Featured Festivals
Our top picks for the next 12 months…
Festival news and reviews
HotWax light up Camden Underworld at their biggest London headline yet
Camden Underworld, Thursday 5th February 2026 (words and pictures by Sara-Louise Bowrey) Camden Underworld is the kind of venue that doesn’t let you stay passive. It’s a room that demands[…]
Read moreThe Great Escape 2026 – early artist listings
The Great Escape Festival 2026 is already shaping up a weekend where your favourite playlist gets mugged in a back alley and replaced with something somewhat more relevant. This batch[…]
Read moreWithout DEVO and B52s, where would we be? See them both LIVE at the O2 in 2026
If rock’n’roll was a house party, it was the late 70s were that awkward moment arrived and someone carelessly spilled a drink on the stereo just as the neighbours started[…]
Read moreThe best bands of 2025 – live in 2026
Future Sounds, Real Tickets: Catch Our 2025 Festival Finds Live in 2026 Every festival season has that moment: you’re wandering between stages with a lukewarm pint and a “maybe we’ll[…]
Read moreBearded Theory 2026 is just around the corner
Bearded Theory 2026 Preview: Derbyshire’s Beloved Bank Holiday Break-Out Each spring, as fields across the UK thaw out and come to life, one festival noisily blossoms with an irresistible blend[…]
Read moreBrixton Academy – 2026 at a glance
Brixton Academy 2026: bass pressure, guitar bite, and big-room catharsis If Brighton Dome’s diary is a beautifully curated mixtape, Brixton Academy’s upcoming run is a full-volume festival in a single[…]
Read moreBrighton Dome 2026 – what’s coming up for you?
Brighton Dome 2026: a run of gigs that covers shanties, synths, swagger and symphonies Brighton Dome’s upcoming diary reads like someone spilled a record collection down a staircase and decided[…]
Read moreGreen Door Store at 15 – thistle. + Goodbye + Little Grandad
Green Door Store Continues Birthday Festivities with Another Standout Night Celebrations for the Green Door Store’s 15th birthday rolled on with a second free showcase, this time bringing three acts[…]
Read moreDoes Hastings host more festivals than anywhere else in the UK per capita?
Stroll through Hastings in any month of the year and you’ll find something happening—from chess masters locked in deep concentration to clownish pirates strutting along the promenade. The “town” is,[…]
Read moreGreen Door Store Kicks Off Birthday Celebrations in Style
Brighton’s beloved Green Door Store marked its 15th birthday with the first of four free celebratory events. Three acts, three completely different energies: the introspective grit of Lonnie Gunn, the[…]
Read moreHotWax hit the 2026 tour circuit to showcase their latest album
HotWax Set to Bring Hot Shock to the Stage on Major 2026 Tour Hastings rock trio HotWax are gearing up for a significant 22-date headline tour in January and February[…]
Read moreGuilfest pulls Sophie-Ellis Bextor and The Proclaimers out of the hat for 2026
GuilFest is officially back from the dead and ready to reclaim its spot on the UK festival map, dropping a seriously bonkers lineup that mixes disco royalty with Scottish folk-punk[…]
Read moreFestival Culture in Motion: New Line-Ups, Fresh Ideas and Community Wins for 2026
Times might be tough, but festival culture is stretching confidently into 2026, and the sense of momentum is unmistakable. That forward motion is captured neatly by Screen Daily’s regularly updated[…]
Read moreSome USA festival announcements – plus a new home for WOMAD
The 2026 festival calendar is shaping up with both nostalgia and new names. Sadly, one long-lived local tradition has ended as Grand Rapids’ Festival of the Arts closes after 55[…]
Read moreImogen and the Knife and The Last Dinner Party – Brighton Centre Review
A night capturing the future of British alternative Words and Pictures by Sara-Louise Bowrey The Brighton Centre has seen more than its share of landmark shows, but this one carried[…]
Read moreThe festival calendar
Month-by-month festivals and gigs coming your way…filter using the button below…
Festival and live music photos
Festivals, gigs, events… Sara-Louise Bowrey is our top photographer. She’s been in the busines more than 25 years and is still going from strength to strength. If you are after an event photographer for your festival you can’t do better…
@stealingsheep at @thepipercalls last night. Poppy dreamy madness - loved every minute!
#stealingsheep #nikon #concettphotography #livemusic #livemusicphotography


