This weekend the UK hosts festival heavyweights such as Creamfields, Reading and Leeds and the Notting Hill Carnival. This weekend the Edinburgh Festival Fringe wraps up and over in Ibiza the closing parties are about to get underway, but don’t panic, there is plenty still going on in terms of festivals, events and activities. In fact here is our pick of the best UK music festivals taking place next month;
Festwich, 1-2 September, St Mary’s Park, Manchester
Those who were fans of the more eminent bands in rock music from the last century can find the next best thing at Festwich, in the way of tribute acts. From the 1st to the 2nd of September, St Mary’s Park will be the venue for a host of bands paying tribute to such legendary acts as Bon Jovi, ACDC, Oasis, Guns ‘n’ Roses and the Arctic Monkeys. Also on stage will be a variety of talented local performers including various Prestwich comedians and DJs. Among the bands performing will be Bon Giovi, often billed as the UK’s best Bon Jovi tribute band. Not only do they sound like Bon Jovi, they look like them too. Also performing will be Whole Lotta DC, performing songs by Australia’s best rock band, Guns or Roses and Higher-on-Maiden.
The Big Feastival, 1-2 September, Alex James’ Farm, near Kingham, Oxfordshire
The Big Feastival is the product of acclaimed chef, Jamie Oliver and musician Alex James of Blur. It is a combination of both their main interests, namely, music and food. The venue is Alex James’s Oxfordshire farm near Kingham. The bands tipped to perform include Razorlight, Paloma Faith, Texas and The Producers. Jamie Oliver will also be cooking on stage, accompanied by a variety of celebrity chefs. Festival-goers may also peruse local goods at the Big Feastival’s Artisan Food Market where they will find foods from several nearby farms.
Bestival Festival, 6-9 September, Robin Hill Country Park, The Isle of Wight
The Bestival Festival’s line-up is absolutely huge with at least 50 acts confirmed for the 4 day stint. Bestival includes a diverse range of internationally known performers such as Rizzle Kicks, New Order and Iceland’s post-rock legends, Sigur Ros. The long list of other classic acts scheduled to perform includes 1980s favourites De La Soul, Gary Numan and Adam Ant. Every musical genre is represented with tracks from Emeli Sandé, Orbital, Sister Sledge and the Gallows. The 2012 Bestival will be held from the 6th of September to the 9th at Robin Hill on the Isle of Wight. Music is not all the Bestival will have to offer as there will also be Nomad Cinema, a pop-up cinema, and Bestival Blocos, which is the Bestival’s own carnival parade.
FREEDOM Festival, 6-9 September, Hull City Centre, Humberside
The city of Hull will host the FREEDOM Festival from the 6th of September to the 9th. Headliners include Spiritualized and Martha Reeves and the Vandellas, appearing on the 7th and the 9th respectively. Both of these acts will perform on the Pier Stage next to the River Humber. Festival-goers who desire variety will get it here as there will be street theatre and family entertainment available as well. This includes Circus Ronaldo, a Belgian comedy and theatre troupe performing in a circus tent. Kid British will be performing their own brand of ska and dancehall at the E20 Yellow Bus Stage in the Wellington Street Bus Market.
Snodfest, 15th September, Upton Snodsbury, Worcestershire
Those who want to get a taste of the best entertainment Upton Snodsbury has to offer can visit Snodfest in Upton Snodsbury Park on the 15th of September. There will be 10 hours of live music and a variety of foods from various local establishments. For the live music portion of the experience, those attending will get to see The Chris Whiting Band, Tom Forbes, Skewhiff, and Hitchhiker.
Fressingfield Music festival, 25-29 September, Fressingfield, Suffolk
The Annual Fressingfield Music festival caters to an entirely different audience than most of the other music festivals, namely, lovers of jazz and classical music. The festival will be held at the Church of St Peter and St Paul. The festival days will be from the 25th of September to the 29th and the performances will include two full operas complete with orchestra. Among the performers will be Meng Yang Pan, Arborea Musica and Vox Cantare, Badinage and Singers, and the Commonwealth Orchestra.
