21 - 22 JUNE
Africa Oye Festival
Sefton Park, Liverpool, free www.africaoye.com
Unashamedly billed as the biggest free African music festival in the UK. artists from Malawi, Mali. Egypt, Kenya, Mozambique and more perform as the focal point for two days of music. food, drink. dance. arts and crafts.
23 - 27 JUNE
Hove
Tromoy, Norway, £179, www.hovefestivalen.com
With a line-up including Goldfrapp, rap royalty Jay-Z and Jack White leading his Racounteurs, Hove looks set to put Non/vay on the festival map. mixing big international acts with Norwegian bands. all in the picturesque surrounds of Tromoy. As well as music, this eco-friendly festival. boasts film and food events as part of the five-day experience.
27 - 29 JUNE
Glastonbury
Glastonbury, Somerset, £155, www.glastonburyfestivals.co.uk One of the world‘s most famous music festivals, Glasto organisers sparked controversy earlier this year when they announced its somewhat eclectic mix of headliners. Crowded House, The Gossip. Mark Ronson and James Blunt (among many. many others) will join Jay-Z and Shakin‘ Stevens at this year‘s Glastonbury fest.
4 - 6 JULY
Bilboa BBK Live Festival Kobetamendi, nr Bilboa, Spain, £56421 30 www.bilbaobbklive.com Located in the midst of Bilboa's Basque Country, the BBK bill features some of the biggest old-timers in rock. including REM and The Police. Lenny Kravitz. The Prodigy and The Charlatans offer solid support.
4 - 6 JULY Open'er Festival
22 THE LIST 5—19 Jun 2008
www.0pener.pl
Setting its stall out in the intriguingly monickered Babie Doly airport. this hardcore outdoor festival has attracted some of this year's biggest festival names with The Cribs. Jay-Z. Goldfrapp, The Chemical Brothers and Sex Pistols all rocking up to support headlining acts. Editors. Interpol and Massive Attack.
4 - 6 JULY
Blissfields Festival
Matterley Bowl, Winchester, Hampshire, £30-E60 www.blissfields.co.uk
Named the Best Small Festival 2007 at the UK Festival Awards. Blissfields combines well-known names from the
SOMETHING FOR NOTHING
0-. _,-'
Orkestra del Sol
Those hoping to festival hop around the country on a budget need not
despair, as Anna Millar finds more free events than ever before
If you're looking to wet a whistle. then look no further than the Orkney Beer Festival (22-24 August, www.visitorkney.com), held at the Stromness Hotel. A now annual wing—ding. guests are invited to join fellow tipplers for a taste of
the local Orkney ales. as well as a collection of cask-conditioned ales and foreign beers.
Elsewhere. the more flighty festival—goer can enjoy the inaugural Bournemouth Air Festival (28—31 August. www.bournemouth.co.uk). From aerobatic and WWII aircrafts to supersonic jets, this all-new festival will celebrate some of aviation's greatest achievements. Taking place between Boscombe Pier and the Lower Gardens. this free four-day event is expected to attract thousands of visitors, with showcases from Britain's world famous Red Arrows, beach landings and marching bands.
Closer to home, the more green-fingered and foodie favouring festival lover can opt for Dundee's three-day Flower and Food Festival (5—7
September, www.dundeeflowerandfoodfestival.com) at Camperdown Country
Park, in Dundee. Offering a hearty menu of food and flowers, as well as a programme of activities for all the family. the festival provides a showcase for floral and garden displays and cookery demonstrations. as well as featuring competitions, craft stalls and fashion shows. This year's celebrity addition arrives in the much-loved guise of TV favourite, Ainsley Harriott.
Earlier in the summer and attracting over 100,000 people alone last year, the jam-packed West End Festival (13—29 June, www.westend
festiva|.co.uk) also affords a host of free events, as well as ticketed ones, from
visual arts and film to dance, music, theatre and comedy. Last but by no means least. the Pittenweem Arts Festival (2—10 August, www.pittenweemartsfestival.co.uk) in Fife invites its visitors to visit
over 100 artists exhibiting in the local village. whether in garages, studios and
gardens.
world of musi and up-and-coming acts. Highlights from the eclectic bill include Lethal Bizzle. The Wonder Stuff. Sam Isaac and The Subliminal Girls.
4 - 13 JULY
Frome Festival
Frome, Somerset, prices vary www.fromefestival.co.uk
Somerset's largest community festival pitches up in over 160 venues around the town. boasting a full programme of music. literature. drama. dance and workshops. Boasting a special green theme for part of its activities. eco- friendly visitors can take full advantage of a specially designed Green Fair. the Green is the New Black Fashion Show and even a Green Farmer's Market.
S - 6 JULY
Cornbury Festival
Near Chalbury, Oxfordshire, 227-2110 www.cornburyfestival.com
A hit with all the family. this festival is pitched at a Radio 2-listening crowd who like their music festivals with a little less mosh. Among the attractions are Paul Simon. Crowded House. KT Tunstall and Beverley Knight.
5 - 12 JULY
Rising Styles
Various venues, Brighton, prices vary www.risingstyles.com Previously known as the Brighton Hip Hop Festival, Rising Styles claims to be Britain's largest celebration of hip hop culture and this year promises to be bigger and better than ever with a slew of new events. including the Fresh Styles Hip Hop Film Festival. poetry and MC shows. Battlejam (a day long breakdance event) and several visual art events celebrating the history and legacy of hip hop.