Don't know which London music festival to go to this summer? Well here's a round-up of our favourite. You may need wellies, but at least you can go home to your nice warm bed at the end of the day...
-
British Summer Time
July 1-3 & 9-11, 2016 - Hyde Park
Not one, but two whole weekends of music from the likes of Massive Attack, Florence + the Machine, Take That and soul legend, Stevie Wonder. With a centralised stage and a humungous site in a corner of Hyde Park, it’s ideal for all the family, young and old – no camping or traipsing around the site to catch a glimpse of your biggest musical heroes.
-
Wireless
July 8-10, 2016 - Finsbury Park, Harringay
Now in its 12th year, Wireless Festival returns for three days of partying to the sound of the world’s biggest pop and R&B acts. Set within the boundaries of picturesque Finsbury Park, dance the nights away to 2016’s impressive line-up, featuring Scottish superstar Calvin Harris, Brit duo Chase & Status and grime collective Boy Better Know.
-
Lovebox
July 15 & 16, 2016 - Victoria Park, Hackney
Far from the relatively small and alternative gathering of likeminded dance connoisseurs that it once was, Lovebox has morphed into a mega celebration of music from a range of genres. Additional entertainment comes in the form of Bump’s roller disco, fashion and beauty boutiques and plenty of weird and wonderful street-style performers throughout the Victoria Park site.
-
Citadel
July 17, 2016 - Victoria Park, Hackney
More than just a music festival, Citadel is a gathering of theatrical performers, debaters, artists and foodies, who are taking to their own stage this July to showcase their talents. Although of course, the music artists are the main attraction, including headline acts Sigur Ròs and Caribou.
-
Visions
August 6, 2016 - London Fields, Hackney
Across six venues in Hackney and London Fields, Visions is a small but perfectly curated union of musical creatives, from hip-hop trio Young Fathers – who are currently touring with Massive Attack – to Mercury Prize nominated and fellow Londoner Anna Calvi, to Norwegian producer Lindstrøm.
-
South West Four
August 27 & 28, 2016 - Clapham Common, Clapham
The only destination for London’s electronic dance devotees, South West Four or SW4 is the mother of all London dance festivals. Perfectly timed for the August bank holiday weekend, you even get an extra day off work to recover from the heavy beats of some of the world’s biggest DJs, which include headline acts Rudimental, Carl Cox and The Chemical Brothers.
-
Notting Hill Carnival
August 28 & 29, 2016 - Notting Hill
If there’s one event every Londoner should go to once in their lifetime, Notting Hill Carnival is definitely it. A number of sound systems dotted around the area, from Portobello Road, to Ladbroke Grove, to Westbourne Park play a variety of musical styles, while the parade of dancers in dazzling costumes is not to be missed. Set over the August bank holiday weekend, Sunday is children’s day, while Monday is mainly for adults.
-
On Blackheath
September 10 & 11, 2016 - Blackheath
A festival for all the family (well, it is sponsored by John Lewis), On Blackheath offers entertainment for the adults in the form of world-famous musical acts such as Primal Scream, Belle & Sebastian and James, while the children can enjoy the storytelling stage, a maze and so much more. Children 12 and under can go completely free, which means more money for the award-winning street food stalls.
-
Moondance
September 18, 2016 - Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, Stratford
Curated by the people at Found, Moondance is the answer to every London raver’s prayers. For one day only, over 180 firm festival favourites and emerging acts will take to the eight stages for a fill of drum ‘n’ bass, old skool and house. Remember ‘90s UK garage gods Artful Dodger and DJ Luck & MC Neat? Well you can relive those happy, rave-filled days with them this September at Stratford’s Olympic Park.
-
Hospitality in the Park
September 24, 2016 - Finsbury Park, Harringay
For those of you who aren’t ready for the summer festival season to be over, Hospitality in the Park offers one last outdoor gathering for London’s diehard partygoers. A selection of the world’s best drum & bass DJs – including British D’n’B royalty, High Contrast – will play over five stages in Finsbury Park.
-
Raw Power
May 27-29, 2016 - Dartmouth Hill Park, Tuffnell Park
If psychedelic rock is your thing, then Raw Power promises to give to you three days of heady, mind-blowing musical entertainment at The Dome in Tuffnell Park from bands such as Japan’s Melt-Banana, homegrown London rockers Part Chimp and Chile’s Fòllakzoid.
-
Camden Rocks
June 4, 2016 - venues throughout Camden
Camden’s musical roots in rock make it the ideal place for the coming together of over 180 rock, punk and metal acts, playing across 20 venues from Chalk Farm down to Mornington Crescent. This year’s big names include The Cribs, InMe, Billy Bragg and Young Guns, as well as plenty of new sounds from some of London’s best fresh talent.
-
Born and Bred
June 4 & 5, 2016 - Haggerston Park, Haggerston
Another big name in the Found Series’ line-up of summer festivals, Born and Bred in collaboration with Rinse FM celebrates London’s homegrown urban talent, as well as that of artists from further-a-field. Spread over two days, there’s a whole range of acts, from garage, to grime, to hip-hop and more. Big names include ILOVEMAKONNEN and Wiley – if he ever turns up…
-
Junction 2
June 4, 2016 - Boston Manor Park, Brentford
Brand new on the festival scene for 2016, Junction 2 – aptly named because of its position next to junction 2 of the M4 – is one for those who love techno. Descending on this quiet corner of west London, London’s ravers are excited at the prospect of three stages showcasing the best in techno talent, all against this green, yet urban backdrop. Carl Craig, Adam Beyer and Dixon are just some of the major acts on the line-up.
-
Field Day
June 11 & 12, 2016 - Victoria Park, Hackney
Alternative, but on a large scale. Now in its tenth year, the line-up is bigger and better than ever before, with headlining acts James Blake and PJ Harvey. Not only can you enjoy an eclectic mix of electronic, indie, rock and so much more, Village Mentality is at the centre of the festival’s ethos. Village fete-style games and eating competitions feature amongst the order of service for this weekend of unconventional fun and frolics.
-
Found Festival
June 11, 2016 - Brockwell Park, Brixton
This summer, Brockwell Park’s 50-acre site will be home to Found Festival’s coming together of alternative dance acts. From house, to techno, to disco in six separate arenas, this all-day long event is a must for south London’s supporters of the underground music scene. Big names include Kerri Chandler and Derrick May.
You may be too late for these ones, but keep an eye out for next year's line ups...
Make sure you take a look at what's going on in your local area, too!
