The sun is shining, the birds are singing in the trees, and festival organisers are gearing up for a busy summer, which means a new festival round up for all you music fans.
We kick off this week with the Hop Farm Festival, in Paddock Wood Kent who have just announced a headline act. The festival runs on the 4th and the 5th of July, with Brit Award winners The Fratellis topping the bill on the 4th. They will join the likes of Paul Weller, The Editors, The View, and Ash, on the impressive line-up. With many more acts to be announced, and the return of celebrity 5-A-Side Football, there’s a lot to look forward to. So keep your eyes on www.hopfarmfestival.com for all the latest announcements.
Meanwhile over in Sunny Spain, The Benicássim/FIB Heineken Festival line-up is also shaping up nicely, with 2 Many DJ’s and The Foals added to the bill. 2 Many DJ’s are sure to be crowd pleasers with their ‘big bass lines and Belgian beats’, while The Foals will bring British fusion of indie/rock/dance punk to the stage. Both these bands join an eclectic mix of British (Oasis, The Killers, Lily Allen), and international acts (Cooper from Spain, Giant Sand from America, Fangoria from Spain), who will play between July 16th and 19th. Visit www.fiberfib.com for more details.
If you’re not bothered about the weather, and are looking for something more than your average festival, then maybe The Silver Stone Classic will be the event for you. Taking place from the 24th to 26th July, the event features stunt bikes, drag shows, races featuring rare and classic cars from the last 60 years, celebrity challenges, and of course, live music. In two exclusive concerts, Carlos Santana and the Pussy Cat Dolls will perform at the legendary race track. Tickets are now on sale which can cover the concerts, the racing, or a mixture of both. It’s an event not to be missed, so book now at www.silverstoneclassic.com.
From rare cars, to rare U.K performances, and this time it’s The Big Chill Festival that’s come up trumps. The dance festival will feature Norwegian DJ Lindstrom, and sets from more frequent visitors to U.K festivals. These include Radio 1’s Annie Nightingale, Greg Wilson, Bristol Hi-Fi, Metro Area, and Amadou and Mariam. This unique duo mix traditional sounds from their home country of Mali, with rock guitars, Syrian violins, and Cuban Trumpets amongst other things. All in all, this festival certainly wins my vote for originality. More information at www.thebigchill.co.uk.
Finally, The Bloom Festival is into its 4th year, which it promises will be its biggest yet. Festival goers will invade the site in West Littleton Down, South Gloucestershire from August 14th-16th to see over 70 acts. Latest additions to their line-up include Esser, Noah and The Whale, Tom Middleton, The Filthy Dukes, and Loose Cannons. Expect a mix of indie, acoustic, hip hop, electro, funk, and drum’n’ bass on the festival sites six stages. Alongside all this will be a host of sideshows and attractions, including a workshop tent where you can try out anything from knitting to tai chi, mask making, and erm, Burlesque Strip Tease (one for the adults). If you want to attend the self dubbed ‘party in a field’ then book your tickets now at www.bloomfestival.com.
All this and more coming your way this summer, so pack your raincoats, wellies, and sun cream (well you have to be optimistic) and get out there to experience some great live music.