As summer approaches, you may now be considering the best music festivals to attend. Here, Daily Info breaks down the local festivals worth the pennies, as well as a handful of festivals slightly further afield that are also worth your consideration.
Local choices
Nocturne Live (Blenheim Palace)
For four days in June Blenheim Palace turns in to a music festival venue, one that eschews towards legendary performers. And this year the line up includes disco goddess Chaka Khan, 80s synth heroes Soft Cell, and pops finest, Sugababes. Plus support from the likes of Sister Sledge, Melanie C and Heaven 17.
But getting book now because Sunday (with Crowded House and Sheryl Crow) is already sold out!
Headliner: Chaka Khan, Soft Cell, Sugababes
Other highlights: Sister Sledge, Melanie C, Heaven 17
Cost: £45 to 90 (individual tickets)
Date: 13th to 16th June
Henley Festival
Following on from the Henley Regretta, the Festival itself offers days with popular artists suitable for Henley residents and those from out of town. The line up includes Pussycat Doll-turned-West End musical star Nichole Scherziner, one half of the Eurythmics Dave Stewart, and former Eurovision runner up Sam Ryder.
Elsewhere on the line up are some terrific comedians, all mainstays of panel shows. So whether you are looking for lyrical performances or laughs, Henley Festival has you covered.
Headliners: Nicole Scherzinger, Dave Stewart’s Eurythmics, Gladys Knight, Minsitry of Sounds Ibiza Anthems, Sam Ryder
Other highlights: Mark Watson, Angela Barnes, Sara Pascoe, Dara O’Briain
Cost: From £80
Date: 10th to 14th July
Truck Festival (Hill Farm, Steventon)
A glorious end of school year part, Truck Festival’s reputation as one of the best small festivals around is unimpeachable. They also get amazing bands, with this year’s festival headlined by Jamie T, The Streets and, most excitingly, Wet Leg. The rest of the line up is mostly acts on the cusp of proper greatness, but more seasoned performers like Sophie Ellis-Bexter, The Kooks and Katy B.
But book now as Truck is sure to sell out long before the big weekend arrives.
Headliners: Jamie T, Wet Leg, The Streets, Idles
Other highlights: Sophie Ellis-Bextor, The Kooks, Katy B, Sub Focus
Cost: £150 to £250
Dates: 26th to 28th July
Wilderness Festival (Cornbury Park)
A properly boujee affair, Wilderness sells itself as a ‘weekend of escapism, high jinks and wholesome hedonism. Those juxtapositions come from the top downwards, with the headliners ranging from singer-songwriter Michael Kiwanuka to dance royalty Faithless, by way of more pop-friendly BICEP and Jessie Ware.
Wilderness prides itself about being more then just music and you’ll find talks, comedy, theatre, body & mind workshops and scrumptious dining experiences. Plus a range of activities for younger participants, like bedtime raves, drag storytelling, and circus workshops.
Headliners: Michael Kiwanuka, Faithless, BICEP, Jessie Ware
Other highlights: Alison Goldfrapp, Bill Bailey, Craig Charles, Rosie Jones
Cost: £278
Date: 1st to 4th August
Rewind Festival (Henley)
Awash with Nostalgia, Rewind Festival has been a fixture in Henley for 15 years now, with this year’s instalment headlined by Billy Ocean (‘Love Really Hurts Without You’) and The Jacksons. Hits a-plenty can be found across the line-up, fine tuned for those who want an August weekend of comforting familiar bangers.
You can upgrade your camping for a more boutique experience and enjoy other perks like a fun fair, silent disco, the festival’s own club and a Kidzone. Something for all festival attendees.
Headliners: Billy Ocean, The Jacksons
Other highlights: Gabrielle, Kim Wilde, Earth, Wind & Fire, Peter Hook & the Light
Cost: £162.25
Date: 16th to 18th August
Big Feastival (Chipping Norton)
Alex James’ Big Feastival is a big swirl of music and food, combing two of our loves. This year’s edition is headlined by pop star Becky Hill, indie titans Snow Patrol and an edition of Ministry of Sound Classical.
There are also celebrity chefs like Raymond Blanc, Cherish Finden, and George Egg, as well as amazing street food, and plenty to keep younger members of your party entertained.
