Twenty One Pilots, Duke Dumont, Mini Mansions, and more to be announced
Why: Custom House Square in Belfast welcomes Belsonic in the back half of August.
Web: www.belsonic.com
What: Beacons Metro
Where: Leeds & Manchester, England, U.K.
When: August 16 – November 14
Who: Pissed Jeans, Mac DeMarco, East India Youth, TRAAMS, Hookworms, Son Lux, Factory Floor, Ex Hex, Titus Andronicus, Everything Everything, and more
Why: Beacons Festival leaves the farm and heads to the cities of the north throughout the fall. See much more in our photo gallery of 2014 Beacons Festival here
Web: www.beaconsmetro.com
What: Meltdown
Where: London, England, U.K.
When: August 17-28
Who: David Byrne, Sunn 0))), Psapp, Atomic Bomb!: The Music of William Onyeabor, Hypnotic Brass Ensemble, Anna Calvi, David Lonstreth and more to be announced
Why: The Southbank Centre arts complex, which includes Royal Festival Hall, holds another season of concerts throughout the complex, chosen by this year’s curator, the one-and-only David Byrne.
Web: meltdown.southbankcentre.co.uk
What: ArcTanGent
Where: Bristol, England, U.K.
When: August 20-22
Who: Cult of Luna, Dillinger Escape Plan, Deafheaven, 65daysofstatic, Deerhoof, Joan of Arc, Blanck Mass, Rolo Tomassi, and more
Why: The cutting edge of loud comes to Bristol. Read & see much more in our recap here
Web: www.arctangent.co.uk
What: Beautiful Days
Where: Devon, England, U.K.
When: August 21-23
Who: Dropkick Murphys, Happy Mondays, Levellers, Gogol Bordello, Idlewild, House of Pain, Katzenjammer, The Beat, and more
Why: What a Beautiful Day(s)…
Web: www.beautifuldays.org
What: V Festival
Where: Chelmsford & Staffordshire, England, U.K.
When: August 22-23
Who: Kasabian, Calvin Harris, Sam Smith, Stereophonics, The Script, Olly Murs, Ellie Goulding, Hozier, Courteeners, George Ezra, Annie Mac, Clean Bandit, The Kooks, Nero, CHVRCHES, Kodaline, The Charlatans, James Bay, Duke Dumont, Tome Jones, Paloma Faith, Jessie Ware, Marina & The Diamonds, The Proclaimers, Imelda May, Echo & The Bunnymen, Reverend & The Makers, 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. See more in our Staffordshire 2012 photo gallery here
Web: www.vfestival.com
What: Shambala
Where: Northamptonshire, England, U.K.
When: August 27-30
Who: Balkan Beat Box, Jungle Brothers, Bassekou Kouyate & Ngoni Ba, and more to be announced
Why: A varied & green line-up.
Web: www.shambalafestival.org
What: Leeds
Where: Leeds, England, U.K.
When: August 28-30
Who: Metallica, Mumford & Sons, The Libertines, Kendrick Lamar, Bring Me the Horizon, alt-J, B∆stille, Royal Blood, The Maccabees, All Time Low, Alexisonfire, The Cribs, Panic! At the DIsco, Pierce the Veil, The Gaslight Anthem, Palma Violets, Against Me!, Mariachi El Bronx, FIDLAR, deadmau5, Knife Party, Tyler, the Creator, Catfish & The Bottlemen, Limp Bizkit, Run the Jewels, Wolf Alice, Jamie xx, Peace, Glass Animals, AWOLNATION, Parquet Courts, The Districts, Hudson Mohawke, Dillon Francis, Porter Robinson, Refused, New Found Glory, Mastodon, Simple Plan, Cancer Bats, The Bronx, Bo Ningen, The Menzingers, And So I Watch You From Afar, The Bots, Frank Turner, Django Django, The Wombats, Lucy Rose, Manchester Orchestra, Alvvays, Ash, We Are the Ocean, Radkey, Joywave, San Fermin, Walking On Cars, A$AP Ferg, Azealia Banks, Flatbush Zombies, Ratking, and many more
Why: Indie meets mainstream at co-festivals Leeds & Reading (see below) with a stacked line-up. Read & see much more in our 2011 recap here
Web: www.leedsfestival.com
What: Reading
Where: Reading, England, U.K.
When: August 28-30
Who: Metallica, Mumford & Sons, The Libertines, Kendrick Lamar, Bring Me the Horizon, alt-J, B∆stille, Royal Blood, The Maccabees, All Time Low, Alexisonfire, The Cribs, Panic! At the DIsco, Pierce the Veil, The Gaslight Anthem, Palma Violets, Against Me!, Mariachi El Bronx, FIDLAR, deadmau5, Knife Party, Tyler, the Creator, Catfish & The Bottlemen, Limp Bizkit, Run the Jewels, Wolf Alice, Jamie xx, Peace, Glass Animals, AWOLNATION, Parquet Courts, The Districts, Hudson Mohawke, Dillon Francis, Porter Robinson, Refused, New Found Glory, Mastodon, Simple Plan, Cancer Bats, The Bronx, Bo Ningen, The Menzingers, And So I Watch You From Afar, The Bots, Frank Turner, Django Django, The Wombats, Lucy Rose, Manchester Orchestra, Alvvays, Ash, We Are the Ocean, Radkey, Joywave, San Fermin, Walking On Cars, A$AP Ferg, Azealia Banks, Flatbush Zombies, Ratking, and many more
Why: Indie meets mainstream at co-festivals Leeds & Reading (see above) with a stacked line-up.
