With the January blues hitting hard and the weather being typically shit, we thought we would look ahead to the summer and give you an update as to whats happening with this summers festivals. In this first part we will have a look at the biggest UK festivals. Keep your eyes peeled to Gigslutz for follow ups to the smaller festivals, and also the foreign festivals.
Glastonbury: 25th– 29th June, Somerset
SOLD OUT
Without a doubt the nations most anticipated festival, this year’s Glastonbury sold out in a record time of 1 hour 27 minutes, leaving many writhing in anger at their failure to gain tickets. Perhaps it was the outstanding line-up of 2013? With the return of the Rolling Stones and impressive sets from both Mumford and Sons and Arctic Monkeys- it would seem that the public are just waiting to see how Glastonbury can beat it this year.
Confirmed: So far Arcade Fire have been confirmed as headlining the Pyramid Stage on Friday 26th, as well as this, Lily Allen recently revealed to BBC Radio 1 Breakfast host Nick Grimshaw that she would be playing Glastonbury next summer.
Rumours: It is strongly rumoured that Kasabian are the Sunday headliners. However, the rumour mill is still spinning with ideas about the Saturday headliners with everyone from the likes of Prince, Outkast, The Strokes, Elbow and The Stone Roses, following their huge gigs at Finsbury Park last year. Meanwhile on other stages, acts varying from Metallica to Miles Kane to Bombay Bicycle Club are being suggested- meaning as always Glastonbury will have the huge and varied line-up it’s famous for.
Reading & Leeds Festival: 22nd -24th August, Reading and Leeds
ON SALE- £210 Weekend
Reading & Leeds arguably the most famous festivals for Rock, Metal, Electronic and Indie music- known for its young crowd and always impressive line-up, showcasing new and older talent. As always, Reading & Leeds aim to impress by bringing the best in rock together for three days, now holding an amazing confirmed line-up – it seems clear that they will continue to do just that.
Confirmed: American pop-punk rockers Blink-182 have been confirmed as headliners on the main stage, and will be joined there by Nottingham-born rock star Jake Bugg. Popular dance duo Disclosure will take to the NME and Radio 1 stage, having topped the charts with catchy Electro tunes such as ‘White Noise’ and ‘Latch’. Metronomy will also take to the stage, as well as Wilkinson, I am Legion and American rockers Of Mice and Men.
Rumours: 2013 really has been the year of Arctic Monkeys and so it seems fitting that they are strongly confirmed as Reading & Leeds fest headliners, having last performed there in 2009 after the release of their album ‘Humbug’, it seems fitting as a follow-up to last year’s Friday night headline slot at Glastonbury. Foals have also been tipped to headline, having played the main stage last year, however it seems unlikely.
Latitude: 17th July to 20th July, Suffolk
ON SALE- £190 Weekend, £75 Day
This year is Latitude festivals eighth and while this festival may be fairly new in the festival game – it has still become an established family friendly arts and music festival. Latitude offers poetry, comedy, literature and an always outstanding musical line-up.
Confirmed: So far 16 acts have been confirmed. These include Irish band Two Door Cinema Club, who are said to be working on a follow-up to their second album ‘Beacon’, American girl band HAIM as well as frontman of Blur and songwriter for Gorillaz Damon Albarn, who releases his debut solo album later this year.
Rumours: So far rumours only seem to be suggesting that The Vaccines may join the lineup at this suffolk festival.
Isle of Wight: 12th to 15th June, Isle Of Wight
ON SALE-
The Isle of Wight has been a staple of the festival scene for 45 years now, pulling in 60,000 easy festival goers to this small isle on the channel. Past years have seen acts as huge as The Rolling Stones and Jay Z and have kept this festival as a heritage event.
Confirmed: So far Scottish acts seem to be taking the lineup by storm with rock band Biffy Clyro and DJ Calvin Harris confirmed. Joining them are Rudimental, The 1975, Passenger and The Waterboys.
Rumours: Everyone from Rihanna to Justin Timberlake, Prince and Kings of Leon, however none of these are strong rumours other than a few clashes- so it’s very much wait and see.
