The Great Escape
Thurs 18 – Sat 20 May
www.greatescapefestival.com
The Great Escape is THE festival for new music – and what better place to have it than in the heart of Brighton? Over 450 artists from all over the world will be showcasing their talent at more than 35 venues across the city, all within walking distance, including one of Brighton’s most visited landmark: the Palace Pier itself. This is the festival to discover upcoming artists in an intimate setting – before they hit the big time!
Conventions will also be taking place with insightful panels, topical debates, keynote speeches and even networking opportunities for those of you interested in the music business.
The Great Escape have created an app to help ensure you make the most of this spectacular festival. The app allows you to research artists, check out the lineup, create your own schedule and share it with your friends. It also notifies you of schedule changes – and secret shows!
Field Day
Sat 3 June
www.fielddayfestivals.com
This day festival takes place at London’s beautiful Victoria Park. This will be it’s tenth year, and having sold out every year since it began, it’ll be just as big! This year Field Day present a brand new second main stage: The Barn. This huge arch-shaped construction will have a state-of-the-art sound system and one of the most technologically advanced lighting rigs around to massively enhance your festival experience. Electronic artist Aphex Twin will be headlining here, with DJ Nina Kraviz also making an appearance.
The festival will have it’s usual village fête – Village Mentality – and this year’s games will have the theme of doubles. Return to your childhood with Tug of War, Human Double Decker and 3-legged racing. There will even be an eating contest! Of course for a dose of traditional Britain there will be afternoon tea and cake from the Dalston Women’s Institute, where the Farnborough Concert Band of the British Legion will be playing.
There are multiple tube stations near to the park including Mile End, Bow Road, Stratford, Bow Church and Bethnal Green, so experiencing this wonderful mix of vibrant music and silliness won’t be difficult to find.
Wild Life
Fri 9 – Sat 10 June
www.wildlifefestival.com
Local two-day festival Wild Life comes to Shoreham’s Brighton City Airport this June. The usual days of the festival have changed this year, so you won’t feel completely frazzled by Monday. Elrow Brighton will be bringing Sambodromo does Brazil to the festival, so expect to be transported into the Amazon with flowing rhythms, wild animals, lost explorers, fun-loving jungle dwellers and a healthy dose of samba and carnival. Local favourite Fatboy Slim will headline alongside Jess Glynne, Dizzee Rascal and winner of Best Grime Act at the MOBO Awards for two years running, Stormzy. Sussex’s own Rag’n’Bone man will also be making an appearance.
Wild Life is a day festival, so it’s especially ideal for those who aren’t fans of camping – this way you can come to the festival looking and feeling fresh. With buses and coaches heading to the site and the train station just ten minutes away on foot, getting there won’t be a hassle either.
If you’re not ready for the fun to end when the festival comes to a close, there will be plenty of after-parties going on in the centre of Brighton, with Andy C, Dusky and other big names having performed at Concorde 2 and The Arch in previous years.
Download
Fri 9 – Sun 11 June
www.downloadfestival.co.uk
Rockers, pay attention: this festival is for you! Set at the ‘spiritual home of rock’, Donington Park, Download Festival has hosted some of rock’s biggest names including Black Sabbath, Slipknot, Metallica, Iron Maiden and AC/DC. This year is set to impress once again with more great bands lined up. Biffy Clyro will headline on Saturday night after achieving their second number 1 album with their seventh record Ellipsis. For their third time headlining, Aerosmith will be closing on Sunday, Download is Aerosmith’s only UK show in 2017, and is expected to be part of their farewell tour. Also playing on the main stage will be System Of A Down, who are are making a bit of a comeback having not played a single show in 2016. Alongside these unmissable acts include Steel Panther, Of Mice & Men and Fozzy. Not only will there be old favourites, but of course a few new names making their festival debuts and hoping to carry on the legacy of rock.
Love Supreme
Fri 30 June – Sun 2 July
www.lovesupremefestival.com
This three-day jazz festival is back at the gorgeous local setting of Glynde Place.This year, The Jacksons will be headlining to celebrate their 50th anniversary, as well as Gregory Porter, Brit award-nominated NAO, soul singer Corinne Bailey Rae and Canadian jazz band Bad Bad Not Good. Love Supreme is the perfect festival not only for Motown lovers, but for those also looking for a relaxed time in a scenic location. There will be a Supreme Wellbeing area where you can treat yourself to a range of luxuries including a Thai massage, reflexology and well-being workshops which will be taking place all weekend.
Verve Records will be also be bringing their 60th anniversary celebration to Love Supreme this year. The Verve Jazz Lounge will play host to film screenings, guest speakers, playbacks and artist interviews which anyone can come along to. Authentic music lovers will be pleased to hear that the iconic Rough Trade Records will be selling a range of vinyl and CDs on site – some of which you might be able to get signed by your favourite artist performing at this very festival!
Lovebox
Fri 14 – Sat 15 July
Lovebox is another festival taking place in Victoria Park – this modern and colourful festival has some big names this year with individualistic Frank Ocean, whose only visit to London on his European tour will be for Lovebox. There will also be favourites electronic duo Chase & Status, Jamie XX, Annie Mac and Solange. There’s music for everyone with a mad mix of genres and artists packed into two days. Sharp’s Brewery will be continuing their summer road trip here, serving their classic Doom Bar as well as some other fancy new brews. Perfect if you fancy a cold pint in the sun. An array of hand-picked designers and traders will be selling some of their funky clothing at Pop Tart Boutique, and if it’s aesthetics you’re concerned about, get yourself glittered up at The Parlour. If you couldn’t care less about your festival look, there’s a charity Disco Ball Golf and, of course, ping pong.
Secret Garden Party
Thurs 20 – Sun 23 July
www.secretgardenparty.com
Sadly, 2017 is set to be Secret Garden Party’s final year – but it’s guaranteed to be the ultimate year for the festival. The ‘Head Gardener’ hopes the party will go out with a bang and celebrate all that the festival has done for outdoor events in the UK, and most importantly, what the festival-goers have done for the event itself. So the theme this year will be… YOU! Living in a celebrity, social media-obsessed society where we feel like we have to be anywhere else but here, at SGP you will be there. Gardeners can come to a place where everyone adores you, everyone knows your name and you are the star of the show.
With a great atmosphere and plenty of arts and creativity all over the festival there will be so much fun and unique stuff to be a part of. The site has a man-made lake if you fancy a swim, or even just chilling by the water. There are also canoe transfers to the Lake Stage! You can pamper yourself with facials, yoga and meditation, or take part in the infamous annual paint fight. There will be fireworks, forest parties and even a naked rave for you eccentric types – or those who might have had one too many!
Standon Calling
Thurs 27 – Sun 30 July
www.standon-calling.com
Having won the UK Festival Award for Best Innovation, Standon Calling returns for it’s 12th year. The boutique music festival set in the luscious Hertfordshire countryside will be continuing with its usual imaginative themes – with previous years presenting motifs of Gods and Monsters, Running Away from the Circus, and Space. The festival, stretching over four days, will have some contemporary names such as Slaves, Clean Bandit and Laura Mvula, as well as some old favourites including Gary Numan, KT Tunstall and Grace Jones.
Music aside, there’s tons more going on at this friendly festival with loads of family activities, a dog show, fancy dress (with prizes!), comedy shows and even a pool and hot tubs to relax in. There are many captivating workshops and even Mr Motivator will be making an appearance if you fancy doing what no one really does at festivals… exercise!
