If you’re feeling a tad underfestivalled, there are even more events to head off to late in the season. Nothing like prolonging summer with a weekend of wall-to-wall music. Or if you’re pushed for time, or had enough of damp tents, non camping festivals are springing up in abundance.

Sea Change, Devon   25th to 26th August

On to its second year, Sea Change festival is set in a cluster of venues around Totnes such as a ballroom, a restored cinema and a walled garden (all indoors). The festival was set up by Drift record shop meaning you are assured of a well curated programme. I’m delighted to hear the elusive Manchester outfit WH Lung are making an appearance (they’re also at Green Man and End of the Road festivals). 

Also appearing are Amber Arcades, Blanck Mass, Hey Colossus, plus talks and  DJ sets. You can stay at a BnB locally, or take advantage of the low-price camping option listed on the website. Sea Change festival.

OnBlackheath   9th to 10th September

is a perfect non camping weekend for families and, as its partner is good old John Lewis, food takes equal billing to the music with a chef’s demo stage, the John Lewis Cookery School, talks and chef appearances. Curated by Masterchef finalist and private chef Tony Rodd, Jane Devonshire, winner of Masterchef 2016 will be in attendance, and on Sunday Michael Bremner from Great British Menu, BBC2. Music comes courtesy of Travis, Metronomy, KT Tunstall, Steve Mason and Jesca Hoop, plus lots more. 

 

Naturally there are plenty of kiddie things going on including an appearance by perennial favourite Michael Rosen. Get your tickets here OnBlackheath festival.

Head for the Hills  15th to 16th September

This is the new name for Ramsbottom Festival which takes place at Ramsbottom Cricket Club; there’s always a good lineup and things have ramped up even more this year. The Stranglers, Maxïmo Park, Dutch Uncles, Neville Staple Band, Skinny Lister, plus Alexis Taylor of Hot Chip. I recommend you see Tom Hickox on Sunday: I still remember his thoughtful and beautiful set at Festival No 6 in 2014. There is limited campsite availability. Tickets are £90 for full weekend, camping a little extra.

 

 Liverpool Psych Fest   22-23rd September

Always worth checking the lineup of this consistently well-curated and well-established event in Liverpool’s Baltic Triangle. This year Liverpool International Festival of Psychedelia sees the likes of Songhoy Blues, Loop, Andy Votel, Magnetix, LAWitch and Sex Swing. Liverpool hotels don’t come cheap but here’s a Hampton by Hilton five minutes up the road.  Liverpool Psych Fest.

Twin Peaks Festival, Hornsey Town Hall, north London  7-8th October

Twin Peaks fans can get a damn fine cup of coffee, cherry pie and meet some of the characters (Sherilynn Fenn and Michael Horse)  at the Official Twin Peaks UK festival, over the first weekend of October at Hornsey Town Hall in north London. There’s something peculiarly Lynchian about the building too. Day tickets from £65. Hornsey Town Hall Arts

The End festival  16 – 25th November

The End festival used to brightened up dark November evenings in north London for several years (see 2015 here) but it disappeared in 2016, more’s the pity. Now The End is back, and will be popping up at venues all around London and beyond. Details are soon to be finalised, but keep a look out, I’ll report on it shortly. Organisers are The Local who also programmed at Wilderness, and have a few other goodies lined up for autumn: David Broughton at Paper Dress Vintage (tickets here), and Hawk (details to come).