VIVA’S TOP 10 UK FESTIVAL PICKS

Abi White | 7th February 2018

It’s that time of year again where we start to think of planning those summer months ahead in order to dust of those February blues. As the nights get (ever so slightly) lighter, we dream of those late summer festival evenings, so get thinking about digging out those wellies as we bring you the top 10 UK festival picks for an unforgettable summer of 2018.

 

Boomtown Fair

Where: Winchester

When: 9th-12th August 2018

 

Boomtown Fair celebrates their tenth anniversary this year with ‘Chapter 10: The Machine Cannot Be Stopped’.

 

Notorious for its wacky and outlandish outlook, if last years festival was anything to go by, Boomtown are sure to celebrate once more with bizarre affairs running throughout the whole weekend.

 

Host to 60,000 festival-goers, Boomtown is an experience like no other. From its mind-blowing stages to the intimate street stages, this is the festival you should be trying out this year.

 

Reading and Leeds Festival

Where: (the clue is in the name) Reading and Leeds

When: 24th-26th August 2018

 

Taking place over two festival sites, this enormous festival is host to a variety of genres across August bank holiday day weekend, offering a bit of something for everyone!

 

This is a great festival to visit with a large group, because the broad line-up usually caters for the electronic music lovers, the indies, the rock lovers, you name it, it will most likely be on the Reading and Leeds line up.

 

The bonus about this festival too is the option to visit for just a day, or start camping a day before everybody else, meaning no one should have an excuse not to join in on your friendship groups outing of the year!

 

WE ARE FSTVL

Where: Essex

When: 25th-27th May 2018

 

After selling out their festival in 2016, introducing camping in 2017, what’s next for this festival that seems to keep growing and growing in popularity?!

 

One for those electronic music lovers, this years line up is unreal. With the likes or Drum and Bass legend Andy C appearing alongside the legendary Carl Cox and Eric Prydz, this festival is an absolute gold mine to get your two day fix of the best dance music of 2018.

 

Parklife

Where: Manchester

When: 9th-10th June 2018

 

If you live in Manchester, then Parklife is a tradition, if you are from outside of Manchester, then Parklife is a must!

 

Every year, the festival doesn’t fail to disappoint with their line-ups, and the same goes for 2018. Bringing the very best of techno, hip-hop, drum and bass and even indie, Parklife have blown other line-ups out of the water this year.

 

From The XX and Liam Gallagher to A$AP Rocky and J Hus, the star-studded line up keeps on going and going.

 

Although there is no camping, this is certainly a festival to visit whether you’re a first-timer or a Parklife pro.

 

V Festival

Where: Chelmsford and Birmingham

When: 19th-20th August 2018

 

Although no line-up has been released yet, V Festival has always been notorious for putting on one of the biggest A-lister line-ups every year featuring the hottest artists in the world.

 

Spread across two sites, last years line up featured the sensational P!NK, Jay Z and Craig David, so if that’s anything to go by, you’ll be in for a treat in 2018.

 

Wireless

Where: London

When: 6th-8th July 2018

 

Wireless is back again this summer to bring you the ultimate party in the UK’s capital.

 

With 2018’s headliners taking shape in the form of J Cole, Stormzy and DJ Khaled, this is one of the hottest hip-hop line-ups of the year.

Although camping is not available, the festival provides accommodation packages and also offers coach travel if you are travelling from a distance.

 

Creamfields

Where: Daresbury

When: 23rd-26th August 2018

 

Another festival for the electronic music lovers, this festival is one of the biggest to celebrate the best Dance music DJ’s of 2018.

 

Creamfields celebrates its 21th birthday this year, and its already got a few presents taking shape in the form of Carl Cox, Eric Prydz and The Chainsmokers as its headliners.

 

Make sure you’re one of the 70,000 who join the festival for one if the biggest and iconic dance music parties of the year!

 

Green Man

Where: Wales

When: 16th-19th August 2018

 

The War On Drugs and Fleet Foxes are set to headline Green Man festival this year, with fans set to descend on Brecon Beacons in Wales for the festivals 16th year.

 

Fleet Foxes make their first return to the festival since 2009, alongside artists such as Grizzly Bear, Jane Weaver, Public Service Broadcasting, Mount Kimbie, Phoebe Bridgers, Courtney Marie Andrews, and Juanita Stein.

 

Bestival

Where: Dorset

When: 5th – 8th August 2018

 

Bestival have revealed their theme for 2018, bringing the most colourful show to celebrate 250 years of circus.

 

It’s time to run away and join the Circus, Bestival style! Bearded freaks, insane acrobats, high wire daredevils, mutant jugglers and an out of control ringmaster are all eager for you to join the most colourful show on earth!

 

It’s the uniqueness of the creativity that aims to inspire peace, love and dancing that entices us to book our tickets already for this year’s Bestival.

 

Latitude

Where: Suffolk

When: 12th– 15th July 2018

 

It’s another one of those festivals like Bestival and Boomtown, where the atmosphere is unlike no other. Bringing a mixture of Art, Theatre, Cabaret, Poetry, Dance, and even Politics, Latitude makes for one damn tasty cake!

 

With last years indie dreamboat headliners, The 1975, wooing over the revellers, it’s a wonder what marvellous acts they will be bringing to the table this year.