T In The Park

10-12 July, Balado, Kinross-shire.

The line-up is quite stunning for this. Presumably they’ve pulled out all the stops as this is Scotland’s only large festival. Mainstream acts include The Specials, The Streets, Pet Shop Boys, Franz Ferdinand and Lily Allen. James Morrison and Nick Cave could bring you down but your girlfriend should be happy. The highlight for me will be the sets from Dave Clarke and Jeff Mills. Expect harder 4 to the floor from the former and a minimal Detroit techno vibe from the latter. Also in the electronic vein, Nine Inch Nails and Laurent Garnier both play on the Saturday. Check out the website for the full line up.

Essential kit:

A decent Rucksack / Backpack

Site:  http://www.tinthepark.com

Isle of Wight

12-14 June, Seaclose Park, Newport.

 The Isle of Wight Festival was first held in 1968 but it was the 1970 event that was most famous, seeing the last major performance of Jimi Hendrix. There’s an eclectic mix of talent on display here.  Keep an open mind and you could enjoy Neil Young and The Zombies just as much as The Prodigy and Basement Jaxx. The Pixies and Simple Minds are also on the bill  with The Pigeon Detectives Maximo Park  and The Ting Tings adding a more modern flavour.  Ultravox  and Killing Joke play the Big Top stage and if you’re camping you can see the Human League on Thursday night.

Essential kit:

Waterproofs

Site: http://www.isleofwightfestival.com/default.aspx

Flickr Images courtesy of –  David Jones

Below is your guide to the best music festivals that are coming up this summer. The Typical British Summer! Sun, Rain, & Wind? Read and find out what the essential items that you will need for the festivals this summer ranging from waterproof clothing to sun lotions and Sun hats, this guide has got it covered.

Download

12-14 June, Donnington Park, East Midlands.

All you ageing rockers out there will be pleased to know that ZZ Top, Def Leppard  and Whitesnake are all appearing at this total Rockfest in June.  Faith No More will be playing live for the first time in 11 years and the mighty Slipknot and Marilyn Manson will be topping off what has to be the best Saturday night any metal fan can hope for.

Site: http://www.downloadfestival.co.uk/home/index.aspx

Glastonbury

24-28 June, Worthy Farm, Somerset.

The line-up has yet to be confirmed at this, the Grandaddy of festivals, but Bruce Springsteen, Neil Young and Blur seem pretty certain. Who cares? Don’t buy a programme, forget the line-up and just follow your nose, that’s how to enjoy Glastonbury. There really is something for everyone in this town-sized festival where the people are the show.

Essential kit:

For the pessimist:  Waterproof Boots

For the optimist:  Sunglasses

Site: http://www.glastonburyfestivals.co.uk/

Family Friendly

The Big Chill

7-9 August, Ledbury, Herefordshire.

Basement Jaxx and David Byrne of Talking Heads will be on a strong line-up; but for me, it is the return of Orbital to the stage that will tear the (non existent) roof off this cross-cultural party. For the more cerebral among you, Chris Cunningham is rumoured to be doing a live set. Who’s he? The cutting edge film director who made videos for the likes of Portishead, Bjork and various acts from the Warp stable.

Essential kit:

A sleeping bag for when you don’t want to feel the Big Chill

Site: http://www.bigchill.net/festival

Cambridge Folk Festival

30 July-2 August, Cherry Hinton Hall, Cambridge.

Booker T, The Zutons and The Saw Doctors are most recognisable to the majority of us, the rest of the line up coming from the more traditional folk circles. I’ve never been before but some of my mates go back year after year and always have a good time. Enjoy the friendly atmosphere, real ale and acoustic music.

Essential kit:

As  this festival is in the height of summer, a decent sun hat is a must

Site: http://www.cambridgefolkfestival.co.uk/

Compact and bijou

Hop Farm

4-5 July, Paddock Wood, Kent.

The site that also hosts the biggest military vehicle show in Europe certainly has plenty of facilities for this deliberately less commercial festival. The line up includes Echo & The Bunnymen, Paul Weller and The Fratellis.

Site: http://www.Hopfarmfestival.com

Gazastock

3-5 July, nr Hildenborough, Kent.

An intimate gathering in the countryside of the Weald of Kent. Every year this mellow festival raises much needed cash for a local hospice. Line up includes Origami Dinosaur, The 38s, The Diarys, Blackadder and Paul Dunton. You may have to keep your eye on ebay for tickets as they are limited and always sell out quickly.

