There’s nothing like the good old British summer. A week of sun, followed by two weeks of rain, then another day or two of sun, overcrowded beaches, buses with the heating turned on full blast on the hottest day of the year, what more could you ask for?
As unreliable as our weather maybe, one feature remains the pride and joy of that time of year. The Great British Summer Festival. From Jay Z to Muse, from Glastonbury to Isle of Wight, from AM to PM, our festivals are certified platinum status when it comes to fun in the sun (or rain!). But on the downside, no one really wants to be standing for ages, being sunburned or drenched in rain and camping?!?
Well, that’s a no, no for some. Whatever your expectation of music festivals, your swag can still be kept in check by remembering a few things:
1. Bring the wellies anyway. Yes the weather may have been good for the few days before the fest but either way, mud is not a good look
2. If you’re going to camp, why not spend the extra money and rent a luxurious tent, I mean you can’t charge your phone, or cook a meal in there; however it does a good job in presenting the illusion of being in a hotel room. Need I say more
3. Ladies, T-shirts, Leggings, Shorts, Flat shoes are great at fests. The key to enjoying one is being dressed comfortably, because the last thing you want to be thinking about is how tired you’re feet are and last but not least
4. Self Awareness. If you’re not one for crowded places or are easily upset by individuals hustling their way through the crowd attempting to get to the front, stay at home and watch the fest on TV. This is all part of the experience that you just have to deal with.
Remember, there’s a load of festivals taking place worldwide, so if you’re looking to make your summer holiday that much better why not check out the list of festivals that Flavour has compiled for your pleasure. Attending these gigs are a must, so get your sunglasses, wellies, umbrellas (all three?!?) ready for a season of adventure!
WIRELESS
Venue: Hyde Park
Friday 2nd – 4th July 2010
Location: London
Line up: SNOOP DOG D12, WILEY, ROLL DEEP, MCLEAN & more
Wireless has become one of the most anticipated music events in the year and is undoubtedly one of the coolest as the line up is fantastic. Wireless takes Jay-Z is the Sunday headliner, Pink has been confirmed as Friday headliner, and Saturday’s line-up sees Snoop Dog, LCD Soundsystem, Missy Elliott plus more. Other confirmed acts include 2manyDJs, Mr Hudson, Lily Allen, Plan B, Daisy Dares You, The Ting Tings, Gossip, The Temper Trap, Chase & Status, Chipmunk, Tinie Tempah, Drake, Professor Green and much more.
Website: www.wirelessfestival.co.uk
LOVEBOX
Venue: Victoria Park
Friday 2nd – 4th July 2010
Location: London
Line up:
Held annually on London’s oldest public park bordering Bethnal Green, Hackney, and Bow, London’s most creative and socially dynamic quarters, Lovebox as a festival, urban event or “happening” is without comparison. Music has always been at the heart of Lovebox; with all the rock & roll chaos and glamour of supercharged sets, epic performances with dramatic backdrops, and chuggy jams under the trees from bands and DJs spanning the genres.
Website: www.lovebox.net
BIG CHILL FESTIVAL
Eastnor Castle Deer Park
Thurs 5th Aug – Sun 8th Aug
Location: Ledbury, Herefordshire UK
Line up: MASSIVE ATTACK, M.I.A, ROOTS MANUVA, KELIS & more
Apart from an amazing line up, the Big Chill Festival is offering an innovative and fluid layout promising to be the biggest event of the summer. Depending on your budget, there is an array of luxurious tents available on the website that you can rent on a daily basis, however, if you just want to keep the damp out, there’s plenty on offer!
Website: www.bigchill.net
CAMDEN CRAWL
Venues all across Camden
Fri 23rd Apr – Sun 25th Apr
Location: London, UK
Line up: SUGABAES, WE ARE SCIENTISTS, MS DYNAMITE, & more
The infamous Camden Crawl is back for 2010 with an even bigger and better line up. Located in a number of pubs across London, a single journey on the Northern Line will give you access to some of the hottest acts out right now. Check out the winners of the Emerging Talent Award and you could be the first to see the next big thing in music.
Website: www.camdencrawl.com
THE GREAT ESCAPE 2010
Venues across Brighton
Thurs 13th May – Sat 15th May
Location: East Sussex, Brighton, UK
Line up: CHASE & STATUS, GROOVE ARMADA & more to be announced
Across 30 venues, Brighton will be hosting Europe’s leading festival for new music. With super duo Chase & Status as one of the headlining acts, The Great Escape gives an alternative option for those of you who aren’t quite ready to venture out into the country and stay in a tent. An hours’ train ride from Kings cross will get you to the heart of where each of the many allocated venues will be hosting these artists.
Website: www.escapegreat.com
RADIO 1 BIG WEEKENDER
Vaynol Estate
Sat 22nd May – Sun 23rd May
Location: Bangor, North Wales, UK
Line up: PIXIE LOTT is the first act to be confirmed, more artists to be added
Radio one’s Big Weekender has always been a major success and this time they’re taking their annual event to Wales. Headlined by Madonna in Maidstone 2009, Radio 1 will most certainly be cooking up a tasty line up, so keep checking the website to see if your favourite artist is added to the bill.
