The Best Festivals Of 2019, From Beachside Disco To Foodie Forest Revelry
Sadly, there's no Fyre Festival 2019 to really spice up the year. But there's still plenty of events worth marking in your calendar for the months when we're all allowed to have fun again.
This year will see relative newcomers to the festival scene go from strength-to-strength, such as beachside retreat Kala and excellent addition to the London scene, All Points East.
There's also established classics boasting some of their best ever line-ups, like Brecon Beacons idyllic weekender Green Man and lake-side German wunderkind, Melt!
Here's our picks of what you should be spending our money on this year.
All Points East, London
Line-up highlights: The Strokes, The Chemical Brothers, Hot Chip
For the second year, the brains behind American festivals Coachella and Panorama are back to take over Victoria Park with four days of peerless music. Each day features a strong headline act and a list of thoughtfully curated support artists. As well as securing The Strokes, they've the only UK festival to announce heartbreaking folk band Bon Iver thus far. The whole thing is wrapped up by evening, leaving you to party on or escape home - your choice!
24 May - 2 June, Victoria Park, London, United Kingdom
Primavera Sound, Barcelona
Line-up highlights: Robyn, James Blake, Tame Impala
The worst-kept secret in European festivals is also the one that never manages to disappoint. Housed in the middle of vibrant Barcelona, Primavera Sound offers a powerhouse selection of the world's best music and a city break in one. In addition to the vast list of headliners like Solange, Cardi B and Future, lower down on this year's line-up are downcast indie singers Snail Mail and Soccer Mommy, and a huge roster of electronic stars.
3 May - 2 June, Parc del Fòrum, Barcelona, Spain
Boomtown Chapter 11, Hampshire
Line-up highlights: The Street, Lauren Hill, General Levy
When Mike Skinner announced he was reviving The Streets for a handful of gigs in 2019, tickets sold out before you say "Oi, oi, oi". Luckily, there's still a chance to see arguably the most influential British act of the 00s at Boomtown, probably the UK's most underrated major festival. Also headlining are Lauren Hill and Prophets of Rage, completing a refreshingly cerebral line up. But there's a lot more to discover at this beautifully executed four day-er that has over 100 stages, and the significant added bonus of taking place in August.
7 - 11 August, South Downs National Park, Hampshire
Nuits Sonores, Lyon
Line-up highlights: Bonobo, Chilly Gonzales, The Black Madonna
If you're after something a little more off the beaten path, Lyon is where the party is at. Despite being in its 16th year, Nuits Sonores has maintained a cool and intimate vibe. Each year the festival takes over numerous locations in Lyon to offer warehouse parties and outdoor events. As well as a stellar music offering - with days curated by artists like Peggy Gou and a special piano performance from Chilly Gonzales - there's talks in digital culture and graphic design, and a Mini Sonores festival for kids.
29 June - 2 May, 65 Rue Challemel-Lacour, 69363 Lyon, France
Gottwood, Wales
Line-up highlights: Bradley Zero, Hunee, Kink [Live]
Hard to believe Gottwood have been luring hipsters to a forest in Wales for ten years, but this year the electronic music festival hits double digits. It's a suitably raucous event to mark the anniversary, with a big name acts and up and coming stars treated with equal love on the uber-democratic A-Z line up. Wander through the forest filled with lights and weird installations or take a stroll to the secluded beach nearby, you'll hardly believe you're a few hours from the city.
6-9 June, Llanfaethlu, Yns Mon, Anglesey, LL65 4NY.
Junction 2, London
Line-up highlights: Daniel Avery, Daphni, Motor City Drum Ensemble
If even leaving the M25 sounds beyond you, Junction 2's annual two day event under the M4 might be more up your street. Take the Friday off and enjoy the likes of Daniel Avery or soak up Saturday afternoon with techno heavyweights Adam Beyer and Richie Hawtin. There's afterparties of course, but who can resist the allure of a swift tube home and bed before midnight. Just us?
7 & 8 June, Boston Manor Road, Brentford, TW8 9JX
Kala, Albania
Line-up highlights: Hercules & Love Affair [Live], Theo Parrish, Prins Thomas
After debuting to high praise last year, Kala's blissed out offering of beachside fun and house music has put the Albanian Riviera firmly on the map. Stages range from open-air clubs where you can dance to five-hour extended sets from the likes of Hunee and Derrick May, to a secluded beach forest which you access by boat after a morning of yoga. Plus there's a big sustainability drive and festival accommodation aims to put money into the hands of the local residents. In other words, it's the anti-Fyre festival.
Melt!, Germany
Line-up highlights: Bon Iver, A$AP Rocky, Jorja Smith
The fusing of the German's efficiency and music taste make for a brilliant time at this longstanding weekender held an hour outside Berlin. In the day enjoy bands and singers in the industrial estate festival complex and cool off with dips in the sprawling and beautiful lake near the campsite. Then spend between nightfall and dawn on the Sleepless Floor stage which hosts DJs from Thursday to Monday without closing.
19-21 July, Ferropolis, Gräfenhainichen, Germany
Green Man, Wales
Line-up highlights: Sharon Van Etten, IDLES, Four Tet
The festival for chin-scratching music aficionados also happens to boast one of the most inclusive offerings, with plenty of comedy, literature, philosophy and art on the bill too. Green Man is Wales' biggest music festival and each year manages to pull in acts that you just won't see elsewhere. The just-released first names look like just that with performances from Sharon Van Etten and Father John Misty confirmed for the weekend.
15 - 18 August, Glanusk Park, Powys NP8 1LP
Dekmantel Selectors, Croatia
Line-up highlights: Palms Trax, Ben UFO, Young Marco
Size matters, or so says this beachside outpost of the increasing popular Dutch festival Dekmantel. With only 2000 tickets on sale and a line-up most people won't be familiar with, Dekmantel Selectors feels more like the perfect party you've stumbled upon but nobody else has heard of yet. Open air stages and music playing as you swim in peacefully quiet enclaves of beach make it feel like a holiday that happens to be at a festival, free of any of the usual stresses you put up with for good music and a party.
22 - 26 August, Petrića Glava 34, 22240, Tisno, Croatia
Lost Village, Lincoln
Line-up highlights: Little Dragon, Maribou State, David August [Live]
As your Instagram feed likely proves, immersive festivals show no sign of slowing with all manner of weird art installations and pretty light displays being put on to create theatrics. Set in the forests of Lincolnshire, Lost Village has an eccentricity to it that makes feel genuine and the small capacity allows you to get lost without worrying too much. If the line-up doesn't tempt you it's also one of the best foodie festivals on the circuit, this year offering a pop-up Dishoom and banquets from the likes of the Hawksmoor.
22 - 25 August, Norton Disney, Lincolnshire, LN6 9QG.
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