Cure those post bank holiday blues and and get ready for… festival season.
We’ve rounded up some of the best and biggest music festivals happening in the UK this year to get your plans started.
Glastonbury:
Where – Pilton, Somerset
When – June 22 to June 26
Headliners – Billie Eilish, Paul McCartney and Kendrick Lamar
The crown jewel of the UK festival scene returns to Somerset after a three-year hiatus. Taking place on Worthy Farm and hosted by the Eavis family, Glastonbury has been a mainstay since it began in 1970. Centred around the Pyramid Stage, Glastonbury has played host to an almost endless list of musical icons over its 50-year history.
Splendour:
Where – Wollaton Park, Nottingham
When – July 23 to July 24
Headliners – Richard Ashcroft, Supergrass, The Human League and Craig David
COVID-19 has kept Splendour off the calendar since 2019, but it’s set to return with a bang in 2022, expanding into a two-day event for the first time. Offering activities alongside the music, Splendour was created to bring a family-friendly approach, with a funfair and a dedicated children’s area. Simon Redgate, 40, of the Nottingham Tourism Office said: “It’s great to be back after a few years away, and with it expanding to a two-day event it should really whet the appetite for the UK festival-goer.”
Reading and Leeds:
Where – Bramham Park, Leeds and Richfield Avenue, Reading
When – August 26 to August 28
Headliners – Dave, Arctic Monkeys and Rage Against The Machine
The Reading and Leeds Festival dates back to the 1960s, starting as a jazz festival across various towns in the south of England before settling in Reading. The style of music evolved over time from jazz to prog-rock and blues, eventually settling on what we have today – a celebration of all kinds of music. Leeds was added as a second venue in 1999, giving birth to the dual venue festival that remains popular today.
Download:
Where – Donington Park, Nottingham
When – June 10 to June 12
Headliners – KISS, Iron Maiden and Biffy Clyro
The UK’s premier heavy-metal festival returns in full after last year’s slimmed version due to Covid. Download has been a mainstay of the rock scene since its inception in the summer of 2003, hosting headliners from Metallica to Guns N’ Roses. An estimated 111,000 visitors will attend over the course of the weekend.
Parklife:
Where – Heaton Park, Manchester
When – June 11 to June 12
Headliners – Tyler, The Creator, 50 Cent and Megan Thee Stallion
Starting in 2010, Parklife has become a pillar of the UK festival scene, offering everything from indie darlings to hip-hop icons. Taking place in Manchester, Parklife benefits from having a music audience that’s mad for it on its doorstep.
Latitude:
Where – Henham Park, Suffolk
When – July 21 to July 24
Headliners – Lewis Capaldi, Foals and Snow Patrol
After going ahead in 2021 as part of the government’s live event pilot scheme, Latitude returns with its eclectic mix of music, theatre and family activities, offering a more holistic approach to festival going than the rest of the UK calendar.
Wireless:
Where – Crystal Palace, London; Finsbury Park, London and The NEC, Birmingham
When – July 1 to July 3 (Crystal Palace) and July 8 to July 10 (Finsbury Park and Birmingham)
Headliners – A$AP Rocky, J. Cole and Tyler, The Creator (Crystal Palace), Cardi B, SZA and Nicki Minaj (Finsbury Park) and Dave, Cardi B and J. Cole (Birmingham)
First run in the summer of 2005, Wireless established itself as the top rap and hip-hop festival on the UK calendar. Just shy of 50,000 fans over the weekend have, in the past, been treated to performances from icons of the genre such as Kanye West and Stormzy.
Boardmasters:
Where – Newquay, Cornwall
When – August 10 to August 14
Headliners – George Ezra, Disclosure and Kings of Leon
Offering an alternative festival vibe in the UK calendar, Boardmasters boasts live music alongside surfing and skateboarding competitions. Founded in 1981 as a surfing competition, it was expanded in 2005 to include live music ranging from indie to dance.