No-Camp Festivals This Summer
We missed out on a lot last year. Understatement of the century. Date nights, club nights, going round to your mates for pre’s and not making it out the door… you name it, it didn’t happen.
However, for many of us, what we didn’t miss was camping in a tepee with seven of your smelliest mates, running to the portaloos at 3am to find them all engaged, and waking up on day 4 with a splitting headache and a cold, and no way of getting home. Not everyone is a born camper, and we totally get that.
One of the (only) upsides of last year’s pandemic is that more festivals are going ahead, camp-free. This gives people who otherwise would not be too keen on a festival, the chance to go and experience the glorious madness that is the British summer season. This means that either only day tickets are available, or that a wayyy higher proportion of day tickets can be purchased. No-camp options are perfect for the post-covid world in which we’re living, as it’s easier to be socially distanced, easier to travel to the site, and easier to keep a track of all your mates.
With this is mind, we’ve rounded up our personal favourites going ahead this summer, outside of London. See you there!
1. Parklife, Manchester
Parklife is an absolute classic of the genre. They get the biggest names, in the biggest space, to the biggest audience. Every year, they raise the bar so high other festivals struggle to even touch it. This year is no different with acts including AJ Tracey, Skepta, Jamie XX, Burna Boy, Mabel, Young Thug… I mean, I could go on forever really.
Headlining this year is Megan Thee Stallion, fresh from winning three Grammys this year, and a whole bunch of other awards at the BET awards, the American Music Awards, and the Apple Music Awards.
Also headlining is Disclosure – this dance music duo’s meteoric rise to stardom is only a surprise to people who don’t know who they are. At the 2021 Grammy’s, they were nominated for Best Dance/Electronica album for their ‘Energy’ album and Best Dance Recording for ‘My High’ at the 2021 Grammys.
In a UK festival exclusive, Dave will also be headlining - Dave, repping South London, won the prestigious Mercury prize for his album Psychodrama. He has also recently branched out into acting, receiving love from the fans for his role as Modie in Netflix hit Top Boy.
(Credit: @ticketarena)
Parklife is taking place on Saturday 11th September in Heaton Park, Manchester. Find out more here.
2. MADE Festival, Birmingham
MADE is the biggest festival in England’s second city, Birmingham. If you know any Brummies, then you’ll know about this day fest, as they can’t stop going on about it. If you love D&B, then this is the place for you. This year, acts include Shy FX, Jay 1, High Contrast, Low Steppa, Eli Brown, Flava D, Darkzy… I could go on and on.
Headlining the fest is The Streets, a hip-hip project fronted by Mike Skinner, who created the music project The Streets with an everyman approach and the idea of defining a new landscape where homegrown rappers could thrive.
Also on the bill is Sonny Fodera – Fodera is one of dance music’s’ fastest-growing acts in the world. Sonny’s masterful mixing on stage have led to sold-out tours in the UK and across North America, and also to a summer residency at Ibiza Rocks. Sonny became a regular fixture at major festivals all around the world including Coachella, EDC Vegas and Tomorrowland.
MADE is taking place on the 31st July at Sandwell Valley Country Park in Birmingham. Check it out here.
3. ZEN Fest, Essex
Essex-based day fest, ZEN have already made a huge impact on the house music scene. This years’ line-up is looking incredible, with acts including Max Dean, Pat Wilson, Ryan Resso, DJ Caspa, and Funk Cartel. Richy Ahmed, ANOTR, and Rossi will be headlining this year.
Richy Ahmed is a DJ and producer from South Shields, Newcastle-Upon-Tyne. Ahmed has performed at festivals across Europe, including the infamous Tomorrowland in Belgium, BPM festival in Mexico, and our very own Glastonbury.
ANOTR are an Amsterdam-based duo who are fresh on the scene, having released their summer anthem ‘Strobe’ on Defected records breakout label DFTD in early October 2015. ANOTR have had an enviable spot on the Ibiza summer club scene and have delighted fans with multiple appearances at Amsterdam’s premier Dance Event and have graced the stage of many more international festivals.
Rossi is a seasoned house music veteran, having been in the industry for two decades now. Rossi has rocked exclusive parties and events across the world including cities such as Cape Town, Cyprus, Poland, Zambia, Ibiza, and extensively across Greece’s party islands.
(Credit: @zenfest)
ZEN Fest will take place on 4th September at Kelvedon Hall – click this for deets!
4. Clockstock, Essex
Another Essex fest, Clockstocks is the brainchild of Danny and Andy who founded Clockwork Orange back in ’93, to fill a dance music-shaped hole in the nightlife industry! From humble beginnings in Holborn playing just to their friends and anyone else they could convince to come, Clockwork has expanded over the years and they now have their own festival.
Clockstock has a passionate fanbase, and an incredible line-up this year; the multi-award winning festival has secured a line-up including Amand Van Helden, Gok Wan, Eats Everything, Inner City Live, Kings of Tomorrow, Tall Paul, Seb Fontaine, Julie McKnight Live PA, Fabio, and Harry Choo Choo Romero.
Clockstock will take place on the 18th September at Chelmsford Racecourse. Click here to find out more.
5. Sound City
Last but not least, we have Sound City – Sound City epitomizes the vibrancy of Liverpool, with a line-up stretching over 3 days across the city’s city centre. Sound City sees established names perform alongside a constant stream of local, national and international emerging talent.
Sound City is more than just a festival – it is a philosophy and a way of life. With a digital showcase happening in May, an annual conference for the express purpose of introducing new up-and-coming artists to the public, and a commitment to producing a completely gender balanced line-up by 2022, Sound City are leading the way for other festivals.
This year’s line-up includes Beadadoobee, Red Rum Club, Rejjie Snow, Not3s, Bull, Pretty Sick, L’objectif, Police Car Collective, Sad Boys Club, Stanleys, King No-One, Blondes, Wyldest, Voodoos, Polar States and Rosehip Teahouse – and many many more!
(Credit: @pexels)
Sound City will be taking place from the 1st to the 3rd October in Liverpool - check it out here!
See you guys there!
Words by Rebecca Clayton