From venturing to various festivals across summers, updating our website and researching for the next new thing, it’s fair to say that we at Phestival have a good idea about which festivals and events we’re fans of. My favourite festival for example is Bestival, Millie is a big fan of her local WOMAD, Jay enjoys Rockness and Glade, whilst Sarah loves a weekend at Creamfields in all the dance tents. But, it isn’t just about big, weekend long experiences. We quite like the odd day festival, too. Recently in the office, Matt and Victoria headed to Parklife Weekender and wrote about a day apiece – found here and here, and I enjoyed a day in London at Field Day.. but since these have passed we decided to give you our picks for upcoming day festivals this summer! Check them out here:
AFRICA OYÉ -
First up is a local, Liverpool event spread over two days which doesn’t offer camping but is absolutely free for anybody who wishes to take a wander over to Sefton Park. What started out as a small series of gigs across the city has collected in one space to become one of the biggest celebrations of African and Caribbean music and culture within the United Kingdom. What we especially like about the festival is that beyond the music, there is a beer tent (why ever not?), a set of DJ sessions, authentic cuisine, tribal arts and crafts, clothing and accessories and other games and dance classes available for our enjoyment. Come rain our shine, we expect our slice of Africa in Merseyside to be overcome with an electric atmosphere.
When? 23/24 June 2012
Where? Sefton Park, Liverpool
How Much? FREE
Web: http://africaoye.com/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/#!/africaoye
WIRELESS -
Wireless Festival, sponsored by Barclaycard is an event held over three days featuring some of the biggest musical acts in the world right now. The event takes place in Hyde Park and this year features Deadmau5, Drake and Rihanna. It comes as no surprise as to why it’s a Phestival favourite – for just over £50 you can see one of these headline acts alongside a carefully selected line up befitting of a decent day out in London. Folks over at Wireless have also made it possible to buy combination tickets on offer so that you can experience two days without the hassle of booking twice, too! Not bad, we must say. Hyde Park’s size makes it a great place to hold a festival, and with it being located in Central London, finding hotels and food places after proves easy. I went last year and had one of the best days out ever, needless to say, Pulp made my LIFE.
When? 6th-8th July 2012 (Deadmau5, Drake, then Rihanna)
Where? Hyde Park, London
How Much? From £55
Web: http://www.wirelessfestival.co.uk/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/#!/WirelessFest
*CLICK THE PREFERRED ARTIST TO BUY TICKETS: Rihanna, Deadmau5, Drake*
COCOON IN THE PARK
In its fourth year, Cocoon in the Park has gone from strength to strength in providing the North with some of the best names in the world of hip-hop, techno and DJs. This year proves no exception with a line up boasting Sven Vath, Loco Dice, Shaun Reeves and Ryan Crosson – a worldwide showcase of talent. And what’s more – it’s sponsored by Red Bull and Tuborg so whether it’s a drink and a dance you’re after, or a bit of energy to continue the party you won’t go wrong with either. We like that they are also in support of a local charity, too. The event will be raising money for Martin House Children’s hospice, based in Wetherby. Good day out with a good cause behind it.
When? 9th July 2012
Where? Temple Newsam, Leeds
How Much? £43
Web: http://cocooninthepark.com Twitter: https://twitter.com/#!/CocoonInthepark
HIT FACTORY LIVE
Occasionally, you cannot go wrong with transporting yourself to a time when pop artists with synchronised dance moves and matching outfits were the go-to thing in the music industry. Hit Factory Live gives you the opportunity to do so in London this summer, with Hyde Park bringing back acts such as Steps, Bananarama, Dead or Alive, 2 Unlimited, Kylie Minogue, Jason Donovan and Rick Astley to the stage. So what’s so good about this festival? Well, we’ve heard that a certain Jason and Kylie will be performing a very special duet especially for us. So if you’re up for some classic pop, Hit Factory Live is never going to give you up, or let you down .. (Coudln’t resist a little Rick Roll now, can I?)
When? 11th July 2012
Where? Hyde Park, London
How Much? £48.50
Web: n/a Twitter: n/a
*CLICK TO BUY TICKETS FOR HIT FACTORY LIVE!: Here*
ELECTRIC BEACH
This Summer, on Saturday the 28th July, the sands of Watergate Bay near Newquay will be transformed for one day only in to the first ever Electric Beach Festival. What sounds good to us in the office is that Electric Beach have gone all out and managed to sway American Hip Hop Legends De La Soul in to headlining the event alongside acts such as The Scribes, Next Men, Backbeat Soundsystem and The Breaks. You can only applaud their efforts in getting such an incredible line up for the first one, and it’ll come to no surprise to any of us if it comes back even better next year. They’ve truly embraced the beach theme too, with barbeques and fully stocked bars meaning you can enjoy music, fun, sun, and good food and drinks whilst soaking up the atmosphere. Not bad at all.
When? 28th July 2012
Where? Watergate Bay, Newquay
How much? From £24.50
Web: http://electricbeachfestival.co.uk/ Twitter: n/a
*CLICK TO BUY TICKETS FOR ELECTRIC BEACH!: Here*
UNDERAGE FESTIVAL -
Whilst we can’t go ourselves, we think Underage Festival is a great idea – to cater for teenagers between 13-17 and give them a fantastic day out. It surprises us that this is a world first, but catering to over 10,000 festival goers, we wouldn’t be surprised if the idea was to take off. The best (or worst, depending on how old you are!) is that the line up is good too – so far the line up plays host to Pulled Apart by Horses, Summer Camp, Theme Park, Tribes, Dry the River and Maverick Sabre. Oh, to be in my teen years again. What strikes me so much is that I would have loved something like this at seventeen!
When? 31st August 2012
Where? Shoreditch Park, London
How Much? £19.50
Web: http://www.underagefestivals.com Twitter: https://twitter.com/#!/underagefest
*BUY TICKETS FOR UNDERAGE!: Here*
SHAKEDOWN -
Our favourite thing about Shakedown Festival is that it offers a music festival vibe weeks after the vast majority of festivals have finished for yet another summer. It gives people who pine for festivals once they’re over another chance to stand alongside a huge crowd listening to some live music, and that’s what caught our attention. Its timing is absolutely brilliant. This year’s line up is impressive too – with Dizzee Rascal, Professor Green, Katy B, Knife Party, Zane Lowe, and another headline act still to be announced. Not only that, buy beyond the timetabled acts they’re also hosting after parties which will no doubt allow people to party after hours. It’s right next to University of Sussex and University of Brighton, too, so we expect this to be a big pull for students who have just had their loans freshly deposited in to their accounts!
When? 6th October 2012
Where? Stanmer Park, Brighton
How Much? From £35
Web: http://www.shakedown.co.uk/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/#!/shakedownUK
*BUY TICKETS FOR SHAKEDOWN!: Here*
So, if you fancy a festival without committing to a few days in a tent, or want to spend your time trying a few different things – day festivals are absolutely for you. As much as I love a good festival, a day event is amazing, especially when you know that there’s a bed at the end of the night.
Tweet us your favourite day festivals! @Phestival_Com
Jade.
