Welcome to the Big Issue’s summer festival guide 2024! From intimate boutique bashes to culture-shaking iconic weekends, there’s going to be something to truly make your summer sing
This pop-up arts festival in the Scottish capital is celebrating its 10th birthday with two nights of partying in an underground car park. Driving an ambitious programme of music, visual art and performance are Maranta and their ‘art-electronica’ show Microsteria, pioneering electronic-slash-world-music DJ Auntie Flo and Eclair Fifi, one of Scotland’s most celebrated DJs.
Independent family festival Bearded Theory has pulled out all the stops for its 15th year. Alt-rock legends Jane’s Addiction and Aussie pub-rockers Amyl and the Sniffers top a bill that includes Future Islands, Sleaford Mods and Dry Cleaning, while Ibibio Sound Machine, Orbital and Roni Size are among the acts to keep you dancing all night.
It began as a low-key affair, caught the wave that was the UK jazz explosion, and is now a fixture in the festival calendar, bringing buzzing jazz acts to the Cotswolds town each year. Headliners include keyboard superstar Joe Armon-Jones of Mercury winners Ezra Collective, Birmingham’s experimental jazz/electronic outfit un.procedure and Stroud’s own Daniel Inzani.
Celebrate some of the finest music from the Celtic diaspora at this long-running festival that takes place in a stunning setting beneath the peaks of south-west Scotland. Acts include Banco de Gaia, Queen Omega, 808 State (DJ set), Ríoghnach Connolly & Honeyfeet and festival favourites Mungo’s Hi Fi.
24-26 May Peckham Rye Park, London Friday £59.50, Saturday/Sunday £69.50
This dance festival celebrates the originators of club culture and those driving the sound forward. The festival does its bit for the surrounding area too, offering work to locals and raising money for charities such as the Southwark Day Centre for Asylum Seekers. NTS, Adonis, Horse Meat Disco and Nicholas Daley with Woven Rhythms have all curated stages this year, hosting the likes of Loraine James, DJ EZ, Joy Orbison, Interplanetary Criminal and Novelist.
Like your music with a heavy dose of (legal) mind-expanding discovery? Head to How the Light Gets In, set on the edge of the Black Mountains in the famed book town of Hay. Music comes from alt-rockers Sea Power, dub icon Mad Professor and electronic titans The Orb. There’s a list of smart thinkers including the former director of the CIA David Petraeus, theoretical astrophysicist Priya Natarajan, AI expert Shannon Vallor and… John Bercow.
An independent day festival showcasing cult favourites and some of the hottest up-and-comers about, Wide Awake is one for those who like to keep their finger on the pulse. Prolific psych-rockers King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard and the blistering Young Fathers headline, but wander over to any tent or stage and you’ll find something exciting. Our tip: don’t miss Charlotte Adigéry & Bolis Pupul’s irresistible grooves.
Discover the next generation of alternative music at Dot to Dot, which takes place across grassroots venues in Bristol on the Saturday, before the artists all head up to Nottingham to do the same thing again on the Sunday. This year electro-pop duo Jockstrap are headlining, while Wunderhorse, Abby Sage and Bleach Lab are among the rising stars taking to the stage.
Cross the Tracks has made a name for itself as one of London’s best day festivals and this year’s stacked line-up shows why. Erykah Badu headlines a day crammed with soul/jazz/hip-hop giants from BadBadNotGood, Eve and Madlib (DJ set) to En Vogue, Three Sacred Souls and Lady Wray. Regulars Channel One Soundsystem, David Rodigan and Gilles Peterson will be spinning tunes.
A small farm festival staged in the foothills of the Cambrian Mountains, Fire in the Mountain focuses on folk music from around the world and aims for strong representation from LGBT+ musicians. Performing this year are US singer-songwriter Jesca Hoop, This Is The Kit’s Rozi Plain and multi-instrumentalist Sam Amidon.
31 May – 2 June Thornborough Farm, Birmingham From £99 / day tickets from £45
Where better to host a UK ska and reggae festival than the West Midlands? The event is the first of its kind in Birmingham and original rude boy Neville Staple from The Specials will be performing a headline set of 2 Tone classics. Jamaican ska great Stranger Cole is also on the bill, along with The Ethiopians, Susan Cadogan and The Pioneers.
