Gigslutz Blogs: 2013 SUMMER FESTIVAL GUIDE

After this weekends Liverpool Sound City, and a bank holiday heatwave, here at Gigslutz we feel firmly in the mood for festival season coming around. We therefore thought we would do you all a favour and give you a few pointers with our recommendations for the best of the summers events.

Kendal Calling 26th – 28th July

First up on our list of recommendations is Kendal Calling. Since it’s inception in 2006 Kendal Calling has always been a highlight of festival season and this summer promises to keep that tradition going. The festival has gone from strength to strength in recent years as shown by winning the festival of the year in 2011. Last year it was a sell out with 4 months to go so get your tickets quick for this one…

This year Gigslutz favourites The Charlatans and Primal Scream are joined by the legendary Public Enemy and Johnny Marr who will share the stage with some lesser known gems such as recent Gigslutz interviewees Hudson Taylor, Hatcham Social, Loadstar and the soon to be massive Wave Machines. All this alongside Tim Peaks café and all in the beautiful Lake District surroundings.

The best thing about Kendall Calling is the price. It’s half the price, half the hassle but twice the fun as some of your bigger corporate fests.

See you in the fields!

Recommended Acts: The Charlatans, Primal Scream, Wave Machines

Website: www.kendalcalling.co.uk

Twitter: @kendalcalling

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Stone Roses Finsbury Park 7th & 8th June

The delirium and emotion of Heaton Park last summer will be hard to recreate for The Roses this summer, but they are more than capable of pulling off another series of jaw droppinly good gigs. Last year they proved all the doubters wrong and became the biggest draw of 2012 selling 225,000 tickets in minutes for their Heaton Park third coming gigs.  Although the hype and clamour from 2012 has died down, The Stone Roses will once again prove they are in an army of one when it comes to putting on live shows.

And with the release of their new film, what are the odds on there being a new tune or two to be slotted in….? Warm summer’s day, Finsbury Park, impeccable set list. Yes please!

Website: www.thestoneroses.org

Twitter: @stoneroses

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New order @ Jodrell bank – 7th July

New Orders only UK gig of the summer promises to be a belter. With Johnny Marr and The Whip joining the support its best advised to take a day’s holiday for the Monday following this gig

Jodrell Bank in its self is worth going to observe, however with New Order going through their back catalogue this will be a euphoric night. And maybe a new number or two could be thrown in? That would be nice…

The Jordell Bank series also features shows from The Australian Pink Floyd and Sigor Ross which could also prove to be equally as epic

Website: www.livefromjodrellbank.com

Twitter: @Livefromjodrell

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The Courteeners @ Castlefield bowl 5th & 6th July

Although they may not be everyone’s cup of tea, The Courteeners are undoubably one of the best live bands around. Here they will bring their album ‘Anna’ to The Castlefield bowl to play over two nights.

And coming with them will be a host of great support in the shape of The Strypes, Miles Kane and James Skelly. The more pretentious lot of your musical following won’t be in presence here, just good old fashioned loud guitars and drunken sing alongs all round.

Liam Fray had this to say;

“To spend two nights with our fans under the stars of Manchester will be very special indeed. It’ll be great to finally be bringing ‘Anna’ home. With some amazing supports, people are in for a treat… July can’t come quick enough. Let’s pray it doesn’t rain.”

Website: www.thecourteeners.com

Twitter: @thecourteeners

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Standon Calling 2nd – 4th August

As some of us get older the smaller festivals carry more appeal and Standon Calling is one of the best arranged out there. The line up this year will include and from our previous visit these will set the fields of Hertfordshire brilliantly giving a perfect blend of bands and DJ’S.

At only £99 a weekend camping ticket, this is one of the best smaller festivals around.

Recommended Acts: The Joy Formidable, De La Soul, Greg Wilson

Website: www.standon-calling.com

Twitter: @StandonCalling

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The Great Escape – 16th – 18th May

After the success of Liverpool Sound City Gigslutz is now firmly in favour of the non camping mulit venue city festivals. The Great Escape will showcase some of the best new talent from the UK and abroad all in the perfect South Coast surrounds of Brighton

Gigslutz will be heading down to TGE in a couple of weeks so keep your eyes peeled for reviews interviews and news coming from our reporters on the South Coast.

Recommended Acts: Temples, The Strypes, Itch

Website: mamacolive.com/thegreatescape/

Twitter: @TGE_mama

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The Charlatans @ Delemere Forest 7th July

The Charlatans will make a proper homecoming in July as they play the fantastic Delemere Forest in the place where it all began, Northwich.

Although there is no new material planned their back catalogue will more than suffice their only gig of the summer, Kendal Calling apart.

The Charlatans have just released a documentary of the makings of their classic album, ‘Teliin Stories’ called Mountain Picnic Blues which is a recommended watch to get you in the mood for this one

Website: www.thecharlatans.net

Twitter: @thecharlatans

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Bestival 5th – 8th September 2013

Although the journey getting to Bestival is never a particular highlight, once you are there you can guarantee a top notch line up, curated by Rob Da Bank. This year is no different. The eclectic line up will see dance and rock cross with some legendary figures as festival season comes to an end on the Isle of Wight

There will be no where else you will be able to watch up and coming pace setters such as The Strypes or Peace alongside legends such as Elton John and Chic whilst the dance stages are where bestival exceeds itself under the stewardship of Rob Da Bank. The return of M.I.A also gets the juices flowing, in more ways than one.

And of course don’t forget the fancy dress!

Recommended Acts: Chic ft Nile Rodgers, M.I.A, The Strypes.

Website: 2013.bestival.net

Twitter: @Bestival

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T in The Park.

The crowd at T is always what gives this festival it’s edge over others. If your up for a rowdy drinkathaon then this is the place for you. This year there will also be something extra to cheer as Kraftwork will bring their mind blowing show to Strathclyde to celebrate the 20th T in The Park. Get the buckfast and willies packed – this will be a cracker.

Recommended Acts: Kraftwork, Azelia Banks, Peace

Website: www.tinthepark.com

Twitter: @Tinthepark

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Glastonbury 26th – 30th June

Last, but certainly not least is the king of festivals. For those lucky enough to have tickets for Glastonbury, you will be in for a treat. Glastonbury is more than just a music festival and is something every music fan should experience at least once in their lives. Glastonbury returns this year giving you a stellar line up including The Rolling Stones, Arctic Monkeys and erm, Kenny Rogers. The main stage tends to be the worst part of Galsto too, just go and hang out in The Shangri La to find out what happens after dark. That said, if Primal Scream can repeat their main stage performance of 2005 it will be difficult for anyone to upstage….

After their year away this is likely to go down in history as an “I was there” moment. It will be epic.

Recommended Acts: The Rolling Stones, Nas, Portishead

Website: www.glastonburyfestivals.co.uk

Twitter: @GlastoFest