Previews
by David McGonigle
If festivals were kids in a schoolyard, SuperSonic would be the one crying in the corner; misunderstood, lunch money scattered at its feet by the big kids, yet all the time muttering darkly: “I’ll show…
by Neil Jones
A man in a giant owl suit stands proudly over a “Keep Off The Grass” sign, and a packed hall goes crazy to the cranked-up sounds of Mylo.It’s the website gallery of the inaugural Tales...
by Clair Whitefield
When you say the word festival most people think of wide eyed hippies struggling out of rancid portaloos in the middle of a muddy field.For the people who brought the musical avalanche that was Austria’s...
by David McGonigle
Apart from the mighty colossus that is T-in-the Park, Scotland’s festival season can seem a little sparse.While there may be plenty of action for the corduroys and arran jumper brigade, real chances to hear contemporary...
by John Murphy
Festivals are big business. Long gone are the days when they were an excuse for a group of like-minded souls to gather in a field, watch some bands and, if you’ll excuse the expression, chill...
by Nick Pickles
When it comes to dance music the party gets well and truly underway this weekend with Gatecrashers Summer Soundsystem.After a four year absence, Gatecrasher returns to the leafy grounds of Lotherton Hall near Leeds to...
by Jenni Cole
Listen. Glastonbudget. Tribute bands. Ace. In fact, completely and totally ace, all round. No argument.Where else this year could you possibly hear the greatest hits of Nirvana,The Prodigy, Take That, The Who,The Police, Feeder (okay,...
by Jamil Ahmad
You should just about have recovered from four days of hedonism to take things down a notch for Cambridge Folk (26-29 July).Joan Baez, Steve Earle and Alabama 3 will be rubbing shoulders with Toots &...
by Jamil Ahmad
If time, money and a job were not a worry, you could spend six months on the festival circuit. Given the opportunity would you do it? Could you do it? We think so. In a...
by Jamil Ahmad
Stamina is the key to survival. The idiom isn’t just applied to the Camden Crawl. You’re going to need it as we slip into festival season. What distinguishes 2007 from recent years is the surge...
by Barnaby Smith
The Spitz Festival of Blues 2007 was declared open on April 4 in an orgy of marinated chicken wings and pork ribs, to the dubious Brit-blues of Jooks Of Kent and one Scott H Biram.The...
by Darren Lee
Aside from the burnt turkey, this year’s Christmas began on a downer with the death of James Brown. Whilst his loyal core of fans mourned instantly, it took a while for others to realise how massive...
by Neil Jones
Conceived by organisers suitably impressed by Wales’ Green Man festival, Salisbury’s End Of The Road bash sets out with a noble manifesto. By ignoring over-hyped bands, they give those chosen more time to play. They have...
by Jamil Ahmad
Welcome to the Latin Quarter. Eight days, 100 bands, a sleepy town on the Med. The Benicassim organisers were on to a plan when they hatched this one 11 years ago. One of Europe’s most...
by Barnaby Smith
Now in its second year since its reincarnation, Cropredy is firmly back in its rightful place as one of the most amiable festivals on the calendar. In 2004, Fairport Convention bass player Dave Pegg split...
by Jamil Ahmad
If you haven’t been left out of pocket by this stage of the festival season, you certainly will be by the close of the August Bank Holiday Weekend.The Carling Weekend, Metro Weekender, Creamfields – and...
by Jenni Cole
If you’re one of those music lovers who thinks that this summer’s lack ofmud, smelly hippies, ill-advised facial hair and wizard hats made out ofhedges is no great loss to the festival circuit, get ready...
by Richard Hensman
It’s back – and it’s now in Cardiff as well as London! Metro Weekender is a two-day event over the festival-packed August Bank Holiday weekend, comprising southwestfour and Get Loaded In The Park. The line-ups...
by Richard Hensman
Since its inauguration in 2004, the Secret Garden has been offering an escape from reality for everyone with an inner child who remembers what it’s like to have fun. The festival’s capacity has more than...
by Jamil Ahmad
Welcome to the Latin Quarter.Eight days, 100 bands, a sleepy town on the Med. The Benicassim organisers were on to a plan when they hatched this one 11 years ago.One of Europe’s most hedonistic festival...
by Tom Woods
Some would say that the perfect way to end the summer holidays is to discover that quiet corner of this much-trodden planet and wilfully pass away the days enjoying pristine nothingness.To many more, it is...