Overwhelmed by the humongous Festival Menu this summer? Don’t worry, because Exeposé Music is here to recommend a few of the tastiest offerings being served up in the coming weeks. Whether you want full fat flamboyance or an eco indie getaway, we’ve got you covered with our eclectic choice of specials:
The Green Man Festival
Where: The Black Mountains in Wales.
When: 15-18th August
Who: Band of Horses, Local Natives, Stornoway, Johnny Flynn and Kings of Convenience
Why: A proper intimate, independent, award-winning local festival growing in stature year on year. The UK’s only festival with a 24 hour license boasting eclectic music acts, stand up comedy, spoken word performances, real ale and decent food. Green Man will keep you singing, dancing and laughing all the way through a weekend-long idyllic stupor.
Info: http://www.greenman.net
Farmfestival
Where: Somerset
When: 26-27th July
Who: Ghostpoet, Art Brut and The Ukes of Hazard
Why: Defying convention and media hype, Farmfestival has been the go-to getaway for the more budget conscious festival-goers for the past 8 years. With weekend camping tickets at just £5o, the festival is perfect for meandering dreamily through pretty damn beautiful grounds and catching little-known alternative bands while munching on some locally sourced food. Oh, and there’s a hat competition. What more could you want?
Info: http://www.farmfestival.co.uk
Leeds/Reading Festival
Where: Leeds or, um, hmmmm, Reading
When: 23-25th August
Who: Green Day, SOAD, Haim, Eminem, Foals, Bondax, Crystal Fighters
Why: A blockbuster line-up, including some of the biggest names from an impressive array of genres. There is an exciting rap/hip presence at this year’s incarnation, with US hotshots Azealia Banks, A$AP ROCKY, Action Bronson and headliner Slim Shady complementing UK names such as Giggs, Toddla T and the omnipresent Wiley. Dance acts including Magnetic Man, Sub Focus and Mount Kimbie ensure the madness continues away from the campsite DJ sets, while exciting new acts like Drenge, Balthazar and The Strypes promise to steal the show. This one is definitely for the ones mad to live, mad to talk, desirous of everything at the same time. 150,00 are due to attend. Sheer madness.
Info: http://www.leedsfestival.com
Creamfields
Where: Cheshire
When: 23-25th August
Who: The Prodigy, Duke Domont, Benny Benassi, Justin Martin, Tiesto, Paul van Dyk
Why: It’s battle of the bank holiday weekend heavyweights as Creamfields goes head-to-head with Leeds/Reading. For the sixteenth year in a row Cream boasts an irresistible line-up for bass and dance heads alike. World class talent dominates every moment of this mega-fest, with pretty much every DJ worth their salt turning tables to thousands of eager ravers over the course of the weekend. Creamfields covers all the bases of electronic music – from house to dubstep, bass to techno, or anything in between. Particular highlights to look out for include Knife Party, Feed Me, Groove Armarda and Progidy’s only UK appearance this summer. After last year’s washout, festival goers will be drowning in ecstasy.
Info: http://www.creamfields.com
Lovebox
Where: Victoria Park, London
When: 19-21st July
Who: Plan B, Disclosure, D’Angelo, Goldfrapp
Why: If you aren’t partial to spendings days covered head to toe in mud, sweat and beers then Lovebox could be right up your street (particularly if you live in the Tower Hamlets area). Held over the course of three days (but not nights), Lovebox offers an exciting blend of popular music that ends when the sun goes down. Julio Bashmore and SBTRKT look set to get the hip crowd going with live DJ sets, while Lil Kim, Mark Ronson and Plan B promise to be other big name highlights. Keep an eye out for Exeter based Fred V & Grafix, as well as rising soulful stars Kwabs and Josef Salvat.
Info: http://mamacolive.com/lovebox/
Bestival
Where: Isle of Wight
When: 5-8th September
Who: Elton John, Snoop Dogg, Fatboy Slim, Wu-Tang Clan, James Blake
Why: Trekking over the pond to the Isle of Wight may seem like an effort, but boy is it worth it. Bestival consistently produces outstanding line ups year on year. This summer is no different. The headliners are superlative: superstar Olympian DJ Fatboy Slim will be spinning the decks as Elton John look set to shake off his illness and put on one of the most highly anticipated classic shows of the summer. Accompanying such household names will be quintessential festival favourites Crystal Fighters, Johnny Marr and Bombay Bicycle Club, while Wu-Tang will bring that East Coast hip-hop vibe to proceedings. With unrivalled talent spanning all genres, this is a festival that will end the summer in stupendous style.
Info: http://www.bestival.net
Ben Clarke, Online Music Editor
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