A commendable – and rare – ticket price freeze has not impacted Parklife’s ability to book exciting acts. This festival, a short trip from Manchester city centre, is always crammed with chart-friendly artists and industry veterans. Disclosure, Doja Cat, Kaytranada, Becky Hill, Sugababes, J Hus, Peggy Gou and Nia Archives all perform, while DJ producers Fisher and Chris Lake will stage their Under Construction show in a European festival exclusive.
12 June-13 July Eden Project, Cornwall Ticket prices vary
Image: Gary Mather /Alamy Live News
Another series of concerts that offer something for everyone. One day you have Rick Astley and The Lightning Seeds, and another, JLS and Tinchy Stryder. We’re most excited for Suede and Manic Street Preachers, Fatboy Slim and Charlie Boon, and The National supported by This Is The Kit.
Gottwood is a boutique electronic music festival taking place in the middle of the woods that books the finest underground acts around. Stage curators include north-east party starters Ape-X, underground website Freq and Nottingham record label Wigflex. Performers include Willow, Enzo Siragusa, Ploy, Voigtmann, Ruf Dug, Move D, Cinthie and Sonja Moonear.
14-16 June Eridge Park, Kent Weekend tickets from £214
Black Deer has established itself as the UK home of Americana, country and roots music. This year’s line-up boasts headline slots from Sheryl Crow, Rufus Wainwright and Joe Bonamassa, alongside Seasick Steve, Courtney Barnett and even Homeland’s Damian Lewis. Our top tip is soul crooner Jalen Ngonda, who sounds straight out of the 1970s. Then immerse yourself in motorcycle displays and a barbecue arena of “world famous eating competitions”.
The UK’s most famous rock festival has done it again, unveiling a host of huge names that put Guitar Hero to shame. Headliners Queens Of The Stone Age, Fall Out Boy and Avenged Sevenfold will keep the mosh pit going for three days. Royal Blood, Pantera – playing their first UK show for 20 years, Machine Head, The Offspring, Limp Bizkit and Enter Shikari also play.
This festival sees world-class musicians and upcoming superstars descend on the Scottish city, which is known for its vibrant jazz scene. Not much has been given away yet, but one confirmed act is pianist and composer Fergus McCreadie, whose career has skyrocketed with the success of the Mercury Prize shortlisted Forest Floor, which was crowned Scottish Album of the Year in 2022.
The iconic IOW festival packs a real nostalgic punch this year with headliners The Prodigy, Green Day and Pet Shop Boys. The Streets, Johnny Marr, Keane and Suede will be ensuring everyone can feel 20 again. As will The Darkness, S Club, Simple Minds and The Pretenders. You know what you’re getting here. The official theme is ‘summer solstice’, so don’t forget your midsummer folklore gear.
The Eavis family have corrected last year’s all-male headliner misstep and booked pop sensation Dua Lipa, R&B superstar SZA and the one and only Shania Twain, who will perform in the legends slot on Sunday afternoon. Coldplay also get top billing, performing after Little Simz, who is surely edging closer to her own headline slot. Anyway, the real fun is to be had elsewhere, with absolutely loads of amazing acts over the weekend.
Beloved Glaswegian noise wranglers Mogwai have put together a strong line-up for their first hometown festival. As well as a headline set from the organisers, expect NEU’s Michael Rother to give a krautrock masterclass, subversive pop thrills from Nadine Shah and shoegazing soundscapes from a resurgent Slowdive. White Rabbit books – publishers of Mogwai mainman Stuart Braithwaite’s excellent memoir, Spaceships Over Glasgow – will also host a literary tent.
Widely renowned as one of the best jazz and soul festivals on the circuit, Love Supreme always draws in the big hitters, and this year is no different. Get down to Chaka Khan and Kool & The Gang, enjoy a huge singalong with Dionne Warwick and groove with New Orleans maestro Trombone Shorty and UK neo-soul sensation Olivia Dean.
10-13 July Upcote Farm, Gloucestershire From £196.50 / day tickets from £36
Voted the best medium-sized festival at the 2023 UK Festival Awards, 2000Trees is an independent rock affair with a firm focus on community and a loyal following. Headlining this year are US rockers and Springsteen favourites The Gaslight Anthem, Aussie ‘shed rockers’ The Chats and Bedford’s Don Broco – in what will be their only UK live show of 2024. Last year’s headliner Frank Turner also returns, alongside much-hyped electro-rockers Wargasm, Bob Vylan and Welsh indie veterans Los Campesinos!
