With the weather getting warmer and line-ups being announced, it’s time to get excited for festival season. Here, we pick seven music events – in date order - that we’re most excited about.
The Cambridge Club
June 9-11
Childerley Orchard, CB23 8BA, Cambridge
Set in the Cambridgeshire countryside, this three-day glitterball of a festival offers a journey of dance, disco and discovery like no other for all the family.
While the main stage plays host to some of the world’s biggest music stars – fresh new talent and old favourites alike, ranging from Lionel Richie, Grace Jones and Kool & the Gang to Billy Ocean, The Real Thing and Sophie Ellis Bextor – there’s also a top-tier DJ line-up to boot, with Eats Everything, Jodie Harsh and even a Dick & Dom rave set.
For younger ones, there’s comedy and discussion area Auditorium of Intrigue, hosting hilarious comedians and talks, as well as disco dodgems, cham-painting, boogie bowling and a retro arcade. Bring on the boogie…
The Wild Wood Disco
June 16-18
The Woodland Glade, Horseheath Racecourse, Linton, Cambs, CB21 4QP
Created “for the love of a good party”, this intimate and independent gathering promises wild days and nights filled with revelry and dancing under the canopy of the woodland trees.
With a line-up stacked with top-tier underground DJs - including Bradley Zero, Crazy P Sound System, Dar Disku, DJ Paulette, Grace Sands, Mafalda, Optimo, PBR Streetgang, Ruby Savage and SecretSundaze - expect a lot of fun, incredible music, secrets and surprises, an amazing crowd of people and a sprinkling of magic.
Secret Garden Party
July 20-23
Abbots Ripton, Huntingdonshire
In a garden far, far away, the future awaits – that’s the strapline for this year’s edition of the consistently-wild Secret Garden Party festival, which made a momentous return last summer after a five-year hiatus.
Subtitled ‘A New Hope’, the line-up remains as genre-spanning as ever, with 90s throwback trio of headliners in The Libertines, Underwold and Fat Freddy’s Drop.
Other big-name highlights include De La Soul, Grandmaster Flash and Roisin Murphy while upcomers Biig Piig, Lava La Rue and Baby Queen are sure to make an equally big impact.
Funtopia
July 27
Huntingdon Riverside Park, Hartford Road, Huntingdon, PE29 3RP
The big day out for little kids is coming to Huntingdon for the first time ever.
Designed for under 10s, this fun-filled festival is filled with all the fun and games your family could want: high energy inflatables, role play areas, shows and competitions, character meet and greets, giant games, huge water fights, a tasty food court and much more.
There’s even an under 5s area filled with bouncy castles, soft play, ball pool and ride-ons.
Plus, an autism and SEND-friendly session at the start of the day with limited numbers, no music, sensory games and activities, Siblings are also welcome. All tickets are sold at the gate.
Cambridge Folk Festival
July 27-30
Cherry Hinton Hall, Cherry Hinton Road, Cambridge, CB1 8DW
Having returned in 2022 following a two-year hiatus due to the Covid-19 pandemic, this world-renowned four-dayer is set to continue its winning mix of internationally renowned headline artists, the best in folk and contemporary roots music from across the world and the hottest newcomers.
Many of the genre’s most revered artists - including The Proclaimers, Rufus Wainwright, Imelda May, Arrested Development, Angélique Kidjo and Lady Blackbird - will once again descend on Cherry Hinton Hall this summer, while there will undoubtedly be the chance to seem any future folk stars.
www.cambridgelive.org.uk/folk-festival
Silverstone Festival
August 25-27
Silverstone Circuit, Towcester, Northamptonshire, NN12 8TN
Taking place over the summer bank holiday weekend, this one is for the pop lovers: 80s idols ABC will kick-start the weekend’s music action on Friday with The Christians performing earlier the same evening.
The original line-up of the Sugababes, having closed down Glastonbury’s Avalon Stage last summer due to their incredible popularity, will then perform on Saturday night before pop icons McFly take to the stage on Sunday to close out the weekend’s family-friendly action.
www.silverstone.co.uk/events/silverstone-festival
Sundown Festival
September 1-3
Norfolk Showground, Norwich, NR5 0TT
Norwich's popular Sundown Festival for those aged 16 and over is back this year.
Featured in the line up this year are Chase & Status, Raye, Joel Corry, Mae Muller, and many more.
You can secure your ticket now for just £30 deposit.
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