FROM massive world-famous events to smaller boutique ones, the UK plays host to a vast array of music festivals every year. Covering all kinds of genres and artists from around our native country and much further afield, it is fair to say that the UK festival calendar really has something for everyone nowadays.
So as summer draws ever closer and music fans approach that all-important time of year, TTV casts a glance over some of the most impressive line-ups on offer in the coming months.
The Great Escape
Since its inception in 2006, Brighton’s Great Escape festival has established itself as one of the leading music industry events in the world. Showcasing a huge range of new music from the UK and further afield, it provides an excellent platform for burgeoning musicians who are looking to further their career. Known to attract hordes of music fans aswell as a strong industry presence, this year’s festival will host a pair of special Showcasing Scotland events in co-ordination with Creative Scotland where the likes of Be Charlotte, The Van T’s, The LaFontaines, TeenCanteen, Emme Woods and Saint PHNX will all hope to leave a lasting impression . Other notable names include The Big Moon, Dream Wife, Shame, Slaves, HMLTD and Goat Girl.
When: 18th-20th May Tickets: Great Escape website
Liverpool Sound City
Set to mark its tenth anniversary in style, Liverpool Sound City has announced a stellar line-up featuring headline shows from The Human League, John Cale, Metronomy and The Kooks. Taking place in the larger setting of Clarence Dock for the first time, the festival will run for four days between Thursday 25th and Sunday 28th May. Now the biggest inner city festival in the UK, organisers have secured a European exclusive in the shape of John Cale who will be performing seminal album Velvet Underground & Nico in full alongside special guests Fat White Family, Wild Beasts and Nadine Shah. Other acts on the bill include The Kills, Slaves, White Lies, Milburn, The Cribs and Metronomy.
When: 25th-28th May Tickets: Sound City website
Field Day
Field Day returns to London’s Victoria Park this year for its 11th edition on Saturday 3rd June. Paying homage to the best in alternative rock and electronica, this year’s line-up includes a mix of big names and hidden gems such as Aphex Twin, Julia Jacklin, Slowdive, King Gizzard, Death Grips and HMLTD. This year’s all-day event will also introduce a new indoor stage called ‘The Barn’ – a gigantic hangar-like construction that is set to rival the main stage in terms of capacity and atmosphere.
When: 3rd June Tickets: Field Day website
Demon Dayz Festival
Set to be held at Dreamland theme park in Margate, Kent, the inaugural edition of Gorillaz’ Demon Dayz Festival will take place in June of this year. Following the release of their highly anticipated new album Humanz last month, the outfit have unveiled who will be joining them at the specially curated event. Having previously teased that all of the guests on the album would appear at the festival, a number of them have now been confirmed including Vince Staples, De La Soul and Fufanu. Other stages will see performances from Danny Brown, Little Simz, Kali Uchis, Popcaan and Kilo Kish along with a Gorillaz Sound System and DJs.
With a ‘special guest’ still to be confirmed, it has been rumoured that Noel Gallagher will join the outfit for their headline set.
When: 10th June Tickets: Demon Dayz website
Parklife
Parklife brings one of the most varied and eclectic line-ups of 2017 to Heaton Park this June. Spanning genres from indie to pop to electronic to grime, organisers have impressively secured the elusive Frank Ocean as this year’s headliner alongside Manchester’s very own The 1975. Other acts include Two Door Cinema Club, A Tribe Called Quest, The Japanese House, London Grammar and Fatboy Slim.
When: 10th-11th June Tickets: Parklife website
Isle Of Wight
Following reports last year that the festival was under threat, Isle Of Wight returns this year between the 8th and 11th June. More huge names have recently been added to the 2017 lineup with Kaiser Chiefs, Texas, Example and The Sherlocks set to join the previously announced Bastille, Arcade Fire and Rod Stewart.
When: 8th-11th June Tickets: Isle of Wight website
Glastonbury
The UK’s most famous festival returns to Worthy Farm this year with an all-encompassing line-up that has something for everyone. From its iconic Pyramid Stage to its thronging nightspots to its hidden gems, the festival’s micro-city layout has become a subcultural paradise for festival-goers every year. This year’s headliners only tell half the story; Ed Sheeran, Radiohead and Foo Fighters will be joined by a plethora of huge names such as Father John Misty, The xx, The National, Chic, Royal Blood, Biffy Clyro and Run The Jewels. While tickets have once again sold out, it is still possible to get to the festival via some volunteering opportunities (details here).
