Which festival to go to this summer according to your vibe

Life was simpler in 2009 when it was either Reading or Leeds for a lot of pissing in cups and shouting “butt scratchaaa”. But festivals aren’t all getting fingered in a field these days – this is 2015, and there’s a lot to consider.

How wavey will it be? Can I get my boobs out or do I have to put stickers on them? Do I run the risk of seeing Rudimental again?

You’re going to need help choosing a “boutique” festival – here’s our guide on which ones to go to.

BoomTown

 Matterley Estate, Winchester | 13th – 16th August | £120 – £155

They call BoomTown the “UK’s maddest city”. It’s actually completely insane. City is pretty accurate too, the sprawling festival is split into “districts”, – each quite mad.

If you’re one of those people who gets scared and says “I listen to a bit of everything” then go here – it really literally does have everything.

Groove

22nd August | Loch Ness | £55 day ticket, £75 camping

Ever been to Loch Ness? It’s pretty beaut.

A few clever people have had the smart idea to throw up a stage, bring in a load of speakers and have a mad dance festival on Scotland’s most iconic loch.

We’re excited to see their debut festival unfold, they’ve already announced some sweet DJs on their lineup and they’ve got a winner with the location.

It’s only a day festival but if you pay a little extra, you can set up camp which probably equates to a sick after party. Nice.

Get yer tickets here.

Bestival

 10th – 13th September | Robin Hill Park, Isle of Wight | £186 for students

Obviously you’ve heard it, and it needs no introduction, but Rob da Bank’s award-winning festival is a great way to toast the end of your summer. It’s been said that Bestival is the “Disneyland of music festivals”, and you can see why, the four days are jam-packed with some amazing things to see, hear and do. Not for those who are too shy for dressing up.

Tickles your fancy? Absolutely.

Born & Bred

6th June 2015 | Haggerston Park, Shoreditch, London | £20 – £55

From the founders of Found festival, Born and Bred is an intimate one-day city festival in East London championing true London sounds. Wiley, Goldie, Zinc and Joker are among the local talent to hit the stages. It’s cheap too – second release tickets are going for £30. You can wear your bucket hat to this.

Common People

23rd – 24th May | Southampton Common, Southampton | £50 for students

2015 will be Common people’s first year, so we don’t know much about it except it’s from the guys that put on Bestival, so it’s going to be sick. There’s not much else to say apart from: Fatboy Slim.

Funk soul brother, check it out now.

End of the Road

4th – 6th September | Larmer Tree Gardens, Dorset | £195

Hey, it’s okay if you’re really not that into house music. The best way to describe this indie rock, folk type festival is pleasant. It’s not just about the music either, they also throw together a range of different arts, there’s comedy, cinema, interesting pop-ups and secret shows.

It’s not just the happy crowd that enjoy themselves at End of the Road, The Larmer Tree Garden’s peacocks strut around the place. Check it out here.

Everywhere Festival

3rd May | Various venue, Nottingham | Last release £41.25

This one’s going to be quite large. Everywhere Festival is brought to you by dollop and is back in Nottingham with some absurd names like Cyril Hahn, Route 94, Joy Orbison and Hannah Wants. Even better, you don’t have to wait long – it all kicks off on May 3rd Bank Holiday and there’s still even more acts to be announced. If you’re quite cool and like electronic music this is one of the best events you will go to this year. For more info and tickets, click here.

Farr Festival

16th-18th July | Bygrave Woods, Hertfordshire | £85

Farr Festival started as a party for a group of mates, they bashed together a stage from some broken-down caravan in the middle of the woods and had a good time. Six years on and it’s sprawled into one of the leading boutique festivals in the UK. They like to keep this edgy little gem small to retain it’s “magic”. Can’t say we blame them, it keeps it special. “Where do I get my ticket?” Here.

Found

13th June | Brockwell Park, London | £35

For those people that can’t really face two or three-night benders, there’s Found. It’s just Saturday so you can spend your Sunday nursing yourself and thinking about which other festys you’re going to, because boy will this put you in the mood. It’s got the feel (and acts) of a big festival but it’s actually quite small. Take a look.

Gottwood

11th – 14th June | Carreglwyd, Anglesey | £125

Gottwood hosts a plethora of DJs for people really into Soundcloud and it’s perfect if you want to show you’re the real deal when it comes to some “sick house sets”. This hidden little party is also located in the middle of some woods. Vibesy.