@lydia.lunch.official ‘Big Sexy Noise’ at @thepipercalls - brutal, beautiful, real
#lydialunch #concertphotography #livemusic #nikon #musicphotography


@francisxpig at @thepipercalls last weekend supporting @lydia.lunch.official - pure unhinged chaos - in the best possible way
#concertphotography #livemusicphotography #livemusic #nikon


A rammed & sweaty reggae night in Brighton at @chalk_venue with @original_eeka_mouse @scientistdubmaster @official_dawnpenn and @mc_brother_culture -
#reggae #concertphotography #livemusic #nikon


Chilled vibes for @gweniferraymond and @jimghedimusic at @delawarr as part of independent venue week.
#delawarrpavilion #concertphotography #bexhill #livemusicvenue #nikon


Superb night @lewesconclub for @lewespsychfest with @aircooled_music @dactylterraband @thesickmanofeurope_ @holy_springs and @swallowtail_band
#livemusicphotography #concertphotography #nikon #livemusic


First gig of the year for @delawarr with @kidkapichi to launch their brilliant new album ‘Fearless Nature’ courtesy of @musicsnotdead what a treat!


@greendoorstore 15th Birthday Party #2 with @thistle.thistle.thistle @goodbye.band and @littlegrandad_ - great fun!
#greendoorstore #brightonmusic #concertphotography #livemusicphotography


Another top night by @hiddenherd and @parallellinesuk at @therossibar with @lipworms @cocoandthelost and @arcadia.residential
#concertphotography #livemusic #nikon #livemusicphotography


Happy 15th birthday @greendoorstore - probably one of the best birthday celebration! With @lonniegunnbulliedme @lemonsuckr.wav and @silvergoremusic
#greendoorstore #brightonmusic #musicphotography #concertphotography #nikon


New year came in with bang @thepipercalls last night
#newyearseveparty #thepiperstleonards #stleonardsonsea #nikon


Well that was 2025 - what a year to be alive. Hope `26 treats everyone more kindly. That said, it`s been a quality year in the world of festivals and gigs... I`ve squeezed in a few hundred of my fave shots to this little 1-min fly-by. So #happynewyear❤️ to all of you... see you down the front somewhere soon. #livemusicphotographer #festival #gigs


January Festivals
Even in the depths of winter – festivals thrive
- January Blues Festival, London – https://229.london/whatson/
- Rockaway Beach – https://www.rockawaybeach.co.uk/
- West Coast Festival – https://www.solidentertainments.com/folk/west-coast/index.html
- We are One – https://www.seetickets.com/event/we-are-one-festival-2026-tramshed-cardiff/the-tramshed/3458571
- Madchester 2, London, https://www.ents24.com/festival/madchester-tribute-festival-london/7288854
February Festivals
Warm up your dancing shoes… February has plenty of festival action if you know where to look
- Forever Young Festival, Derby – https://dice.fm/event/g5kela-forever-young-festival-2026-13th-feb-the-hairy-dog-nottingham-tickets
- In Cider Festival, Weston-Super-Mare – https://www.fuelledbycider.com/in-cider
NO FESTIVAL LEFT BEHIND
No festival is too small so we list them all – and love them all
From huge international events showcasing the planet’s biggest stars to small one-day events in tiny spaces where grass-roots performers play to small but appreciative audiences – we believe every festival deserves to be celebrated and recognised…






