We all have our lists of things, our bucket list if you will, that we want to accomplish during our lives. For me, attending a music festival in the UK is very high on the list. The Brits love music festivals. These weekend concerts usually involve not only music, but camping, drinking, rain, Wellies, mud, fun and some of today’s best bands all on the same bill.
According to VisitBritain, 250 festivals spanning all types of music were held over the past year. Here is a run down of the popular rock/pop concerts being held this summer.
Glastonbury Festival of Contemporary Performing Arts: In my mind, the festival of all festivals. The one I want to go to before all my favorite bands break up. Glastonbury was first held in 1970 by Michael Eavis, who still runs the fest with his daughter, Emily. Held at the Eavis’ Worthy Farm, Pilton, Somerset, Glasto is the largest greenfield music and performing arts fest in the world. Not only do they have music acts, but dance, comedy, theatre and cabaret. Anyone who is anyone has played this fest – from Paul McCartney to Coldplay to Radiohead to Oasis to The Smiths, etc. Headlining this year: Bruce Springsteen, Neil Young & Blur.
Reading & Leeds Festival: Held in late August at Richfield Avenue, Reading and Bramham Park, Wetherby, West Yorkshire, the Reading & Leeds Festivals are held simultaneously. Apparently, Reading is the world’s oldest popular music festival still in existence, with its roots pointing to the National Jazz Festival started in 1961. The shows migrated from jazz to prog rock, blues and heavy metal in the 1970s. A sudden change to pop saw the festivals struggling in the 80s. But with the advent of Britpop, the festivals started to resurge and by the 2000s they had become one of the top summer attractions. Headlining this year: Kings of Leon, Radiohead, Artic Monkeys.
V Festival: And by V, yes, we mean Virigin (what isn’t Richard Branson involved in?). Held in August, the V is another simultaneous concert with one show at Hylands Park, Chelmsford & Weston Park, Staffordshire. But unlike Reading & Leeds, the V Festival has only one bill – the line-up that plays Saturday at Hylands Park will play Sunday at Weston Park and vice versa. Started in 1996 when Javis Cocker of Pulp announced that he’d like to play two outdoor venues in two days. Headlining this year: The Killers & Oasis.
T in the Park: Scotland’s big summer party! Held in July at Balado, Kinross-shire. The T stands for the brewing company Tennents. The fest is now 3 days long since ’07. It features seven stages – popular acts to indie/unsigned groups. There is definately something for everyone here. Headlining this year: The Killers, Kings of Leon, Blur, Lily Allen, Snow Patrol.
And there is a taste of this summer’s musical fun. Have you been to a festival? Do you recommend it? Any fun stories out there?
Author Info - When not dreaming of future trips to England, MK is usually found listening to The Beatles, reading Sherlock Holmes or watching Stephen Fry on the telly. Read more from this author
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Anglotopia was founded by Jonathan and Jackie Thomas for people who love Britain - whether it's British TV, Culture, History or Travel - we cover it all. Anglotopia was started to get us back to the UK for a trip and it did that in 2009. Now, the goal is for Anglotopia to make our dream of living in the UK a reality.
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