If you’re a music enthusiast or a festival-goer, here are the top 10 summer music festivals in 2024 you can’t afford to miss.
1) Glastonbury Festival
Glastonbury Festival is the Mecca of all music festivals, a global cultural event that has been drawing crowds for over five decades. From its humble beginnings as the Pilton Pop, Folk & Blues Festival in 1970, Glastonbury has grown to be one of the most celebrated events in the global music calendar.
Line-up and highlights
The headliners for Glastonbury 2024 are SZA, Coldplay, and Dua Lipa. These artists represent a diverse mix of genres, from the R&B and hip-hop influences of SZA to the iconic British rock band Coldplay.
Ticket information
Tickets for Glastonbury are notoriously hard to get, and the 2024 festival is no exception. With around 200,000 people attending yearly, securing a ticket requires patience and luck.
General admission costs £355 + £5 booking fee.
2) Reading & Leeds Festival
With its legacy of rock and alternative music, the dual-site has a reputation for mosh pits and raw energy – setting it apart as a place for rock fans.
Line-up and highlights
Headliners for the Reading and Leeds Festival 2024 include an impressive lineup of Fred again.., Lana Del Rey, Blink-182, Liam Gallagher, and Catfish and the Bottlemen.
Ticket information
A weekend ticket for Reading & Leeds in 2024 will set you back around £325.
3) Download Festival (Derbyshire)
An event for fans of heavy metal and rock, Download Festival creates a space for all things loud and lively. Located at the spiritual home of rock, Donington Park, this festival hosts an unrivalled environment for headbanging.
Line-up and highlights
The Download Festival 2024, taking place at Donington Park, Leicestershire from June 14th to 16th, is headlined by Queens of the Stone Age, Fall Out Boy, and Avenged Sevenfold.
The festival continues to build on its legacy by featuring a blend of iconic bands and fresh faces. Over 80 additional bands are announced, including Royal Blood, The Offspring, and Sum 41.
Ticket information
A five-day camping pass, which gives you access to the festival’s different music-filled zones, is available for £345.
4) Victorious Festival (Portsmouth)
Set on the picturesque Southsea Seafront with panoramic views of the Solent, this family-friendly festival offers a uniquely British experience.
Line-up and highlights
The Victorious Festival 2024, set to take place in Portsmouth from August 23 to 25, includes an impressive lineup with Fatboy Slim, Snow Patrol, Jamie T, and Biffy Clyro as the headline acts.
This year’s Victorious Festival offers not only a memorable experience through its headliners but additional well-known acts such as Pixies, Wet Leg, Idles, Courteeners, Becky Hill, and more.
Ticket information
Victorious Festival is known for its reasonable pricing, with weekend tickets expected to cost £180 for the full experience.
5) Creamfields
For fans of electronic dance music, Creamfields is the place to be. Established as one of the world’s leading EDM festivals, Creamfields transforms the fields of Cheshire into a neon-lit wonderland, with famous DJs.
Line-up and highlights
Leading the bill this year is Calvin Harris, alongside the legendary Fatboy Slim, whose energetic sets have captivated audiences worldwide. Other notable artists include Michael Bibi, and house icon Chase & Status LIVE.
For those looking to get tickets, especially given the high demand and the limited UK summer festival season, prompt action is advised.
Ticket information
Standard camping prices cost around £290 for weekend admission.
6) Isle of Wight Festival
The Isle of Wight Festival holds a special place in many hearts, for those who appreciate an eclectic mix of music, laid-back vibes, and stunning coastal scenery.
Line-up and highlights
The Isle of Wight Festival 2024, taking place from June 20th to 23rd, features an exciting lineup of headliners, including The Prodigy, Pet Shop Boys, and Green Day.
In addition to the headliners, the festival has a rich lineup of artists across various stages, including familiar acts like Jessie J, Natalie Imbruglia, The Pretenders, Johnny Marr, and S Club, among others.
The Isle of Wight Festival, set in the picturesque Seaclose Park, offers attendees not only a weekend filled with exceptional music but also a unique cultural experience in one of the UK’s most scenic locations.
Ticket information
The Isle of Wight Festival weekend campaign ticket costs around £220.
7) Boomtown Fair (Winchester)
Scheduled for the 7th to 11th of August, 2024, under the theme ‘Revolution of Imagination,’ Boomtown stands out for its commitment to creating an immersive parallel world. With 12 main stages and over 50 hidden venues, it showcases a broad spectrum of musical genres.
What sets Boomtown apart is not just its vast lineup but its dedication to building a living, breathing city where each district has its own unique identity.
Line-up and highlights
While specific headliners for this year’s “Revolution of Imagination” theme have yet to be officially announced, Boomtown has historically showcased a wide range of artists from various genres, including electronic, reggae, dub, ska, and hip-hop, among others.
Ticket information
A standard weekend ticket for Boomtown Fair is likely to set you back by £315, giving you access to all areas of the fantastical festival world.
8) Wireless Festival (London)
Wireless Festival uses London’s Finsbury Park as the backdrop for this high-energy event. Catering to the R&B, hip-hop, and dancehall communities, Wireless attracts urban music fans from across the globe.
Line-up and highlights
The Wireless Festival for the year 2024, held in Finsbury Park from July 12th to 14th, proudly presents an impressive lineup of headliners, including Nicki Minaj, special guest Future, 21 Savage, J Hus, and Doja Cat.
The festival’s growing reputation as the number one event for fans of hip-hop, rap, and urban music is proven by this year’s lineup.
Ticket information
A weekend pass typically costs around £258, offering up to three days of urban music in the heart of the capital.
9) TRNSMT Festival (Glasgow)
Renowned for its electric atmosphere, TRNSMT takes place in the heart of Glasgow, a city that has its own distinct musical legacy.
Line-up and highlights
The TRNSMT Festival 2024, taking place in Glasgow, is set to feature headliners that include Liam Gallagher, Gerry Cinnamon, and Calvin Harris.
Liam Gallagher, known for his role as the lead vocalist of Oasis and his successful solo career, offers a mix of classic Britpop anthems and contemporary hits. Gerry Cinnamon, a Scottish singer-songwriter, captivates audiences with his acoustic guitar-driven tracks and relatable lyrics, making him a favourite among fans of all ages.
For those interested in attending, the festival runs from July 12th to 14th.
Ticket information
For around £275, you can secure entry to the weekend’s worth of headline acts.
10) Latitude Festival (Suffolk)
The festival’s idyllic setting at Henham Park in Suffolk makes it an attractive alternative to the usual music festival format.
Line-up and highlights
The festival takes place from July 25 to 28 and has an eclectic and exciting lineup of headliners. This year, there will be performances by Duran Duran, Kasabian, Keane, and London Grammar.
Duran Duran’s inclusion is noteworthy following the release of their recent album “Danse Macabre,” which features three new tracks alongside covers of various artists.
The festival will also feature comedian Sara Pascoe, further highlighting Latitude’s tradition of integrating music with other art forms.
Ticket information
Latitude Festival tends to cost around £308 for a weekend pass, offering a festival experience that offers more than just music.
Careers in music
Music festival enthusiasts can find that their passion for live performance translates into a fulfilling career within the music industry, a sector which continues to entertain millions of people.
Interested in pursuing a music career? At Access Creative College we provide a range of further education music courses to suit a range of disciplines, from technical to performance-based. Apply online today!
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