Web: www.readingfestival.com
What: Greenbelt
Where: Prestbury, England, U.K.
When: August 28-31
Who: The Polyphonic Spree, The Unthanks, Shlohmo, Duke Special, and more
Why: An arts, faith and justice festival.
Web: www.greenbelt.org.uk
September & November
What: Beacons Metro
Where: Leeds & Manchester, England, U.K.
When: August 16 – November 14
Who: Pissed Jeans, Mac DeMarco, East India Youth, TRAAMS, Hookworms, Son Lux, Factory Floor, Ex Hex, Titus Andronicus, and more to be announced
Why: Beacons Festival leaves the farm and heads to the cities of the north throughout the fall. See much more in our photo gallery of 2014 Beacons Festival here
Web: www.beaconsmetro.com
What: Festival No. 6
Where: Portmeirion, England, U.K.
When: September 3-6
Who: Belle & Sebastian, Grace Jones, Catfish & The Bottlemen, James Bay, Badly Drawn Boy, Everything Everything, Gaz Coombes, Ghostpoet, Stornoway, Hookworms, Duke Garwood, and more to be announced
Why: The home of The Village from The Prisoner – including a real-life castle – welcomes Festival No. 6. But can you ever leave?…
Web: www.festivalnumber6.com
What: Bingley Music Live
Where: Bradford, England, U.K.
When: September 4-6
Who: James, Super Furry Animals, The Beat, Idlewild, Ella Eyre, Embrace, Labrinth, Ash, Peter Hook & The Light, Funeral For a Friend, Rae Morris, Scott Matthews, and more See more in our preview here
Why: The City of Bradford Council holds an affordable fest. Read & see much more in our 2014 recap here
Web: www.bingleymusiclive.com
What: Electric Picnic
Where: Stradbally, Ireland
When: September 4-6
Who: Florence & The Machine, Underworld, Manic Street Preachers, Tame Impala, Hot Chip, Belle & Sebastian, The War On Drugs, George Ezra, Future Islands, CHVRCHES, Jurassic 5, Ride, Jon Hopkins, Battles, My Morning Jacket, Jessie Ware, Django Django, Low, Pond, Tourist, METZ, Alvvays, Hinds, and more to be announced
Why: Ireland lights up thanks to Electric Picnic.
Web: www.electricpicnic.ie
What: End of the Road
Where: Salisbury, England, U.K.
When: September 4-6
Who: Sufjan Stevens, Tame Impala, The War On Drugs, My Morning Jacket, Future Islands, Laura Marling, Django Django, Mark Lanegan Band, Mac DeMarco, Low, Pond, Alvvays, Fat Whtie Family, The Unthanks, Sleaford Mods, Slow Club, METZ, King Khan & The BBQ Show, Ex Hex, Joanna Gruesome, Ryley Walker, The Duke Spirit, Sam Amidon, Juan Wauters, Hinds, Girlpool, Happyness, Jacco Gardner, Andrew Combs, and more
Why: The start of September sees the End of the Road.
Web: www.endoftheroadfestival.com
What: Moseley Folk
Where: Birmingham, England, U.K.
When: September 4-6
Who: The Monkees, Spiritualized, Idlewild, Anna Calvi, Gaz Coombes, Polyphonic Spree, The Unthanks, Dawes, Houndstooth, Andy Shauf, and more to be announced
Why: Folk & more comes to Moseley Park.
Web: www.moseleyfolk.co.uk
What: Jersey Live
Where: Jersey, England, U.K.
When: September 5-6
Who: George Ezra, Rudimental, Clean Bandit, Years & Years, Slaves, and more to be announced
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 10-13
Who: The Chemical Brothers, Underworld, Duran Duran, Tame Impala, The Jacksons, Jungle, Jurassic 5, FKA Twigs, Flying Lotus, Gorgon City, Duke Dumont, Future Islands, Charli XCX, Little Dragon, Jamie xx, Lianne La Havas, Neneh Cherry, Todd Terje, Action Bronson, Pond, Sleaford Mods, Fat White Family, Honeyblood, Girlpool, Rudimental, Skrillex, Annie Mac, Mark Ronson, Lily Allen, Seth Troxler, Four Tet, Jackmaster, and more to be announced
Why: The biggest truly indie festival is still the Bestival.
Web: www.bestival.net
What: Liverpool International Festival of Psychedelia
Where: Liverpool, England, U.K.
When: September 25-26
Who: Spiritualized, Factory Floor, Hookworms, Blanck Mass, Anton Newcombe, The Holydrug Couple, Jacco Gardner, Dengue Fever, Indian Jewelry, Slug, and more to be announced
Why: The birthplace of The Beatles welcomes psychedelia from around the world.
Web: www.liverpoolpsychfest.com
What: Prudential Bluesfest London
Where: London, England, U.K.
When: November 7-8
Who: Tom Jones, Dave Matthews Band, Van Morrison, Matt Schofield, Tedeschi Trucks Band, and more to be announced
Why: Celebrate the blues in London.
Web: www.prudentialbluesfest.co.uk
What: ATP 2.0 Nightmare Before Christmas
Where: Pontins, Wales, U.K.
When: November 27-29
Who: Courtney Barnett, Built To Spill, Max Richter, The Notwist, The Album Leaf, Micachu & The Shapes, Viet Cong, Lightning Bolt, Braids, Suuns + Jerusalem In My Heart, Iceage, Death, Vision Fortune, and more to be announced
Why: All Tomorrow’s Parties returns in version 2.0 for a Nightmare Before Christmas. See much more in our 2012 photo gallery here
Web: www.atpfestival.com/events/atpnbc112015