The weather is heating up and the days are getting longer – summer is well and truly on its way. With festival season approaching, now’s the time to plan when and where to see great music in the great outdoors. And the Big Issue Summer of Music special is here to help.
It has never been harder to run a festival in the UK. The run-up to 2024’s season was full of event organisers announcing they were cancelling or postponing their knees-ups, from Nozstock and NASS to Standon Calling and Bluedot. One count put the number of fallen festivals at 78. Ever-rising costs and Brexit are frequently blamed.
But we’ve profiled the brilliant festivals and events bucking the trend. Big Issue’s annual festival guide features our pick of the unmissable live music playing near you.
In this bumper issue, we’ve also spoken to artists – from Eurovision winners to community brass bands – about the music that matters to them. Buy a copy from your local vendor.
What else is in this week’s Big Issue?
How to run a festival
End of the Road has sold out in advance every year since 2008, and counts Patti Smith, David Byrne and the only ever UK festival set from Sufjan Stevens among past headliners. Over the years, it’s carved its own path in the UK’s festival landscape. Almost 20 years ago, its founder sold his house to begin the festival. He told Big Issue how he pulled it off.
The Bradford brass band raising their horns in protest
For more than a century, brass bands have been pillars of the community in and around Bradford. The tradition began during the industrial revolution, when factories, mills and mines started bands to give workers a reason to come together. When the industrial revolution faded, the city’s love of brass did not. The Peace Artistes are continuing this proud tradition – with a twist.
