It might only be May but festival season 2024 is about to kick off and we cannot wait to fill out upcoming months with live music galore. If you’re struggling to decide which ones to head to this year or are looking to try something new but need a little more persuading, we’re here to help you!
Here are twelve festivals we can’t wait for in 2024.
Dot2Dot
25th May – Bristol
26th May – Nottingham
Dot2Dot is a music festival unlike any other, it began in Nottingham in 2005 over the May bank holiday. Today it is set across two different locations those being Bristol and Nottingham, the artists don’t rotate, all artists play one city one day then they all travel and play the next city the following day. It features various music genres from indie to electro and alternative. The festival showcase’s up and coming bands and DJs from the UK and international. Over the years the festival has seen bands including Wolf Alice, Catfish and the Bottlemen, We Are Scientists and even Ed Sheeran in 2011 and Dua Lipa in 2016 which have gone on to be huge artists filling stadiums and doing big world tours.
This year we’re hoping to head to the Bristol date, set in and around some of Bristol’s best music venues from the small and quirky Thekla a boat in the mud dock floating harbour area of the city to the O2 Academy which has seen some big names over the years and is a powerhouse of the live music scene in Bristol.
This years festival see’s artists such as Wunderhorse; an English rock band formed in late 2020 and their debut album Cub was released in 2022 and was named one of the best albums by NME. Panic Shack, a five piece indie-punk rock band from Cardiff who built up a reputation for their raw, unapologetic live shows and off-kilter songs. Jockstrap, a two piece from a new wave of pop acts who refuse to confine themselves to any single genre.
With plenty of live music on offer from venues all across the city their is sure to be something to keep you entertained….and who knows you may just find your new favourite band. (MS)
Slam Dunk Festival
25th May – Hatfield
26th May – Leeds
Slam Dunk Festival kicks off at Hatfield Park (South) on the 25th of May, and Temple Newsam Leeds (North) on the 26th. Running for seventeen years, the festival can be described as Warped Tour‘s cousin. The festival offers the British public a slice of all the fun that the US had for years and it continues to go from strength to strength. Slam Dunk has grown so much that the event organisers upgraded the sites to where they are currently due to the overwhelming number of fans trying to get tickets.
Of course, the biggest thing about this year’s Slam Dunk is that it will be You Me At Six‘s last festival performance as the band announced their disbanding earlier this year. As one of the first festivals to put the band on their bill, the band will give the crowd a night to remember as they go out with a bang. The band and Slam Dunk have a long history together and their set will not disappoint.
Slam Dunk reminds many people of the early 2000s pop-punk era that reigned the airwaves. With a dash of nostalgia, Slam Dunk is a great place to be. A lot of people bring their kids to this, it speaks volumes about the community that is harvested at this festival. This year is jam-packed with many fantastic bands on this year’s line-up. With the likes of Honey Revenge, Set It Off, Asking Alexandria, Waterparks, Bob Vylan, Goldfinger, Snuff and many more. (JL)
Rock Am Ring
7th to 9th June
Nürburgring
The legendary Rock am Ring, which takes place every year on the Nürburgring motorsports complex in Nurburg, is back on the second weekend of June with an explosive line up! Starting with German rock legends Die Arzte as Friday headliners featuring American rock royalty Avenged Sevenfold and Queens of the Stone Age; passing through the incredible Enter Shikari and Scene Queen – trend setters in acceptance and community in their scene. Saturday sees punk legends such as Green Day and Canadian rockers Billy Talent close the night. On the same day, Babymetal and Bad Omens will undoubtedly draw a younger audience into what looks like a great day for everyone’s taste with The Interrupters and Against The Current leading the way of the most exciting bands to catch. And finally, Sunday night will see Italian rock stars Maneskin close the festival with what we can imagine will be an explosive performance! To be preceded by the incredible, Australian metalcore band Parkway Drive that will leave the crowd astounded by their famous fire-fuelled production. For Slipknot aficionados who want to get a taste of what’s coming later in the year to the UK, Corey Taylor will take the stage with his solo project. Also worth keeping an eye on British talents Heriot, While She Sleeps and Malevolence. Rock am Ring feels stronger than ever, with a diverse line up that caters to rock fans of all kinds. This is a festival that can’t be missed! (MP)
Download Festival
14th to 16th June
Donington Park
The hallowed gates of Donington Park welcomes the coming-of-age 21st birthday of the Download Festival this summer as the famous turf rolls out the rock and metal carpet for a number of big hitters – including a pair of first time headliners. Queens of the Stone Age and Fall Out Boy have been handed the keys as the headline acts on the first two nights on the hallowed site of Download with metal masters Avenged Sevenfold completing a mud hole stomping, bone rattling trio of must see acts at the top of the bill.
