Rejoice! Summer has finally arrived (yes, we know) - meaning it's time to dig out the tent from the garden shed and pack up your wellies, sleeping bag, loo rolls and that all-important poncho and experience all manner of audio treats on offer at this year's music festivals. With more than 100 across the country to choose from and Download, Isle of Wight and Rockness due to kick off this weekend, we've selected our favourite 15 festivals worth checking out this year. GlastonburyWhen is it? 22-26 JuneWhere? Somerset, Worthy FarmWho's playing?: Coldplay, U2, Beyonce, Tinie Tempah, Plan B, The Vaccines, Kaiser Chiefs, Cee Lo Green, Robyn, Hurts.How much does it cost? Weekend £195What to expect: As the UK's flagship music festival, this year boasts another impressive trio of headliners - one of which we hear could be joined by Glasto alumni Jay-Z. Expect to lose yourself amongst its twelve headline stages, and given it's celebrating its 40th birthday, a helluva lot of boozing. Hop FarmWhen is it? 1-2 JulyWhere? Kent, The Hop FarmWho's playing? Prince, The Eagles, The Human League, Death Cab For Cutie, Morrissey, Lou Reed, Bryan Ferry How much does it cost? Weekend £130, day £70What to expect: With a no branding, no sponsorship philosophy, Hop Farm plays host to rock legends as well as up 'n' coming bands, catering for the seasoned festival-goer.LoveboxWhen is it? 15-17 JulyWhere? London, Victoria ParkWho's playing? Snoop Dogg, Blondie, Kelis, Beth Ditto, Robyn, Wombats, ExampleHow much does it cost? Three-day ticket £99, day ticket £28.50-£48.50What to expect: Set in the trendy surroundings of East London, Lovebox boasts an oh-so-trendy lineup of underground artists as well as big name stars.Reading/Leeds FestivalWhen is it? 26-28 AugustWhere? Reading, Richfield Avenue and Leeds, Bramham ParkWho's playing? My Chemical Romance, Muse, The Strokes, Pulp, Patrick Wolf, Thirty Seconds To Mars, Two Door Cinema Club, Friendly FiresHow much does it cost? Weekend camping £199.50, day £89.50What to expect: A long-time staple of the festival season, the simultaneously held contemp-rock shows have another stellar lineup planned for the August bank holiday. T in the ParkWhen is it? 8-10 JulyWhere? Kinross-shire, Scotland Who's playing? Arctic Monkeys, Foo Fighters, Coldplay, Swedish House MafiaHow much does it cost? Weekend camping £180, day £65-75What to expect: The Scottish festival's lineup has improved tenfold in the last few years, but it has always provided a successful blend of rock, indie and pop across its 11 stages, as well as a host of off-piste activities. The Big ChillWhen is it? 4-7 AugustWhere? Herefordshire, Eastnor CastleWho's playing? Kanye West, Chemical Brothers, James Blake, Empire of the Sun, Jessie JHow much does it cost? Weekend £165What to expect: Founded in 1994, The Big Chill's popularity has escalated over the past few years since settling in its rural surroundings of Herefordshire. Bringing together a collection of popular and alternative music acts, it prides itself on its artistic diversity.SonisphereWhen is it? 8-10 JulyWhere? Hertfordshire, Knebworth HouseWho's playing? Metallica, Biffy Clyro, Limp Bizkit, Megadeath, SlipknotHow much does it cost? Weekend camping £190, non-campers £155What to expect: Now in its third year, this heavy metal festival which tours across Europe boasts its biggest and most impressive lineup yet. Global GatheringWhen is it? 29-30 JulyWhere? Stratford Upon-AvonWho's playing? Pendulum, Eric Prydz, Ms Dynamite, Annie Mac, Skream & BengaHow much does it cost? Weekend £99, day £62.50What to expect: Global Gathering has become one of the biggest dance festivals in the world, winning a number of 'Best UK Festival' accolades over the years. Host to hundreds of acts and over 16 stages, expect the best in house, trance and dubstep music, making it one for serious ravers.V FestivalWhen is it? 20-21 AugustWhere? Chelmsford, Hylands Park and Staffordshire, Weston Park Who's playing? Eminem, Arctic Monkeys, Rihanna, Plan B, RazorlightHow much does it cost? Weekend with camping £175, day £83.50What to expect: The UK's most commercial music festival features all the major top 40 artists, including headliners Eminem and Rihanna. Perhaps they'll find time to perform that duet? OxegenWhen is it? 7-10 JulyWhere? Ireland, Punchestown RacecourseWho's playing? Foo Fighters, Arctic Monkeys, Coldplay, The Strokes, Black Eyed Peas, Deadmau5How much does it cost? Weekend camping £200, non-campers £178What to expect: Often touted as Ireland's Glastonbury, Oxegen has expanded year on year and sports strong lineups to crowds of 90,000 people. It's also one of the greenest festivals in the world, now a 100% carbon neutral event.CreamfieldsWhen is it? 27-28 AugustWhere is it? Cheshire, DaresburyWho's playing? Katy B, Armin Van Buuren, Calvin Harris, Eric Prydz, Dirty South, Diplo, Magnetic ManHow much does it cost? Three day pass £135, two day pass £115 What to expect: Hosted by Liverpool's infamous Cream night club, Creamfields is a premier dance festival that pulls together a lineup of DJs and live acts to perform in front of thousands. Whistles, glow sticks and UV body paint are the event's must-have accessories.LatitudeWhen is it? 14-17 JulyWhere? Suffolk, Henham ParkWho's playing? Suede, Paolo Nutini, Anna Calvi, Foals, My Morning JacketHow much does it cost? Weekend camping £177, day £77What to expect: Latitude prides itself on being more than just a music festival, offering a cultural ensemble that consists of theatre, politics, cabaret, dance and literature...though the lineup isn't half bad either, right? WirelessWhen is it? 1-3 JulyWhere? London, Hyde ParkWho's playing? Black Eyed Peas, Tinie Tempah, Ke$ha, Chase & Status, Bruno Mars, Pulp, Grace JonesHow much does it cost? Weekend £101, day £55What to expect: One of London's biggest music festivals, Wireless includes a range of rock, pop and R&B acts currently gracing the upper echelons of the charts. With easy access to Hyde Park and thousands of hotels surrounding the event, it's the perfect festival for those with a phobia of camping. Lounge on the FarmWhen is it? 8-10 JulyWhere? Canterbury, Merton FarmWho's playing? The Streets, Ellie Goulding, Example, Everything Everything, The Vaccines, The Joy FormidableHow much does it cost? Weekend £105, day £45What to expect: Since its humble beginnings in 2006, Lounge on the Farm has expanded over the last few years due to increasing popularity. That said, its organisers remain true to the festival's roots, taking a non-conformist approach to the event's lineup by continuing to promote the best music that Kent has to offer.BestivalWhen is it? 8-11 SeptemberWhere? Isle of Wight, Robin Hill Country ParkWho's performing? Pendulum, PJ Harvey, Public Enemy, Primal ScreamHow much does it cost? Weekend camping £170What to expect: The ultimate closer of the festival season, Bestival is a mix of rock, dance, indie, folk and funk. Be sure to dig out your favourite afro wig/weave, as this year's fancy dress theme is rock stars and divas.
Credit: Digital Spy
