Our guide to the major British music scenes this summer
Glastonbury, June 25-29
If you like mud with your music, this is the event for you. The most iconic of the UK festivals, Glastonbury was founded on a Somerset dairy farm in 1970. This year, Kasabian, Arcade Fire and Metallica play the prestigious Pyramid Stage.
Lovebox Festival, July 18-19
For an intimate gig setting and a solid hip-hop beat, don’t miss out on Lovebox. One of the smaller festivals, it combines top talent — this year M.I.A., Nas, Banks, and A$AP Rocky will all take the stage — with an eclectic range of food stalls, from Mexican to Lebanese.
Music in a magical setting: This laid-back festival, headlined by Public Enemy, takes place next to a stunning lake in Cambridgeshire, surrounded by a 10-acre landscaped garden and colorful interactive installations.
V Festival, August 16-17
Boasting big names from pop to hip-hop to rock, V Festival has it all — Justin Timberlake, Ed Sheeran, The Killers, Lily Allen. The same acts play on both days of the weekend, swapping between two different locations — so just pick your favorite spot, park yourself and take in the tunes.
Dubbed the “world’s oldest popular music festival still in existence,” this one’s considered a right of passage when it comes to UK festivals. This year’s lineup includes Queens of the Stone Age, Blink-182, Arctic Monkeys and Paramore.
Bestival, September 4-7
This four-day fest takes place in a country park on the beautiful Isle of Wight and every year follows a strict theme. For 2014, it’s “Desert Island Disco,” so expect a lot of sand, rum, palm trees, coconuts and… top notes from headliners Outkast.
More to explore in Music
- Music 9.9.24 Spring/Summer 2025: The Soundtrack
- Music 9.11.23 Spring/Summer 2024: The Soundtrack
- Music 5.5.23 Mother’s Day Mixtape 2023
- Music 2.13.23 Fall/Winter 2023: The Soundtrack
- Music 9.13.22 Spring/Summer 2023: The Soundtrack