Best UK festivals and summer gigs 2018 – dates, locations and ticket info, including Isle of Wight, Bestival, Parklife and TRNSMT
THE folk down at Worthy Farm are taking the year off, but no matter what your taste is in music, there are plenty of alternatives to Glastonbury.
Here's a round-up of the biggest and best one-dayers, weekend festivals and summer gig series across the UK this summer. See you down the front.
2000 Trees
Where is it? Upcote Farm
When is it? 12-14 July
Indie rock festival fronted by Enter:Shikari and Hell is for Heroes, plus US post-hardcore band At The Drive In (a UK festival exclusive).
All Points East Festival
Where is it? Victoria Park, London
When is it? 25-27 May
Three nights headlined by Bjork, LCD Soundsystem and The XX, with strong support from the likes of Lorde, Beck, Justice and Phoenix.
Arcadia London
Where is it? Olympic Park, London
When is it? 5-6 May
The Arcadia crew bring their awesome pyrotechnics to town, with performances from Leftfield, Rudimental (DJ set), Sven Vath etc over two nights.
Beautiful Days
Where is it? Escot Park, Devon
When is it? 17-19 August
Manic Street Preachers headline with festival founders Levellers and a Friday act TBA, plus Suzanne Vega, Shed Seven and tons more.
Bestival
Where is it? Lulworth Estate, Dorset
When is it? 2-5 August
Popular festival returns in new August slot, fronted by London Grammar, Silk City (Diplo and Mark Ronson), M.I.A and Ms Grace Jones.
Bluedot
Where is it? Jodrell Bank Observatory, Cheshire
When is it? 19-22 July
The Chemical Brothers are set to perform live under the telescope at this ace-looking music & science fest, plus The Flaming Lips, Future Islands and Gary Numan.
Boardmasters
Where is it? Newquay, Cornwall
When is it? 8-12 August
Popular surf ‘n’ music festival returns with The Chemical Brothers, Catfish and the Bottlemen and George Ezra heading up a gnarly line-up.
Boundless Summer
Where is it? Borde Hill Garden, Haywards Heath / Bowood House, Calne
When is it? 7-8 July, 21-22 July
Open-air concerts at two posh country gardens, featuring UB40, Gipsy Kings, Katherine Jenkins, Jools Holland and more. Pack a picnic.
BST British Summer Time
Where is it? Hyde Park, London
When is it? 6-14 July
Hyde Park mega-gigs return with headline sets from Paul Simon, Bruno Mars, Michael Buble, Eric Clapton, The Cure and Roger Waters.
Camp Bestival
Where is it? Lulworth Estate, Dorset
When is it? 26-29 July
The family "fest-i-holiday" headlined by Scottish legends Simple Minds, plus hitmakers Clean Bandit, old ravers Orbital... and Rick Astley!
Citadel
Where is it? Gunnersbury Park, London
When is it? 15 July
Now in its fourth year, at a new home in west London and featuring Tame Impala (UK exclusive), Chvrches and Leon Bridges.
Common People (Oxford)
Where is it? South Park, Oxford
When is it? 26/27 May
Eclectic (okay, bonkers) bill featuring MJ's brothers The Jacksons, Prince's old band New Power Generation, plus indie acts James and Ride.
Common People (Southampton)
Where is it? Southampton Common
When is it? 26/27 May
Sister festival to the Oxford weekend above, but with popsters Lily Allen and All Saints joining The Jacksons, New Power Generation and the rest.
Community Festival
Where is it? Finsbury Park, London
When is it? 1 July
Irish rockers Two Door Cinema Club are heading to Finsbury Park for a UK festival exclusive, with support from The Vaccines, You Me At Six and more.
Creamfields
Where is it? Daresbury,Cheshire
When is it? 23-26 August
Still raving 21 years on, Creamfields hosts EDM upstarts The Chainsmokers, plus Tiesto, Major Lazer and old geezers Carl Cox and Fatboy Slim.
Download
Where is it? Donington Park, Leicestershire
When is it? 8-10 June
Ready to rock? The mighty Guns 'N' Roses are back with co-headliners Ozzy Osbourne and Avenged Sevenfold, plus doom merchant Marilyn Manson.
Edinburgh Summer Sessions
Where is it? Princes Street Gardens, Edinburgh
When is it? 6-18 August
Brand new series at Princes Street Gardens with nights headlined by Kasabian, Tom Jones, Rag 'N' Bone Man and Paloma Faith.