Click here for tickets.

Hijacked Festival

30th May | Powderham Castle, Exeter | £34

Back for its second helping at nearly double the size of last year, Exeter’s Hijacked Festival have rustled up a tantalising mix of big names and local talent, soaked in a delicious dose of Devon sunshine. TEED headline a diverse bill of house, techno and reggae faves. Keep an eye out for the punch Nanci & Phoebe pack, and hope for another bombastic set from Oslo resident Aerial.

If you’re secretly a bit posh and want to know what “this whole house music thing” is about, you’ve come to the right place.This one is a fatty.

Mouth of Tyne

10-12th July  | Tynemouth and Priory Castle | £32.45

Have you ever been to a festival in a castle. This year’s old school music celebration of the North East takes place within a pretty sweet one with and features headliners Paul Heaton & Jacqui Abbot, The Specials and Motown legends Martha Reeves & The Vandellas. There are still a few tickets left here.

No Tomorrow

6th – 7th June | Wollaton Park, Nottingham | £65

Now, we’ve always thought Bruce Wayne was a bit of a recluse, but luckily for us, he seems to have changed his tune and allowed Wayne Manor to host this awesome no camping festival. Ok, so that’s not strictly true, it’s just the setting for his home in the films but you can see just how sweet the location is. They’ve put on a selection of wacky and wonderful attractions around the awesome lineup – look out for “Bearded Kitten Games”.

Go on, treat yourself.

Parklife

6th – 7th June | Heaton Park, Manchester | £89.50

It can be quite rainy in Manchester and last year Parklike was battered with rain, mud was churned up by the masses. It was absolute carnage and everyone loved it. It’s basically a far cry from the twee garden party festivals that everyone’s into at the moment – I don’t know if you’ve heard, but people up North know how to absolutely have it. There’s no doubt that this year’s line-up is the best so far, so you’ll probably want to get some tickets.

Red Rooster

6th – 7th June | Euston Hall, Suffolk | £50.00+BF

Set in the idyllic grounds of Euston Hall, Suffolk, Red Rooster oozes laid back summer vibes and has the music and food to match. Imagine yourself eating renowned Texas BBQ wings while listening to the smooth sounds of R&B and blues. Acts include Kitty, Daisy and Lewis and CW Stoneking. Get your tickets here.

Secret Garden Party

23rd – 26th July | Abbots Ripton, Cambridgeshire  

Summer’s worst kept secret has a lot going for it. Most importantly, it’s officially got the fittest crowd in the UK, but it’s also got some pretty impressive acts this year, including Jungle. The vibes are quirky yet casual – this is the sort of place where you get naked and stumble through portaloos that lead into secret sunflower fields. Think all the good bits of Glastonbury but without all the walking.

SummerTyne Americana Festival

17th – 19th July | Sage Gateshead, Gateshead

What’s your Dad up to this summer? Why not take him to the country’s finest American roots music festival on 17th July. The weekend presents a strong seam of southern soul, blues and gospel alongside a sensational cast of country, rock and Americana stars. Acts announced include Emmylou Harris & Rodney Crowell and Rosanne Cash (he will have heard of them.) Tickets go on sale 1st April.

T in the Park

10th – 12th July | Strathallan Castle, Perthshire | £194

If you’ve ever wondered what the “T” in T in the Park stands for, it’s for Tennents Lager. They founded this massive festival back in 1994.

Anything put together by a brewery will be a laugh. Well, 85,000 people seem to think so.

Fancy Dress Friday is something to look out for, if that’s not your cup of tea you’re lying to yourself, everyone loves a good get up. Here you go.

The Social

12th September | Mote Park, Kent | £44.50

Seth Troxler, Jamie Jones, Richie Hawtin. Don’t be a dick.

We are FSTVL

30th – 31st May | Upminster, London | £110

Like most names with vowels missed out, FSTVL is set to be pretty big. You don’t have sleep over at this city festival, and Hannah Wants has her own stage to organise this year, aptly named “What Hannah Wants”. Get your tickets here.

Wild Life

6th – 7th June | Brighton City Airport, Brighton | £108.90

Top blokes Disclosure and Rudimental have played at so many festivals they thought they might as well set up their own. Disclosure’s Wild Life began in September 2014 as a string of East London parties, which exploded into events all over the world. So less than a year later they thought they’d spin it into a festival with the help of Rudimental. And it’s in an airport for god sake. Tickets on sale now.