Our Guide to London Summer Festivals
Forget Coachella and Glastonbury - don your wellies and head to the best London summer festivals below
In a city as diverse as London, it's no surprise that its music scene thrives with different genres and colourful crowds. Whether you're tuning into the heaviest electronic music, jamming to Afropunk beats or crooning along to whatever's dominating the pop charts, there's something for everyone and each outing promises an experience like no other. Check out our guide to the best London Summer Festivals you won't want to miss this year!
Image via Field Day London
Field Day
Take to London's lush green lawns and head to Victoria Park, where the alternative music festival Field Day is hosted. This year, they've added a new massive indoor stage called The Barn with Aphex Twin dominating its speakers alongside Flying Lotus, Nicolas Jaar and Nina Kravitz. You're unlikely to find anything remotely near the realm of poppy top 40s, so expect hipsters, artisan street food and a whole array of enviable outfits throughout the day. Dates: 3 June
Image via Wireless Festival
Wireless Festival
As one of the best London summer festivals, Wireless' line-up serves up a dose of urban, pop and dance music in Finsbury Park. It always attracts some of the biggest names in the business with past performers including Daft Punk, Deadmau5, Kendrick Lamarr and more tearing up their multiple stages. This year's performers have just been announced with Chance the Rapper, Skepta and The Weeknd headlining - plus a cheeky bit of Sean Paul for an early 2000s throwback. Dates: 7-9 July
Image via Lovebox Festival facebook
Lovebox Festival
While Glastonbury might be the best known British festival, London's own Lovebox festival is certainly a contender. With over ten years adding a splash of colour and bringing some of the coolest musical talents to the city, this festival runs over two days and this year's line-up is a doozy. The names and faces at this year's event include Frank Ocean, Solange, Jamie XX, Jess Glynne, Mac Miller amongst others - you'll want to get your tickets for this one quickly. Dates: Saturday-Sunday, 14-15 July
Image via Afropunk facebook
Afropunk Fest
Celebrate the power of African culture and its modern revolutionary spirit at Afropunk Fest. Originating in the US, this vibrant festival had its first UK edition last year and is returning for another round in July full of live music, dancing and food. While this year's programme hasn't been announced yet, last year's line-up included the likes of Grace Jones and Laura Mvula and we've got high hopes for this year's return. Dates: 22-23 July
Image via South West Four Festival facebook
Southwest Four
Named for the postcode that this event is held in, Southwest Four is the electro darling of London's music scene this year and demands hours of dancing from its festival goers. Combining established musicians with exciting up-and-comers, this year Deadmau5, Knife Party, Sam Feldt, Duke Dumont and Laidback Luke are just a few of the artists tearing up the decks this year. The fact that it coincides with a bank holiday promises two wild days of partying. Dates: Saturday-Sunday, 26-27 July