Now that the dreaded Glastonbury resale is over and the dust has settled, it’s time to take stock. And guess what: even if tickets eluded you this year, there’s still plenty of amazing festivals out there.
From the mainstream to the niche, the UK’s music scene is bursting at the seams with great events and getting tickets for them is refreshingly easy – at least easier than a ticket to Glastonbury. Here’s our pick of the best of the rest...
The Great Escape
If you like the sound of catching a future Glastonbury star long before they make it to the Pyramid Stage – and securing full rights to bang on about that time you saw them headlining some grotty old pub long before they made it big – this seaside staple is a must. One for the new music fans, it's sort of like Austin’s SXSW, but with fewer tacos, more fish and chips, and slightly patchier weather. More than 500 emerging artists descend on Brighton to play gigs all over the city: Gia Ford, Kenya Grace, Kneecap, Picture Parlour, and Lauran Hibberd are among this year’s names to watch out for.
May 15 to 18
Bearded Theory
This Derbyshire festival might be titchy compared to Glastonbury with a capacity of around 15,000, but an abundance of Unfairground-styled hippy vibes mean it’s still a great shout as an alternative. Jane's Addiction, Amyl and the Sniffers, Future Islands and Sleaford Mods top the four day festival’s bill, which also features the likes of Dry Cleaning, The Big Moon, and Sprints.
May 23 to 26
Love Supreme
For those who spend a decent portion of Glastonbury camped out in front of West Holts, this South Downs camping fest is one to experience. A celebration of all things jazz, soul and funk, with a sprinkling of disco and hip-hop for good measure, Grace Jones, Lauryn Hill, Earth, Wind and Fire, Pharoah Sanders, and Elvis Costello are just a few of the names who have played it since its 2013 founding; the 2024 edition welcomes along Chaka Khan, Dionne Warwick, Noname, Kool and the Gang, and more.
July 5 to 7
El Dorado
Hinging on the concept of the secret society hellbent on bringing “rave nirvana” to the masses – sort of like the illuminati, but friendlier – Hertfordshire's El Dorado’s dedication to beats and world-building brings to mind the gigantic scenes peppered around Glastonbury’s hedonistic South East area. Here, though, the so-called Naughty Corner is always in full swing, with Casisdead, Eliza Rose, Honey Dijon, Bradley Zero, and Ross From Friends among those fuelling the fun.
July 11th to 14th
Secret Garden Party: Roots
In favour of skipping the Pyramid in order to while away hours upon hours at the stone circle? Well head to SGP. Though this long-running festival, in the grounds of a Georgian manor, pulls its weight musically, the real attraction has always been the wild, distinctly psychedelic chaos that unfolds long after the main stage shuts. And now, SGP is leaning into that. Founded in 2004, the festival went on hiatus seven years ago, but organisers have since brought it back as a series of smaller-scale, more secretive parties. This year, with Roots, they’re dropping headliners, and hosting independent talent on a larger number of more intimate stages instead.
July 25th to 28th
Latitude
From arts tents and punting, to wild swimming and bright pink sheep, this Suffolk staple has the lot.Though headliners often lean towards the tamer end of the spectrum (this year is headed up by Keane, London Grammar, Kasabian and Duran Duran) bookers have a real knack for putting on rising talent. This year is a prime opportunity to see the likes of CMAT, Baby Queen, and Been Stellar before they hit the big time. Just think of the ‘I was there’ bragging rights!
July 25 to 28
WOMAD
If failure in the Glastonbury resale has taken a sledgehammer to your plans to luxuriate in the Healing Fields, WOMAD – founded by Peter Gabriel – may be your saving grace. The Malmesbury showcase of music, art and dance is a relatively chilled out affair, but beneath its hippy veneer, you’ll find some of the most interesting bookings of festival season. Artists from all over the world head here to play it; prepare to be surprised, entertained, and discover countless hidden gems in the process.
July 25 to 28
Boomtown
Set in a fictional place called Boomtown, with winding streets that judder in the wake of pounding drum’n’bass, this has to be one of the festival calendar’s most hedonistic stops. Packed with multiple districts to explore, the town’s story continues with each new ‘chapter’ or year, and the dance-leaning line ups stay under wraps until residents show up at the city gates.
August 7 to 11
Green Man
Like Glastonbury, this picturesque Welsh festival in the heart of the Brecon Beacons consistently sells out long before line-ups are revealed; punters just know they can expect great things. This time around is no exception: Big Thief, Sampha, Jon Hopkins and Sleaford Mods headline an eclectic bill that offers something totally different to the rest of the pack. Though it’s sold out for 2024, it’s worth keeping an eye on the festival’s own resale platform, where would-be punters can pass on their unwanted tickets.
August 15 to 18
Lost Village
Last summer, we crowned this Lincolnshire festival “baby Glastonbury” thanks to its boutique forest feel, high energy crowd, and intricate pieces of set design. The four day-er bills itself as “a forgotten world in an abandoned forest” and alongside the cream of the DJing crop (think: The Blessed Madonna, Sherelle, SG Lewis, TSHA, Maribou State) the decidedly more relaxing Energy Garden has Healing Fields written all over it.
August 22 to 25
Shambala
A fan of rolling into the Rabbit Hole, tagging along with a marching band on stilts and sort of just... seeing what happens? Step this way, my wobbly-legged friend: the weird and wonderful Shambala captures a similar sense of roaming free and embracing the chaos. Originally founded by a group of mates who ran a record shop together in the Nineties, Shambala is still owned by the same tight-knit gang decades later, and remains totally free of all “corporate bollocks”.
August 22 to 25
We Out Here
Founded by the eclectic DJ and 6 Music broadcaster Gilles Peterson, this Dorset bash curates a unique line-up of soul, hip hop, house, afro, electronica, jazz “and everything inbetween” alongside a focus on wellness and family-friendly vibes. C’mon, Worthy Farm isn’t the only place you can go with a helter skelter before getting a gong bath. And better still, here, you’ll get it set to the gentle flutter of Andre 3000 playing the flute.
August 25 to 28
End of the Road
Not to sound like an EastEnders meme, but the end of festival season has a tendency to leave even the fiercest sesh goblin feeling like Ian Beale, midway through screaming “I’ve got nothing leeeefffffft!” But before you pop off to run yourself a nice hot bath, find some gas in the tank for End of the Road, and an incredible line-up that features Mercury nominees Lankum and Jockstrap, Sleater Kinney, Yo La Tengo, New Dad, Mary Lattimore, and loads, loads more.
August 29 to September 1
Forwards
And a final treat for the tentphobes? Bristol’s inner city festival Forwards. Still near enough to get a flicker of Glastonbury’s West Country burr, firmly in the heart of cider country, and with a cracking billing to boot (think: LCD Soundsystem, Four Tet, Loyle Carner, Jessie Ware, Romy, Yard Act, Yussef Dayes) there is one crucial difference: you’ll have a warm, comfy bed to stay over in instead of a tiny, sweaty tent.
