Everyone seems to be going to a festival this year – and it’s hardly surprising, as there seem to be new festivals springing up all over the place! From rock (Download / Sonisphere) to dance (Global Gathering / The Big Chill) to world music (WOMAD) to reggae (One Love), whatever your taste in music there is bound to be a festival catering for you this summer.
Kicking off the festival season on 10th June is the legendary Isle of Wight festival. The daddy of UK festivals, IOW began in 1968 and ran for three years, hosting music legends such as Marc Bolan, Bob Dylan and Jimi Hendrix. It was revived in 2002 by Robert Plant and continues to go from strength to strength. Headliners this year are Kings of Leon, Kasabian and Foo Fighters. Other big names going strong this year are Reading and Leeds, and V Festival, which takes place over two sites in Chelmsford and Stafford.
However, the biggest name in the UK festival circuit has to be Glastonbury, and this year they are continuing their quest to provide the biggest names from all areas of the music scene, with a diverse line-up including Beyonce, U2, Coldplay, Biffy Clyro, Morrissey and Plan B. Glastonbury is about much more than just the music; there is such a wide range of other entertainment that there is always something to appeal to everyone – many people take their families and enjoy the vibe without ever seeing a headline band! However, being held early in the summer can lead to unpredictable weather, so if you’re heading to Somerset this year it’s probably best to plan for all eventualities - invest in waterproofs and some sturdy wellies, just in case!
As well as the huge festivals there are many smaller ones really starting to make their mark this year. They can offer more attractive ticket prices while still drawing big names to their stages. The Hop Farm Festival in Kent (1st – 2nd July) is a prime example. This year they are featuring everyone from rock legends The Eagles to cutting edge indie-rockers Frankie and The Heartstrings. Or why not check out the Lovebox Festival at London’s Victoria Park (15th – 17th July), featuring Snoop Dogg, Scissor Sisters, Fenech Soler and The Wombats.
One of the biggest aspects of attending a festival has to be camping, but this is definitely a love-it or hate-it experience! If you want to attend a festival but the thought of a tiny tent next to the portaloos doesn’t appeal, why not try “glamping” in a funky 1950s Airstream trailer (pictured), the epitome of retro 1950s American cool? These amazing campers are vintage American-made Airstreams, shipped over and lovingly refurbished to provide luxurious accommodation for weekends, holidays, and of course festivals. The www.lovemyairstream.com team will deliver, set up and collect your trailer for you, leaving you free to enjoy the festival vibe, stress free and in comfort!
Finally, don’t forget your all-important festival kit. At Zee and Co we stock a wide range of clothes ideal for all festival conditions, including polos and T-shirts, combat shorts, and lightweight jackets such as the Polo Ralph Lauren waimea hooded windbreaker jacket. The ultimate festival footwear (apart from wellies of course!) has to be the classic Converse All Stars, and last but not least the outfit is not complete without the essential bucket hat.
You can find a list of the festivals taking place in the UK this summer at www.thefestivalcalendar.co.uk.