Download: 13th to 15th June, Derby
ON SALE- £195 Weekend
Download is without a doubt one of the UKs best heavy metal festivals, held in the iconic Donnington Park, it opens its gates to nearly 120,000 people over its three day run and offers them legendary headliners and crowd favourites. Last years lineup included amazing sets from the likes of Slipknot, Iron Maiden and Rammstein.
Confirmed: American rock bands Aerosmith, Linkin Park, Avenged Sevenfold and even Fall Out Boy have been confirmed to take to the main stage as well as a string of over 40 other heavy metal bands.
Rumours: As all the headliners have been announced, it hasn’t left much space for rumours to fester, however, many are questioning other smaller acts which may be added.
Sonisphere: 4th to 6th July, Knebworth park
ON SALE- £215 Weekend
Download festivals main rival is Sonisphere, both being the most mainstream heavy metal music festivals. This year Sonisphere comes to Knebworth Park, Hertfordshire as well as numerous other European countries, such as Spain, Poland and Finland. This year’s line-up sees legendary headliners come together to make a weekend to remember.
Confirmed: Heavy metal legends Iron Maiden, The Prodigy and Metallica headline, and are joined by acts such as Limp Bizkit and Alice in Chains. So far nearly 20 acts have been announced.
Rumours: Again, as is the case with Download festival, all the headliners have been announced and fans are predicting who else will occupy the stages.
Bestival: 4th to 7th September, The Isle of Wight
ON SALE SOON- £200 Weekend (unconfirmed)
It seems odd to think that just 10 years ago Bestival was just a small indie festival with around 10,000 attendees. Now, it’s become known as the finale to the festival season, pulling in over 55,000 people and staples in music like Elton John. Not only does its impressive line-up attract its visitors, the laidback family-feel of Bestival keeps people returning, with a yearly fancy dress code, a kid’s area and even crazy golf!
Confirmed: Bestival are likely to announce their line-up in early February.
Rumours: Rumours concocted have suggested everyone from French duo Daft Punk to sensational legend David Bowie.
T in the Park: 11th to 13th July, Kinross- shire, Scotland
ON SALE SOON- £200 Weekend (unconfirmed)
Unarguably the biggest festival in Scotland, T in the Park hosts an average of over 80,000 people and will do so again this year on its 20th anniversary. Known for its popularity and always fulfilling line-up, this festival tends to sell out quick- never failing to have a huge rage of artists thus the sort of musical variation only Glastonbury can compete with. Last year saw Rihanna, Mumford and Sons and The Killers gracing the main stage; this year is the 20th anniversary and so it seems likely that the line-up will go above and beyond even last years.
Confirmed: The first festival Arctic Monkeys announced they would be headlining this summer was T in the Park, and that alone seems to have been enough to entice thousands to snap up their tickets as quickly as possible.
Rumours: Most popular rumour at the moment is that American rockers Of Mice and Men will take to the main stage with Green Day or even possibly American duo Outkast.
V Festival: 16th to 17th August, Chelmsford and Staffordshire
ON SALE SOON- £195 Weekend w/ camping, £170 Weekend
For 18 years V festival has lead the path for mainstream indie, rock and pop festivals. Despite its reputation as a commercial drone, with advertising thrown from every angle, V has never failed to entice more 90,000 festival goers to both its Staffordshire and Chelmsford locations for two days of the best in mainstream music. Past years have seen everyone from Beyoncé to Oasis and The Stone Roses- so this year is sure to be outstanding as always.
Confirmed: So far no acts have been announced; however the line-up is likely to be released sometime in February.
Rumours: The most popular rumour at the moment is that controversial artist Lady Gaga is set to grace the main stage. But American pop and R&B star Justin Timberlake has also been linked to possibly occupying a headlining slot, perhaps with Jay Z who he headlined last years’ Wireless festival with. Indie favourites Coldplay are also in question with some new material due out later this year.
Corrine Corrodus
@alt_ernate
Whatcorrineliked.blogspot.com
Corrine Corrodus
Latest posts by Corrine Corrodus (see all)
- Bombay Bicycle Club LIVE @ Earls Court, London 13.12.14 - December 15, 2014
- ALBUM REVIEW: Jessie Ware ‘Tough Love’ - October 27, 2014
- Vampire Weekend LIVE @ Reading Festival 22.8.14 - August 27, 2014
