Festival season is upon us and after a rather rainy start here are some of the festivals we're looking forward to.
Glastonbury
26th - 30th June, Somerset
During a week of humidity and unpredictable weather, the last thing anyone wants to do in clamber into a field full of people and tents turned into conservatories. Nevertheless, after a year break, Glastonbury is living up to its name being coined one of the biggest festivals of the season. Everyone you could imagine will be performing yet we can't help but cast our eyes over the breaking artists with the likes of Palace, Rex Orange County, and Joy Crookes. Amongst these artists, we'll be watching Kenya's J.S Ondara, Brighton's Megan Lara Mae and Future Bubbler's Shunaji as well as many other familiar fresh faces. This year, Glasto are trying to reduce the environmental impact festivals have at their venues searching for 'the best possible balance of nature and resources'. Attendees have been advised to follow the 'green pledge' and leave no traces(so bring a reusable water bottle and put litter in the bins.)
Love Supreme
5th - 7th July, East Sussex
After last year's smashing success, Love Supreme is back with some of the biggest names in jazz, soul and r'n'b both modern and classic artists will grace the stage in East Sussex. Appearances include: headliners Ms Lauryn Hill and Gladys Knight, Steam Down, Mahalia and Joe Armon-Jones. If you're a jazz-head this is one that can't be missed. Lovebox
12th - 13th July, London
London's Lovebox festival brings some of the most striking exclusives to their stages. On the first day, J Hus will make a special appearance with Lovebox being the only festival he'll attend this year. Solange and Loyle Carner will be headlining on day 1. Notorious US megaband BROCKHAMPTON feature as one of the headliners on the second day. Joined by BET Award nominee Lizzo, both these artists have been reshaping the visibility of minorities particularly through body image, race and LGBTQIA+ identities - they're also great to jam to. Lovebox's one-of-a-kind line-up is unmissable as the event is soon upon us.
Brainchild
12th - 14th July, East Sussex
Brainchild is the festival that every DIYer, artist, creative and all-round human should attend. With a mixture of music, spoken word, talks, film and comedy, the organisers highly encourage everyone to be on the same level and enjoy each others' company. Learn 'how to document your culture with Emma Warren', swoon over poetry mixed with piano jazz undertones by Dylema Collective, or absorb the art installations. This is a festival for the free-spirited.
Truck
26th - 29th July, Oxford
What is indie-pop without Truck? Casting the net out to Oxford, Truck festival hosts a mixture of pop and all its subgenres. Rising star, Lewis Capaldi features as one of the headliners along with You Me at Six, Foals, Wolf Alice and The Japanese House. Lesser-known but talented artists also joining the festival include: Lacuna Bloome, Yonaka, and Lady Bird.
Reading
23rd - 25th August, Reading
If these festivals weren't enough, Reading is the festival to end all festivals. Falling on the August bank holiday weekend, Reading blends the genres of all of the above featuring Billie Eilish, twenty one pilots, Anderson Paak, Bakar and many more. Also focusing on their eco-friendly values, Reading aims to keep the site as clear as possible encouraging people to take everything they bought with them back home rather than leave it for the heap. It seems that the festivals this year will flourish after a slow start and there's plenty on the horizon to look forward to whilst looking after the planet. Will this be a refreshing step forward for the music industry's environmental impact? We'll have to wait and see.