However, looking at a number of 2023 UK festivals, there’s a creeping sense of uniformity. Not only are many of the medium-to-large festivals – the likes of
Kendal Calling,
Standon Calling,
Y Not,
Truck,
Tramlines – offering only minor variations on one another’s lineups, but elsewhere music is beginning to look like an increasingly secondary, or perfunctory, addition. With fancy food and drink, talks, wellness, and a host of other curated experiences becoming the norm, many music festivals are feeling more akin to a lifestyle retreat, large-scale street food market, academic conference, or neighbourhood street party in a leafy affluent suburb.
Kite festival’s mix of music and ideas means you may bump into a post-debate Michael Gove or John Major on your way to Suede or Hot Chip.
How the Light Gets In offers philosophy breakfasts, debates and talks alongside cabaret and performances from Groove Armada and Belle and Sebastian. At festivals such as
Pub in the Park and Alex James’s
Big Feastival, you can check out everyone from Judge Jules to Toploader and Craig David while you sample food, wines and cooking demos from the Hairy Bikers, Ainsley Harriott and DJ BBQ who has apparently coined the term “Catertainment”, “bringing food, fun and energy to his live cooking appearances.”