Headliners: Becky Hill, Ministry of Sound Classical, Snow Patrol
Other highlights: Cat Burns, Johnny Marr, Ella Henderson, Natasha Bedingfield, CMAT, Kate Nash, Circa Waves, Rhys James
Cost: £93.50 to 198.95
Date: 23rd to 25th August
Further afield
Wychwood Festival (Cheltenham)
An early summer festival, Wychwood is geared towards the whole family. The music line-up leans towards certified hit makers like Sister Sledge, Ocean Colour Scene and The Coral.
There’s also a rich comedy line-up headed by Marcus Brigstocke, plus a children’s literature festival within the festival, with heaps of visiting authors throughout the weekend. And kid friendly activities across the days, mixing workshops and performances. It’s almost like this is the final weekend of the May Half Term.
Headliners: Sister Sledge, Texas, Ocean Colour Scene
Other highlights: Connie Bailey Rae, The Feeling, The Hoosiers, The Coral, The Bootleg Beatles, Seasick Steve, Dexys
Cost: £184.50 (weekend), £54.50 to 74.50 (day)
Date: 31st May to 2nd June
On the Mount at Wasing (Reading)
The Mount at Wasing plays host to concerts throughout June, with an event for seemingly most music tastes. Those who want some seasoned hits, pick the Crowded House day. If you want modern dancey pop, recent Brit winners Jungle are far you. And if you want dance music kings, there’s Underworld.
So pick your day and head on down to the estate.
Headliners: Crowded House, Nick Mulvey, Jungle, Underworld
Other highlights: Liam Finn, Rodrigo Y Gabriela
Cost: £56.15-65.15
Date: 17th to 29th June
Stowaway Festival (Stowe)
A festival that gears itself as being for true, new and little ravers, Stowaway has a line up rich in dance music. It’s a three day celebration of culture, music and arts. As well as dance legends Groove Armada and Leftfield, you can find comedy and theatre, with sets from the likes of Kiri Pritchard-Mclean, Laura Smyth and Dinesh Nathan.
There’s also a host of summer activities to take part in, from bushcraft to roller disco via pirate school and paddle boarding. A great late summer treat.
Headliners: Groove Armada DJ set, Greentea Peng, Leftfield
Other highlights: Max Cooper, Artwork, Laura Misch, Oh My God! It’s the Church
Cost: £65-179
Date: 16th to 18th August
Reading Festival
Arguably the biggest festival outside of Glastonbury, Reading has always skewed younger, a riotous end of school holiday vibe takes over it. Recently they’ve booked double headliners each day, which means you get Blink-182 paired with Fred Again, or Lana Del Rey on the same evening as Liam Gallagher.
The line up spreads across music genres and eras, with attendees able to buy day tickets or weekend ones. There’s no festival quite like Reading.
Headliners: Blink-182, Fred Again, Lana Del Rey, Liam Gallagher, Catfish and the Bottlemen, Gerry Cinnamon
Other highlights: 21 Savage, Two Door Cinema Club, Raye, Pendulum, The Prodigy, Skrillex, Jorja Smith, The Wombats
Cost: £125 to 361
Date: 21st to 25th August
Victorious Festival (Southsea, Portsmouth)
Alternatively you can spend your August bank holiday in Portsmouth for Victorious Festival. Headliners this year are a range of huge hit makers in the form of Fatboy Slim, Snow Patrol, Jamie T and Biffy Clyro.
Each day comes with a comedy headliner (Russell Howard, Frankie Boyle, Al Murray) and an afternoon guest slot (Razorlight, Tom Walker and The Kooks). So whether you guy for the one day or the whole weekend, you are sure to have a terrific time.
Headliners: Fatboy Slim, Snow Patrol, Jamie T, Biffy Clyro
Other highlights: Idles, Louis Tomlinson, Jess Glynne, Razorlight, Russell Howard, Courteeners, Pixies, Tom Walker, Sugababes, Frankie Boyle, Becky Hill, Wet Leg, The Kooks, James Bay, Al Murray
Cost: £65 (day tickets), £175-195 (weekend tickets)
Date: 23rd to 25th August