It's officially festival season
With Glastonbury folk making their way to Somerset this week for what's arguably the UK's most famous festival, we are taking a look at what else is still to come this season if like us you'll be watching Glasto on the TV as you didn't get tickets - again. If Glastonbury isn't your thing - too big, too muddy and (dare we say it) just too much, here's a run down of some of the UK's offerings, whether you're a hardcore rocker or raver, or someone who fancies something more tranquil...
BRITISH SUMMER TIME - HYDE PARK, LONDON, JUNE 28TH - JULY 14TH
Now in it's 11th year, BST is a huge festival bringing huge headliners every night from different genres of music. Over the years Team CG has enjoyed the likes of The Rolling Stones, P!nk, J-Lo, Carole King and Robbie Williams to name a few. There's also lots more on offer before the music starts for all the family from outdoor cinemas screenings, comedy tents, sports screenings and the best of London's street food stalls. This year you could catch SZA, Kings of Leon, Morgan Wallen, Andrea Bocelli, Robbie Williams, Shania Twain, Stevie Nicks, Kylie and Stray Kids as there are still tickets available bst-hydepark
Now this one may not be on your radar yet, but Timber is a unique event which looks to nature, trees and forests to explore what a positive future for the planet might look like. The festival promises to uplift: think sunrise yoga, secret woodland DJ sets, art, campfires, talks and dancing with ethereal soundtracks to help boost relaxation. The line up includes, Lou Rhodes, Rohan Heath, Kiiōtō, Jason Singh, Stone Club, Kiiōtō, Frankie Archer, Rozi Plain and there are still tickets available if you fancy something different - timberfestival.org.uk
LOVE SUPREME JAZZ FESTIVAL, GLYNDE PALACE, EAST SUSSEX, JULY 5TH - 7TH
The three-day festival held annually every July returns to Glynde Place in East Sussex, bringing you the silky sounds of jazz, funk, soul and the blues with some celebrated music legends headlining such as Chaka Khan (celebrating 50 years in music), Olivia Dean (Team CG fave), Kool & The Gang, Joss Stone, Dionne Warwick, Sergio Mendes, Jordan Rakei, Mahalia, Black Pumas, Joss Stone, and many more. lovesupremefestival.com
THE RECIPE, GUNNERSBY PARK, LONDON 6TH JULY
A brand new 15,000-capacity festival, this one has sent social media into a frenzy. Not only does it have R&B star Jazmine Sullivan headlining, but it’s all-inclusive, meaning attendees can literally eat and drink and much as they want for the day. Sounds wild, and unlikely, but we’ve read and re-read the website and it really does say “unlimited access to all general admission food and drink options” while “responsible redemption terms will apply”. With amusement rides, a relax and pamper station, and food offerings from Breddos Tacos, Dirty Burger, Sweet Dee’s Jerk, and Cecconi’s announced so far, tickets probably won't be around for long. therecipefest.co.uk
KEW THE MUSIC, KEW GARDENS, LONDON JULY 8th - 14TH
An annual week-long summer concert, held at the UNESCO World Heritage site in the picturesque grounds of Kew Gardens, with live music from much-loved artists with open-air bars and street food stalls Kew the Music is always a must visit if you're in London. This year the Mika, Ronan Keating, Passenger, JLS, Beverley Knight, Monty Don and Richard Ashcroft are all the line up. kewthemusic.org
IN THE PARK, SEFTON PARK, LIVERPOOL JULY 12TH - 14TH
Three-day extravaganza, In The Park, returns to Liverpool this July, taking over the city's picturesque Sefton Park. Hometown hero Jamie Webster is topping the bill for what will be a memorable Merseyside weekender. visitliverpool.com
This year's acts include, Nicki Minaj, Ice Spice, Sean Paul, Future, 21 Savage, J Hus, Asake, Gunna, Doja Cat, Rema, Tyla, Digga D, Uncle Waffles, Vanessa Bling and more.; wirelessfestival.co.uk
SECRET GARDEN PARTY: ROOTS, ABBOTS RIPON, CAMBRIDGESHIRE, JULY 25TH - 28TH
Definitely, the festival season’s worst-kept secret, Secret Garden Party has kept revellers entranced with its left-field line-ups, combined with out-of-this-world stage productions, and of course, copious amounts of glitter. Now a festival circuit highlight, its loyal base is ready to go again in 2024, though this year they are, mysteriously, returning to their roots promising "fresh frivolity and new collectives". WHo's playing? Crystal Fighters, Chinchilla, Unkle (Rönin Live), Alchemist, Beans on Toast, Do Nothing, Dutch Criminal Records, Hyphen, Le Boom and more. secretgardenparty.com
TRAMLINES HILLSBOROUGH PARK, SHEFFIELD JULY 26TH - 28TH
Tramlines is Sheffield’s biggest city-based music festival and is always a popular one, thanks both to its stacked line-ups and decent value tickets. The line up includes something for everyone with Paolo Nutini, Jamie T, Snow Patrol, Bombay Bicycle Club, Soft Play, Sophie Ellis-Bextor, Tom Grennan, Holly Humberstone, The Snuts, Annie Mac, The Human League, Example, Yard Act, Maximo Park and more. tramlines.org.uk
Set up over 25 years ago in 1998 by disgruntled festival goers the Bennett family (some of whom were members of Oxford rock band Goldrush) who wanted to make an independent, non-commercial alternative to the rest of the pack, Truck Festival is still going strong. This year there are over 50 acts over 4, hopefully, glorious sunny days. Announced for this year is, Jamie T, Wet leg, The Streets, The Kooks, The Idles, Sea Girls, The Snuts, Katy B, Bob Vylan, Peace, Black Honey and Sundara Karma and many more. truckfestival.com
CAMP BESTIVAL, LULWORTH CASTLE, DORSET, 25TH - 28TH JULY
A firm family fave with Team CG, this one is the perfect mix for kids and big kids alike to have fun. We highly recommend decorating your 'wagon' for the chance to win tickets to CAMP BESTIVAL 2025 and recommend popping in to the BBC Bedtime Stories tent to see the little ones faces light up. It's the perfect way to introduce kids to festivals in a fun, safe environment with an epic firework display to finish off the weekend. This year the line up includes, Paloma Faith, Pete Tong, James Arthur, McFly and Orbital to name but a few. campbestival.net/.
