UK festivals you shouldn’t miss this summer

If there’s one thing the UK knows how to do, it’s put on an awesome music festival. With so many to choose from, it’s not difficult for music lovers of all genres to find a fun-filled weekend festival close by.

LadyRock Festival: 26th May 2012

Taking place in Manchester, this festival features an all-female line-up including KT Tunstall, Jess Mills, DJ Kate Lawler, The Arcadian Kicks, Heather Peace, New Young Pony Club, Josephine, Second Hand Wings, Horse, Ronika, Irena D by Irena, DJ Merry, DJ Rivca and many more, as a tribute to the fact that female artists are making headway in the music scene. According to the website, “On Saturday 26 May, LadyRock Festival comes to Manchester to bring a bit of ‘girl-power’ back to the 21st century.” Tickets start from £32.50. It’s only one day, so no camping gear is necessary to enjoy this girl-power fest!

Download Festival: 8th-10th June 2012

In its tenth year, this festival has a reputation for being a legendary party; this year, the Download Festival will feature rock bands like Metallica, The Prodigy and Black Sabbath. Spread out over three days, this is a festival not to be missed! Camping accommodations are available and tickets to the arena – Donington Park –  start at £165.

 RockNess: 8th-10th June 2012

With an awesome line-up including Mumford & Sons, Noah & the Whale and deadmau5, this festival is absolutely not to be missed! Past festivals have had awesome line-ups, and this year seems to be following the same tradition. There are camping accommodations nearby, and tickets start at £149.00.

Glade Festival: 14th-17th June 2012

Glade is an alternative music festival that started out as a renegade sound system at Glastonbury and now makes it’s home in Norfolk. It claims to be one of the best electronic, immersive music festival experiences around. All about the underground, this festival promises an authentic music experience unhindered by sponsorship and commercialism. As with many of the other festivals, there are camping accommodations nearby! Each previous year has seen sold-out tickets so, with tickets beginning at £135, get yours soon! 

The Isle of Wight Festival: 21st-24th June 2012

With a history of incredible line-ups, and a consecutively large attendance each year, this festival is a summer highlight. This year features Bruce Springsteen and Pearl Jam, among others, and who wouldn’t want to be at that concert?! Camping and ticket information can be found here.

GoGo Festival: 8th-10th June 2012

This festival is another girl-power event. Located just outside of London, it offers three days of fun music, dancing and socializing, with concerts, lounges and bars. It’s line-up of Stooshe, Noisettes, Peaches and many more is perfect for women who are looking to have a good time. Camping accommodations are available and tickets start at £110, so it’s affordable and sure to be a fun weekend!

BBC Radio 1’s Hackney Weekend: 23rd-24th June 2012

This festival always attracts both big crowds and big UK and world-wide artists; this year’s no different. The festival is even bigger and better than ever in tribute to this year’s significance. With a line-up including Jay-Z, Rihanna, Jessie J, Florence + the Machine, will.i.am and many, many more, it’s going to be a heck of a party! 

T in the Park: 6th-8th July 2012

T in the Park is one of Scotland’s largest festivals, and with a line-up including Snow Patrol, David Guetta, Tinie Tempah and Florence + the Machine, it’s sure to live up to its reputation of guaranteeing a heck of a good time. Tickets are only £179 and the event features fun activities like ‘Fancy Dress Friday’ to make the experience even more unforgettable. 

Global Gathering: 27th-28th July 2012

This festival, in Stratford-upon-Avon, features Nero, Tinie Tempah, Labrinth and many others. This large festival has camping accommodations and a history of being a rocking good time, so with tickets starting at only £105, why not buy yours today?

V Festival: 18th-19th August 2012

This huge festival has a killer line-up including Nikki Minaj, David Guetta, Snow Patrol, The Killers, Keane and many, many more. Spread out over two days, it’s sure to be an excellent, music-filled weekend. And, once the day-time events are over, there will be other entertainment such as films, fun fair and markets for the night-owls out there.

With camping accommodations and tickets starting at £155, it’s guaranteed to be a great weekend.

Reading Festival: 24th-26th August 2012

This festival is one of the highlights of the UK festival scene, with bands like the Foo Fighters, The Vaccines, Florence + the Machine, The Black Keys, The Shins, as well as many others. With quirky traditions like “bottling off” – throwing bottles at bands that are wanted off the stage – the Reading Festival is traditionally a great time.

Leeds Festival: 24th-26th August 2012

This festival runs simultaneously with the Reading Festival, and features all the same bands. Both festivals feature punk, heavy metal, alternative and indie rock. Both festival sites have camping accommodations and tickets start at £197.50.

In The Woods: 1^st September 2012

This festival takes place at a secret location in Kent, just outside of London and has a line-up of artists including Micachu, The Shapes, Laurel Collective, Man Like Me and many others. It takes place on September 1^st, all of those artists have played at previous years. Tickets have been on sale since April 15^th, and there are camping accommodations.

Smugglers Festival: 31st August-2nd September 2012

Taking place in Kent, this three-day festival is family-friendly and offers a line-up including artists like Nuru Kane, Zoo For You, Ladies of the Lake, Black Market and many others. In addition to the music, there are other attractions like crafts, films and many other things to keep you entertained and occupied during the day and the night. Tickets are only £60 including camping, so it’s definitely worth the trip!

Bestival: 6th-9th September 2012

A little bit later in the season, Bestival may be last but it’s certainly not least. It won the award for best major festivals in 2010. Organized by BBC’s DJ Rob Da Bank, it features a line-up including Stevie Wonder, Sigur Ros, Bat for Lashes, Nero, New Order, The XX and many others, and consistently attracts a crowd of 50,000 to 100,000 each year. With tickets starting at £170 and camping accommodations, it’s a perfect way to end your summer!

 Katherine Alexander