With summer already upon us, music fans on coach holidays will be relishing the start of festival season with the launch of the infamous Isle Of Wight Festival last weekend (10th-12th June 2011) and Glastonbury this Wednesday. And the news that a biker is aiming to set a new world record by attending 26 festivals in 13 different countries – in just 30 days, we thought we’d cherry-pick some of the best festivals/carnivals available to fans from around the world. If we’ve missed one out that you thoroughly enjoyed, please let us know:
Glastonbury, Somerset – 22nd to 26th June 2011
Many fans just see this as one big music festival but technically Glastonbury
celebrates the wonders of contemporary performing arts. With U2 and Coldplay headlining on Friday & Saturday and Beyonce closing the show on Sunday, this year’s Glastonbury is sure to be amazing. All the action takes place across several stages on Worthy Farm, Pilton (Somerset) and is well-known for being a mud-fest so if you’re one of the lucky ones to get tickets, make sure you pack wellies, umbrellas and ponchos as well as your camping gear and beer!
Hard Rock Calling, London’s Hyde Park – 24th to 26th June 2011
To celebrate 40 years of Hard Rock, London’s Hyde Park is gearing up to welcome some of the biggest music legends from the world of rock. The Killers are due to headline with an exciting performance planned for Friday, Grammy-Award winning rock gods Bon Jovi will put on a 3 hour set to wow the crowds on Saturday whilst the legend that is Rod Stewart closes the festival on the Sunday performing some of his most loved hits with special guest Stevie Nicks. If you’re going, check out Hard Rock Calling Festival TV that gives fans access to artist interviews, backstage tours and exclusive behind the scenes footage – let’s just hope the sun continues to shine in Hyde Park!
Henley Festival – 6th to 10th July 2011
Billed as the summer’s greatest party, the Henley Music Festival takes place after the Regatta lasting 5 nights and
treating the audience to the best in classical music, jazz, opera, comedy, dance, street theatre, rock and firework spectaculars! This year, Tom Jones will dazzle the Floating Stage on Wednesday and vocal quartet Blake will be entertaining the crowds with virtuous violinist Tasmin Little on Thursday. The master of Boogie-Woogie, Jools Holland & his Rhythm and Blues Orchestra takes to the stage on Friday, followed by Abba Symphonic on Saturday and a double-bill of Rumer and Alexandra Burke on Sunday – most definitely the most magical summer event in the UK!
Bilbao BBK Live, Spain – 7th to 9th July 2011
This is a fabulous 3 day festival taking place in the outskirts of Bilbao on the north coast of Spain. The festival takes place over two main stages (guaranteeing that bands will not overlap) with two dance tents, a pop tent, a chill-out area, food stalls and a campsite providing a little something for everyone. Over 40,000 people are due to attend and with artists such as Coldplay, Kasabian, Kaiser Chiefs, Chemical Brothers, Blondie and many others due to perform, this is one event festival fans will not want to miss out on!
T In The Park, Scotland – 8th to 10th July 2011
Definitely one of the highlights in the music calendar for Scotland, T In The Park,
attracts 1000s of fans to Balado in Kinross-shire. The main attraction is of course the music and with artists such as Arctic Monkeys, Foo Fighters, Jessie-J and Deadmau5 performing, everyone is sure to have a good time here. However, the organisers also believe that visitors to the festival will enjoy the random entertainment on offer from ‘Fancy Dress Friday’ to chilling out on the grass with friends and enjoying nice food from Healthy T to throwing some weird and wacky shapes in the Ceilidh Tent and enjoying the thrills of the funfair – whatever you’re looking for, you’re sure to find it here in Scotland.
Soundwave Festival, Croatia – 22nd to 24th July 2011
For a festival with a difference, you need go no further than Croatia where you can enjoy beautiful music whilst lapping up the sunshine beside a clear blue sea. The Soundwave Festival is spread over three days across three arenas and a boat! In 2011, you’ll see the mighty Roots Manuva, Bonobo, Little Dragon and over 50 other amazing acts across the three days as well as listening to the blissful tunes from the Zero 7 DJs and Bonobo. The festival takes place in The Garden, Petrcane where you can enjoy a swashbuckling Boat Party, dance beneath the stars and party till you drop in a retro Studio 54 styled nightclub – definitely a festival with a difference equalling a holiday of a lifetime!
Lollibop Festival, London – 5th to 7th Aug 2011
Whilst you’re enjoying a cheeky tipple in the festival bar, your little ones will certainly be kept entertained at Lollibop –
a festival purely for children. Taking place at Regents Park in London, Lollibop 2011 is for anyone aged 10 years and under that promises all the thrills of a festival vibe without the hassle of camping or long car journeys. This 3 day event is the UK’s ONLY festival where all the entertainment is for children with sets by The Zingzillas, a beach party disco, street dance workshops, balloon shows, comedy and stories from Charlie & Lola and Horrible Histories. Adults will be kept entertained with guest musicians & DJs, cracking cocktails, treatments, market stalls and a real ale festival bar!
Edinburgh Fringe Festival, Scotland – 5th to 29th Aug 2011
This is perhaps one of the largest Arts festivals in the world and takes place every August for three weeks in Scotland’s beautiful capital city, Edinburgh. Thousands of performers will take to the stage and present shows to suit every taste. There’ll be big names from the entertainment industry as well as unknown artists looking for their big break. If you attend the Edinburgh Fringe you’ll enjoy a wide mix of theatre, comedy, dance, musicals, operas, exhibitions and a variety of other events so come on and celebrate the world of arts and entertainment.
V Festival, Chelmsford and Reading – 20th to 21st Aug 2011
This summer’s V Festival has perhaps one of the best music line-ups with artists
such as Rihanna, Eminem, Plan B, Chase & Status, Lost Prophets, Duran Duran and many more entertaining the crowds across four stages at Hylands Park (Chelmsford) and Weston Park (Reading). As well as enjoying the incredible music, why not enter the Nintendo 3DS experience, get some make-up tips from the professionals at M.A.C or sit back in The Firetrap Lock In and listen to some awesome tunes as a whole host of DJs hit the decks! Knowing that our great British Summer Time can sometimes be a little temperamental, you may want to pack for all weathers – wellies and flip-flops maybe the order of the day so be prepared!
Are you heading out to any festivals this year? Perhaps we’ve forgotten to include one, just let us know!