WILDERNESS, CORNBURY PARK, OXFORDSHIRE AUGUST 1ST - 4TH
Escape into the wilderness at this four-day Oxfordshire extravaganza, providing a party like no other. The line up is littered with plenty of big names littered from, Faithless (live) to Bicep presents Chroma, Jessie Ware, Barry Can’t Swim, Alison Goldfrapp, De La Soul, The Kelsey Brothers, Bjorn Again, Craig Charles, Ibibio Sound Machine, and many more. wildernessfestival.com
BOARDMASTERS, NEWQUAY AUGUST 7TH - 11TH
As if Cornwall isn't busy enough in the Summer months, they go and pop a festival in mid August! Although it started its days as a UK surfers competition, this Newquay-based five-day beach bash has become one of the hottest tickets of the festival season. The line up this year sees Stormzy, Chase & Status, Becky Hill, Bicep, Chroma, Tom Odell, Nia Archives, Kenya Grace, Sam Fender, Katy B, Songer, Andy C, Katy B, Overmono and Kate Nash playing. boardmasters.com
BOOMTOWN, WINCHESTER, HAMPSHIRE AUGUST 7TH - 11TH
With award winning stage productions accompanying the thumping sounds of drum and bass and techno pumped out at this five-day extravaganza, this has to be one of the most surreal festivals in the season. This years line up has still not been announced...ohh the suspense! boomtownfair.co.uk
BEAUTIFUL DAYS, ESCOT PARK, DEVON, AUGUST 16TH - 18TH
This is a superb family-friendly rock and folk festival, which was founded by Brighton folk-rock band the Levellers in 2003. It has been heralded for rejecting corporate sponsoring and branding, and for its large and imaginative children’s areas. One for all of the family to enjoy if you're in the area this summer holidays. Announced so far are, The Saw Doctors, Richard Ashcroft,the Levellers, The Damned, New Model Army, Toyah & Robert, Fisherman’s Friends, This Is The Kit, System 7, and DJ Rap. beautifuldays.org
LOST VILLAGE, NORTON DISNEY, LINCOLNSHIRE AUGUST 22ND - 25TH
Described last year by the Standard as “baby Glastonbury” this Lincolnshire party is one of the UK’s standout boutique forest fests thanks to its immersive attention to detail. “Overall, Lost Village is best summed up by its tagline: “those on the outside will never understand.” 2024's line up includes, Maribou State (live), Floating Points, The Blessed Madonna, Jyoty, Folamour, Ben UFO, Fatima Yamaha (live), Job Jobse, Solomun, SG Lewis, Flight Facilities, Yaeji (live), Neil Frances (live), SBTRKT (live), Midland, Âme b2b TRIKK, Hudson Mohawke, HAAi, System Olympia, Sofia Kourtesis (live), Pangaea, Ross From Friends and Shanti Celeste b2b Peach and more. lostvillage.com
THE BIG FEASTIVAL, KINGHAM, THE COSTWOLDS AUGUST 23RD - 25TH
Now in its 13th year, the Big Feastival returns on Bank Holiday, with a promise to deliver a blend of good music and good food from acclaimed chefs. The festival will be hosted by Blur bassist Alex James at his rustic Cotswolds farm, where you will find an array of taste bud-tingling street food to satisfy every craving while you listen to this year’s incredible line-up of performers including Ella Henderson, Becky Hill, Snow Patrol, Cat Burns, Natasha Bedingfield, Kate Nash, Scouting for Girls, The Florentinas, The Cuban brothers, Jalen Ngonda, Cian Ducrot, CMAT, Joel Corry and more. thebigfeastival.com
BODY MOVEMENTS, SOUTHWARK PARK, LONDON AUGUST 25TH
Returning for its fourth edition, the LGBTQ+-focused dance festival is bringing over 50 artists to the stage this year to its new playground in Southwark Park. Among the exciting line-up of performers to look forward to is the festival’s co-founder, Dublin DJ and producer Saoirse as well as, COBRAH (Live), Confidence Man, Harry Gay, Or:la, Peach, Pxssy Palace, Saoirse, Shanti Celeste, TAAHLIAH, and many more.bodymovements.co.uk
So, dry shampoo, phone power pack and sunscreen at the ready, it's time to make some memories at some of the UK's many festivals. Don't forget to check out our Summer Edit for our CG festival recommends.