11-14 July Eastnor Castle Deer Park, Herefordshire From £255
Do some yoga, meditate, relax in a hot tub and then dance the night away at a festival hosted by the UK’s top party starters Cirque du Soul. You can see why it’s called El Dorado. Gracing the stages at this intimate gathering are Geordie rap star Casisdead, disco-pop titans Boney M and DJ/producer/vocalist sensation Eliza Rose.
Fall Out Boy will play Dowload in June. Image: Sipa US / Alamy Stock Photo
This funk and soul extravaganza by the sea does what it says on the tin – it doesn’t get much funkier than Nile Rodgers & Chic, does it? Dance the night away with banging sets from Norman Jay, Craig Charles and Horse Meat Disco.
This jazz, funk and soul festival in the second city’s suburbs has an incredible ability to ensure you only need to stop dancing to go to the bar. Kool & The Gang, London jazz star Yussef Dayes and Leftfield headline, with jazz-funk legends The Blackbyrds also performing. The Kurupt FM boys are also in town with their hilarious and actually-quite-competent UK garage set.
Liam Gallagher will play at TRNSMT. Image: TCD/Prod.DB / Alamy
You know what you’re in for at this Scottish big hitter, which this year welcomes Liam Gallagher, Gerry Cinnamon and Calvin Harris. It’s not the most diverse line-up on this list – with other acts including Chase & Status, The Courteeners and Blossoms. But it’s nice to see Garbage on the bill, and much-hyped band The Last Dinner Party are also playing.
This festival celebrates the vibrant cultures of Latin America, Africa and the Caribbean. Musical highlights include creator of the Afrolectric sound Franck Biyong and psychedelic Afrofunk from Hannabiell & Midnight Blue.
The annual celebration of modern rap, hip-hop and Afrobeats keeps bringing in the top names from around the world. Nicki Minaj, Future and Doja Cat headline alongside local lad J Hus and London-born US star 21 Savage. Nigeria’s Asake and South African sensation Tyla are ones to watch.
The north-east’s biggest pop festival is here to transport you back to the 1990s and early 2000s – a more innocent time. Busted, Vengaboys, BoyzLife (Keith from Boyzone and Brian from Westlife – who knew?), Girls Aloud’s Nadine Coyle and even Rednex are performing. You get the picture.
The unique Hebridean Celtic Festival has been a fixture in the cultural landscape of the Outer Hebrides for almost 30 years. It aims to protect and promote Gaelic and traditional music, platforming local talent as well as internationally renowned acts. This year headliners include James and Scottish pop-rock veterans Del Amitri, while genre-defying Irish musician Sharon Shannon will also perform along with Celtic icons Skipinnish.
18-21 July The Ribble Valley, Lancashire From £239
What started in 2006 as a small rave in the trees has now blossomed into a pretty huge rave in the trees. This year’s line-up features a who’s who of dance music, including Leftfield, Orbital, Erol Alkan, Dub Pistols, Sarah Story, Jamz Supernova and Channel One Soundsystem.
Arrested Development. Image: Denise Laura Baker / Alamy Stock Photo
This four-day music and arts extravaganza in the South Wales countryside is one of the friendliest small festivals around. This year’s full line-up has yet to be released, but headliners include daisy age hip-hoppers Arrested Development. As well as live acts and DJs, the festival boasts circus performers, creative workshops and art installations.
A one-day music, arts and culture festival blending disco, house, techno, and drum and bass with activities like yoga and ecstatic dance. Their ambition is to become a mini-Glastonbury by the sea! The festival has partnered with Youth Music Charity for 2024, who believe that every young person should have the chance to change their life through music.
A family-friendly festival of the finest folk, roots and acoustic music set against a backdrop of beautiful leafy parkland. Circuit mainstays the Levellers are headlining this year, topping a bill that also includes folk duo The Staves, Kora master Seckou Keita and his esteemed Homeland Band and the captivating six-piece Heisk.
The family-friendly festival in the Scottish Highlands celebrates its 20th year by putting on a pop music feast. Deacon Blue, Sugababes, James Arthur and The Futureheads all feature, as do Teenage Fanclub, Ocean Colour Scene, Jake Bugg and Sophie Ellis-Bextor, who is unsurprisingly higher up on the bill than she would have been this time last year.
25-28 July/15-18 August Dorset/Shropshire From £210
The ultimate family festival takes place in two separate locations. For the kids, there’s everything from skateboard lessons to space camp and beekeeping. The music stages are equally as fun – McFly, Orbital, Paloma Faith, The Darkness and David Rodigan, to name a few. If you’re going to Shropshire check out Say She She, who make fine disco-infused pop.
