This week’s Eurovision takeover of Liverpool kicks off a massive 2023 festival season in the UK. Whether you’re looking for big bands, big ideas, a wellness retreat, a family day out, tasty food or new music from the bleeding edge, this year’s offerings have something for you. We’re taking you to all corners of the UK (and beyond) to make your summer a great one, whatever your budget.
Words: Claire Biddles and Laura Kelly / Cover illustration by Eleanor Shakespeare
THE GREAT ESCAPE May 10-13
Various venues, Brighton £105
Are your playlists due for a refresh? Like a seaside South by Southwest, TGE doubles as a music industry conference, so it’s the best place to discover up-and-coming bands out to impress. Previous editions have seen the likes of Adele, Vampire Weekend and The 1975 grace Brighton’s smallest stages – this year, see Debby Friday and Enumclaw before they get big.
greatescapefestival.com
GET TOGETHER May 20
Various venues, Sheffield £35
This bargain all-dayer takes place across the bars, warehouses and studios of Sheffield’s trendy Kelham Island, with a line-up including Irish alt-country star CMAT, former Klaxons member James Righton and Friendly Fires. Sets from the likes of Queer House Party will keep the vibe going into the night, fuelled by craft beer from local Kelham Island Brewery.
welcometosheffield.co.uk
KNOCKENGORROCH May 25-28
Galloway, Scotland £159
Set in a beautiful riverside meadow, Knockengorroch is an old-school greenfield festival and the longest-running of its kind in Scotland. It celebrates celtic culture from Scotland to Chile, with families and late-night partiers equally catered for. We recommend indie folker Tennyson King, violin virtuoso Akram Abdulfattah and expert beat curator Sarra Wild.
knockengorroch.org.uk
JAZZ STROUD May 25-28
Various venues, Stroud £68
The Gloucestershire market town once again plays host to the best in UK jazz, neo-soul and hip-hop, with highlights including Manchester-based polymath Alabaster dePlume, 10-piece collective TC & The Groove Family and all-female Afro Latin ensemble COLECTIVA. There’s a strong showing of acts from the south west, including Bristol piano trio Yetii, and three ensembles of young locals.
jazzstroud.org
Akram Abdulfattah (top) plays Galloway’s Knockendorroch
WIDE AWAKE May 27
Brockwell Park, London From £69.50
There are tonnes of London park festivals to choose from, but Wide Awake may just be the best, catering to the most curious of electronic and underground music mavens. Boasting the only UK festival date for Caroline Polachek, the line-up also features Tirzah, Alex G, Gilla Band and Oneohtrix Point Never, with DJs from