For us as life long rock and metal devotee, Download is the most hallowed of all UK festivals and as always we’re counting down the weeks to spend a trio of bourbon and bopping days in the rock’n’roll trenches. Further down the bill nu-metal legends Limp Bizkit are back and their outrageously entertaining live set and we defy ANYONE to not bob and sway when their set cranks through the gears and the undeniable bangers. The magnificent Creeper, punk legends The Offspring, Wheatus, and the metal hybrid masters Babymetal ensure there is something for everyone. Back for the second year in a row are the madcap Electric Callboy. In last year’s preview we tipped them as a ‘must see’ and not to say we told you so but ‘we told you so.’ Their set was one of last year’s most jam packed and unforgettable performances and it is no surprise a band which expertly meshes happy hardcore and metal riffs together like peanut butter and jelly. If you missed them last year, don’t dare do it this time as they have been moved out of the tent and onto the Opus Stage this time around.
And who would have predicted noughties’ pop icons Busted would grace the Donington turf? This is not a drill and we can’t wait to go to the ‘Year 3000’ with Charlie, Matt and James. With just over 40 days and 40 nights until Donington Park welcomes us all back into her warm embrace we are studying set clashes, and plotting another weekend in music paradise. Till then, horns ready, wellies and converse looked out and we’ll see in the promised land on June 14. (EM)
Isle Of Wight
20 to 23rd June
Newport
Isle of Wight Festival has been around for over half a century, and there’s a good reason for that. The festival is an all-rounder, with something for everyone which really is no surprise then that thousands upon thousands of people head to the island every Summer for this annual 3-day long party. It’s seen musical legends like Jimi Hendrix, The Who, Amy Winehouse, David Bowie and Jay-Z grace the stage, and this year, more of the worlds biggest names in music are coming along for the ride, and numerous rising stars join them. For the rockers you’ve got The Prodigy, Blossoms, Venus Grrrls, Feeder, and the punk-rock kings themselves, hailing all the way from the USA, Green Day ending the weekend with a bang, headlining Sunday night’s main stage. For the indie kids, you’ve got Corella, Swim School, Wunderhorse, Pet Shop Boys and many more gracing the stages, and for the people here for the pop party vibe with a dash of nostalgia, there’s a whole load of the best of British popstars like Caity Baser, McFly, S Club, Scouting For Girls, Jessie J and more global superstars (we’re looking at you Zara Larsson and Natalie Imbruglia) just for you… AND you’ve got comedy too. Do we need to go on? (AT)
Hellfest
27th to 30th June
Clisson, France
2000trees
10th to 13th July
Upcote Farm
2000trees been has been a highlight of our summer for many years now and that tradition looks set to continue in 2024. Now in the second year of the festival running as a four-day event means double the chances to see The Xcerts and Dead Pony across the festival weekend, double doses of some of our favourite Scottish bands? What a treat! This year’s festival will be headlined by The Gaslight Anthem (Thursday), The Chats (Friday) who will be performing their first festival headline slot and Don Broco who are closing on Saturday. Across the festival, we’d definitely recommend checking out Palm Reader’s final show, the return of Kids in Glass Houses who we hope will be performing some of this new album which is on the way! alongside some of the best of the rest of the line-up; SNAYX, Cassyette, Crawlers, Bears In Trees, Creeper and Delilah Bon.
By the time Friday night hits, you’ll be guaranteed to be best friends with your neighbours and partying the night away at the infamous silent disco. Hopefully we’ll see you in the Forest for some of the legendary forest sessions where you’ll be in the beautiful surroundings whilst watching incredible live music and stumbling upon your new favourite band. There’s an incredibly special feel about 2000trees, which is hard to explain unless you’ve been fortunate to attend the festival before. If you’re yet to attend, we’d strongly recommend making 2024 the year that changes! (NC)
Truck Festival
26th to 28th July
Hill Farm, Oxfordshire
Deep in the heart of the picturesque Oxfordshire countryside we find, Truck Festival. Now in its 26th year, bigger, bolder and more independent than ever, Truck hosts a verity of performers from indie to alt to dance favourites across its multiple stages. In addition to well-known names and faces, it champions a huge range of up and coming artists, we’re certain The Manatees, Yuke and Mitch Santiago will be coming away with a heap of new fans as well as a whole host of other new exciting talent.
Across the main stages, some acts who we’re particularly excited to see include; Declan McKenna, Bob Vylan, Black Honey and Holly Humberstone. We’ve seen them appearing at festivals and shows in the past and having left us with performances we won’t forget, we cannot wait to see them this summer.