This is an old-school day festival set in the grounds of a Dorchester Brewery. Expect sound system bangers from the likes of Mungo’s Hi Fi (ft Eva Lazarus) and Zion Train, reggae from Macka B, punk hip-hop from PENGSHUi and while you’re there get down to the sounds of Manchester’s Riot Jazz Brass Band.
Dust off your studded leather jacket, rip those jeans and head to the seaside for the UK’s biggest independent punk festival. Iconic acts such as The Stranglers, Sham 69 and Stiff Little Fingers will take to the stage, while there’s plenty of room for new blood, with upstarts Bar Stool Preachers, HotWax and The Chisel set to keep you pogoing into the night.
Michael Kiwanuka. Image: Juan Antonio Perez/Alamy Live News
One of the most sophisticated festivals around, this. Music, comedy, literature, wellbeing – they’ve even got a review of the Sunday papers. Underappreciated national treasure Michael Kiwanuka headlines along with Faithless, Bicep (DJ set) and Jessie Ware. De La Soul, Alison Goldfrapp and Ibibio Sound Machine show how deep this line-up goes. Comedy highlights include Edinburgh Comedy Award holder Ahir Shah and screwball sketch trio Crybabies.
3-4 August Milton Keynes National Bowl, Milton Keynes From £110
As the name suggests, this festival is all about reggae and Caribbean culture. Dub, dancehall and jungle also get a look in with celebrated acts including roots pioneer Burning Spear, UB40, Shabba Ranks and Aswad appearing alongside stars of the younger generation such as Koffee, Popcaan and Skip Marley.
Spanning two seafront locations in Newquay, the long-standing Boardmasters festival combines live music with surfing – from pro competitions to beginners’ lessons – and wellness. Headlining this year are Chase & Status, Sam Fender and Stormzy, with strong support from The Streets, Nia Archives, Becky Hill and The Courteeners.
“A festival, but not as you know it.” That’s how Boomtown describes itself – and it’s hard to argue. The site is split into eight ‘city districts’, where you’ll encounter ‘citizens’ (actors). Guests are encouraged to play along and discover the underlying message – how we can transform our world. This is a green festival that offers discounts if you travel by public transport and aims to have net zero emissions by 2026. The music is set across 12 main stages and 50 hidden venues. The line-up is still TBA.
Folk rock veterans Fairport Convention have been hosting this annual reunion in Oxfordshire since they called it a day back in 1979. This year features Rick Wakeman & the English Rock Ensemble, Tony Christie, The Trevor Horn Band and, of course, Fairport themselves.
8-11/22-25 August Holkham Hall, Norfolk/Powderham Castle, Devon From £205
Get down to this adventure festival hosted by Bear Grylls. If you make it through the heart-pounding action, there’s a pop music feast waiting on the other side with McFly, Example, Sam Ryder, The Feeling, James and Ocean Colour Scene playing across the two separate events in Norfolk and Devon.
There’s something for everyone at this award-winning independent music, science and arts festival held in the beautiful surroundings of a national park. This year indie-folk darlings Big Thief and electro-soul crooner Sampha headline.
Gilles Peterson is back with the fifth instalment of his global music love-in. Headliners are flute newbie Andre 3000 and Sampha. Spoken word performer Kae Tempest, electronic producer Floating Points and Afro-pop star Obongjayar are our other tips.
Set in The Rural Life Museum, Weyfest offers a festival experience like no other with a working light railway running both steam and diesel trains around the perimeter of the venue. They also have an eclectic line-up featuring the classic pop of The Feeling and The Lightning Seeds, acid jazz pioneers Incognito and irie vibes with Dreadzone.
The Comet is Coming at End of the Road Festival in 2021. Image: Richard Garfield / Alamy
16-25 August Victoria Park, London Ticket prices vary
Running over two weekends in East London, headliners include cult pop icon Mitski, DJ/producer Kaytranada, disco punks LCD Soundsystem and rapper Loyle Carner. Field Day, which is now part of APE, will be headlined by alt-pop star PinkPantheress and disco veterans Justice.
The dance music Mecca never disappoints. Leading the bill are a flurry of A-listers including Calvin Harris, Fatboy Slim, Eric Prydz, Chase & Status and Charlotte de Witte as well as rising stars Peggy Gou and Eliza Rose.