Essential kit:

As organisers request no glass on site, Source Liquitainer 4litre folding water bottle is a great idea

Site: http://www.gazastock.co.uk/

Smelling Optional (daily tickets, no camping).

Wireless

4-5 July, Hyde Park, London.

A turn-up-on-the-day weekend of Dance and Hip Hop, featuring the likes of Basement Jaxx, Dizee Rascal, The Streets and a set by Paul Okenfold. Expect a mix of cultures and ages all trying to get bombed before the 22.30  kick out time.

Essential kit:

Shades are a must and better take some sun protection: Sun Cream & Skin Protection

Site: http://www.wirelessfestival.co.uk/home/index.aspx

Get Loaded In The Park

30 August, Clapham Common, London.

The E-generation should be out in force for this bash with Orbital, Laurent Garnier  and Carl Craig hitting the four to the floor, while Roni Size’s Reprazent pumps out the Drum ‘n Bass with an exclusive UK appearance. This is a Bank Holiday weekend,  so check your train times. The party finishes at a startlingly early 9pm so best have another rave to go on to (you must know someone called Steve who’s setting up a sound system in a field off the M25, surely).

Essential kit:

Sun cream and a pair of sunglasses for the morning after.

Site: http://www.getloadedinthepark.com/

Rave

Creamfields

29-30 August,Halton, Cheshire.

Expect a younger, Radio 1 listening crowd here. Acts include Basement Jaxx, Dizee Rascal, John Digweed and a welcome appearance from Sven Vath. If none of them float your boat then don’t worry, Creamfields is known for having just about any style of dance act that you can imagine. Be sure to check out their website to make sure that it’s your kind of thing as this is a very commercial affair.

Essential kit:

Hydration Packs

Site: http://www.creamfields.com/

Overseas

Sonar

18-20 June, Barcelona.

Not your usual festival. A series of performances, films, installations and more from the world of experimental music and video. DJs, VJs and hundreds of artists from all over the world will be hosting shows throughout the city. Expect thoughtful conversations from readers of Wire magazine and strange Germans who bleep in their spare time.

Essential kit:

Waterproof Cases for your Camera & Valuables

Site: http://www.sonarbarcelona.com/en/

Flickr Images courtesy of:
Al Green - Glastonbury Festival Image                              UK Mari – Download Festival Image
Twak – Cambridge Folk Festival Image                               Hoodrat – Hop Farm Festival Image
Dave Nicholl – 02 Wireless Festival Image                     Landii – Creamfields Festival Image
Sml – Sonar Music Festival Image

You will need a tent and sleeping bag; they will be your sanctuary when you need to escape the 24hr mayhem. Don’t forget tent pegs but don’t bother with a mallet, you can borrow one from the organised couple next door who have their own chemical toilet. Remember, sharing a tent is more fun and you should only have to carry it one way.

If you have friends going then preferably travel together. If you can’t then have a plan for meeting up, preferably before you pitch your tent. Mobile phones are obviously handy for this. If anyone’s been to the festival before then they may know a good place to meet up.

Going with friends is good because you can look out for each other in times of excess. It’s also a great way to get to know those friends of friends that you’re only on nodding terms with. Spend a day blitzed at Glastonbury together and you’ve both got a friend for life.

Don’t insist on sticking to your programme/timetable. Festivals are a time to get away from the control of modern life. Enjoy new sounds and new experiences.

Money . One year I went to Glastonbury with £4.50 and a sausage. I had a great time but I obviously recommend taking plenty of cash with you. Being skint at a festival is more depressing than being skint at home. Keep it safe, spread it around different pockets and NEVER leave it in your tent. Never leave anything of value in your tent.

Don’t take more stuff than you could happily carry for 3 miles. That’s at least how far you’ll probably have to carry it from the car park to where you camp. Wear comfortable shoes as you’ll end up  walking  miles every day, they don’t put those beer tents next to each other.

Take supplies: bog roll, water, fag papers, booze, sun block, whatever. If you don’t take it with you then expect to pay rip-off festival prices. Even water supplies can dry up.

Take a torch. Obvious really.

Don’t take glass. Most festivals (understandably) don’t allow it. Transfer that tequila into a plastic bottle before you go and you can be doing slammers in the sunshine whilst waiting for (insert name of favourite band).

I hope you find this useful. Have a great festival season and one last thing; take clean socks, for everyone’s sake.

Photo credits

1.  by clickykbd

2. by reds on tour