Festivals we're excited for in 2019
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As we revel in the festive period, it only means one thing: it's time to look forward to the warm pints, muddy fields and unpredictable weather, and get booking our 2019 festival tickets.
Lucky for you, we've done the hard work for you. Here are a handful of festivals to start planning for in the New Year.
Primavera Sound Festival 2019
Image Credit: p_a_h via Flikr
Where: Barcelona, Spain
When: 30th May - 1st June
What To Expect: Primavera exceeds itself yet again this year, setting an example to other festival curators with it's "The New Normal" ethos, meaning a 50/50 percentage split gender lineup, and a diverse range of talent across the weekend. The fully released lineup sees big names such as hip-hop queen Cardi B, rock balladeers Interpol, the soulful Solange and groovy psych-tones of Tame Impala take the helm of the festival. Lower down the lineup the heterogeneity is astounding, from dark-wave techno courtesy of Helena Hauff, experimental pop from Charli XCX, and feminist tinged rap from Princess Nokia, as well as long-established rock acts such as Primal Scream and Suede. Early Bird tickets are now on sale, and with last year being a sellout make sure you grab one now!
Live At Leeds 2019
Image credit: Live At Leeds
Where: Leeds, UK
When: 4th May
What To Expect: Formed in 2007, Live At Leeds has cemented itself as the best place in West Yorkshire to hear the essential sounds of the year ahead. Held in over 200 venues across Leeds City Centre, the festival returns with it's biggest and most impressive line up to date with glittery-tinged indie band Sundara Karma, breakout singer-songwriter Tom Grennan and swaggering neon-pop outfit Metronomy headlining the festival. London's Goat Girl, Bristol’s Dream Wife and Black Honey also appear on the bill. If that isn't enough for you, many more artists are set to be announced, so expect to find your future favourite band here, from both local and nationwide talent.
FIB Bennicàssim
Image credit: FIB Benicassim
Where: Benicassim, Spain
When: 18th - 21st July
What To Expect: Spanish festival Benicassim returns to its hedonistic beach resort location for its 25th Anniversary in style this year, with headline slots from pop-crooner Lana Del Rey, and the effervescent sounds of The 1975. Stockport's indie darlings Blossoms, and genre-bending Spanish band L.A. Moda have also been announced, as well as Cupido and Carino, with A$AP Rocky, The Who and Arctic Monkeys all being rumoured to take up the remaining headline slots. Fancy a fashion show, or a short film? FIB is known to showcase a diverse range of entertainment over the weekend, so be assured there will never be a dull moment. In previous years The Kooks, Liam Gallagher, Madness and Jessie Ware have been announced, so expect some massive names to be added. 4-day early bird tickets and VIP passes are on sale now.
Liverpool Sound City
Image credit: Wiki Commons
Where: Liverpool, England
When: 3rd - 5th May 2019
What To Expect: After going back to its roots as a metropolitan festival last year, leading independent festival Sound City returns for its 12th year with headline slots from UK hip-hop sensation Loyle Carner and fast-rising R&B star Mabel. The Magic Gang, Our Girl, Heavy Lungs and Louis Berry have also been announced, as well as local talent SPINN and Red Rum Club. Previous years have been known to have everything from slam poetry to comedy, and you can even grab a bite to eat in one of the various independent cafes in it's uber-cool Baltic Triangle location. Expect many more to be announced with the likes of IDLES, Yellow days, Matt Maltese and Baxter Dury appearing at the festival last year. Weekend and day tickets are on sale now.
Gottwood
Image credit: Stamp The Wax
Where: Llanfaethlu, Wales
When: 6th June - 9th June 2019
What To Expect: There's a reason Gottwood has a reputation of being one of the most beautiful festivals in the UK, with the backdrop of the Welsh forestry, close to a remote beach. Celebrating 10 years, the Welsh electronic music festival has gone all out, as the first wave of acts announced including returning acts such as Hunee, Move D, Bradley Zero and Palms Trax, as well as newcomers such as DJ Boring and Peach. Expect to see more acts announced in the coming months, with acts like selector Ben UFO and Paul Woolford being part of the line up last year. Tickets are on sale now.
Reading And Leeds
Image credit: Wiki Commons
Where: Leeds, UK / Reading, UK
When: 23rd August - 25th August
What To Expect: The UK's biggest festival returns this year with The 1975, Twenty One Pilots, Foo Fighters and Post Malone headlining over the course of the weekend. Over the years, the genres have diversified from its rock roots, with this year's first wave of artists including hip-hop from Not3s, pop-punk from Bowling For Soup, American pop sensation Billie Eilish and UK house DJ and producer Denis Sulta. Expect many more big names to be added to the line up with Wolf Alice, Dua Lipa, Bicep and J Hus all appearing at the festival last year. Rumours suggest that You Me At Six and Circa Waves are also to be added to the lineup. So, get your wellies out because R+L is notorious for temperamental weather conditions. Weekend and day tickets are on sale now.
Lost And Found
Image courtesy of Listen Up Biz
Where: Malta
When: 2nd - 5th May 2019
What To Expect: Returning for its 5th birthday, the Annie Mac-curated Lost and Found is pulling all the punches when it comes to showcasing the biggest talents in electronic music. The first wave of announcements include: The Black Madonna, Gerd Janson, Peggy Gou, Mall Grab and Shy FX and Chase and Status, so whatever your niche in electronic from drum and bass to techno, there is something for you. But it's not your conventional festival, with everything from boat parties to pool-parties, Lost And Found presents the best sounds against the most beautiful backdrop of the Malta coastline. Malta has over 300 days of sunshine a year; make sure to pack your suncream and your waviest sunnies. Tickets are on sale now and include entry to their legendary opening party, pool parties and the main festival arena in the evening.
The Great Escape
Image credit: Wiki Commons
Where: Brighton, England
When: 9th May - 11th May 2019
What To Expect: Showcasing over 450 up and coming artists in the UK in 30+ walkable Brighton venues, The Great Escape returns with the introduction of a new beach location. Showcasing a diverse range of up and coming talent, this year the first 50 acts announced include Irish punk troubadours Fontaine's D.C., Kent's indie-pop moguls Indoor Pets and sassy Liverpudlian pop artist Zuzu. Last year, Tom Grennan, Japanese Breakfast, Superorganism, Tom Walker and Pale Waves played the festival so if you're looking to discover your new favourite band, this is the festival for you. Tickets are on sale now, Young Adult discount tickets are also available for people between 16 and 17.
Rosklide
Image credit: Wiki Commons
Where: Roskilde, Denmark
When: Saturday 29th June - Saturday 6th July
What To Expect: The largest festival in Northern Europe returns with headline slots from legendary goth-rockers The Cure, Houston rapper Travis Scott and Swedish singer-songwriter Robyn. If that isn't enough - the first wave of acts include Jon Hopkins, Spiritualized, Brockhampton and Parquet Courts. 180 acts are still to be announced for the Danish non-profit festival, so you can expect many more big-names to be announced, with last year's acts including Bruno Mars and Nick Cave and The Bad Seeds. Tickets are on sale now, but are expected to go up in price so act fast!
Nozstock The Hidden Valley
Imagine credit: Nozstock
Where: Bromyard, England
When: 18th - 21st July
What To Expect: Herefordshire's favourite festival; an amalgamation of performance, art, electronic supersounds and good