Festival season has moved into high gear. Several have sold out (Green Man, Kendal Calling and Beautiful Days to name just three – and Rally is close to selling out) but there’s still overall plenty of choice. Our list includes several metropolitan (non camping) shindigs too, right into September. If you’re desperate to attend a particular sold-out event such as Green Man, it’s a good idea to join their Facebook Chat group, as ticket sellers often warn members of their impending sale on approved resale sites such as Festicks, Twickets and Tixel.
Seaview festival 8 July
At the De La Warr Pavilion in Bexhill on the South Coast is this one day event with a truly awesome lineup – Warmduscher, Heartworms, Pale Blue Eyes, BC Camplight and more. With James Endeacott on the turntables plus a Bella Union pop-up with special appearances, special guests, lots of food and local ales. Seaview tickets available here. Festival starts at 1pm.
Timber festival 7 – 9 July
Timber is a beautiful event set in the National Forest, near Fearnedock, on a 70-acre site on the Derbyshire border. Join new thinkers as they challenge you to re-examine your relationship with the natural world. Gather with artists, musicians and writers, as they respond and react to the forest in bold and exhilarating ways. There is music from Rebecca Hurn, Cerys Hafana, Katherine Priddy, Sister Wives and N’famady Kouyaté. There’s spoken word and Forest Sound Walk with Alice Boyd, plus an evening hosted by the Kendal Mountain Festival team. For tickets click here: Timber festival
Beat-Herder 13 – 16 July
There’s now four days of good times to enjoy at the Ribble Valley’s famous Beat-Herder festival. Confirmed for the famous Toil Trees stage set in majestic woodland are Skream, Ewan McVicare, Gerd Janson, and Sherelle. Other artists include Pendulum, Alison Goldfrapp, Confidence Man, Wilkinson, Jungle Brothers, Renegade Brass Band, and more. If the partying gets a little too much you can lounge by the huge fire in the stone circle or partake in some nostalgic entertainment at the site’s very own working men’s club. Beat-Herder tickets
Kaleidoscope 15 July
DUE TO BAD WEATHER AND HIGH WINDS KALEIDOSCOPE FESTIVAL HAS JUST BEEN CANCELLED. Kaleidoscope has become a family fixture on the day festival circuit. The gorgeous setting of Alexandra Palace and its parklands high on a hill in north London truly comes into its own. The main stage is set on Ally Pally’s slope so everyone gets a clear view of the action – and the London skyline in the background, so no dodging about trying to avoid that 6‑footer in front of you. All the better then to experience Hot Chip this year, along with Girls of the Internet and Gaz Coombes. Or dance at the Cloud 10 with Erol Alkan and Fabio & Grooverider. There’s plenty for younger festival-goers such as Chickenshed Theatre and a Bubbleologist, all set in a dedicated kids area. Kaleidoscope festival. Review
Ealing Blues festival 22 – 23 July
Ealing Blues, London’s longest-running blues festival is part of the Ealing Festivals series, along with the Comedy and Jazz weekenders. Set in Walpole Park, their lineup for this year includes the Geoff Garbow Band, Never the Bride, West London Roots Revue, The Paul Cook Blues Band and Liquorice Moon. As usual there will be the large, covered Main Stage, the smaller South Stage plus an additional small stage in the bar area. It’s always a chilled and fun family event with all the usual festival add-ons: food outlets, a good bar and some craft and jewellery stalls. Ealing Blues Festival
Bluedot festival 20 – 23 July
Bluedot festival is a perfect mix of science, space and music, set at Jodrell Bank Observatory in Cheshire with the majestic Lovell telescope looking down benignly over the proceedings. Daytimes there’s talks and workshops by famous names in the world of science, such as Chris Lintott, Maggie Aderin-Pocock and Mike Berners-Lee. Children’s entertainment offers some cutting edge science workshops and a welcome return of the popular Jedi Lightsaber Training. There’s a screening and in-conversation with Moonage Daydream director, writer and producer Brett Morgan. Music goodies: Pavement, Leftfield, Skinny Pelembe, Róisín Murphy, David Holmes, Tinariwen, Grace Jones and Young Fathers. Plus the Thursday night opening concert which features Max Richter and Tilda Swinton. Discover the bluedot . Our Review
Camp Bestival Dorset 20 – 23 July
Camp Bestival celebrates its 15th Birthday with a fabulous lineup, set in its usual spot of Lulworth Castle. Grace Jones is set to headline and Craig David presents TS5. Another draw is Confidence Man will bring their uniquely feel-good party anthems whilst pop icons Melanie C and Sophie Ellis-Bextor also join the line up alongside Sam Ryder and Ella Henderson. Dick & Dom, Cosmic Kids Yoga, Junior Jungle and Mr Tumble will entertain families of all ages at the four-day celebration. Get your tickets at Camp Bestival Dorset
WOMAD 27 – 30 July
