2020 saw a complete wipeout of festival season. For a whole year, we missed out on muddy wellies, portaloos and weekends full of amnesia. However, there are chinks of light at the end of the tunnel. As more festivals start to release their big-name line-ups, we wait with bated breath for the 2021 season and look forward to a resurgence of our favourite artists in our favourite fields (vaccinations pending) and the chance to let off two years’ worth of steam – it’s going to be messy!
Here’s the official leafie line up of all the festivals going ahead this year. R.I.P Glastonbury.
Parklife
Manchester-based festival Parklife’s date change has made it more likely to go ahead this year.
Co-founded by Sacha Lord, the Warehouse Project guru, the festival moved its weekend date to the 11th and 12th of September.
Lord told NME “We’re not considering operating with social distancing – I personally don’t like these socially distanced events, I think to go to a proper gig or a proper rave you need to be shoulder-to-shoulder in a hot sweaty environment. You cannot create that atmosphere at a socially distanced event.”
The line-up was only released a couple of days ago but boasts some of the biggest acts in hip-hop, dance and electronic music, including, Disclosure, Annie Mac and Megan Thee Stallion.
Reading and Leeds
After the festival’s organisers stated they were ‘very confident’ about the chances of the festival going ahead this year, the Reading and Leeds’ Twitter posted a message saying: “Following the government’s recent announcement, we can’t wait to get back to the fields this summer. Let’s go!” causing excitement among ticket holders.
Reading and Leeds takes place on the August Bank Holiday and features headliner Stormzy, as well as festival favourite Liam Gallagher along with Doja Cat, Solardo and Queens of the Stone Age.
Camp Bestival
Known for its family vibe, and winner of the Best Family Festival Award, Camp Bestival will be returning to the south coast from the 29th of July to the 1st of August with a variety of activities and entertainment for all the family.
The festival offers comedy shows, literature programmes, a kid’s area, workshops and performances as well as some big names on the line-up including Fatboy Slim, Groove Armada and David Rodigan.
Latitude
Organisers for Latitude festival stated that they were “well underway”, with plans for the Suffolk festival.
Another family-friendly event, which, as well as music, it features elements of theatre, art, comedy, cabaret, poetry, politics, dance and literature.
The festival is run by UK music promoter Festival Republic who also run Reading and Leeds, making it likely to go ahead this year.
The line-up has only been part released but expect to see the likes of Lewis Capaldi, Snow Patrol and First Aid Kit on the 22nd to the 25th of July.
End of the Road
One of the only festivals to keep the 2020 line up, “We were ready for one hell of a party in 2020 so we did our best to keep most of the original line-up” said the festival organiser.
End of the Road has a unique, relaxed, and friendly atmosphere and focuses on independent rock and folk music. ‘There are no VIP areas, and you’ll often find musicians wandering about the site and watching other bands’ shows. Sometimes spontaneous performances result.’
Based in the Larmer Tree Gardens in Wiltshire from the 2nd to the 4th of September they’re welcoming back King Krule, Pixies, Aldous Harding and Little Simz.
Womad
Founded by Genesis musician Peter Gabriel, international music, art and dance festival WOMAD stated that “in line with government policy, they will make it happen this year”.
The UK artists will be announced on the 12th of April, and the international line-up is hoped to be announced around the 17th of May. But if the past line-ups are anything to go by then it looks like it will be a rich and vibrant weekend.
