Firstly – how are we in the month of August already? For Phestival, festival season tends to begin some time in early March and so we’re absolutely baffled as to whether these past fives months have gone! It’s been an absolute blur, that’s for sure. But what would your weekends be if they weren’t festival weekends? Exactly! It’s that time of the week again, and we’ve scoured the internet and our festival database to see which events will be gracing the grassy fields of the United Kingdom this weekend. It comes to no surprise that there are a few; festivals seem to be popping up as eagerly as daisies do in the sunshine. Sadly, this weekend was set to play host to The Big Chiil, but due to a number of issues the festival was cancelled. Fear not though. here are our picks for the weekend covering 2nd-5th August 2012. Enjoy!
Wickham Festival (Hampshire) –
If a relaxed family festival sounds right up your street for this weekend, then Wickham Festival in Hamshire is definitely the one for you. Wickham Festival is set against the stunning rural setting of thevillageofWickhamand boasts three stages, a circus, a digital funfair, solar-powered cinema screens, street theatre performances, dance displays, crafts, food stalls, real ale bars and a late night festival club – plus more. The line up is decent too, and will see performances from the likes of Jools Holland, KT Tunstall, The Levellers, Bellowhead, The Proclaimers and much more. Please bare in mind that camping is not included in the ticket price so you must book that separately.
When? 2nd-5th August
Where? Wickham, Hampshire
How Much? £135for an adult (non camping) weekend ticket
Web: http://www.wickhamfestival.co.uk/ Twitter: n/a
Standon Calling (Standon) -
This year, Standon Calling invites you to ‘Journey to the ends of the Earth’ a three day festival with themed fancy dress, musical icons, up and coming acts, the only festival swimming pool in the country, and an on-site nightclub complete with 6am licence. If you’re after a non-stop party, this festival, located just 45 minutes north of Londonmight well be the one for you. 2012’s headliners include Fat Freddy’s Drop, Death in Vegas, and Beardyman. The line up also features !!!, Crazy P, Willy Mason, Field Music, Dub Pistol and more. Get yourself there – it’s fantastic value for money and will guarantee a good weekend out!
When? 3rd-5th August
Where? Standon, near London
How Much? £99 for adult weekend ticket
Web: http://www.standon-calling.com/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/standoncalling
Belladrum Tartan Heart Festival (Inverness-shire) -
As the name might suggest, Belladrum festival takes place in the ‘tartan heart’ ofScotland, in Inverness-shire. This reasonably sized festival has sold out again for the fourth year running and rightly so – it’s earned a place in the hearts of locals for being a friendly festival which showcases but locally and internationally known artists and acts. This year will see headlining performances from Travis and The Wombats, who will be joined by Beverley Knight, Frightened Rabbit, The South, Man Like Me, The Magnetic North, Buzzcocks, Willy Mason, Dog is Dead, Ellen and the Escapades and many more. Beyond the music there will also be theatre, cabaret, dance, alternative therapies as well as the expected food and drink stalls. Fancy a weekend in theHighlands? Belladrum Tartan Heart Festival 2012 is the perfect choice.
When? 3rd-5th August
Where? Beauly, Ivernerss-shire
How Much? SOLD OUT!
Web: http://www.tartanheartfestival.co.uk/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/BelladrumFest
Hevy Fest (Kent) -
Hevy Festival is a festival which places precedent over heavier rock music throughout the duration of the festival – taking place from the 3rd to 5th of August 2012. The festival takes place at Port Lympne Wildlife Park, with tickets including entrance in to the animal park, too! How’s that for variety? Over eighty acts will play across three stages this weekend, including Andrew WK and Descendants who will headline Saturday and Sunday respectively. They will be joined by Hundred Reasons, Glassjaw, Meshuggah, Madball, Norma Jean, Hawk Eyes, H20, Rolo Tomassi, Set your Goals and more. Perhaps the best thing about this festival is that they’ve made major change to their stage set ups, meaning that there will be no clashes between major bands!
When? 3rd-6th August
Where? Hythe, Kent
How Much? £96 for a weekend ticket
Web: http://www.hevy.co.uk/2012/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/HevyFest
Stockton Weekender (Stockton) -
Stockton Weekender is my local festival when I’m at home, so it’s definitely one I feel compelled to recommend! The festival will take place over three days this year, from Friday 3rd of August until the 5th atStocktonRiversidePark. This year’s line up features The Pogues, James, Ocean Colour Scene, Willy Mason, Jake Bugg, We are Scientists, The Go! Team, The Chapman Family, The Milk, The Crookes, Young Rebel Set and many, many more. This year sees the return of a second stage too – which will showcase local talent as well as high profile acts. What’s more, there will also be a Georgian Theatre line up which includes local bands’ music videos, documentaries, alternative music, jazz plus after parties! Tickets are available for the weekend as day tickets, or you can purchase tickets with camping included.
When? 3rd-5th August
Where? Stockton, Teesside
How Much? £50 for a weekend ticket with camping
Web: http://www.stocktonweekender.co.uk/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/stcktnweekender
Y Not Festival (Derbyshire) -
Held in Derbyshire, Y Not Festival started off as a small festival with 30 bands and DJs in 2006. Despite growth, it still holds on to its traditional values in steering away from sponsorship and high prices, to ensure that their festival goers have the best of times without suffering financially. 2012’s festival will play host to 5,000 people, and a line up including The Pigeon Detectives, The Wombats, We are Scientists, Slow Club, Frightened Rabbit, The Subways, British Sea Power, Little Comets, Pulled Apart by Horses, Future of the Left, Tall Ships, The XCerts, Summer Camp and more. This year’s festival has also planned to improve the festival experience by increasing the line up size, adding a new arena, increasing the number of stalls (both crafts and foods) and improving campsite facilities. This lovely little festival would be well worth a visit.
When? 3rd-5th August
Where? Matlock, Derbyshire
How Much? £75 for an adult weekend ticket
Web: http://www.ynotfestivals.co.uk/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/y_not_festival
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And there we have it, our top picks for the weekend – with enough variety in terms of music, size and location to suit near enough everybody’s needs. Let us know on the @Phestival_Com Twitter feed if you will be at a festival this weekend! We’d love to know how our readers spend their festival weekends.