WOMAD crosses borders and languages to unite thousands in the joy of music and dance without limits. With music plus artists cooking up a storm at the Taste The World stage, chilling out at the World of Wellbeing, celebrating the spoken word at World of Words, science exploration at World of Physics and children’s activities at the World of Children. This year sees Femi Kuti and the Positive Force, Bombay Bicycle Club, Mariza, Kate Rusby, Horace Andy and Dub Asante Band, Mokoomba, Souad Massi and plenty more. WOMAD
RALLY 5 August
We like the ethos that drives this new one-day event happening at Southwark Park, London on 5th August. RALLY strives to create opportunities for grassroots culture and promotes the discovery of
new sounds and boundary-pushing artists. Some of those appearing on the lineup include: Laura Misch, PVA, Princess Nokie, Space Afrika, Yazz Ahmed, Kelly Lee Owens and lots more. Only a handful of tickets left so book now at Rally
Camp Bestival Shropshire 17 – 20 August
This is the second year of Camp Bestival Shropshire after a smash hit first year. There’s plenty for parents and kids: Rudimental, The Human League, Confidence Man, Sophie Ellis-Bextor plus loads more. And for kids there’s Dick & Dom, Cosmic Kids Yoga with Jaime, Extreme Bike Battles and Wild Swimming and Cirque Bijou with a mind-boggling new circus event: ‘The Silent Forest Show’. New for this year is the Big Camp Fancy Dress Parade. Tickets at Camp Bestival
Moovin 25 – 27 August
Fun down on the farm: Whitebottom Farm, Stockport, to be more precise. This is the event to truly let your hair down and dance. All weekend. Stages include The Barn, a large converted cow shed with a huge bar for speedy service at reasonable prices, space to dance and hay bale seating to kick back on. This year sees DJ Paulette, Laurent Garnier, Gilles Peterson, Antony Szmierek, Winachi, Krafty Kuts, Steve Thorpe, DJ Woody, Mr Scruff and Lauren plus more – many more. Moovin . For over 18s only.
All Points East August, various dates
All Points East once again takes over Victoria Park in east London for a series of day events, managing to get some heavy-hitters for headline slots. On 18th August, there’s a special “Stormzy Day”, officially called: ‘This is What We Mean”. He’ll headline plus curate the whole day, with Kehlani, Sampha, Knucks, Lucky Daye, WSTRN, Ms Banks and The No Signal Stage. Later in the month are two headliners unique to All Points East: Jungle (26th) and Californians Haim (28th) for Bank Holiday Monday. Field Day now comes under the APE umbrella and features Aphex Twin, Bonobo and Jon Hopkins. As a community festival, there are free days with events taking place during the week. For full details and tickets check All Points East
Victorious 25 – 27 August
Victorious is the UK’s biggest metropolitan festival and for the first time stretches over three days. Head along to see Mumford & Sons, Ben Howard, Alt‑J, The Charlatans and DJ legend Pete Tong, who will be delivering Ibiza Classics with the Essential Orchestra. There’s also Amyl and The Sniffers, The Coral and Wunderhorse. New for this year is an expended comedy stage with Omid Djalili, Jason Manford and Dara O’Briain. For tickets Victorious
The Big Feastival 25–27 August
The famed event taking place down on Alex James’ farm in the Cotswolds, Gourmet Gigs heartily approves of this music and food idyll. On the music side of things are Everything Everything, Blossoms, Rick Astley, Example, Newton Faulkner. At Alex James Cheese Hub, DJs include Krafty Kuts, Stanton Warriors and Lottie. There is comedy, children’s theatre, Alice’s Adventures in Aerialand plus lots of food-related activities. Eat, drink, dance and be merry. The Big Feastival tickets.
Battersea Park in Concert 26 – 28 August
London’s most magical open-air concert series, Battersea Park In Concert is set to host three days of stellar music with classical, coul and jazz performances from Gabrielle, Royal Philharmonic Concert Orchestra, and The Ronnie Scott’s All Stars. Other performers include British saxophonist YolanDa Brown, injecting fusions of reggae, jazz and soul. Unpack a picnic, pop the fizz and relax. Organised by not-for-profit organisation Enable. Tickets for Battersea Park In Concert here
Forwards 1 – 2 September
We were impressed with the lineup at Forwards festival last year and they’ve pulled it out of the bag again for 2023. Bristol’s newest event is everything you want from an inner city gathering. Erykah Badu, Raye, Gabriels and Prima Queen star on Friday, and Aphex Twin, Leftfield, Jockstrap and Intoku on Saturday. The forward-thinking event also has a space for debate and discussions too. A festival defining concept stage – THE INFORMATION at FORWARDS – faces pressing cultural issues head on, with no conversation off limits. The 2023 programme will tackle inequality in the media, the housing emergency, racism, sexism in story writing, black novelists and writers, queer stories, politics on TikTok and more. Headline speaker names for 2023 include David Olusoga and artist Jeremy Deller. Forwards Bristol tickets, concessionary priced for local residents.
All information correct on date of posting: 5 July 2023