- Thu, 2012-04-05 11:16
The summer is a-coming in, and if you're anything like us you'll be feeling the festival itch, hankering to lose yourself in some sunny field in the company of your mates, several thousand strangers, and some top musicial talent.
But the times they are tough, and the major festivals don't come cheap, so those of us looking to get our festival fix on a budget need an alternative.
Fortunately there is a fine selection of smaller festivals dotted all across the UK that can satisfy our requirements without rinsing the bank account. Here are just a few...
Name: Evolution 2012 Price: £35 for two days
Location: Newcastle Date: 3rd-4th June
Three of the best: Dizzee Rascal, Deadmau5, Noah & The Whale
Okay, so it’s not technically in a field, and therefore doesn’t qualify for some of the core festival requirements, but for £35 you get two days of incredible dance, pop and indie music, including Dizzee Rascal, Deadmau5 and Noah & The Whale. You cannot - simply cannot - argue with those economics.
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Name: Deer Shed Festival Price: £69 for three days
Location: Near Topcliffe, North Yorkshire Date: 20th-22nd July
Three of the best: Saint Etienne, Villagers, Dutch Uncles
Primarily for the indie, rock and folk fans amongst us, Deer Shed Festival is a family-friendly festival that offers a wide arts program alongside its musical delights, including cinema, artisans at work, theatre, circus & cabaret and spoken word. Perhaps not one for the ravers and late-night cravers, but a real bargain for those after a more relaxed festival experience.
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Name: Y-Not Festival Price: £75 for three days
Location: Peak District National Park, Derbyshire Date: 3rd-5th August
Three of the best: We Are Scientists, Lower Than Atlantis, Reverend and The Makers
Y-Not Festival caters to the indie and rock kids in the room, bringing together a smattering of well-established names with some of the finest up-and-coming talent around. Shortlisted for Best Independent Festival by the 2011 Festival Awards, and winner of The Grassroots Festival Award, this is a festival on the rise. Why not indeed.
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Name: PlayFest Price: £80 for three days
Location: Near Norwich, Norfolk Date: 1st-3rd June
Three of the best: Ash, Scroobius Pip, Shy FX
With a wonderfully varied line-up across six stages, taking in indie, pop, hip hop, dance, rock and more, PlayFest is one for those with diverse tastes. There’s a great mixture of big names and smaller talent, and it all takes place in the beautiful grounds of The Eccles Hall Estate, once the site of a stately home.
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Name: Beacons Price: £87.50 for three days
Location: Near Skipton, Yorkshire Dales Date: 17th-19th August
Three of the best: Wild Beasts, Roots Manuva, Patrick Wolf
With the exception of some big-name headliners, Beacons is all about the rising talent. Whether it be dance or indie that you’re into, the line-up of this Yorkshire festival reads like a who’s-who of the most talked-about new artists around. If you like to keep ahead of the trend this is the place to be in summer 2012.
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Name SW4 Price: £90 for two days
Location: Clapham, London Date: 25th-26th August
Three of the best: Chase And Status, Skrillex, Carl Cox
It might be in the middle of Britain’s biggest city, but it’s still in a field, so technically it still counts. Alright, so it’s not quite the same, but if you’re a fan of dance music you’re not going to care with this line-up. House, techno, electro, dubstep... it’s all represented by some of the biggest names in the world, and a ticket comes in at under a hundred quid. Bargain.
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Name: Standon Calling Price: £99 for three days
Location: Standon, Hertfordshire Date: 3rd-5th August
Three of the best: Beardyman, Death In Vegas, Fat Freddys Drop
Another family-friendly festival, Standon Calling takes place in a manor house and is even equipped with a swimming pool and a club in a cow shed. This year’s theme is Journey To The Ends Of The Earth, which you can expect to see reflected in the punters’ costumes, the stage designs and the interactive art that brightens up the grounds.
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Name: The Beat-Herder Festival Price: £100 for three days
Location: The Ribble Valley, Lancashire Date: 29th June – 1st July
Three of the best: Orbital, Lee Scratch Perry, Fake Blood
As the name might suggest, The Beat-Herder Festival is predominantly about the beats. Dance music of every stripe is represented, with some world-class, legendary headliners playing alongside the young producers who are defining the modern sound. Sprawled across a woodland paradise and topped off with a bevy of eccentric artwork, it’s a weekend wonderland worth exploring.
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Name: Wakestock Price: £125 for three days
Location: Cardigan Bay, North Wales Date: 6th-8th July
Three of the best: Calvin Harris, Katy B, Ed Sheeran
From chart-toppers to indie-rockers to beat-droppers, North Wales’ Wakestock has got it all, and it’s still doesn’t cost an arm and a leg. As if the top-quality musical talent wasn’t enough, the festival also features world-class wakeboarders showing off their moves, and provides the opportunity for the general public to get involved. Watersports + music = win.
