Nottingham Splendour Festival | Essential Guide
Get to know the city’s biggest summer day out with this essential guide.
With one-day festivals taking the back seat more and more lately in favour of three-day extravaganzas, you would be forgiven for not even considering the possibility of venturing to one this summer: however, you’d also be missing out on the festival named “Best Festival” at the Live Music Business Awards 2016, which coincidentally has a line-up to match those of the aforementioned multiple day festivals (without all the hassle of pitching a tent and remaining un-showered for three or more days!). I am, of course, talking about Nottingham Splendour Festival, which is back for its tenth year and is bigger and better than ever, after enjoying a sell-out crowd of over 21,000 revellers last year. So, what better time to join the party? This is your definitive guide to get to know your new favourite festival…
When is it?
This year, Nottingham Splendour Festival takes place on Saturday 22nd July, so the weather should be amazing. But, this is Britain after all, so bagging your pac-a-mac may be a wise move (no judgement here).
Where is it?
Splendour has remained true to its roots since its founding year in 2008, so this year the festival is back at its annual venue of Wollaton Park, Nottingham: a five-hundred acre stretch of beautiful scenic parkland.
Who is playing?
Splendour’s line-up this year is undeniably impressive: an ambitious collection of performers to match the festival’s ever-growing status. While other festivals seem to enjoy confusing party-goers with far more stages than necessary dotted around the site, inevitably causing them to miss one or more of their favourite acts, Splendour keeps it real (and simple) with just four stages: two for main headliners and performers, one to showcase the best in up and coming or local talent, and one reserved purely for comedy. Makes a refreshing change, doesn’t it?
The main stage (that’s right, no unnecessary fancy name, simply the MAIN stage) is where you’ll (unsurprisingly) find the festival’s major headliners which include the likes of multiple BRIT award winning indie rock band, Kaiser Chiefs (I Predict a Riot at this set), legendary indie pop/rock band Busted, Tony Hadley (of Spandau Ballet fame, sure to give an absolutely GOLD performance), folk singer-songwriter Gabrielle Aplin and Notts local (and hugely talented) girl next door, Georgie. Line-ups like this are truly extraordinary, as they manage to keep each generation of festival-goer happy and entertained; from grandma to grandson (if your grandma is cool enough to be at Splendour, or course).
Splendour’s second stage, the Confetti Stage (this is a fancy name we approve of), is where you’ll find yet more headliners of the event, all providing slightly more unique and niche sounds, like none other than international recording artist Billy Ocean, whose perfect blend of R&B, pop, disco and soul will provide the perfect soundtrack to this incredible day. Alongside Billy will be Brighton based indie rock band British Sea Power, alternative rock group Black Grape, and legendary genre-defining punk rock band, Buzzcocks.
In another effort to remain true to its roots, Splendour Festival gives local up and comers the chance to showcase their amazing (and yet undiscovered) talents in front of what is probably their biggest crowd yet. So, show your support and visit the Acoustic Rooms stage and its top line-up of local artists and emerging talent, including Into the Ark (of The Voice UK fame: anyone who’s had Tom Jones as a mentor is sure to be outstanding, right?), local dub group Unknown Era, acoustic duo Sunflower Thieves, plus many more.
What’s on?
Aside from the huge array of musical talent on offer, the fun doesn’t stop there: there is a whole lot more to do at Splendour. When your eardrums need a rest from thumping basslines and the shrill strum of guitars, head over to the comedy stage, compered by Jim Smallman, and get ready to ROFL with stand-up performances from Barry Dodds, Scott Bennet, Steve Royle and more. The comedy scene at festivals is getting more and more renowned each year, so get involved now and see some stand up stars of the future before their tickets treble in price!
Alternatively, if you’re the life of the party and want to make sure it keeps on going, the Nottingham School of Samba are bringing carnival noise and colour to Splendour this year, against a backdrop of stilt walkers, street dancers, beat boxers and magicians, which will have you up and dancing for sure. Aside from comedy in the courtyard and carnival celebrations, revellers can enjoy local radio station Gem 106’s Weekend Anthems Silent Disco. Who doesn’t love a silent disco, right? Then, when it all gets too much (but not enough to go home) stop for a bit of respite in one of Splendour’s onsite Wind Down Areas, then keep on going.
So, if you fancy living it up at Nottingham’s biggest summer day out, head to http://www.splendourfestival.c om/tickets/ but be quick: Splendour tickets are selling quicker than ever before in the festival’s history, so don’t miss out! See you at Splendour!
By Elise Harvey