Enjoy Music
Where is it? Hazelhead Park, Aberdeen
When is it? 1-2 June
Basement Jaxx and Faithless are heading to north-east Scotland to play DJ sets. The supporting cast includes, er, Cast, plus fellow rockers Starsailor.
Field Day
Where is it? Brockwell Park, London
When is it? 1-2 June
A new south London home, and a Friday/Saturday line up which includes Erykah Badu, AJ Tracey, Charlotte Gainsbourg, Nils Frahm and Four Tet.
Fiesta x Fold
Where is it? Kelvingrove Park, Glasgow
When is it? 30 June - 1 July
A Nile Rodgers 'Freak Out Let's Dance Party' weekend featuring Chic, plus guests Earth Wind & Fire (on the Saturday) and more to be announced.
Fusion Festival
Where is it? Otterspool Promenade, Liverpool
When is it? 1-2 Sept
David Guetta and Shawn Mendes head up a poptastic line-up which includes Jess Glynne, Years & Years, Clean Bandit and James Arthur.
Garage Nation Outdoor Festival
Where is it? Hainault Forest Country Park, Chigwell
When is it? 30 June
Party like it's 1999 with UK garage legends DJ Luck & MC Neat, Oxide & Neutrino and Artful Dodger. Plus: from way, way back, the Heartless crew.
Glasgow Summer Sessions
Where is it? Bellahouston Park
When is it? 29 Aug
Sister series to Edinburgh Summer Sessions - well, a currently one-off gig with US rapper Kendrick Lamar the only act announced so far.
Green Man
Where is it? Crickhowell, Brecon Beacons
When is it? 16-19 August
The War on Drugs, Fleet Foxes and John Grant are among those heading to the hills for this family friendly festival in South Wales.
Isle of Wight Festival
Where is it? Seaclose Park, Isle of Wight
When is it? 21-24 June
50th anniversary festival with awesome line-up featuring Depeche Mode, The Killers, Kasabian and Liam Gallagher.
Kaleidoscope Festival
Where is it? Alexandra Palace, London
When is it? 21 July
Music, laughs and family fun with The Flaming Lips, Ghostpoet, Mystery Jets and Katherine Ryan among those on the bill, plus circus and theatre.
Kendal Calling
Where is it? Lowther Deer Park, Lake District
When is it? 26-29 July
It's sold out so if you don't have a ticket, you're going to miss: Catfish & The Bottlemen, Ocean Colour Scene, The Libertines, Run DMC and more.
(sold out)
Kew the Music
Where is it? Royal Botanic Gardens, Richmond
When is it? 10-15 July
Another series of picnic concerts at Kew Gardens, this year featuring Steps, Human League, Boyzone and more. Why not take your mum?
Kisstory on the Common
Where is it? Streatham Common, London
When is it? 21 July
All-dayer on the Common with KISS DJ's spinning old skool anthems across garage, R'n'B, hip-hop and more, plus special guest PAs.
Latitude
Where is it? Henham Park, Southwold, Suffolk
When is it? 12-15 July
Awarding-winning music and arts weekender with festival stalwarts The Killers, plus Alt-J and Beyonce's little sis, Solange. Also: poetry.
Leeds festival
Where is it? Bramham Park, Leeds
When is it? 22-26 August
Former rock festival goes ‘eclectic’ with rapper Kendrick Lamar headlining along with Kings of Leon, Panic! at the Disco and Fall Out Boy.
Live at Leeds
Where is it? Various venues, Leeds
When is it? 5 May
More than 200 artists - including The Vaccines, Peace, Ash and British Sea Power - play in various venues across the city.
Love Supreme
Where is it? Glynde Place, East Sussex
When is it? 29 June - 1 July
Greenfield jazz festival featuring Earth, Wind & Fire, Elvis Costello & The Imposters, Steve Winwood, George Clinton Parliament Funkadelic and more. Niiiice.
Lovebox
Where is it? Gunnersbury Park, London
When is it? 13-14 July
Lovebox moves from Victoria Park to new a new home, with Childish Gambino, Skepta, N.E.R.D, SZA and Diplo invited to front the party.
