Summer festivals
The best summer music festivals
Summer festivals
[ 2-17 JULY ]
Montreux Jazz Festival
Despite the name, the music offered on the shore of Lake Geneva is quite eclectic – with acts including Air, Vanessa Paradis and Regina Spektor alongside more ‘traditional’ jazz musicians such as Norah Jones, Herbie Hancock and Diana Krall.
In addition to the big-ticket concerts there are a number of free events, including Music in the Park and the Parmigiani workshops.
Concert deals start from CHF100 (£60), Montreux, Switzerland, www.montreuxjazz.com
[ 9-11 JULY ]
Oxegen
The strength of the Oxegen line up makes it one of the ‘must-do’ summer events – and it’s just a half-hour drive from Dublin airport. Killer acts such as Black Eyed Peas, Arcade Fire and Dizzee Rascal will rock the racecourse. Oxegen also boasts a funfair, a signing tent for autograph hounds and eclectic accommodation that includes luxury and green camping options.
€224.50 (£187), Naas, County Kildare, Ireland, www.oxegen.ie
[ 22-25 JULY ]
The Secret Garden Party
What began as a hush-hush gathering of 1,000 friends back in 2004 might not be such a secret anymore but it’s still one mightily flamboyant party. Set around a lake within the grounds of a Georgian house, this is certainly one of the most picturesque festivals you could hope to find. And a young crowd like to make it all the more visually vibrant by strictly honouring the fancy dress rule.
£142, Huntingdon, Cambridgeshire, www.secretgardenparty.com
[ 23-25 JULY ]
Port Eliot Literary Festival
Authors, musicians, comedians and poets perform at Cornwall’s Port Eliot Literary festival. Hipper than Hay, this unusual literary festival is widely considered the Glastonbury of books. Set in the walled gardens of the grand Port Eliot house, it has the intimacy of a country house party. This year’s speakers include chef Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall and designer Luella Bartley.
£130, Port Eliot, St Germans, Cornwall, +44 (0)1503 232 783, www.porteliotfestival.com
[ 6-7 AUGUST ]
Belladrum Tartan Heart
Belladrum’s Tartan Heart boutique festival is “small in scale, but big in heart”. Set against a stunning Highlands backdrop, this year’s fancy-dress theme is ‘wonderland’.
A wide variety of music styles, from dance DJs to roots and rock – as well as cabaret, comedy and theatre, means there’s plenty to suit all tastes. Music comes from the likes of Feeder, the Divine Comedy and Amy Macdonald.
£85, Beauly, near Inverness, www.tartanheartfestival.co.uk
[ UNTIL 21 AUGUST ]
Kenwood Summer Music Festival
If camping isn’t your style but you still fancy a spot of al fresco entertainment, choose one of the evening concerts at Kenwood House on Hampstead Heath. Last month saw Blondie grace the stage and the acts still to come include Rufus Wainwright and Jamie Cullum.
£22-£42, Kenwood House, Hampstead Heath, London, +44 (0)844 412 2706, www.picnicconcerts.com
