It might be the rainiest year since 1674 so far but that hasn’t stopped us putting together a round up of the best North West festivals coming your way this summer. Every year the line ups get bigger and better – and this one is no different. From the mystical Björk at Blue Dot, to the raucous Tyler the Creator at Parklife, 2020 is a biggun’. So get choosing, here’s our pick of the bunch.
What began as a small venture in Manchester is now a festival with a 75,000 capacity, boasting enormous headliners in the shape of Giggs, Skepta and Lewis Capaldi, alongside the usual who’s who of dance music. Read our full festival preview here.
It’d be rude to not include one of Manchester’s most iconic outdoor venues, despite their events resembling gigs a bit more than festivals. However with headliners like Foals (Wednesday 1 July), Crowded House (Thursday 2 July) Kaiser Chiefs (Friday 3 July) and Lewis Capaldi (Wednesday 8 July) on the bill – with stellar support on selected shows from the likes of Everything Everything and Razorlight – it’s a well deserving mention. Performances from Paul Heaton and Jacqui Abbott (Saturday 4 July), DMA’s (Thursday 9 July), The Streets (Friday 10 July) and Hacienda Classical (Saturday 11 July) round out the bill.
Cheshire’s finest festival brings 15,000 people to Jodrell Bank Observatory for three days every July for its unique brand of futuristic and science-focused acts. You’d have thought their team might give up trying to complete that brief after Kraftwerk brought their amazing 3D live show to the festival last year – but with Björk, Groove Armada and Metronomy all scheduled for this year’s event, 2020 looks set to be one of Blue Dot’s biggest yet. Read our full festival preview here.
The beautiful Lowther Deer Park has been rudely disturbed since 2006 by this musical call to arms. It’s no different this year, with the Brit Award winning Foals, R&B legend Craig David and indie rockers Stereophonics in charge of waking up the entire Lake District in late July.
Sheffield’s inner-city shindig always packs a punch and we’re sure many of you Mancunians will be heading over this July to get your Stone Roses fix – the one and only Ian Brown is headlining, not forgetting Sister Sledge, Dizzee Rascal and Madness.
- Words:
- Leo Burrell
- Published on:
- Thu 27 Feb 2020
A rocky addition to the calendar, Slam Dunk began in 2006 and is a mecca for all things metal, pop-punk and new wave emo. This year’s May Bank Holiday one-dayer sees Don Broco and Sum 41 headline, with appearances from the likes of While She Sleeps and punk legends NOFX alongside Trash Boat, Knuckle Puck and countless other alternative acts.