Music
The Ultimate UK Festival Guide 2016
We’re on the cusp of summer which means our minds are turning to festival season; aka, our favourite time of year.
Here, we give you the rundown on all the major line-ups shaping summer 2016. Don’t forget to keep an eye on Ticketmaster.co.uk/festieguru for the latest news posts, tickets and loads more.
The Great Escape – 19 – 21 May, Brighton
Who’s playing: Oh Wonder, Stormzy, Dead!
The lowdown: Few festivals showcase emerging artists quite like The Great Escape does. Over 450 up-and-coming bands play in 30+ Brighton venues, accessible on one wristband. It’s the first place to discover your new favourite band and see them in an intimate setting before they go on to headline major festival stages.
Dot to Dot – 27 – 29 May, Manchester, Nottingham and Bristol
Who’s playing: Mystery Jets, The Temper Trap, Rat Boy
The lowdown: Launched in 2005, Dot to Dot Festival takes place at various venues in three different city: Manchester, Nottingham and Bristol. Artists on the line-up don’t rotate but perform in each city consecutively.
Isle of Wight – 9 – 12 June, Isle of Wight
Who’s playing: Queen and Adam Lambert, Stereophonics, Faithless
The lowdown: Bringing together the biggest names in pop and rock, from the likes of Status Quo to Twin Atlantic. Spend the day discovering new music and singing along to the major headliners after dark.
Download Festival – 10 – 12 June, Derby
Who’s playing: Iron Maiden, Black Sabbath, Rammstein
The lowdown: Metallers return to the legendary grounds of Donington this June for another weekend of riffs, mosh pits and mayhem. Plus, it marks Black Sabbath’s last ever UK show.
Field Day – 11 – 12 June, London
Who’s playing: PJ Harvey, Mystery Jets, James Blake
The lowdown: Field Day returns to London’s Victoria Park for two days of all things indie. An amazing way to escape the city hustle without leaving town.
Parklife – 11 – 12 June, Manchester
Who’s playing: Major Lazer, The Chemical Brothers, Groove Armada
The lowdown: Introducing a Mancunian institution of urban, electro, indie and pop music. In five short years, Parklife has built up a near-legendary reputation that pulls in a unique and diverse line-up year after year. Trust us when we say 2016 will be no exception.
Wild Life – 11 – 12 June, Brighton
Who’s playing: Disclosure, Rudimental, Jack Garratt
The lowdown: Wild Life returns triumphant for its second year with headliners Disclosure and Rudimental leading the way. The Brighton festival made great impact in its debut year and we’re expecting even bigger things this June.
British Summer Time – 1 – 10 July,
Who’s playing: Take That, Massive Attack, Florence + The Machine, Kendrick Lamar, Carole King, Mumford & Sons, Stevie Wonder
The lowdown: Bringing the biggest headliners in music today to a unique stage in London’s Hyde Park. There’s something for every taste with the bills spanning from Massive Attack to Carole King.
Greenwich Music Time – 8 – 12 July, London
Who’s playing: Jamie Cullum, Roxette, Seal
The lowdown: A five-day series of concerts set in the stunningly unique surroundings of the Old Royal Naval College, Canary Wharf. A perfect way to do inner-city festivals with character.
T in the Park – 8 – 10 July, Scotland
Who’s playing: The Stone Roses, Calvin Harris, Red Hot Chili Peppers
The lowdown: Scotland’s longest running festival is back with another stellar line-up. Bastille, The Last Shadow Puppets, The 1975 and Disclosure are among the huge names joining this year’s headliners.
Wireless – 8 – 10 July, London
Who’s playing: Calvin Harris, Chase & Status, Boy Better Know, Kygo
The lowdown: Wireless returns to Finsbury Park for another helping of pop, dance, urban and grime, with the likes of The 1975, Miguel, Jess Glynne and Big Narstie joining this year’s headliners.
Electric Daisy Carnival – 9 July, Milton Keynes
Who’s playing: Avicii, Alison Wonderland, Axwell and Ingrosso
The lowdown: The might EDC rolls back into Milton Keynes Bowl this July, bringing the absolute best in electronic dance music to the iconic venue with full-size carnival rides and arts.
Latitude – 14 – 17 July, Suffolk
Who’s playing: The Maccabees, New Order, Chvurches
The lowdown: A truly unique festival, expect to wander effortlessly between the worlds of music, film, comedy, literature, theatre and poetry in the stunning surroundings of Henham Park.
Lovebox – 15 – 16 July, London
Who’s playing: Major Lazer, LCD Soundsystem, Run The Jewels, Jungle
The lowdown: Over two days in East London’s Victoria Park Lovebox Festival is a celebration of the best of all things dance, urban and the arts.
