Soooo they might cost more than your average holiday abroad nowadays and you might start longing for your bed and a shower by the second day but there is no denying that, sometimes, bigger is just better. The UK has the BEST festivals in the world so we strongly suggest heading down to one of these bad boys; if there are any tickets left, that is!
Reading & Leeds
The first line up reveal didn’t have the instant wow-factor we’ve come to expect from the Reading and Leeds weekend but, following a huge recent announcement, it’s become one of the most impressive sets of artists we’ve ever seen. We all know who the famous four headliners are – Queens of The Stone Age, Paramore, Arctic Monkeys and Blink-182 – but make sure you check out some of the other unmissable shows throughout the weekend including Twin Atlantic in the NME tent and Jimmy Eat World headlining The Lock Up. After growing in size last year, Reading & Leeds are the most-loved festivals in the country except, perhaps, for the next one on our list…
Richfield Avenue, Reading & Bramham Park, Leeds, £213, 22-24 August
Glastonbury
Does Glastonbury even really need a mention? Think music festival and one of the first names that pops up all over the world is the mammoth weekend at Worthy Farm, Somerset. With one of the most extensive line-ups around, from headbangers to hippies there’s a little something for everyone. Despite the Gallaghers quickly putting to bed the rumours that Oasis would reform to headline, Michael Eavis has only gone and booked Metallica! Of course, it’s set to be as amazing as it is every year with acts including Lily Allen, Arcade Fire and Kasabian taking to the eponymous Pyramid Stage and the lovely Haim, The 1975 and Dry The River playing elsewhere.
Worthy Farm, Somerset, SOLD OUT, 25-29 June
Bestival
A little more alternative than some other huge festivals, this themed party on the Isle of Wight seemed to explode into the spotlight a few years ago and hasn’t left since. There aren’t many of us that would turn down the opportunity to see Outkast, even if just for Hey Ya. Oxford favourites Foals will also be taking to the island and Busta Rhymes, Disclosure and are sure to get everyone dancing. This year’s theme is Desert Island Disco which, let’s be honest, sounds amazing. Plus, it feels even more like a holiday as you have to go on a boat to get there!
Robin Hill Country Park, £195, 4-7 September
Isle of Wight
With Bestival stating its claim as the Isle of Wight’s signature festival, it seems a bit strange that the weekend named after the island itself just isn’t mentioned as much, especially considering some of the names that have been announced for the summer. Sure, some of it might seem a little mediocre but Red Hot Chilli Peppers, Biffy Clyro and Kings of Leon are worth the ticket price alone. They’ve even got Bathing Under The Sky hot tubs available (for an extra cost) so you and your friends can all get nice and cosy and clean together, while nursing off those hangovers.
Isle of Wight, £190, 12-15 June
Download
Download tends to be forgotten about on the radio-friendly festival lists or shunned to late night coverage, but look at the list of bands that are playing and the quality of the festival speaks for itself. The more other festivals are booking pop and dance acts, the more rock fans flock to Donnington. For the emo fans among us The Used and Fall Out Boy are playing and newcomers Lonely The Brave and Marmozets are getting a crack at the Pepsi Max stage. Most importantly, is there anyone out there who doesn’t want to see Linkin Park play Hybrid Theory in full? We think not.
Donington Park, £215 (with five days camping), 13-15 June
T In The Park
Often neglected purely because of distance, T In The Park – once again – has managed to come up with one of the best all-round line-ups of the summer; there isn’t another festival around that nails the balance of rock and pop year in and year out. Hidden away in the Scottish countryside, T has Biffy Clyro, Arctic Monkeys AND Calvin Harris headlining and is normally a great place to check out some bands a bit more under the radar. This year you can catch Jess Glynne, Royal Blood and, if you feel like getting into the spirit of things, The Red Hot Chilli Pipers.
Balado, Kinross-shire, £205, 11-13 July
V
Some of the crowds and performers look a little lacklustre on the TV coverage but it can’t all be as bad as Tulisa was when she played the main stage. The obvious choice for pop lovers, Justin Timberlake is set to put on a great show while Bastille and Ed Sheeran are among the easy-on-the-ears acts the festival has to offer. Be sure to check out Rudimental for the biggest party of the weekend, The Killers – because everyone needs to wail along to Mr Brightside at some point in their lives – and Blondie for one of the original and greatest ladies in rock.
Hylands Park, Essex & Weston Park, South Staffordshire, £189, 16-17 August
Well there you go: our choice of the best large festivals in the UK this summer. We can barely contain our excitement thinking about them, now we just need to decide which one (or four!) to pick. Whatever you’re into – pop, metal, or some good old-fashioned rock – there’s something out there for everyone. Don’t forget to pack your wellies and we’ll see you in the arena!
Written by: Kathryn Black