Truck has something for everyone and prides itself on being a safe space for all which is something we’re all about at BTN. We’re sure this height of summer party is not to be missed. Where else would you want to be when you can live out your Saltburn fantasies, singing Murder on the Dancefloor along with 30,000 other people back to Sophie Ellis-Bextor?! Hopefully punters will be wearing slightly more clothes than the characters in the film…But then it is festival season so anything could happen. (CE)
Y Not Festival
2nd to 4th August
Pikehall, Derbyshire
The Y Not Festival has been held at Pikehall since 2007 and has grown year by year with the 2024 line-up looking great. The festival kicks off on Thursday 1st August when Kaiser Chiefs, Scouting For Girls and Dead Pony among other will play sets for those that have bought a Thursday ticket. The Allotment stage will also showcase some up and coming bands such as The Crooks and The Institutes. Friday is the first full day of Y Not and The Big Gin stage will be headlined by Irish rockers Snow Patrol while Jake Bugg (The Quarry) and The Mysterines (Giant Squid) also headline. The Kooks, The Lottery Winners and Irish sensations NewDad are also ones we are looking forward to. The Big Gin stage will be the place to be on Saturday with Jamie T and Declan McKenna joined by Scottish band The Snuts, Pale Waves and The Academic. Frank Turner and Glasvegas are also on the Saturday bill on the other stages. Sunday is one not to be missed as Noel Gallagher and The Vaccines headline the main stage with Katy B and Dylan John Thomas over at the Quarry Stage. Bob Vylan brings his full-on show to the Giant Squid stage alongside English Teacher and HotWax who are both gaining in popularity. This will be a fantastic weekend of music with something for everyone’s music taste and we can’t wait until August! (AB)
Boardmasters
7th to 11th August
Newquay
Returning for its 2024 edition, Boardmasters festival is coming back to Watergate Bay in Cornwall for an eclectic mix of artists and bands from around the UK and the world. After previously headlining the Newquay festival in 2017, Stormzy makes his return to the main stage. Joining him on it is the guitar driven Wunderhorse, who also appeared in last year’s edition of the festival and graced the second stage, the Land of Saints.
Northern powerhouse Sam Fender is also making his return to the south west but this time as a headliner. Fender has performed on almost every stage at Boardmasters over the years so headlining the main stage is the natural progression for him. Across the field headlining the Land of Saints stage is Maisie Peters, the young pop singer-songwriter who is fresh off her UK tour in support of her second album.
Speaking of new releases, we can’t wait to see Tors, Declan McKenna and Willie J Healey who will be performing across the weekend we can’t wait to hear their new releases in a massive festival setting. Boardmasters is known as one of the largest festivals in the country and people come from all over to see their favourite artists at this picturesque location. We are sure the warm summer heat will bring massive crowds to watch the eclectic line-up this August. (JD)
Victorious Festival
23rd to 25th August
Portsmouth
Taking place over August bank holiday weekend, Victorious is perfectly placed on Southsea Common. We love that the festival truly caters for everyone including with Russell Howard, Groove Armada (DJ Set) bringing the party on the Beats & Swing stage and the acoustic stage bringing a little intimacy to the festival. Bringing some of the biggest names to Portsmouth including Common Stage headliners with Fatboy Slim and Snow Patrol co-headlining on Friday, Jamie T on Saturday and Biffy Clyro on Sunday. Across the line-up you can see IDLES, The Royston Club, Nieve Ella, CMAT, Holly Humberstone, James Bay, The Hunna and so many more.
The vibe on the common is electric across the weekend, make sure to take some time out of your busy schedule to explore as you might stumble upon the World Music Village, the kids arena to keep the little music lovers entertained or one of the afternoon special guests including none other than Tom Walker on Saturday which make Victorious such a memorable weekend. If you want to see some of the biggest names across a variety of genres, all whilst breathing in the fresh sea air then we’d definitely head to Victorious. (NC)
End Of The Road
29th August to 1st September
Larmer Tree Gardens
Burn It Down
30th to 31st August
Torquay
Burn It Down Festival is back! The South West’s largest indoor festival is returning to Torquay for another year. Burn It Down is an alternative music festival based across three different venues, including The Foundry, The Apple and Parrot and The Attic. All three venues are located on the same street, just a couple minutes’ walk between each other. This makes it the perfect place for an indoor festival, allowing you to run across to each venue to catch all the artists you want to see! The intimate venue-based festival creates an electric atmosphere and great energy, no matter what band you are catching! The festival is based over two days, this year it is on Friday 30th and Saturday 31st August.
The English rock band, Creeper, are taking to the stage as this year’s Saturday headliners. There is great anticipation over Friday’s headliner as it is still to be announced! The festival show cases some of the most current hardcore, rock and alternative artists. Some of the line-up includes Lake Malice, Caskets, Graphic Nature, Saint Agnes and Lauran Hibberd. It’s not one to miss with so many established and upcoming artists to catch over the two days. Being based in the heart of the seaside town of Torquay, it’s the perfect way to end the summer. (SaG)
Which festivals will you be heading to? Tweet us @BringTheNoiseUK and let us know!
Written by: Martin Smith, Jo Lisney, Maryleen, Eric Mackinnon, Alia Thomas, Caitlyn Ebsworthy, Alan Brown, Jack Delve, Nicola Craig, Stu Garneys, Kevin O’Sullivan and Sara Getson