Citadel – 17 July, London
Who’s playing: Sigur Ros, Caribou, Lianne La Havas
The lowdown: The brainchild of those behind Wilderness and Superfly, Citadel is London’s brightest new festival; a refreshing one-dayer that aims to combine the finest music, food, theatre, arts and entertainment to reflect the cream of the city’s talent.
Secret Garden Party – 21- 24 July, Cambridgeshire
Who’s playing: Caribou, Simply Red, Primal Scream
The lowdown: Leading by example, SGP is the king of independent arts and music festivals. Fancy dress fully encouraged!
Ramblin Man Fair – 23 – 24 July, Kent
Who’s playing: Whitesnake, Black Stone Cherry, Europe, Airbourne
The lowdown: Got a penchant for classic rock, prog rock, country and blues? Then Ramblin Man Fair is the festival for you. Pitch up at Mote Park this July and you won’t regret it.
Standon Calling – 29 – 31 July, Hertfordshire
Who’s playing: Suede, Jess Glynne, Kelis, The Hives
The lowdown: It all started with a small group of friends, a swimming pool and a birthday BBQ, now this Hertfordshire weekender is a fully-fledged music festival. Amazing.
Wilderness – 4 – 7 August, Oxfordshire
Who’s playing: Robert Plant and The Sensational Space Shifters, The Flaming Lips, Crystal Fighters
The lowdown: Great music, delicious food, captivating arts and an array of theatre, Wilderness has it all. If you like taking the chilled approach to festival season, this is the one for you.
Bloodstock – 11 – 14 August, Derbyshire
Who’s playing: Twisted Sister, Mastodon, Slayer, Behemoth
The lowdown: Heavy metallers reside at Bloodstock every August for the UK’s msot extravagant metal party at Catton Hall. Devil horns at the ready.
V Festival – 20 – 21 August, Weston Park and Hylands Park
Who’s playing: Justin Bieber, Rihanna, Sia, David Guetta
The lowdown: V Festival has seriously stepped up to the plate this summer, with Justin Bieber and Rihanna topping the bill. Tinie Tempah, Jake Bugg, Faithless, Bastille, Sigma and Years & Years are just a taster of the other acts appearing across both sites.
Reading and Leeds Festival – 24 – 28 August, Reading and Leeds
Who’s playing: Red Hot Chili Peppers, Foals, Disclosure, Biffy Clyro, Fall Out Boy
The lowdown: There’s so much going on at Reading and Leeds this August, it’s a wonder how they fit it all in. Alas, the legendary bank holiday weekender is catering for a multitude of music genres once more. Be sure to makes time for the comedy and arts on site too!
Creamfields – 26 – 28 August, Cheshire
Who’s playing: Alesso, Avicii, Calvin Harris, Axwell and Ingrosso, Tiesto, Armin Van Buuren
The lowdown: The biggest dance festival in the North West returns with another stellar line-up this August bank holiday. Haven’t checked it off the list yet? Make this year the one!
The Big Feastival – 26 – 28 August, The Cotswolds
Who’s playing: Kaiser Chiefs, Mark Ronson (DJ set), Ella Henderson, Roisin Murphy, Foxes
The lowdown: Like good music and tasty food? Love it when the two come together? Then stop everything and get yourself acquainted with The Big Feastival 2016. Taking place at Alex James’ farm in The Cotsworls, this is a family affair that will go down a treat with all ages.
SW4 – 27 – 28 August, London
Who’s playing: The Chemical Brothers, Rudimental, Dizzee Rascal, Above & Beyond
The lowdown: The crowning glory of the capital’s clubbing calendar, South West Four Festival brings the world’s greatest electronic and dance music producers to Clapham Common for a wild August Bank Holiday weekend.
Sundown – 2 – 4 September, Norwich
Who’s playing: Chase and Status, Dizzee Rascal, Jess Glynne, Jason Derulo, Years & Years
The lowdown: This three-day showcase brings together the hugest acts in urban, indie and pop right now, all happening taking to the stage inside Norfolk Showground.
Fusion Festival – 3 – 4 September, Liverpool
Who’s playing: Jason Derulo, Olly Murs, Tinie Tempah, Busted, Labrinth
The lowdown: Now it its fourth year, Fusion Festival is the pop extravaganza which takes place along the banks of the River Mersey. Dancing shoes recommended.
OnBlackheath – 10 – 11 September, London
Who’s playing: Primal Scream, Hot Chip, Belle & Sebastian, James
The lowdown: See out festival season with a weekend of unforgettable music, food and arts at Blackhealth, London. Great for families and groups of friends!
