Festival Guide 2016 – UK Dance Festivals
A nice little chronological rundown of every weekender occurring in a park, field or fjord near you. Okay, not so much fjords…
Love Saves The Day
Eastville Park, Bristol (28-29 May) £65
Acts confirmed so far: Awesome Tapes From Africa, Young Marco, Banoffee Pies, Afrika Bambaataa
Two days of music at Eastville Park in Bristol, regarded by many in the Southwest as a super friendly and well-oiled operation. LSTD will also feature the only appearance of the Arcadia Afterburner in the UK this year – a 360 degree stage built around a central flaming spire with dance platforms radiating out to a ring of exploding lamp posts. Sounds alright.
The Somerley Tea Party
Somerley Estate, Hampshire (3-5 June) £55
Acts so far: Luke Vibert, Tom Trago, Rockwell, MCDE
Bit of an odd one, this. The Earl of Normington lends out his Somerley Estate for two days of partying down in Hampshire. Mixed in with some less notable acts you’ll find the likes of Luke Vibert, MCDE, Tom Demac and Rockwell – worth a punt if you’re from around them parts.
Luke Vibert, appearing at The Somerley Tea Party
Gottwood
Llanfaethlu, Wales (9-12 June) £140
Acts so far: Shackleton (live), Zip, Beautiful Swimmers, The Mole, Move D
Looks like another superb weekend in the mystical Welsh woodland. The line-up speaks for itself, but Gottwood are dedicated to developing the non-musical element too. This year they’re ramping up the art and film side of things even further to make it their most immersive experience yet.
Field Day
Victoria Park, London (11-12 June) £55
Acts so far: Daphni, The Black Madonna, Roots Manuva, Mount Kimbie
A festival environment with a community mentality, Field Day returns to Victoria Park this year for its tenth edition. The line-up covers most bases from James Blake to Roots Manuva, as per usual. The festival itself has gradually swelled in size every year, so it’ll be interesting to see what the crew have in store to celebrate joining the double digits club.
Roots Manuva, appearing at Field Day
Found Festival
Brockwell Park, London (11 June) £25
Acts so far: Linkwood, Theo Parrish, Daniel Wang, Legowelt, Mood II Swing
Seminal figures of dance music join cutting-edge talents across six stages of music at Found Festival this year. Loads of great names on offer for a one-day blow-out in Brixton’s Brockwell Park – like Pender Street Steppers, Daniel Wang and Trade. Good value on the ticket, just a shame it doesn’t let you stay for a tad longer.
Freerotation
Baskerville Hall, Hay-on-Wye (8-11 July) £125
Acts so far: TBC
A hot ticket on the UK festival circuit, Freero takes place in and around Baskerville Hall – of Sherlock Holmes fame – in the Welsh countryside. The line-up is always something special, annually boasting a vast array of the best electronic musicians on the planet. It's a members-only affair so best of luck securing an invite.
Theo Parrish, appearing at Found Festival
Farr Festival
Bygrave Wood, Hertsfordshire (14-16 July) £90
Acts so far: Gilles Peterson, Kon, Maurice Fulton, Moomin
Flying somewhat under the radar in previous years, Farr boasts a bespoke DJ roster few other UK festivals can match. The crew have done a fine job assembling the likes of Francis Inferno Orchestra, Young Marco, Kon and Moomin for a three-day knees-up in the heart of the country. Hard to turn this one down.
Boomtown
Matterley Estate, Winchester (11-14 August) £135
Acts so far: Channel One & Mad Professor, Derrick May, Parov Stelar, Pharoahe Monch
Now a firm staple on the festival to-go list, the Boomtown Fair takeover is scheduled for 11-14 August this year, and takes place a stone’s throw from Winchester. As you’d expect, most styles are catered to in some respect and there’s a particularly strong reggae, dub and jungle contingent on display.
Pharoahe Monch, appearing at Boomtown
Field Maneuvers
TBA, near London (2-5 September) £95
Acts so far: Mark E, Elgato, Jane Fitz, Ryan Elliott
If you’ve not yet had your fill of summer loving by September then here’s another one worth noting in your diary. Set an hour or so outside of London in a TBA location, Field Maneuvers has quickly built a reputation as an intimate three-day do that’s well worthy of your buck. This year features residents Ryan Elliott, Ben Sims and Mark E, among many others yet to be announced.