The days are lasting longer and there’s less of a chill in the whimsical British air, meaning festival season must be imminent, so much so you can almost smell the illustrious-after-five-ciders fast food vans.
But if you can’t make it down to a muddy farm in the West Country, or just fancy a weekend in the city, fear not – Clash gives you a guide to the best music festivals happening in the capital this summer.
– – –
We Are Fstvl
Damyn's Hall Aerodrome, Upminster (May 28th – 29th)
Line-up includes: Fatboy Slim, Steve Angello, DJ Fresh, Sigma (DJ Set), DJ Snake, Craig David Presents TS5, Mistajam, MK, Armand Van Helden, Sub Focus, Shy FX, My Nu Leng
Kick starting a summer of live music across the capital, We Are Fstvl are hosting a line-up packed full of delightfully dynamic dance music. Spread across five tailored ‘zones’, Fatboy Slim and Steve Angello have been confirmed to headline the Ancient Realm area of the festival, with MK, Hannah Wants, Armand Van Helden and Shy FX also scheduled to play across the weekend. The previous winner of Best Medium Sized Festival at the UK Festival Awards is based in Upminster at Damyn’s Hall and is set to feature over 200 acts across 16 bespoke stages. Tickets.
– – –
Guy Garvey’s Meltdown
Southbank Centre, South Bank (June 10th – 19th)
Line-up includes: I Am Kloot, The Staves, Connan Mockasin, Richard Hawley, Guy Garvey, Laura Marling, Marika Hackman, C Duncan, Jesca Hoop, NZCA Lines
Every year Meltdown is curated by artists and musicians with an integral grasp on the world of arts which surrounds them. In the past curators have included Elvis Costello, Morrissey and Yoko Ono but this years’ Meltdown curation comes courtesy of Elbow front man Guy Garvey. The musician and radio DJ has put together a diverse schedule of live acts and workshops for everyone to enjoy. From the event’s very own day dedicated to circus disciplines to an afternoon of storytelling, aptly titled Snoozy Storytime, there’s a whole host of activities to be enjoyed aside from confirmed live acts like Laura Marling, Richard Hawley and the main man himself. Tickets.
– – –
Found Festival
Brockwell Park, Lambeth (June 11th)
Line-up includes: Kerri Chandler, Theo Parrish, Ron Trent, Marcellus Pitmann, Derrick May, Linkwood, Mr Beatnick, Secretsundaze, Leon Vynehall, Zenker Brothers, Willow, Ron Morelli
Returning for a fourth year, Found festival is held in South London at Brockwell Park. Boasting six stages of dance, house, disco and techno, the line-up is curated by some of the masterminds within London’s electronic music community. This year Clash has helped curate a stage which will witness sets from Theo Parrish, Ron Trent and Marcellus Pitmann. Elsewhere on the line-up Kerri Chandler and Derrick May will also perform. And, if the main event is not enough for you, Found are also throwing an after party, Found: Later, at Electric Brixton to take you straight through to 6AM Sunday morning. Tickets.
– – –
Field Day
Victoria Park, Tower Hamlets – June 11th – 12th – Line-up includes: James Blake, PJ Harvey, Beach House, Blossoms, Dilly Dally, Declan McKenna, Fat White Family, Gold Panda, Mystery Jets, Parquet Courts, Loyle Carner, NAO Stretching out across the East End of London, Victoria Park is home to Field Day. Offering one of the coolest line-ups in the city, the event has announced James Blake and PJ Harvey as this year’s headliners.
Also scheduled to appear are the ever-filthy Fat White Family, grime heavy-weight Skepta and sweary social commentators Sleaford Mods. It’s not all about the music though, the E3 event also offers opportunities to compete in eating contests and team games as well as a specialist brewer’s market and Venn Street’s food market included in the extensive list of food and drink available across the weekend. Tickets.
– – –
Wireless Festival
Finsbury Park, Haringey (July 8th – 10th)
Line-up includes: Chase & Status, Calvin Harris, Boy Better Know, Kygo, The 1975, Miguel, Martin Garrix, Jess Glynne, J. Cole, Krept & Konan, WSTRN, Maverick Sabre, A$AP Ferg
Due to take place in the sprawling fields of North London’s Finsbury Park, this year’s Wireless Festival boasts an eclectic line-up. With Scottish juggernaut DJ Calvin Harris, electronic producers Chase & Status and formidable grime collective Boy Better Know on headlining duties, the event also sees the likes of The 1975, Miguel, Maverick Sabre and Jess Glynne performing over the weekend.
The Festival Republic event has grown from strength to strength since relocating to Finsbury Park in 2014 after seven years at Hyde Park and a short stint at London’s Olympic Park in 2013. Tickets.
– – –
Lovebox
Victoria Park, Tower Hamlets (July 15th – 16th)
Line-up includes: Major Lazer, LCD Soundsystem, Run The Jewels, Jungle, Stormzy, Miike Snow, Diplo, Jack Garratt, Kano, Jamie Woon, Formation, MØ, Toddla T, Big Narstie, Oh Wonder Securing a reunited LCD Soundsystem for Saturday night’s headliner is no mean feat for this London weekender. James Murphy and co will only be appearing at a handful of UK festivals this summer, and will share the stage with fellow headliners Major Lazer as well as Stormzy, Jungle, Jack Garratt, and MØ across the two days.
Guest curators for the weekend include East London club venue Fabric who will be showcasing acts like Big Narstie and Preditah, and Clash will also be there alongside Soundcrash Productions touting bands and artists like Oh Wonder and Jamie Woon. Tickets.
– – –
Words: Shannon Cotton
Find other UK Festival highlights in the Zalando Festival Guide