What was once a small evangelical Christian music festival has grown into a much bigger event welcoming those of different faiths and none, with a focus on activism. The festival has a ‘pay what you can afford’ ticketing model and does its bit to challenge global injustice. Among the acts playing this year are Corinne Bailey Rae, the House Gospel Choir, spoken word artist Jaspreet Kaur and rapper turned social justice campaigner Darren McGarvey, aka Loki.
One of the most creative festivals out there, Lost Village offers a surreal festival experience in a secluded woodland dressed up as an abandoned world – think dilapidated buildings, old junkyards, hidden gardens and a disused airbase. The focus is on forward-thinking music, art, food, immersive theatre, comedy, talks and workshops. Maribou State, Ben UFO and Jyoty are in town, and there will be live performances from Neil Frances, SBTRKT and Sofia Kourtesis. Rosie Jones and Josh Pugh are among the comedy highlights.
An independent, anti-corporate, family-friendly festival overlooking the sea? Nestled between the mountains of the Lake District and Southern Scotland? What more do you want? Solfest is celebrating its 20th anniversary with a dizzying array of rock, drum and bass, folk, reggae, and world music. Headliners include golden age hip-hop legends De La Soul, The Wailers and Peter Hook & The Light. There’s also a kids area, workshops and even a steam room and sauna on site.
23-25 August Richfield Avenue, Reading and Bramham Park, Leeds £325
You won’t find a steam room or sauna at this classic rock festival, though Reading and Leeds has diversified a bit when it comes to booking acts – and all the better for it. Lana Del Rey joins Liam Gallagher and pop-punk pioneers Blink-182 as headliners, while Brits darling Raye and jungle revivalist Nia Archives are among the highlights lower down the bill.
23-26 August West Midlands Showground, Shrewsbury From £185
This celebration of folk, blues, Americana, world music and traditional dance is fun for all the family – even boasting its own festival-within-a-festival for the kids. Headliners on the main stage include Elkie Brooks, Ladysmith Black Mambazo, American bluegrass hip-hop band Gangstagrass and Scotland’s Peatbog Faeries.
29-31 August Cerne Abbas Brewery, Dorset From £145
Live music and camping at a brewery? It’s a match made in heaven. Set in the grounds of the Cerne Abbas Brewery in the Dorchester countryside, this award-winning 18+ festival will be headlined by LA Celtic punk band Flogging Molly, EMF (of Unbelievable fame) and rockers Pet Needs.
29 August-1 September Larmer Tree Gardens, Dorset £255
A music lover’s festival, with carefully curated line-ups in an idyllic setting that also offers comedy, films, workshops and literature events. The headliners are Idles, Slowdive, Fever Ray and, in a UK festival exclusive, Bonnie ‘Prince’ Billy. We would also urge you to catch cult lo-fi star Ty Segall, New York power-pop princes The Lemon Twigs, Sheffield guitar hero Richard Hawley, festival veterans Yo La Tengo and feminist punk group Sleater-Kinney.
Rated the UK’s best small festival by The Guardian, Supersonic operates sliding ticket prices and hosts a kaleidoscopic array of genres. We’re interested in Senyawa, who combine Indonesian tribal and primitive sounds with industrial music and Gazelle Twin, whose live show is “rooted in the theatrics of the séance”.
31 August-1 September Durdham Down, Bristol From £103
Forwards may be relatively new to the scene but it’s already drawing in the big names. Loyle Carner and LCD Soundsystem headline a bill that also boasts Jessie Ware, Four Tet and Yard Act, who are set to continue their ascent this year. Drummer and band leader Yussef Dayes, a leading member of London’s hip jazz scene, is also performing.
The Lightning Seeds play Eden Sessions in July. Image: ernesto rogata/Alamy
Organised by Dub Pistols frontman Barry Ashworth, Mucky Weekender is a 5,000-capacity gathering set within 28 acres of private parkland. This year’s theme is ‘The Mad Hatter’s Tea Party’, so get your March Hare outfits at the ready. The Dualers will bring Jamaican-style rhythm and blues to their headline slot, but look out for jungle producer and toaster Congo Natty and much-loved ragga deejay General Levy.
A music festival set in the 900-year-old ruins of Reading Abbey? Count us in. Gracing the stage are Shabaka Hutchings’ cosmic trio The Comet Is Coming, the all-female party band Los Bitchos and multi-instrumentalist BC Camplight.
Hidden Notes returns for its fourth year across Stroud’s churches, galleries and record shops. This year’s headliners are electronic music pioneer Suzanne Ciani and the Will Gregory Moog Ensemble.
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