When: 21st-25th June
Lovebox
Over two days in July, Lovebox Festival will celebrate the best of dance, hip-hop and electronica in East London’s Victoria Park. The event will mark one of two UK festival headline appearances from Frank Ocean alongside anticipated sets from Jamie xx, Annie Mac, Chase and Status, Rag’N’Bone Man and Solange.
When: 14th-15th July Tickets: Lovebox website
Citadel festival
The organisers of London’s Citadel Festival have secured a UK exclusive with the announcement of Foals as their headliner. Following a hint that they had returned to the studio at the tail end of 2016, it may be an opportunity for the band to test some new material. Taking place on Sunday 16th July in London’s Victoria Park, the Oxford five-piece will be joined by an array of newly announced acts over the course of one action packed day of innovative music including Bonobo, Laura Marling, Twin Peaks, Wild Beasts, A Blaze Of Feather, Michael Kiwanaku, Dan Croll, Banfi, Cosmic Strip and many more.
When: 16th July Tickets: Citadel website
Latitude
Latitude may be slowly morphing into one of the UK’s biggest and popular festivals but it will always be known for its boutique beginnings. A hugely creative event that has gone onto inspire many others in the UK festival scene, the award-winning Latitude returns to Henham Park in Suffolkshire this year with a good mix of music, comedy, theatre and family entertainment. This year’s music bill features some highly anticipated sets from The 1975, Mumford & Sons and a UK festival exclusive from Fleet Foxes. Mumford & Sons have chosen Latitude as their only UK date as part of their Gentlemen of the Road Stopovers this year and will take over the festival for a day with their own specially curated line-up.
When: 13th-16th July Tickets: Latitude website
Kendal Calling
Set in the heart of the beautiful Lake District, Kendal Calling promises an intimate and wildly eclectic experience for attendees. Now hosting up to 12,000 attendees with nine different stages to choose from, the 2017 line-up offers a good balance of the old and the new – this year’s headliners are Stereophonics, Manic Street Preachers and Franz Ferdinand while other acts confirmed to appear include Jake Bugg, Brian Wilson, Frightened Rabbit, DMA’s, Seasick Steve and more. Alongside its varied lineup’s, Kendal Calling has become synonymous with its picturesque location, real ale tents, gourmet food and fields full of activities and attractions. Tickets are already sold out for the festival
When: 27-30th July
Deer Shed Festival
Set in Baldersby Park in North Yorkshire, this small event has gained a reputation as being one of the best family music festivals in the UK. Taking place from Friday 21st to 23rd July, organisers have announced an impressive lineup for this year already with headline performances coming from Mercury Prize nominee Kate Tempest, Teenage Fanclub and The Divine Comedy. Other acts include Cabbage, Arab Strap, King Creosote, Honeyblood, Goat Girl, Teleman, Hooton Tennis Club and Let’s Eat Grandma.
When: 21st-23rd July Tickets: Deer Shed website
Tramlines Festival
Sheffield’s acclaimed city centre festival has announced a massive line-up for 2017 with headline performances coming from The Libertines, Metronomy and All Saints. Taking place between 21st and 23rd July, other names on the bill include Toots and the Maytals, The Coral, The Pharcyde, Twin Atlantic, Loyle Carner, Hot 8 Brass Band, Don Letts, Omar Souleyman, M.O, Cate Le Bon, Nadia Rose, Akala and We Are Scientists.
“After each festival, we turn to our audience to find out what they’d like to see at the next event,” said Tramlines director Sarah Nulty. “The overwhelming feedback was that people wanted to see bigger acts on the Tramlines stages. By streamlining Tramlines to three outdoor stages, it’s meant we could deliver something really special.
When: 21st-23rd July Tickets: Tramlines website
Y Not Festival
Derbyshire’s biggest music festival returns this year to the Peak District a strong bill featuring Stereophonics, Jake Bugg, Two Door Cinema Club, The Vaccines, Slaves and many more. With tier one, two and three already sold out, it has been advised to book up quickly if you want to attend this year’s event.
