It’s going to be a busy summer and Vibe wants to help you plan it to perfection, so we’ve rounded up our pick of this year’s big music festivals in London and Kent.
Meltdown, June 13 to 22
Grandmaster Flash
In previous years, the Southbank has been given over to David Bowie, Yoko Ono and Jarvis Cocker, and this year it is the turn of Unkle’s James Lavelle. Acts include hip hop pioneer Grand Master Flash and The Pretenders’ Chrissie Hynde. Go to southbankcentre.co.uk/meltdown
The Hop Farm Music Festival, July 4 to 6
Beach Boy co-founder Brian Wilson
Kent’s biggest festival is back, sort of. It has new owners and a new look but it’s the same field in Paddock Wood. A great line up includes Ray Davies, Brian Wilson, Grace Jones, Squeeze and James Blunt. Weekends from £135, days from £68. Go to thehopfarmmusicfestival.com
Wireless, July 4 to 6
Andre 3000 will join up with Big Boi again as OutKast return
One for urban music lovers, the festival at Finsbury Park has big hitters like Kanye West, Pharrell, Drake, OutKast, Bruno Mars, Tinie Tempah and Ellie Goulding. Tickets from £75.50 for the day or £210 for the weekend. Go to wirelessfestival.co.uk
British Summer Time at Hyde Park, July 4 to 13
McBusted
After the success of The Rolling Stones and others last year, the festival returns on various dates with marquee names McBusted, the Backstreet Boys, Tom Jones, Little Mix, Neil Young and Crazy Horse and Black Sabbath. Tickets from £35. Go to bst-hydepark.com
LeeFest, July 11 to 13
Scroobius Pip
Now in its ninth year, you should know the story behind this cool weekend in Warlingham. To précis, Beckenham lad Lee Denny decided to hold a festival in his back garden while his folks were away. It’s blossomed from there and this year acts include The Cribs and Dan Le Sac vs Scroobius Pip. The There’s tonnes more fun to be had too. £70 for the weekend. Go to leefest.org.uk
Greenwich Music Time, August 20 to 23
Goldfrapp
More refined than camping in a field, this festival is set on the banks of the Thames at the historic (and pleasing on the eye) Old Royal Naval College in a fully seated outdoor theatre. Acts include Goldfrapp, Russell Watson, Jools Holland and the Australian Pink Floyd. Tickets from £32.45. Go to Greenwichmusictime.co.uk
On Blackheath, September 13 to 14
Frank Turner
On Blackheath is just as much about food as music, with glamorous celeb chef Gizzi Erskine leading a chef’s club and music headliners Massive Attack and Frank Turner. Tickets £63.25 a day or £108.90 for the weekend. Go to onblackheath.com
FURTHER AFIELD
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Bestival, September 4 to 7
Busta Rhymes
The calendar’s coolest festival happens on the Isle of Wight and among the acts this year are OutKast, Busta Rhymes, Chic, Beck and Disclosure. It costs £195 for the weekend. Go to bestival.net
Reading, August 22 to 24]
Arctic Monkeys
Historic and always a huge line-up, which this year includes Queens of the Stone Age, Arctic Monkeys, Blink 182, Vampire Weekend and Jake Bugg. Day tickets from £99.50 and weekends £213. Go to readingfestival.com
V Festival, August 16 to 17
Justin Timberlake
As mainstream as festivals get, this pop-lover’s paradise in Essex plays host to Justin Timberlake, Ed Sheeran, The Killers, Paolo Nutini, Bastille, the Kaiser Chiefs and Lily Allen among others. Tickets £165 for the weekend or £89 daily. Go to vfestival.com
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