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The Best Of British Festivals 2013

• 9th Apr 2013

So it has come that time of year again where the days are getting longer and you think that it’s about time the weather started to improve as you can practically taste summer.

Well, you know what summer means? Festivals! And that happens to be one of Glasswerk’s favourite pastimes. This time we’ve got 2 installments for you; top 10 British festivals of 2013 is first up.

10. Radstock; The first rock festival of the year, set to start the year off with a bang. Held in Liverpool and with enough punch to knock Chuck Norris for six, it should really get the season off to a good start. Don’t even think about calling it a warm-up festival with highlights from the line-up that include The Blackout and Don Broco. Liverpool – 30th March

9. Parklife. In a totally new, and controversial setting, Heaton Park just on the outskirts of Manchester, Parklife is back, even bigger and better than ever. The collaboration of the Warehouse Project, Hospitality and other big names, presents the dancing public with some of the biggest pop and dance act – with a live bill and all-star DJ line up too. Highlights include Plan B, Rita Ora, The Maccabees, Julio Bashmore, Mark Ronson and Jamie Jones. Manchester – June 8/9

8. Takedown: Takedown has a great British line-up, and boasting the crème of the bands set to play across numerous other festivals this year, it is sure to gain itself a bigger following and be a festival to watch in upcoming years. Set in the port town of Southampton, at the University; highlights include: The Blackout, We are the ocean, Don Broco. Southampton – May 11

7. Isle of Wight: Hoping to recover from the flooding last year, and without want of calling it a disaster, Isle of Wight festival is back with a strong line-up to help pull in the crowds and sooth it’s poorly ego. The headliners alone show you just how much they care about the music and getting things back on track, with The Stone Roses, The Killers and Bon Jovi set to top the bill for the main stage. With something for everyone and undoubtedly a ferry trip over the channel, let’s hope the weather behaves more this year. Isle of Wight 13-16 June.

6. Slam Dunk, always a highlight of the rock-scene, a festival that prides itself in bringing over the best and up and coming American acts and mixing them with the best of British. This year is no exception. All Time Low hit the UK again, and headline alongside the UK’s very own Deaf Havana, and bands like The Early November play after Mallory Knox. Leeds May 25; Hatfield May 26; Wolverhampton May 27

5. ATP I’ll Be Your Mirror. Another expansion to two-days for this year’s festival season, All Tomorrow’s Parties introduced 2 all day festivals in London, the first, curated and headlined by Yeah Yeah Yeahs and Grizzly Bear. The all day parties include a range of artists, and DJs, from LCD Soundsystem’s James Murphy to The Walkmen and Black Lips. Without a doubt, set to build on the success of last year’s festival. London 4 and 5 May.

4. Glastonbury. After a year off to let the fields fallow and allow Britain to wallow in pride during the Olympics, Glastonbury is back. Seemingly with a half-hearted yet still fully blown bang. Confused by the description? Well, with a line-up that could have been packed with more punches, hearts felt heavy on the day of the announcement, however, it is Glastonbury, the one and only. The festival evey music fan must attend before they die. Glastonbury has so much to offer, the festival that never sleeps that the hippies would be burning their bras if they thought that no one was excited by it. Music bill highlights include Rolling Stones, Primal Scream and Arctic Monkeys. Somerset – 28-30 June.

3. Field Day. The hipster’s paradise is back again, and seems to be set in its earlier date of bank holiday weekend in May. Victoria Park is the setting and dancing is the main aim. A host of live acts and DJs, this is the festival to see the bands that will be at the top of more mainstream festival bills next year. Highlights include Four Tet, Everything Everything, Chvrches and Animal Collective. London – 25 May

2. Reading and Leeds. The children’s favourite. The festival season staple. The one that you say you wont go to this year, but then you see the line up and remember how much fun you’ve had every other year. This year will be no exception. With headliners Green Day, Eminem and Biffy Clyro setting the scene for the eclectic music mix, you know that the rest is set to stun. Other highlights include Foals, White Lies, Bring Me The Horizon and Skrillex.

1. Latitude Festival. With a line-up stronger than ever proving that Latitude is not just about the multi-coloured sheep, Latitude 2013 is set to blow your mind. Highlights of the line-up include Foals, Bloc Party and a 3D concert provided by Kraftwerk, Latitude is going to be the festival on everybody’s lips. Last year the rain fell, and it fell hard, but this year they have made sure that no matter what the weather is there will be something for everyone to do. From an exceptional comedy stage, featuring Dylan moran, Tim Key and Marcus Brigstocke, to theatre and dance, Latitude is one of those festivals that has something in every corner, that you’re sure wasn’t there when you looked just now.

But a word from us at Glasswerk, there are over 50 festivals going on in the UK alone this year, and they may be amazing even if they aren’t featured here. Our only advice aside from be safe, is GET TO ONE. Festivals are our favourite time of year. Go out and live one.