Festival Fever Tuesday, 28 February 2017

Sophie Kenny

Festival Fever

Endless dreary days and cloudy skies makes it seem like festival season will never reach us. However, with a recent wave of line-up announcements from some of Britain’s best festivals, it is time to start the search for the missing tent pegs and begin the rummage for the mud-covered rucksack. 

Here are some of my top festival picks for 2017…

Parklife kicks off the festival season this summer. Held in Heaton Park in Manchester on the 10-11^th June, it boasts major headliners such as The 1975 and Frank Ocean. Alongside artists such as Stormzy, Mura Masa, Sampha, Two Door Cinema Club and London Grammar to name a few.

Boomtown festival is back for its 9^th year in 2017. The theme this year is ‘Behind the Mask’ and is based on the concept of a population celebrating the successful ousting of its authoritarian rulers, with one message ‘the future belongs to us, the world is ours’. Boomtown takes place on the 10^th -13^th August and features artists such as My Nu Leng, AJ Tracey and Frank Turner.

Creamfields festival is located in the Cheshire countryside and is held on the 24-27^th August. It won ‘Best Major Festival’ in 2016 from the UK Festival Awards and this year includes acts such as Axwell Ingrosso, the Chainsmokers, Oliver Heldens, the Martinez Brothers and Steve Angelo.

Running since 1989, it is fair to say that Reading Festival has earnt its place as one of the most loved British festivals. Coupled with Leeds festival, it takes place this year on the bank holiday of the 25^th-27^th August and features headliners Eminem, Kasabian and Muse. The line-up has only been partially announced but it features acts such as Haim, Circa Waves, Lethal Bizzle and Wiley.

Finally, Bestival is held on the Lulworth Estate in Dorset on the 7-10^th September and features artists such as Jamie T, The XX, Maceo Plex, and Annie Mac. Bestival is renowned for its creative music stages including HMS Bestival, Reggae Roots and Club Dada. Bestival is also host to paint parties in the woods, yoga, spinning classes and fairground rides if ever you want a break from the music. This earnt Bestival the title of ‘Best Major Festival’ in 2015 according to the UK Festival Awards.

I personally couldn’t think of a better way to spend summer days than in a field surrounded by people and music that you love. Plus, festival food is so damn good, there is no reason for you not to book a ticket to one of the above or whatever else takes your fancy this summer!