Lytham Festival
Where is it? Lytham St. Anne’s, Lancs
When is it? 18-22 July
Steps, Nile Rogers and Chic, Pete Tong Ibiza Classics, George Ezra and mums' favourites Il Divo are lined up for dates on the Lancashire coast.
Meltdown
Where is it? Southbank Centre, London
When is it? 15-24 June
Series of gigs curated by The Cure's goth-meister Robert Smith, featuring the Manic Street Preachers, The Libertines, NIN, Placebo and more indie heroes.
Mighty Hoopla
Where is it? Brockwell Park, London
When is it? 3 June
The pop party for grown-ups (it's over 18s only), starring denim-loving B*Witched, plus Spice Girl Mel C, Lily Allen, TLC, Louise and more.
Neighbourhood Weekender
Where is it? Victoria Park, Warrington
When is it? 26-27 May
Dad rock weekender fronted by Noel Gallagher's High Flying Birds and Courteeners, with support from Jake Bugg, Blossoms, Editors, The Coral etc.
Neverworld (by LeeFest)
Where is it? John Darlings Farm, Edenbridge nr Sevenoaks
When is it? 2-5 August
A "spectacular immersive kingdom of music, party & wonder" with Bastille and Clean Bandit topping the bill. Go as a mermaid, pirate or lost boy.
Nozstock: The Hidden Valley
Where is it? Bromyard, Herefordshire
When is it? 20-22 July
Nozstock turns 20 with guests including Chase & Status (DJ set) and Goldfrapp, plus real-life rap royalty, Grandmaster Flash!
Parklife
Where is it? Henton Park, Manchester
When is it? 9-10 June
Quality line-up for Manchester's finest festival, with The XX, Liam Gallagher, Skepta, N.E.R.D, Lorde and Chvrches all on the bill.
Party at the Palace
Where is it? Linlithgow Loch, West Lothian
When is it? 11-12 August
Loch 'n' roll (sorry) with headliners Texas and James, and a lengthy support list which includes Imelda May, Gabrielle and Cast.
Reading Festival
Where is it? Richfield Avenue, Reading
When is it? 22-26 August
Twined with Leeds Festival, with an identical line-up playing different days over the August bank holiday weekend.
RiZE Festival
Where is it? Hylands Park, Chelmsford
When is it? 17-18 August
The new name for V Festival, fronted by Liam Gallagher and Stereophonics, plus Craig David presents TS5, Bastille, James Bay and loads more.
Skyline Series (Birmingham)
Where is it? Digbeth Entertainment District
When is it? Various dates from 25 Aug to 8 Sept
Brand new series of gigs held in the heart of Birmingham and headed up by Garbage, Texas/Imelda May, James Arthur and The The.
Skyline Series (Bristol)
Where is it? St Philips Gate, Bristol
When is it? Various dates from 22 June to 9 Sept
Bristol version of above with same gigs, plus Future Islands, Bananarama, Echo & The Bunnymen/Jesus and Mary Chain, UB40 and a ska & mod night.
Slam Dunk Festival (North/South/Midlands)
Where is it? Leeds city centre; Hatfield Park; Birmingham NEC
When is it? 26/27/28 May
Premier emo/punk rock festival with Good Charlotte, Jimmy Eat World, PVRIS and loads more all playing across across three cities.
Somerset House Summer Series
Where is it? Somerset House, London
When is it? 5-15 July
11 gigs at London's best outdoor venue, including MGMT, Metronomy, Jorja Smith, The Roots and De La Soul, plus up and coming Norwegian Sigrid.
Sounds of the City
Where is it? Castlefield Bowl, Manchester
When is it? 27 June to 6 August
Back for a series of gigs at Castlefield Bowl featuring Nile Rogers and Chic (again!), Shed Seven, Rag N Bone Man, Elvis Costello & The Imposters and more.
Southport Weekender Festival
Where is it? Finsbury Park, London
When is it? 9 June
The world's friendliest party (it says here), with Sister Sledge, David Morales, Hector Romero amond those spreading the joy in north London.
Standon Calling
Where is it? Standon, Herts
When is it? 26-29 July
What do Paloma Faith, George Ezra, Bryan Ferry and Goldfrapp all have in common? Not a lot, but they're all playing Standon this summer.
Star Shaped Festival
Where is it? Birmingham/London/Glasgow/Manchester
When is it? 29 July, 5, 12 and 19 August
Indoor 'festival' repeated across four venues, featuring Britpop throwbacks The Bluetones, Sleeper, Space, Dodgy and My Life Story.
