With the news that Glastonbury is taking a well-deserved year off and Coachella hitting headlines, revellers are desperately seeking alternative festival hotspots for 2018. With the UK set to host some of the best music festivals around, there is no need to travel far and wide to have a musical adventure. In 2016, 30 million people attended a UK festival. This increasing popularity promises to make 2018 an unforgettable year for music. Here we take a look at five of our favourite summer festivals that are sure to make headlines this year! Isle of Wight Isle of Wight festival will see 65,000 music fans descend on the small island between 21st-24th June. Opening in 1968, it has seen the likes of Jimi Hendrix, Bob Dylan, The Rolling Stones and Paul McCartney lead the stage. Celebrating its 50th anniversary this year, headlining acts such as Kasabian, The Killers, Depeche Mode, Liam Gallagher, The Script and Van Morrison makes this an unforgettable summer festival. This is one you will not want to miss! Bestival An award-winning family friendly festival, formerly held at Robin Hill on the Isle of Wight, it relocated to the grounds of Lulworth Estate in 2017. Famous for its love of fancy dress and colourful personality, this boutique festival is perfect for families, as well as the average festival goer. From the 2nd-5th August, you will be entertained by Rudimental, London Grammar, Grace Jones, Plan B and Stormzy. As well as musical performances, the festivities also include a human cannonball, Gorilla Circus, the world’s largest bouncy castle and much much more! Bestival is a festival that knows how to entertain! RiZe Festival Formally known as V festival, (before Virgin ended its long running sponsorship) RiZe has come back fighting and is bigger and better than ever before. Its first official festival as RiZe is being held at the iconic Hylands Park (Chelmsford). This two day event (17th-18th August) is lined with big stars, such as Liam Gallagher, Stereophonics, Rag ‘n’ Bone Man, James Bay and Manic Street Preacher. The popularity for this festival was never going to fade. Reading & Leeds As one of the oldest festivals in the UK (launched in 1955), Reading and Leeds still manage to entertain 90,000 revellers every year! As it is known for its love of rock, indie and alternative acts, bottling performers (throwing glass bottles) on stage is just as prevalent now as it was in the 1970’s and 1980’s. In these two separate locations, Richfield Avenue (Reading) and Brompton Park (Leeds) between the 24th-26th August, Reading and Leeds festival has the biggest line-ups in the absence of Glastonbury. Kendrick Lamar, Kings of Leon, Panic! And Fall Out boy are just a few of the headlining acts. BBC’s The Biggest Weekend Kicking off our summer in style (25th-28th May) was The BBC’s Biggest Weekend comprising award-winning acts such as Orbital, Ed Sheeran, Sam Smith, Liam Gallagher, Noel Gallaghers High Flying Birds, Florence and the Machine, Nigel Kennedy and Underworld and so much more!. This all-star line-up entertained over 4 separate locations (Titanic Slipways - Belfast, Scone Palace - Perth, Singleton Park - Cardiff and War Memorial Park - Coventry) and as tickets were only £18 for a whole day, it was always going to be one of the popular festivals of 2018! Festival Kit List Here at Lifeventure, we have put together a kit list that takes the stress out of festival camping! Now you are free to enjoy yourself, knee deep in mud and dancing along to your favourite act with confidence! Tents Lightweight sleeping bag Roll mat Inflatable pillow Camping chair Packable backpack Hat Clothes Wellies Umbrella (just in case!) Raincoat Torch Portable phone charger Wet wipes Toiletries & wash bag Sturdy water bottle Money & tickets! Sun cream Ear plugs Medication First aid kit Duct tape Camera Compression sack to pack it all in!