March Festivals
Summer is almost here!
- Port Fairy, Australia – https://portfairyfolkfestival.com/
April Festivals
April may be still too early for outdoor fests – but there are a few corkers in the warm…
- Brick Lane Jazz Festival, London – https://www.bricklanejazzfestival.com/
- Stockton Calling – https://www.stocktoncalling.co.uk/
Want more festival news?
May Festivals
The sun is (sometimes) shining, so the tents are out and the fields are coming to life…
- Red Rooster, Suffolk – https://www.redrooster.org.uk/
- Breaking Bands Festival, Droitwich – https://breakingbandsfestival.com/
- The Great Escape, Brighton – https://greatescapefestival.com/
- Pavillion Festival, Ayr – https://pavilionfestival.com/
- Shindig Festival, Malmsebury – https://shindigfestival.co.uk/
- Bearded Theory, Derbyshire – https://beardedtheory.co.uk/
- DesertFest, London – https://www.desertfest.co.uk/
- Slamdunk, Hatfield and Leeds – https://www.slamdunkfestival.com/
A few things we love about festivals…
What makes a great festival? With so many shapes and sizes out there that’s not an easy question to answer – but here’s what we think…
CREATIVE PROGRAMMING
It’s all too easy to just book big names and established acts – but a truly great festival takes risks and scours the horizon for new and emerging performers who may have the talent to be the next generation of top stars.
VALUE FOR MONEY
We know it’s not cheap to stage a great festival, so ticket prices have to reflect this. But festivals need to get their pricing right and also be aware of how much they are charging for food and drink over the event, and how much of an impact this has on the overall experience.
INTERACTION
Going to a festival shouldn’t be a passive experience – it should be immersive and give you the chance to be a part of the action. Festivals that find ways for their audiences to engage with the performance will always find that more people come back year after year.
CUSTOMER CARE
How clean are your festival toilets and how many water points do you have in your campsite? How well briefed are your stewards and how friendly are your security staff? Is signage clear and is your program easy to read and understand? Get these thimngs right and you’ll win a lot of friends.
June Festivals
Sun’s out – and the fun’s started!
- Bonnaroo, Manchester, USA – https://www.bonnaroo.com/
- Download, Donington – https://downloadfestival.co.uk/
- Impericon Festival, Germany – https://www.impericon.com/pages/festival
- Isle of Wight Festival, Newport – https://isleofwightfestival.com/
- Lido Festival, London – https://www.lidofestival.co.uk/
- Northlands, USA – https://www.northlandslive.com/
- Scotland Calling, Glasgow – https://louderthanwar.com/shop/tickets/calling-festival-tickets/scotland-calling-festival-2026/
- Pavillion Festival, Ayr – https://pavilionfestival.com/
- Primavera Sound, Spain – https://www.primaverasound.com/en/barcelona
- State Fair, Chelmsford – https://www.statefayre.com/
- Daresbury, Cheshire – https://daresburyfestival.co.uk/
CASE STUDY
Beautiful Days – a true festival family
Created by the Levellers, a band who epitomise the free spirited philosophy of festivals in their 90s heyday, Beautiful Days ticks al the boxes…
LINE-UP
every year provides audiences with a fantastically curated and eclectic mix of music, theatre and comedy, with careful thought given to the tastes of the crowd but a willingness to try out new things.
THE PRICE IS RIGHT
Ticket prices are sensibly set, and on site food and drink prices are extremely fair.
LOOS
Clean enough to eat your dinner in – say no more.
STAFF WHO CARE
Many of the stewards and security staff are as much regulars as the fans who come back year after year. They know the festival and they interact with guests in the best way possible.
July Festivals
July is always a belter for great festivals!
- Rock Imperium, Spain – https://www.rockimperiumfestival.es/en/
- Time to Rock Festival, Sweden – https://timetorock.se/
- Discovery Festival, Darlington – https://www.discoveryfestival.co.uk/
- Forest Fest, Ireland – https://forestfest.ie/
- Latitude, Suffolk – https://www.latitudefestival.com/
- Mad Cool, Spain – https://madcoolfestival.es/noticia/2026-line-up
- Steelhouse Festival, Brecon Beacons – https://www.steelhousefestival.com/
- Truck Festival, Oxford – https://truckfestival.com/
- Together Again, Cheshire – https://togetheragainfestival.co.uk/
- Rock Oyster, Cornwall – https://rockoysterfestival.co.uk
- Deer Shed, Yorkshire – https://deershedfestival.com/
- Hayrock, Wigan – https://hayrock.uk/
- Lytham, Lancashire, https://www.lythamfestival.com/
CASE STUDY
More than just an ego trip… Mik Artistik
Whilst festivals have a duty to get things right, performers also need to think about how they package themselves for a festival crowd – and there is probably no better example of this than Mik Artistik’s Ego Trip.
ORIGINALITY
Mik Artistik’s songs are far from formulaic. With subject matter ranging from plastic garden ornaments to leaves stuck under windscreen wipers his themes are heartfelt and obscure in equal measure…and the crowd loves him for it.
AUDIENCE ENGAGEMENT
In the manner of a great stand-up comic, Mik reads his audiences like a book and seaks directly to them at every chance he gets – and in so doing wins new fans with every show.
DEDICATION
At Glastonbury 2019 Mik put in at least 11 performances over the weekend (we lost count at that point) – ensuring that as many people as possible got to see himm at least once…
PASSION
There is a sense of fun at every Mik Artistik gig you ever see – but behind that fun is a serious side… the spirit of a man who is fully committed to his craft and puts every ounce of energy into even the smallest show.
August Festivals
Some of the best festivals on the season take place in August…
- Alcatraz Festival, Belgium – https://www.alcatraz.be/en/index
- MotoCulture, France – https://www.motocultor-festival.com/en_en/
- ArcTanGent, Bristol – https://arctangent.co.uk/
- Back 2, Leicestershire – https://www.back2festival.com/
- Radar, Manchester – https://www.radarfestival.co.uk/
- Reading/Leeds, https://www.readingfestival.com/ and https://www.leedsfestival.com/
- Summer Breeze, Germany – https://www.summer-breeze.de/en/
- Victorious, Portsmouth – https://www.victoriousfestival.co.uk/
- Timescape, Huntingdon – https://timescapefestival.com/
- We Out Here, Dorset – https://weoutherefestival.com/
- YNot, Derbyshire – https://ynotfestival.com/
- Bloodstock, Derbyshire – https://www.bloodstock.uk.com/
- Madchester 2, London, https://www.ents24.com/festival/madchester-tribute-festival-london/7288854
- Boomtown, Winchester – https://www.boomtownfair.co.uk/
- Devafest, Cheshire – https://www.devafest.co.uk/
Festival acts we love
What makes a great festival performance? For us it’s the ability to catch and hold the attention of a passing crowd…so here are just a few of our favourite acts who have what it takes to make your festival a memorable affair…


