If you’re a festival fanatic, you’ll be most disappointed to
hear there’s no Glasto this year. But never fear, there are plenty of other live
music events to liven up your summer.
Whether you prefer rock, indie, jazz, dance, pop or a good old mix, you’ll be sure to find something to keep you swaying in the sun.
Here are a few of Liberti's favourite Christian and secular fests:
Whether you prefer rock, indie, jazz, dance, pop or a good old mix, you’ll be sure to find something to keep you swaying in the sun.
Here are a few of Liberti's favourite Christian and secular fests:
Christian events
Greenbelt has attracted some pretty big names from the music
industry over the years including: U2, Moby, Goldie, Jamelia, The Proclaimers,
Daniel Bedingfield, Amy Grant, Athlete, Sixpence None the Richer and
Delirious?. Although it started out as a purely Christian music festival,
Greenbelt is now attended by believers and non-believers alike – 21,000 of them
in fact.
Geeky festival fact
Greenbelt was one of the main catalysts for the Jubilee 2000
movement, which called for the cancellation of third-world debt.
Date and venue
August 24-27 at Cheltenham Racecourse.
Participants at this year’s New Wine event will include: J
John, Danielle Strickland, Francis Chan, Rosie and Tim Bunn, Carl Beech and
Maggie Ellis. Fantastic entertainment has been planned for Gems (0-2s), Pebbles
(3-4s), Groundbreakers (5-7s), Rock Solid (8-9s) and Boulder Gangers (10-11s)
and this year will see the launch of a new evening celebration venue for young
adults.
Geeky festival fact
Among its other great resources, New Wine has its own
on-site radio station to keep visitors up-to-date at all times.
Dates and venues
July 21 to July 27 at Royal Bath & West Showground,
Shepton Mallet; July 28 to August 4 at Newark & Nottinghamshire County
Showground, Newark; July 29 to August 4 at Royal Bath & West Showground,
Shepton Mallet.
Soul Survivor is a five-day event that attracts around
28,000 visitors each year. It primarily targets teenagers and young adults, but
it’s fun for grownups too. This year’s speakers will include: Suzie Brock,
Gavin Calver, Jeannie Morgan and Patrick Regan.
Geeky festival fact
There is also a Midlands-based soul band called The Soul
Survivors so make sure you don’t get them mixed up.
Dates and venues
July 27-31 at Stafford Showground; August 7-11 at Bath &
West Showground; August 12-16 at Bath & West Showground.
Secular events
Describing itself as a “boutique music festival”, this
three-day event is a by-product of Rob da Bank's Sunday Best legacy. It’s more
eclectic than some of its predecessors and is well known for its fancy dress
themes, Bollywood Cocktail Bar and Hidden Disco.
Those who don’t fancy camping might prefer Bestival’s Tipi, Yurt or PodPad accommodation options.
Those who don’t fancy camping might prefer Bestival’s Tipi, Yurt or PodPad accommodation options.
Geeky festival fact
Organisers recently introduced a Breastival baby area for
new mothers.
Date and venue
September 6-9 (ok, so it’s not strictly summer!) at Robin
Hill Country Park, Isle of Wight.
First held in 2006, Latitude is a relative newcomer in the
festival arena. But what it lacks in history, it makes up for in fantastic
music, theatre, art, comedy, cabaret, poetry, politics, dance and literature.
Last year’s acts included Florence and the Machine, Ardal O'Hanlon, Simon
Armitage, Vivienne Westwood, Pet Shop Boys, Kate Nash, Sigur Rós and Andrew
Motion.
Geeky festival fact
Latitude is run by Festival Republic, which runs the Reading
and Leeds festivals and is also contracted to run Glastonbury.
Date and venue
July 12-15 at Henham Park, Southwold, Suffolk.
Our favourite overseas secular event takes place on Spain’s
east coast between Valencia and Alicante. The weather is likely to be a bit
more reliable than at UK festivals and if (in the unlikely event) you fancy a
break from the music, you can head to the beach. Among the acts at last year’s
fest were: Paolo Nutini, The Strokes, LeFreak, Bombay Bicycle Club, Mumford
& Sons, Arctic Monkeys, Tinie Tempah and a load of European acts
I’ve never heard of but I’m sure are awesome.
Geeky festival fact
The name “Benicàssim” comes from the Arabic for “sons of
Qasim” (whoever the heck Qasim is).
Date and venue
July 12-15 in Benicàssim, Costa Azahar, Spain.
Read more from Joy in the next issue of Liberti magazine.
No comments:
Post a Comment