Although we may only be nearing the end of February, social media timelines are already crammed with this summer’s festival line ups. Festival news is welcomed by many following the bleak come down of January after the ever-exciting Christmas period and this year appears to be no exception.
The growing popularity of the urban music scene and breakthrough artists in 2018 was evident through Wireless Festival having sold out within 24 hours, while the success of Boomtown Chapter 9 proved effective with tier 1 tickets selling out just 5 minutes after release and tier’s 2 and 3 in under 24 hours. However, there is no reason to feel downhearted should you have missed out, or because the male dominance of the Wireless line up and potential promise of an extended 5 days of Boomtown madness isn’t your thing. Parklife returns this year as a more local option at Heaton Park, Manchester, hosting the likes of Lorde, Sampha, A$AP Rocky, (a must see after his Reading & Leeds set in 2016) and BBC Radio 1 Sound of 2018 winner Sigrid. There may even be the slight chance of an Oasis reunion with Liam Gallagher headlining and rumours of the two brothers having settled their differences last Christmas; with the festival being in Manchester we can only hope! Promise of the return of the Arctic Monkeys is also speculated this year with an anticipated release of new music; having already confirmed a number of European festivals they will appear at TRNSMT in Glasgow on July 1st but are yet to announce more UK dates.
Could it be worth staying in Leeds this August with hope that a rumoured appearance at Reading and Leeds becomes reality? In the absence of Glastonbury this year it seems like a pretty viable option. Another more local festival in 2018 is World Island, coming to Globe Road Leeds from May 25th-27th.
The perfect end of year celebration following exams and the start of festival season without extensive travel costs; at £35 a day ticket it won’t break the budget either. Especially with acts including Sampha, breakthrough artist Loyle Carner and Unknown Mortal Orchestra plus more to be announced. However, if a student budget isn’t an issue this summer, or the risk of poor British weather is one you’re just not willing to take, Europe boasts some huge line ups at festivals such as Benicàssim, hosting The Killers, Liam Gallagher and Two Door Cinema Club along with Travis Scott; Primavera Sound in Barcelona having confirmed the Arctic Monkeys, Tyler, the Creator and CHVRCHES; and Outlook in Croatia offering the chance to see J Hus -for those of you who missed out on Wireless- joined by the likes of AJ Tracey and Lady Leshurr.
Overall, whether you wish to stay close to home, keep within budget, get into festival season as soon as possible or have a big blow out this year, the 2018 festival scene looks set to impress with some dates definitely not worth missing out on.
Amanda Harvey
Image Credit: Boomtown Fair