With literally hundreds of festivals across London and Great Britain, there is something for everyone from one-day dance parties to two-day hipster fests and full-on three-day rock marathons.
So whether your idea of a top festival is dancing all day to the latest tech sounds, or headbanging away to the scruffed-out monsters of rock, the UK has something very special for each and every one of you.
I’ll Be Your Mirror
When May 4-5
Where Alexandra Palace
The vibe A day each of this year’s edition of the left-field music fest is curated by New York art punks Yeah Yeah Yeahs and Brooklyn indie rockers Grizzly Bear, promising a bank holiday weekend of grungy alt tunes, plus cinema, DJs and grub.
Line-up Grizzly Bear, Yeah Yeah Yeahs, The Walkmen
Tickets £59+
illbeyourmirror.com
Karen O, Yeah Yeah Yeahs
Camden Crawl
When May 4-6
Where Camden Town
The vibe The home of rock and indie hosts this multi-venue three-day-long orgy of gigs. Strap in and rock out!line-up Death In Vegas, The Cribs, Glasvegas, Spector
Tickets £35+
thecamdencrawl.com
Field Day
When May 25
Where Victoria Park
The vibe Pop, punk, indie, techno, electro and dubstep tuneage provide the soundtrack to fete games such as tug-of-war and tea bag tossing at this impossibly cool music fest.
Line-up Animal Collective, Chvrches, Bat for Lashes, Kurt Vile, Daughter, Savages, Palma Violets
Tickets £54.50
fielddayfestivals.com
Bat For Lashes
Fest for free
Volunteer with Oxfam to be a festival steward and be at the summer’s best fests for free. More at oxfam.org.uk/stewarding
Editor’s choice
Barclaycard British Summer Time
When July 5-14
Where Hyde Park
The Vibe This new concert series to hit London has a line-up that will absolutely rock the capital. New Jersey cowboys Bon Jovi roll into town on their steel horses, while the Rolling Stones are playing twice – their first show sold out in a matter of minutes!
Line-up Bon Jovi, Rolling Stones, The Vaccines
Tickets £65+
bst-hydepark.com
Rolling Stones
We Are Fstvl
When May 25-26
Where Damyns Hall Aerodrome
The vibe House and techno dominate at this 15-hour dance-fest mega-party that’s held at an aerodrome in Essex. And don’t worry, the Upminster Tube station is nearby so you can get back to town easily after dancing all day and night.
Line-up Joy Orbison, Sven Vath, Kerri Chandler
Tickets £95+
damynshall.co.uk
As One In The Park
When May 26
Where Victoria Park
The vibe A colourful assortment of artists and concertgoers unite at this pop-focused gathering supporting the LGBT community.
Line-up Rita Ora, Katy B, Union J, Holly Johnson
Tickets £40+
asoneinthepark.co.uk
High Definition
When June 29
Where Ilford, Essex
The vibe House, techno, disco, trance, electro, dubstep, rave – it’s all here at this all-day North London dance party.
Line-up Labrinth, Eats Everything, Miguel Campbell
Tickets £25+
highdefinitionfestival.co.uk
Bruce Springsteen
Hard Rock Calling
When June 29-30
Where Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park
The vibe It’s all about the rawk at this six-string legends’ event. After getting cut off during his 50-years-in-the-making performance with Sir McCartney last year, The Boss returns for what’s sure to be another marathon jam sesh.
Line-up Bruce Springsteen And The E Street Band, Paul Weller, Kasabian
Tickets £45+
hardrockcalling.com
Somerset House Series
When July 11-21
Where Somerset House
The vibe Once home to the Duke of Somerset, this house is now a music venue with a stately appearance. The line-up here ranges from up-and-comers to today’s stars across electronica, folk and all in between.
Line-up Band of Horses, Basement Jaxx, Goldfrapp
Tickets £27.50
somersethouse.org.uk
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Justin Timberlake
Wireless
When July 12-14
Where Queen Elizabeth olympic park
The vibe An all-star line-up promises to knock this pop fest all the way out of Olympic Park. Plus, Jay-Z and JT will put on their suits and ties to perform together in the Legends Of The Summer Sunday night show.
Line-up Justin Timberlake, Snoop Dogg, Jay-Z
Tickets £65+
wirelessfestival.co.uk
Annie Mac
Lovebox
When July 19-21
Where Victoria Park
The vibe Renowned DJs and electronic music stars take to the stage at this three-night festival of dance. Prepare to get your rave on.
Line-up Annie Mac, Flying Lotus, SBTRKT (DJ set)
Tickets £29.50+
mamacolive.com/lovebox
Homelanz
When August 10
Where Boston Manor
The vibe Expect nothing but the finest food and the greatest tunes from the southern hemisphere. This year boasts two stages – including an acoustic stage – as well as a silent disco, too.
Line-up Desmond And The Tutus, What Now, Blue King Brown, Jayson Norris
Tickets £30
homelanz.co.uk
South West Four
When August 24-25
Where Clapham Common
The vibe There’s no better way to end the summer than at the city’s biggest dance party. Following the success of last year’s sold-out event, this 10th anniversary 70-act-strong festival across the bank holiday weekend is sure to be absolutely banging!
Line-up Armin Van Buuren, Carl Cox, Example, Eric Prydz
Tickets £47.50
southwestfour.com
Win
2 x Standon Calling tix
This hip, stylish festival in Hertfordshire has a line-up set to stun – De La Soul, Band Of Skulls, Digitalism and loads more – and one of the coolest crowds around. Festival-going with class.
standon-calling.com
See tntmagazine.com/competitions
Photos: Getty