Kid Kapichi
Blistering indie rock


Beans on Toast
Contemporary poet


Funke and the Two Tone Baby
A one man band with bells on


Nova Twins
Mesmerising and passionate


Pete Bentham and ther Dinner Ladies
Indescribably delicioius


Greentea Peng
Pure roots funk


Samantics
Multi-talented troubadour


The Bar Steward Sons of Val Doonican
To know them is to love them
September Festivals
Fortune favours the brave…
- Kernowfornia, Cornwall – https://www.kernowforniafestival.com/
- Lindisfarne, Northumberland – https://lindisfarnefestival.com/
- Mucky Weekender Winchester – https://mucky-weekender.co.uk/
Top traders
Here are a few of our favourite stalls from around the festival circuit
Full trader listingsAlthough festival t-shirts are all well and good, most of the best clothes we’ve ever bought from festivals have been from vintage and charity shops. Oxfam often have some great and stylish bargains – but get in quick.


Oxfam
Vintage clothes
It’s simple and unpretentious, but filling, delicious and great value. The portions served up by the Roaming Rotisserie team always have us coming back for more – like Depeche Mode samg, we just can’t get enough!


Roaming Rotisserie
Chicken
The Really Good Bar Co bring a Real Ale selection to festivals – ranging from a small two-cask stillage on the back bar to racking and refrigeration for up to 100 casks. They source all the beers direct from local breweries.


Really Good Bar Co
Real Ale
Contact us
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