OUTSIDE WALES
OUTSIDE WALES
Words: BILL KNOWLES
T IN THE PARK
Balado, Kinross-shire Fri 12-Sun 14 July
What: If you reckon it’ s not a real festival without mud, why not swing on up to Scotland where you can fill your boots( or rather, your wellies) at the Radio 1-lovers’ festival of choice, T In The Park. Who: Mumford & Sons, Chase And Status, Calvin Harris How much: £ 194 Info: www. tinthepark. co. uk
WIRELESS
Queen Elizabeth Park, London Fri 12-Sun 14 July
What: It’ s the UK’ s biggest city’ s biggest park, playing host to the biggest acts in pop, and this year’ s diverse bill sees Justin Timberlake headlining on Friday, Jay-Z headlining on Saturday, and... wait for it... Jay-Z and Justin Timberlake headlining on Sunday. Who: Jay-Z and Justin Timberlake How much: £ 83( Sun tickets only) Info: www. wirelessfestival. co. uk
LATITUDE
Henham Park, Suffolk Thurs 18-Sun 21 July
What: What reasons are there to buy a ticket to a German festival, or a Croatian festival, when we’ ve got our very own European-style festival in idyllic Suffolk? Well, apart from the weather, of course. And the food. And the culture. Who: Bloc Party, Kraftwerk, Foals How much: £ 190.50 Info: www. latitudefestival. com
SECRET GARDEN PARTY
Abbots Ripton, Cambridgeshire Thurs 25-Sun 28 July
What: This hippie / hipster haven began life as a single stage next to a lake, but has since grown to become a big name in the world of summer gatherings. It still continues to exhibit a definite home-spun charm. Who: Bastille, Lee Fields & The Expressions, Django Django How much: £ 135- £ 191 Info: www. secretgardenparty. com
WOMAD
Charlton Park. Wiltshire Thurs 25-Sun 28 July
What: No longer just a bunch of hippies smoking grass and listening to African drumming in a field, WOMAD has become a welcoming family festival championing some of the best in global music and entertainment. Who: Seun Kuti & Egypt 80, Toots And The Maytals How much: £ 145 Info: www. womad. co. uk
LOUNGE ON THE FARM
Merton Farm, Canterbury Fri 26-Sun 28 July
What: Combining food, music and lounging( three of my favourite things), Lounge On The Farm has a winning combination of noteworthy live acts, a great countryside setting and all the sumptuous local grub you could ever dream of. Who: Soul II Soul, Jessie Ware, Seasick Steve How much: £ 100 Info: www. loungeonthefarm. co. uk
BOOMTOWN FAIR
Matterley Estate, Hampshire Thurs 8-Sun 11 Aug
What: Cooler than a polar bear drinking a mojito on a skateboard, Boomtown Fair is rapidly becoming the festival of choice for all those dub / ska / punk scenesters out there. The festival combines a heady mix of underground music with an inventive streetparty vibe. Who: Toots & The Maytals, Lee Scratch Perry, Parov Stelar Band
How much: £ 20- £ 149 Info: www. boomtownfair. co. uk
BEACONS FESTIVAL
Skipton, Yorkshire 16-18 Aug
What: Not to be confused with Green Man: the family-friendly alternative music festival in the Brecon Beacons, Beacons Festival is an alternative, family-friendly music festival in Yorkshire. Or... um... is that the other way round? Who: Bonobo, Django Django, Ghostpoet How much: £ 99.50 Info: www. greetingsfrombeacons. com
THE CARLING WEEKEND
Richfield Avenue, Reading + Branham Park, Leeds Thurs 23-Sun 25 Aug
What: Sounding, appropriately, like‘ that time in Malaga when Tozza went mental’, The Carling Weekend is Leeds’ and Reading’ s unique answer to all those loved-up hippies in Glastonbury. Forget aligning your chakras, grab a onesie and invest in a fireproof tent! Who: Biffy Clyro, Green Day, Eminem How much: £ 202 Info: www. readingfestival. com / www. leedsfestival. com
END OF THE ROAD FESTIVAL
Larmer Tree Gardens, Dorset Fri 30 Aug-Sun 1 Sept
What: With its library,‘ healing field’ and secret sets in woodland clearings, End Of The Road Festival gives the impression of being either the most chilled out festival in the world, or the plot of a lost episode of The Prisoner. Who: Sigur Ros, Belle And Sebastian, David Byrne How much: £ 175 Info: www. endoftheroadfestival. com
BESTIVAL
Robin Hill Country Park, Isle Of Wight Thurs 5-Sun 8 Sept pic: JACK PASCO
What: Rob Da Bank’ s family-friendly fun fest turns 19 this year, and – like idealistic freshers everywhere – it just loves environmentalism, charity fundraising and fancy dress. Oh, and dancing about while explaining how we’ re all, kind of, the same... y’ know? Who: Elton John, Snoop Lion, Flamin Lips, The Roots How much: £ 190 Info: www. bestival. net
BUZZ 22