When: 27th-30th July Tickets: Y Not website
LeeFest
LeeFest began back in 2006 when Lee Denny’s parents went away on holiday and he decided to throw a festival in his back garden. Since then, the event has grown into one of the UK’s most celebrated independent festivals and now boasts a capacity of up to 5000 people. Promising intimate performances and a real party atmosphere, the festival will have a Neverland theme this year and boasts a stellar bill featuring Kate Tempest, Jake Bugg, Annie Mac, Wild Beasts, Shame and Catholic Action.
When: 10th-12th August Tickets: LeeFest website
Sunfall
Following a memorable debut in 2016, Sunfall Festival returns to Brockwell Park in London this summer for a day of two halves. Brought to you by the same people behind XOYO, The Nest and Phonox as well as famous Croatian festivals Dimensions and Outlook, organisers have secured another stellar lineup for its second year. Split in two halves, this year’s day session features Beautiful Swimmers, The Black Madonna, Jackmaster and more. Meanwhile, those attending at night from 10pm till late will witness sets from Giegling, Horse Meat Disco, Numbers, Worldwide and many more. Attendees also have the option to purchase joint day and night tickets.
When: 12th August Tickets: Sunfall website
Green Man Festival
Situated in Brecon Beacons in Wales, Green Man Festival has became a mainstay on the UK calendar and is known for its diverse lineups which showcase both established and burgeoning talent from all over the globe. Celebrating its 15th anniversary this year, organisers have secured arguably one of the best lineups of 2017 with Future Islands, Ryan Adams and PJ Harvey all confirmed to headline. The hugely eclectic bill also features Ride, Angel Olsen, Kate Tempest, Hinds, Conor Oberst, The Big Moon and Sunflower Bean.
When: 17th-20th August Tickets: Green Man website
Reading & Leeds
Firmly recognised as one of the biggest events on the UK musical calendar, Reading & Leeds will return to their respective homes at Richfield Avenue and Bramham Park this year for another huge annual bank holiday bash. With bigger and more eclectic lineups each year, organisers have secured a European exclusive for the 2017 event with Muse confirmed as their first headliner. Marking their third headline appearance at Reading & Leeds, the festival veterans have promised a ‘historic’ performance which will undoubtedly be another visual spectacular from the three-piece. Other acts confirmed include fellow headliners Kasabian and Eminem alongside Liam Gallagher, Major Lazer, Bastille, At The Drive-In and Glass Animals, Circa Waves, Blossoms and Haim.
When: 25th-27th August Tickets: Reading & Leeds website
End Of The Road
End Of the Road organisers have pulled off a remarkable coup for this year’s Larmer Tree event with the booking of Father John Misty and Mac DeMarco as headliners. Both artists have returned with new material this year; Father John Misty with Pure Comedy and DeMarco with The Old Dog. While the former will be making his debut UK festival headline appearance, Mac DeMarco’s show will be his only UK festival appearance of the year. The rest of the line-up is a typically eclectic affair which features artists from a wide range of genres; the two headliners will be joined by names such as The Jesus and Mary Chain, Parquet Courts, Bill Ryder-Jones, Band of Horses, Ty Segall and Lucinda Williams.
When: 31st August-3rd September Tickets: End of the Road website
Festival No. 6
Held in Portmeiron in Wales, the multi-award winning Festival No. 6 will ensure UK festival ends in style in September. The Flaming Lips will bring their unparalleled live show as one of the weekend’s three headliners, while Scottish post-rockers Mogwai and indie-rockers Bloc Party will also top the bill. Also gracing the main stage will be a unique collaboration between the globally renowned Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra and the world famous Bootleg Beatles who have created a huge celebration for the 50th anniversary of Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band – a festival exclusive that promises to be a defining moment of No.6’s special sixth birthday celebrations. Other bands announced include Wild Beasts, Jagwar Ma, Arab Strap, Honeyblood, The Cribs, Kate Tempest and more.
When: 7th-9th September Tickets: Festival no 6 website
