Tired of trudging to the same old music festivals year-in year-out? Wondering what to do with no Glastonbury on the cards this year? Pack the tent, sunscreen and warm clothes and head for one of these alternative music festivals. Just don’t forget the tent poles...
Isle of Wight Festival
The “sleep hallow” family camping site allows you to escape from the thick of things for some R&R and the kids zone provides welcome distractions in the shape of story tellers, dressing up, face painting and circus skills workshops. And if you’re feeling particularly brave, you can even let your kids learn the secrets of drumming.
9-11 June 2006, Seaclose Park, Isle of Wight, UK
www.isleofwightfestival.com
Roskilde Festival, Denmark
Infamous since tragedy struck in 2000 when nine people were crushed to death in a Pearl Jam performance, Roskilde has bounced back as Scandanavia’s answer to Glastonbury, played out over five days, 35km outside Copenhagen. Originally for hippies, it is now more mainstream and pulls in the big names as well as up and coming Danish bands. Make a holiday of it, and know you’re supporting a good cause – profits are donated to humanitarian and cultural causes.
29 June – 2 July 2006, near Copenhagen, Denmark
www.roskilde-festival.dk
Oxegen, Ireland
This is the sister-festival of Scotland’s T in the Park, and is recommended as an over-18s event (under 18s need to be accompanied). Oxegen does have a special seating area at the front of the main stage for pregnant mums – allocated on a first-come basis – and one lucky companion is allowed in too.
8-9 July 2006, Punchestown Racecourse, Co.Kildare, Ireland
www.oxegen.ie
Isle of Skye Music Festival
Perhaps the most impressive setting on this list, the Hebridean island just a short drive over the Skye bridge from Kyle of Lochalsh. Last year’s festival featured dance act Mylo, a native of the island, along with homegrown Scottish talent and international DJs.
16-17 July 2006, Isle of Skye, Scotland
www.skyemusicfestival.co.uk
WOMAD
With seven stages, over seventy artists from at least thirty countries, WOMAD – World of Music Arts and Dance – also features a Global Village housing more than 250 international food and merchandise stalls. A full programme of interactive workshops for adults and children, coupled with the return of a dedicated family camping area makes this a truly family-friendly event.
28-30 July 2006, Reading, UK
www.womad.org
The Big Chill
This is a festival with a difference, with muddy wellies, mud fights and overflowing chemical toilets nowhere to be seen. Describing its music policy as “anti-genre pigeonholing”, you can expect to hear everything from classical to dance music, including hip-hop, world music, folk, jazz, funk, soul, blues, pop, lounge and ambient. There’s even a dressing up tent, a human snail race and an art trail to keep the kids entertained.
4-6 August 2006, Eastnor Castle Deer Park, Herefordshire, UK
www.bigchill.net
The Cropredy Festival
Folk music is all the rage at the moment, and Cropredy is the place to be, headlined as usual by the Fairport Convention, the renowned folk group originally founded by the celebrated Richard Thompson. Thompson’s latest project was the stunning score for the film Grizzly Man.
10-12 August 2006, near Banbury, Oxfordshire, UK
www.faircrop.co.uk
Brecon International Festival of Jazz
Brecon Jazz has been going for over 20 years, and features legendary big-name musicians as well as unexpected surprises, local hopefuls and rising stars.
11-13 August 2006, Brecon, Powys, Wales
www.breconjazz.co.uk
Secret Garden Party
A weird and wonderful fantasy world is created each summer, with giant hammocks and rope bridges, telephone boxes and space hopper races. The main DJ system is based in a tree house and the “Up all night” tent, complete with cabaret performers, is a circus top. Find your inner child, and remember that tickets are limited so it pays to book early.
18-20 August 2006, location to be confirmed, UK
www.secretgardenparty.com
La Mercè Festival, Barcelona
With fireworks extravaganzas, hordes of street performers and over 100 outdoor concerts covering every possible music taste, this is one of Barcelona’s major festivals. Dedicated to the Virgin of Mercy, the city’s patron saint, the festival celebrates traditional Catalan folklore and dancing. Look out for sadana dancing – groups of ‘Castellers’ build human towers ten-stories high in St Jaume Plaza.
September 2006, Barcelona, Spain
www.bcn.es/english/ihome.htm
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