11 unmissable UK festivals in July 2022

We look at 11 of the best festivals in July, from TRNSMT to Latitude and everything in between

If the weather isn’t good in July, it’s probably never going to be good. But the great thing about festivals is that music is much more dependable than weather. We once watched The Polyphonic Spree in a downpour in Ireland and it was utterly joyous. Is there a lesson here? Possibly not, but if there is, it’s to get out there, find what makes you happy and pack a waterproof. Here are the July festivals that you won’t want to miss.

British Summer Time

The yearly big kahuna in London’s Hyde Park rolls on into July with a bonkers good line-up. Adele twice! Pearl Jam twice! The Rolling Stones! Duran Duran! And that’s just the headliners. Cast your eyes further down the bill for even more excitement, from Sam Fender and Courtney Barnett (3 July) to Kentucky party starters White Reaper and no-pun-intended indie giants Pixies (8 July). London, until 10 July

Wireless

Not one, not two, but THREE Wireless festivals are taking place this month, crossing the north/south divide with consecutive weekends in Crystal Palace and Finsbury Park and a third in Birmingham. Each boasts a blockbuster line-up with headliners including Nicki Minaj, SZA, J. Cole, A$AP Rocky, Tyler, The Creator and Cardi B. The latter plays the same day as Megan Thee Stallion, raising hopes of all those ‘WAP’ fans. Crystal Palace, Finsbury Park & Birmingham, 1 – 10 July

TRNSMT

Scotland’s in for a jam-packed month but the jewel in the crown is this rager on Glasgow Green, marking its fifth birthday in style with a wide-ranging line-up. Everywhere you look, there’s something to get excited about: The Strokes! Sam Fender! Sigrid! Jimmy Eat World! Gang Of Youths! Wet Leg! Beabadoobee! Griff! So much excitement, we’ve now broken the exclamation marks on every keyboard in the office. Glasgow, 8 – 10 July

Edinburgh Castle Concerts

If you don’t already live in Scotland, there’s a valid argument to be made for moving there for the duration of the summer. Edinburgh Castle will play host to a series of outdoor shows this month, including Elbow and The Script, but most exciting are the returns of Scottish heroes Texas and Deacon Blue. If you don’t want to sit in the grounds of Edinburgh Castle and hear ‘Say What You Want’ and ‘Real Gone Kid’ then I’m not sure we can be friends. Edinburgh, 9 – 16 July

Standon Calling

We’ve already explained in detail why this line-up is unmissable, but we’ve a word count to fill so here we go again. Standon Calling has a reputation for spanning every genre possible and yet again they’ve left no stone unturned, pulling together a list that includes everyone from Primal Scream to Pigs Pigs Pigs Pigs Pigs Pigs Pigs, Sugababes to Sleaford Mods, Anne-Marie to Annie Mac, Declan McKenna to Dry Cleaning. Chuck in a dog show and a swimming pool (not at the same time) and you’ve got one hell of a weekend. Hertfordshire, 21 – 24 July

Latitude

Everyone knows Latitude is lovely and everyone knows Latitude specialises in great line-ups. This is yet another banner year. Headliners Lewis Capaldi, Snow Patrol and Foals need no introduction but the deeper you go down the list, the more amazing names keep turning up. Phoebe Bridgers, Afghan Whigs, Modest Mouse, Self Esteem, Hurray For The Riff Raff (if they play ‘Pa’lante’ get ready to cry), Porridge Radio, Nilüfer Yanya… There is no way on earth this will be anything less than wonderful. Suffolk, 21 – 24 July

Splendour

Yeah, you’ve been to a festival, but have you been to a festival at BATMAN’S HOUSE?! Splendour takes place in the beautiful grounds of Wollaton Park in Nottingham, the setting for Wayne Manor in The Dark Knight Rises. There’s no terminal darkness here though, not with the sunny pop of Supergrass, Belinda Carlisle and The Magic Numbers. Richard Ashcroft and Anne-Marie headline and the bill is rounded out with the likes of Ocean Colour Scene, The Human League, Razorlight, Melanie C, Craig David and more. Nottingham, 23 – 24 July

Camp Bestival

THE family festival of the year becomes THE family festivals of the year as CB adds a new iteration in Shropshire to go with its traditional Dorset location. The new festival isn’t until August so we’re more concerned with Dorset here (nothing’s cooler than playing by the rules, right?). The music is one big party, from Rag ‘N’ Bone Man and Sister Sledge all the way down to Charlotte Church’s Late Night Pop Dungeon and Elvana. But Camp Bestival doesn’t stop there. There’s an insane amount of extracurricular activities from yoga to ice baths to comedy to CBBC and CBeebies favourites Horrible Histories, Dick and Dom, Mr Tumble and Yolanda’s Jam Band. Dorset, 28 – 31 July

Summer Nights At The Bandstand

Like Edinburgh Castle Concerts, this isn’t a festival in the traditional sense but more a series of outdoor gigs in a lovely part of the world. Also like Edinburgh Castle Concerts, the line-up is exceptional, with a particular focus on Scottish acts including King Creosote, The Jesus & Mary Chain and Edwyn Collins. From further afield come Rufus Wainwright, Belinda Carlisle, Billy Bragg, Suzanne Vega and a whole lot more. Glasgow, 27 July – 13 August

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