Stone Free Festival
Where is it? The O2, London
When is it? 16/17 June
Rockers take over the O2 Arena complex for a weekend with Scorpions (only UK appearance), Megadeth and Yes topping the bill.
Strawberries & Creem
Where is it? Haggis Farm, Cambridge
When is it? 16 June
Fifth anniversary for this well-loved festival, with US auto-tune star T-Pain (UK exclusive), plus David Rodigan, Shy FX and some UK garage legends.
Summer Nights
Where is it? Kelvingrove Park, Glasgow
When is it? Dates between 30 July and 11 August
Fifth year of gigs at the bandstand with local heroes The Fratellis headlining along with Pretenders, Fleet Foxes, OMD and Van Morrison.
Sundown Festival
Where is it? Norfolk Showground Arena, Norwich
When is it? 31 August - 2 Sept
Shawn Mendes and Clean Bandit headline Norfolk's premier (er, only?) pop festival, with support from Sigma, Zara Larrson and more.
SW4 (South West Four)
Where is it? Clapham Common, London
When is it? 25/26 August
American EDM producer Marshmello and Chase & Status (live) headline this weekend, with support from Dizzee Rascal, Craig David's TS5 etc.
The Big Feastival
Where is it? Chipping Norton, The Cotswolds
When is it? 24-26 August
Basement Jazz (DJ set), Craig David's T5, Paloma Faith, James Arthur and more are heading to Alex James' farm. Plus TV chefs and kids' TV stars.
The Great Escape
Where is it? Various venues, Brighton
When is it? 17-19 May
Multi-venue event for new bands from around the world, like a UK version of South By Southwest. Go to the seaside to catch tomorrow's stars.
Tramlines Festival
Where is it? Hillsborough Park, Sheffield
When is it? 20-22 July
Noel Gallagher's High Flying Birds, Stereophonics and Craig David's TS5 take top billing over three days. Clean Bandit and De La Soul are among the support.
TRNSMT
Where is it? Glasgow Green, Glasgow
When is it? 29 June-1 July, 6 and 8 July
Hot five-day event over two weekends, headlined by Arctic Monkeys, Queen with Adam Lambert, The Killers, Liam Gallagher and Stereophonics.
Truck Festival
Where is it? Steventon, Oxfordshire
When is it? 20-22 July
"UK's most warped village fête" includes Friendly Fires, George Ezra, De La Soul and Jake Bugg, plus a secret Sunday headliner to be announced.
Victorious Festival
Where is it? Southsea Seafront, Portsmouth
When is it? 24-26 August
Three days of seaside fun headed up by The Prodigy (UK exclusive), Paul Weller and The Libertines, with able support from Brian Wilson, Kaiser Chiefs and Years & Years.
We Are Fstvl
Where is it? Upminster, London
When is it? 25-27 May
Eric Prydz, Andy C, Carl Cox and Jamie Jones are among the long list of DJs heading for the Damyns Hall Aerodrome, which has some of the best toilets in the business.
Wheels And Fins Festival
Where is it? Joss Bay Beach, Kent
When is it? 7-9 September
Sixth year of the music and action sports festival on the Kent coast, headlined this summer by Feeder, Faithless (DJ set) and an act TBA. Take your swimmies.
Wilderness
Where is it? Cornbury Park, Oxfordshire
When is it? 2-5 August
Nile Rogers & Chic, Bastille and Jon Hopkins head the music line-up, but there's theatre, arts and even a lakeside spa and wellbeing programme. Groovy.
More gig & festival ticket info
Wireless
Where is it? Finsbury Park, London
When is it? 6-8 July
Stormzy returns to headline, with J Cole and DJ Khaled leading the other nights. Able support comes from Migos, Post Malone, Big Sean, Cardi B and more.
Womad
Where is it? Charlton Park, Wiltshire
When is it? 26-29 July
Family-friendly festival featuring music from all corners of the globe, including French singer Camille, Amadou & Mariam and Django Django.
Wychwood Festival
Where is it? Cheltenham Racehouse
When is it? 1-3 June
Three days at the races with The Gipsy Kings, Shed Seven, Baxter Dury, Feeder and The Beat among the stars for the 14th year of the family-oriented weekender.