God, we miss festivals.
The sunshine. The music. The omnipresent threat of necking one too many cans of lukewarm Dark Fruits and having to be carried back to your tent by the time the Main Stage opens for business. That’s what we call pure, unadulterated #vibes.
We all know that we didn’t get any of that last summer: but there’s still hope for this year. So, we’ve gone to the trouble of putting together a handy list of some festivals that we might – just might – be able to enjoy before the year is out.
Reading and Leeds (27th-29th August 2021)
Ah, Reading and Leeds. A rite of passage and a God-tier bash. If your idea of a perfect festival is bellowing the words to Live Forever with your best mates and a pint in each hand, then this is going to be the best weekend of your life.
They’ve already confirmed the likes of Liam Gallagher, Stormzy, YUNGBLUD, Disclosure, The Wombats, Sam Fender, Post Malone, Queens Of The Stone Age, and Two Door Cinema Club for this year’s festival – and with the promise of more names to be announced, you can bet that there’ll be at least a handful of acts added who’ll float your proverbial boat.
Boardmasters (11th-15th August 2021)
It’s Cornwall’s premier weekender and it’s always a good time. Bad weather and a global pandemic may have derailed the last two installments, but they’re planning on coming back with a vengeance this August.
They’ve announced that Gorillaz, Jorja Smith, and Foals will be headlining this year’s bash, with the likes of Kano, Sam Fender, The Kooks, Loyle Carner, and Maisie Peters providing support. Oh, and they’ve also just decided to add Dizzee Rascal, Easy Life, Kawala, Goat Girl, and Do Nothing to the bill, too. Not too shabby, eh?
All Points East (27th-30th August 2021)
So it’s a flagship London festival that you’re after? Well, then it’s a flagship London festival that you’re going to get. Taking place across the August Bank Holiday weekend, All Points East 2021 is already promising sets from Kano, Jamie XX, Foals, Bombay Bicycle Club, London Grammar, Jorja Smith, Slowthai, and Arlo Parks – and we’ve heard through the grapevine that they’ve still got a few names left to announce. You won’t want to miss this.
Parklife (11th-12th September 2021)
It might not take place in a very big house in the country, but that doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t still give Parklife a shot. After all, it’s always guaranteed to furnish you, your girls, and your boys with a varied (and star-studded) line-up and a veritable plethora of good times.
Oh, and many, many crowds of people. All the people, in fact. So many people. (We’ll stop now).
Beautiful Days (20th-22nd August 2021)
Are you a fan of family vibes, feel-good tunes, and the fresh air of the Devon countryside? If you’re not, there’s something wrong with you – but we’re willing to wager that it’s nothing that can’t be fixed by a trip to Beautiful Days. This year’s edition sees Frank Turner & The Sleeping Souls, James, and festival organisers Levellers top the bill, with sets from Gary Numan, Skindred, Alabama 3, and Imelda May scheduled throughout the weekend.
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Isle of Wight (16th-19th September 2021)
If you’re after a slightly more chilled vibe, then the Isle of Wight Festival may well be for you. You’ll still get A-list headliners – like Liam Gallagher, Duran Duran, Snow Patrol, and David Guetta – but you’ll get to enjoy them in the confines of one of the most picturesque parts of the country. What’s not to like?
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Neighbourhood Weekender (3rd-5th September 2021)
Do you really like indie music? If so, you’re going to love Neighbourhood Weekender. Gerry Cinnamon, James, and Catfish and The Bottlemen are topping the bill, but the bill for the Warrington three-dayer can also boast the likes of The Wombats, Sam Fender, Miles Kane, Tom Walker, and Circa Waves. We don’t know about you, but we don’t think that’s too shabby at all.