Festival Season: Which Festivals Are Going Ahead?

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Last year, Covid-19 wiped out the UK’s summer festival season. Only a handful of shows were able to take place, and most of them were in car parks or socially-distanced green field sites.

This year, organisers are a little more optimistic.

With the vaccination programme under way and mass testing available, several events have put tickets on sale, confident that fans will be allowed to rave, mosh, and stage-dive with the risk of injury, rather than disease, their main concern.

Unfortunately, events scheduled early in the summer season – most notably Glastonbury – have already had to cancel. Many have cited the inability to obtain cancellation insurance as a factor.

Others have moved to safer dates later in the summer, with a noticeable surge of events over August bank holiday weekend.

The last summer festivals took place way back in 2019 pre pandemic, and feel like a very distant memory. For festival goers & pleasure seekers everywhere the question is which festivals have been given the go ahead, and when are they happening?

Kaleidoscope Festival, Alexandra Palace (July 24)

One to kick off the festival season with music and comedy. Previously featured, the Flaming Lips, Mystery Jets and comedy from Katherine Ryan and Mark Watson

Line up for 2021 : Groove Armada, Norman Jay MBE, House Gospel Choir and The Coral provide the music, and Irvine Welsh, Phil Wang, Sophie Duker and more will be on hand to provide the laughs.

Check out their website for updates

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Gala Festival, Peckham Rye Park (July 31-August 1)

South London’s summer offering of house, disco and good time party music. Previous acts include Gerd Janson, Horse Meat Disco, Honey Dijon and Palm Trax.

2021 news : To coincide with its delayed 5th birthday celebrations, Gala Festival will run for two days this year.

See here for updates

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51st State, Trent Park (August 7)

A celebration of real house music coming to you from the far reaches of North London. Dimitri From Paris, Matt Jam Lamont all featured in 2019.

Line up for 2021 : The Brand New Heavies, Jocelyn Brown, Alison Limerick, Hannah Wants, Dimitri From Paris, Jazzie B OBE, and more, plus street-food and an expanded VIP area.

From its roots in US gospel, Soul, Disco and House through iconic genres like Garage, 2-step, Acid House, dancehall, R&B and more, 51st State Festival showcases the technicolored heritage of dance and is amongst the most diverse and inclusive festivals in the UK. Past shows have featured the likes of DJ EZ, Norman Jay MBE, Soul II Soul, Jocelyn Brown, Crystal Waters, Roy Ayers Ubiquity, Basement Jaxx, Mood II Swing, Kevin Saunderson, Masters At Work, Fabio & Grooverider, Carl Cox, Everlyn Champagne King, Malba Moore, Mr Vegas, Trevor Nelson , Tannya Stevens and Kerri Chandler. 

On Saturday 7th August 2021, 51st State Festival will make an anticipated return to Trent Country Park in North London for it’s 6th edition.

Keep up to date on their website

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Hampton Court Palace Festival, Hampton Court Palace (August 13-24)

The Tudor Courtyard of a 16th century palace provides a stunning backdrop for a music festival, enjoy a picnic in the beautiful East Front Gardens before watching world-class acts. Nile Rodgers, Kylie Minogue, The Jacksons have all performed here.

Line up for 2021: Tom Jones, Bastille, Van Morrison, and Keane are all confirmed. While Lionel Richie, Rick Astley, and George Benson have moved to 2022 for those planning ahead.

Check out their website for updates

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All Points East Festival, Victoria Park (August 27-30)

One of the capital’s biggest and best music festivals, usually over ten-days in late May, the bill has been trimmed to four days this year It offers a huge variety of acts in terms of both era and genre including the likes of The Chemical Brothers, Hot Chip, and The Strokes

Line up for 2021: Jamie XX, Kano, Tom Misch, Slowthai, Arlo Parks, Foals, Bombay Bicycle Club, Caribou, Whitney, Jade Bird, Nadine Shah, London Grammar, Jorja Smith, Loyle Carner, Mura Masa, Floating Points, Kojey Radical, and Lapsley.

See here for updates

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Eastern Electrics Festival, Location TBC (August 28)

For fans of classic house and techno.

Eastern Electrics returns on Saturday 28h August 2020 for another unbeatable selection of all day music.

World-class underground DJs, urban acts and more will step up to seven stages, hosted by renowned clubbing institutions. Expect star quality production that’s out of this world, plus global stars and underground heroes selecting the hottest sounds. For house and techno heavyweights, garage selectas and grime royalty!

Line up for 2021: Loco Dice and Jamie Jones, Maya Jane Coles with a very special guest to their main stage Anna Wall.

Check out their website for details

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Mighty Hoopla Festival, Brockwell Park, Brixton (September 4)

If dressing up, pop music and fun and games are your vibe, Mighty Hoopla Festival is the perfect choice. Past acts have included Chaka Khan, Kate Nash and All Saints

Line up for 2021 : Cheryl, Becky Hill, En Vogue, and Gabrielle. Tickets have already sold out, so you’ll need to keep your fingers crossed for resales here.

See here for updates

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Wireless Festival, Crystal Palace Park (September 10-12)

The best in hip-hop and grime always sells out in a hot minute. Previous headliners have included Rihanna, Jay Z, and Kanye West. The line-up will include some of the scenes biggest names from the UK and across the pond. Wireless Festival 2021 is going to be better than ever!

Line up for 2021: 

FRIDAY 10 SEPTEMBER 2021

Future, D-Block Europe, Digga D, Gunna, Ivorian Doll, Lil Baby, Mostack, Millionz, Tiffany Calver & Friends PLUS MORE

SATURDAY 11 SEPTEMBER 2021

Skepta, A Boogie Wit Da Hoodie, AJ Tracey, Blanco, Central Cee, Steel Banglez, Meek Mill PLUS MORE

SUNDAY 12 SEPTEMBER 2021

Migos, Abra Cadabra, Charlie Sloth & Friends, Chip, Digdat, Headie One, K Trap, Megan Thee Stallion, Rick Ross, Potter Payper PLUS MORE

See here for updates

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More London Music Festivals – Exact Dates and locations TBC

Lovebox Festival, Gunnersbury Park- TBC

Jam on Rye Festival, Peckham Rye Park- TBC

Somerset House Summer Series, Edmond J. Safra Fountain Court – TBC

#BringBackSummer2021

I’m here for it! Catch you in the crowd,

Sammi xx