Festival season is upon us and I am STOKED. But every year it’s the same question; which has the best acts and more importantly, which can I afford without having to take out a mortgage. So let's go through the top 10 UK music festivals, discussing their genres, reviews, acts, and cost.
Reading and Leeds Festival
A very well-known and old-school favourite of mine. In my late teens this was the place to be, but because of this, you will find that both Reading and Leeds has a slightly younger age average. That being said the original ethos of this festival was to be the top uk rock festival, which ten years ago I believe it was. Nowadays with previous headliners such as Stormy and Disclosure, I’m wondering if they’re struggling to keep it this genre-oriented. Regardless of this, the festival itself is large, usually a mudpit, and just what you want from an August bank holiday festival. This years headliners are Blink-182, Fred Again.., and Liam Gallagher, with other acts such as award-winning Raye, Gerry Cinnamon and Pendulum. Tickets are priced from £325 for a weekend.
Download Festival
Let’s stay on the rock festival vibe and move straight on to Download. If you like head-banging, mosh pits and stage dives then look no further. This festival is a place for heavy rockers to come together and let loose and I mean what else could you want from a festival. Past years include some of the most incredible headliners from Black Sabbath to Metallica to System of Down. This years headliners are Queens of the Stone Age, Avenged Sevenfold and Fall Out Boy with other acts such as Enter Shikari, Royal Blood and Limp Bizkit. All of this for £300 a ticket, what are you waiting for!!!
ParkLife Festival
Moving away from the mosh pits, let's turn to the ravers. This event is the epitomy of Dance and Electronic music, where people travel from all around the world to dance the night away. With huge dance acts such as The Prodigy, Wu-Tang Clan, and Rudimental having previously performed, you know you’re going to be in for a good time. It's also only a two-day festival which means your recovery time is a lot shorter! This years headliners are Disclosure and Doja Cat with other acts to make you move such as Fisher, Camelphat, and Pawsa. Join the rave and buy your tickets for just £135.
Love Supreme Festival
Let's switch it over to something completely different and one of my all-time personal favourites. Love Supreme may just be one of the most wholesome and talented festivals out there. The music that leaves those stages is astonishingly good and to be honest very unexpected. With Jazz, Funk, Soul, and Blues artists, you can only imagine the talent they’ve had inside those gates with previous artists such as Jamie Cullen, Gladys Knight, and Little Simz. This year they’ve announced absolute iconic headliners Chaka Khan and Olivia Dean with other acts such as Mahalia, Jordan Rakei, and Joss Stone. Tickets are going for £194 with camping.
Wireless Festival
Calling all you Rap and Hip-Hop fans, this is the one for you! Based in Finsbury Park, London this is the place where grime, rap, and hip-hop meets, and my goodness what an explosion it creates. There's not many other festivals quite like this one, so I think it's safe to call it ‘one of a kind’. It's huge headliners this year include Nicki Minaj, 21 Savage and Doja Cat with a subtle hint to many surprise guests. Tickets for a weekend start at £258.
Tramlines Festival
It's Indie music central and I am all here for it. Becoming a highly popular genre of music this festival is filled to the brim with bands and artists on the indie scene. If you fancy yourself a dance to Paulo Nutini, a sing-along to Jamie T, or just a throwback to a bit of Snow Patrol then head on down to Sheffield where they have it all for you. This festival is one I would class as a ‘feel good’ festival and let's be honest, we all want to feel good. Ticket prices start at £140 for a weekend ticket.
Boom Town
Not only is this a festival of music, but also of art and culture, creating the most diverse and spectacular festival out there. With every kind of music genre performing, and a multitude of street performers and artists, Boom Town is the place for self-expression and honing in on your creativity. If you see yourself as the creative type, I urge you to check this one out. Boom Town keeps the mystery alive with no announcement of their line up as of yet but I’m positive it will be a good one! Weekend tickets available from £290.
All Points East
Differing slightly from the normal camping festivals, this festival is a small festival held in Victoria Park in London and has no campsite. Think about how much easier it will be not to lose anyone in such a smaller site! It’s also spread between two adjacent weekends meaning you can choose which day tickles your fancy and head down for a day to remember. This year's headliners include Loyle Carner, LCD Sound System, and Death Cab for Cutie, and can be bought at a day rate of £79.Â
Boardmasters Festival
The clues in the name for this one. Set down on the coast of Newquay, lovers of surfing and music can have the experience of their lives at this festival. With a staggeringly good line up every year paired with the Boardmasters Open surf competition, it's up there with one of the most inspiring festivals. With the ethos being freedom and creativity, it lives up to it every year with the spectacular location and line up. This year they’ve upped their game again with headliners such as Sam Fender, Stormy and Chase & Status. Tickets are selling super quick, but weekend tickets are still available from £279.
Glastonbury Festival
The sheer impossibleness of getting tickets to Glastonbury, shows just how good this festival is. After years and years of failed attempts at getting tickets, leaves me with nothing more to say about it. It’s a corker, but it’s impossible to get tickets if you haven’t already been before. Nuff said.
Forwards Festival
And finally, it would be rude not to mention our very own Bristol festival. Hosted on the beautiful stretch of the downs, this festival is a must if you want to see stunning artists alongside an abundance of local talent. Held at the end of August, it really is the best way to finish off your summer - sipping cider in the sun, listening to music you love. Tickets are just £114, for headliners Loyle Carner and LCD Soundsystem, and I'll definitely be buying myself one.
And there it is, proof that there really is a festival to suit everyone! And hey if you aren’t a festival go-er, watch it on the TV, listen to it on the radio, and immerse yourself in the quality sounds - it’s good for the soul!