Website: www.bbc.co.uk/radio1/big weekend
T IN THE PARK
Balado
09th July – Sun 11th July
Location: Kinross-shire, Scotland UK
Line up: EMINEM, JAY Z, DAVID GUETTA, CHIPMUNK, KATE NASH & more
Scotland’s premier festival will be taking place this summer and they sure are starting off with a bang. Headlined by Eminem, this promises to be the biggest event that Scotland has ever seen with musical appearances by The Stereophonics and The Black Eyed Peas. This one definitely seems worth the travel! For more information on this HUGE gig, visit their website
Website: www.tinthepark.com
MELT FESTIVAL
Fri 16th July – Sun 18th July
Location: Ferropolis, GermanyLine up: GOLDFRAPP, KELE, KINGS OF CONVENIENCE &more
This is the 13th music festival that Melt has done and undoubtedly it will be another huge success. Why not take a trip to Germany to hear some of Europe’s finest acts unite together on one stage. With camping sites also available and weather that’s sure to be better than ours, Melt Festival is a great alternative for lovers of all music and in pursuit of more than a road trip.
Website: www.meltfestival.de
IBIZA ROCKS
Every Tuesday from 8 June to 15 September
Location: The Ibiza Rocks Hotel in San Antonio
Line up: THE PRODIGY, CHASE&STATUS, TINE TEMPAH, FLORENCE AND THE MACHINE, DIZZEE RASCAL, CALVIN HARRIS, THE KOOKS
Ibiza Rocks celebrates it’s 5th Birthday this summer boasting it’s strongest and most impressive line up to date. Taking place every Tuesday, the Ibiza Rocks Hotel is Ibiza’s premier live music venue offering an auditorium style atmosphere. With special pool and stage room views available off the bedrooms, fans can quite literally book a room with a ‘star’ view.The Ibiza Rocks Hotel sits right in the heart of San Antonio and encapsulates a whole music loving lifestyle all under one roof.
Website: www.ibizarocks.com
MALLORCA ROCKS
06 June, 05 July, 19 July, 26 July, 06 Sept (five Wednesdays throughout the summer)
Location: The Mallocra Rocks Hotel, MagalufLine up: THE COURTEENERS, CALVIN HARRIS, DIZZEE RASCAL and PENDULUM
This brand new destination concept hotel in Magaluf and follows in Ibiza Rocks footsteps. The Kooks and Zane Lowe launch the Mallorca Rocks Hotel on June 6.
Website: www.mallorcarockshotel.com
WYCHWOOD
June 4-6Location: Cheltenham Racecourse
Line up: THE LEVELLERS, KING CREOSOTE, HAPPY MONDAYS plus more
A regular nominee for best family festival at the UK Festival Awards, Wychwood has, since last year, incorporated a children’s literature event into its usual line-up of music, comedy and cinema.
Website: www.wychwoodfestival.com
HAMPTON COURT PALACE
June 8, 9, 15, 16
Location: London
Line up:THE GIPSY KINGS, SIMPLY RED, KATHERINE JENKINS, JOOLS HOLLAND
A series of summer shows for the pop fan who craves comfort and heritage, Hampton Court offers a “left-picnic” facility for hamper storage while you enjoy the music.
Website: www.hamptoncourtfestival.com
ISLE OF WIGHT
June 11-13
Location: Seaclose Park, Newport, Isle of Wight
Line up: JIMI HENDRIX, PAUL MCCARTNEY, JAY-Z, THE STROKES
Sir Paul McCartney and the legendary 1970 performance by Jimi Hendrix gives this festival a heavyweight status while hip hop superstar Jay-Z brings the cool factor.
Website: www.isleofwightfestival.com
DOWNLOAD
Donington Park
11-13 June
Location: East Midlands
Line up: AEROSMITH, MEGADETH, CROOKED VULTURES
The big draw this year is the return on Friday of AC/DC. Heads will continue to be banged across the weekend with more big name sets from new supergroup Them Crooked Vultures, Aerosmith, Megadeth plus more.
Website: www.downloadfestival.co.uk
GLASTONBURY
June 23-27
Location: Worthy Farm, Pilton
MICHAEL EAVIS, STEVIE WONDER, MUSE, U2, SHAKIRA, SNOOP DOGG
This is the festival that remains the benchmark experience for a weekend of muddy musical brain-frying and is more popular than ever and long since sold out so unless you are lucky enough to already have a ticket you won’t get to go. Celebrating its 40th anniversary year this year’s promises to blow festival goers away as always with performances for Dizziee Rascal, Pet Shop Boys and a whole lot of other musical talent
Website: www.glastonburyfestivals.co.uk
V FESTIVAL
Hylands Park21-22 August
Location: Chelmsford and Weston Park Staffs
Line up: LA ROUX, DIANA VICKERS, CHERYL COLE, KINGS OF LEON
With a mix of some of the biggest rock and pop acts of the year the festival is a must see.
Website: www.vfestival.com
READING AND LEEDS
27-29 August
Location: Richfield Avenue, Reading and Bramham Park, Leeds
Unlike Glastonbury, there really is nothing to do apart from watch bands at Reading and its sister site up north — but they invariably have one of the most impressive line-ups of the festival season.
Website: www.readingfestival.com
Words by Lindi Mkwananzi
