There’s nothing quite like the laid-back days and enchanting evenings that are provided by the UK’s many music festivals – even taking into consideration that most infamous British characteristic – the weather.
It may be fallow year at Glastonbury – arguably the daddy of all the UK summer music festivals – but there’s still plenty of other such events on offer for the nation’s festival loving thousands to enjoy. Here we have drawn up a list of some of the most popular choices amongst them.
Isle of Wight Festival
21-24 June 2018, Seaclose Park, Isle of Wight
Headliners: Kasabian, Depeche Mode, The Killers, Liam Gallagher, Van Morrison
First held in 1968, the Isle of Wight music festival was regarded by many as Europe’s equivalent to Woodstock. Artists such as Jimi Hendrix, The Who and Joni Mitchell performed on the stage there in those early years.
This year sees it celebrate 50 years since that first offering – although the festival was not held between 1970 and 2002. Music promoter John Giddings was responsible for re-launching it, and it has grown into one of the most popular festivals on the schedule.
The Rolling Stones, David Bowie and Bruce Springsteen are amongst those who have played there in recent times and with every passing year, the festival always delivers a superb line-up for its thousands of visitors.
Latitude Festival
12-15 July 2018, Henham Park, Suffolk
Headliners: The Killers, Solange, alt-J, The Vaccines, Rag ‘N’ Bone Man
With a wide variety of events and activities on offer, Latitude is far more than just a music festival. There’s theatre, comedy, an onsite cinema, DJs in the woods, lake swimming, and even a circus – and that’s without even mentioning the superb music line-up.
This unique festival, where you’ll find colourful sheep roaming around the fields without a care in the world, was first held back in 2006. Always looking to develop and improve, through initiative and no little endeavour, The Times Online has described it as “One of the coolest festivals.”
With a programme as diverse as it is deep in quality, there really is something for everyone here. All taking place in Suffolk, at the wonderful Henham Park, get set for four delightful days in the heart of England’s summer.
Camp Bestival
26-29 July 2018, Lulworth Castle, Dorset
Headliners: Rick Astley, Clean Bandit, Simple Minds
Awarded best new festival at the UK Festival Awards in 2008, this family friendly event – the sister festival of Bestival – has gone from strength to strength since its introduction. Held at the delightful Lulworth Castle in Dorset it boasts a programme that has something for every member of the family.
Alongside the excellent music line-up, there’s an impressive arts programme as well as countless activities and shows that include many designed especially for the younger ones. It proudly declares to be the friendliest festival out there, and the camping environment is welcoming and even has its own official event campers group!
Download Festival
8-10 June 2018, Donington Park, Derby
Headliners: Ozzy Osbourne, Avenged Sevenfold, Guns N' Roses
First staged in 2003, Download is believed by many to be the leading hard rock and heavy metal festival in the world. Taking place in June at Donington Park, Derby, it has plugged the gap left by the long-running Monsters of Rock Festival after it ended in 1996.
The list of current and past performers at the event really does read like a who’s who of heavy rock royalty, with every artist of note in modern metal history, from ACDC to Black Sabbath making an appearance there at some point.
This year sees the return to the East Midlands venue of Ozzy Osbourne, along with legendary US band Guns N’ Roses. Originally a two-day event, Download was expanded to three days in 2005, much to the delight of its fans the world over.
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