London festivals 2023: Your guide to the best music festivals in the capital
Evening Standard
28/03/2023
From Wireless to British Summer Time, London’s festivals cater to a broad spectrum of tastes. So, we’ve compiled a list of some of the most unmissable music festivals coming up this summer – so you don’t miss any!
Here’s a run-down of the best music festivals in the capital:
Brick Lane Jazz Festival
A three-day showcase of all things jazz, the Brick Lane Jazz Festival returns to east London with some of the most exciting names in the genre, spread across multiple venues.
Where? Various venues, London
When? April 14-16
Who’s on the line-up? Tenderlonious, Ashley Henry, Reuben James, Seed., Bel Cobain, Camilla George, Goya Gumbani, Steam Down Presents, Nu Civilisation Orchestra
Tickets: Day Passes from £29, bricklanejazzfestival.com
Printworks Closing Weekend
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(Handout / Printworks)
One of London’s most iconic venues, based in the Evening Standard’s former printing press, Printworks hosts its final weekend of festivities before its closure, with a blowout that already has the capital talking. Expect a big line-up for a fitting send off.
Where? Printworks, London
When? April 28 - May 1
Who’s on the line-up? TBC
Tickets: TBC, printworkslondon.com
Brixton Disco Festival
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(Luke O'Brien)
Spread across multiple venues throughout Brixton, the one-day event will showcase some of the pioneering names of the disco movement.
Where? Various venues, London
When? April 29
Who’s on the line-up? House Gospel Choir (Live), Dimitri From Paris, Crazy P Soundsystem, Craig Charles Funk & Soul Show, Young Pulse and many more acts announced.
Tickets: from £39.55, skiddle.com
Project 6
Aimed at lovers of all things drum & bass, this new festival, headed by Outlook Festival and Undivided, showcases the movers and shakers in D&B and jungle as well as wider genres.
Where? Brockwell Park, London
When? May 26
Who’s on the line-up? Ama, Calibre, D Double E, Darwin, Dexta, Dillinja, Diverge, DJ Flight, DJ Hype, DJ Perception, Fabio & Grooverider and The Outlook Orchestra, Flowdan, Ghetts, Goldie, Kessler, Oneman, P Money, Phase, Pip Millett, SHY FX: SPECIALS, Sicaria, Sir Spyro, and many more acts announced.
Tickets: from £40, project6festival.com
Gala Festival
An independent South London festival that sees big artists spanning multiple genres across dance music.
Where? Peckham Rye Park, London
When? May 26-28
Who’s on the line-up? TBC
Tickets: from £45, ra.co
Wide Awake
A relatively new festival that made its debut on the London scene in 2021, Wide Awake returns with a line-up blend of cutting-edge sounds from psych-rock to classical minimalism.
Where? Brockwell Park, London
When? May 27
Who’s playing? Arooj Aftab, Osees, Gilla Band, Sunset Rollercoasters, Ty Segall and more.
Tickets: from £39.50, wideawakelondon.co.uk
Cross The Tracks
Taking us on a journey through jazz, soul, funk and beyond, the line-up here usually consists of legacy favourites and newer acts.
Where? Brockwell Park, London
When? May 28
Who’s playing? NX Worries (Anderson.Paak & Knxwlegde), Masego, Kelis, Alfa Mist, Giles Peterson, Roy Ayers farewell tour, Ravyn Lenae and many more acts TBA.
Tickets: from £34.50, xthetracks.com
City Splash
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(Handout)
Dedicated to reggae, afrobeats and dancehall, this Brixton festival returns for its third edition.
Where? Brockwell Park, London
When? May 29
Who’s playing? Headliners: Chronixx, Koffee, Shenseea, Skillibeng
Plus acts including Ayra Starr, Big Zeeks, Channel One Max Romeo, Donae’o, Lutan Fyah, Jah Youth and many more acts TBA.
Tickets: from £29.50, city-splash.com
Mighty Hoopla
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(Lee McLean/SWNS)
The LGBTQ-friendly festival always has one of the best vibes in London with a line-up that never takes itself too seriously.
Where? Brockwell Park, London
When? June 3-4
Who’s playing?
Saturday: Kelly Rowland, Aqua, Kelis, Natasha Beddingfield, Rachel Stevens, Beverley Knight, 911, Jamelia, Jayde Adams, Samatha Mumba, Soul II Soul, plus more TBC.
Sunday: Years & Years, Confidence Man, Dagny, Jake Shears, Rachel Stevens, Sophie Ellis-Bextor, Shola Ama, Snap!, Vengaboys, plus more TBC.
Tickets: from £69.50, mightyhoopla.com
Hampton Court Palace Festival
The stunning Hampton Court Palace will play host to a series of concerts over a two-week period, showcasing legendary names in music.
Where? Hampton Court Palace, London
When? June 7-17
Who’s on the line-up? Tom Jones, Soft Cell, Grace Jones, Kool & The Gang, Kaiser Cheifs, Rick Astley, Bjorn Again
Tickets: Various prices, hamptoncourtpalacefestival.com
Lovebox
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(Alamy Stock Photo)
One of London’s showpiece festivals, Lovebox has made Gunnersbury Park its home, and has seen some of the biggest acts in music take the stage, including SZA, Tyler, The Creator and Childish Gambino.
Where? Gunnersbury Park, London
When? July (TBC)
Who’s on the line-up? TBC
Tickets: TBC
Solid Grooves on the Dock
Legendary house music label and events brand Solid Grooves throws a one-off day special at the Dockyards, in what will be their biggest event to date – following a sell-out Printworks event in December.
Where? Dockyards, London
When? July 1
Who’s on the line-up? Jamie Jones, Michael Bibi, Nicole Moudaber and many more artists to be announced.
Tickets: from £40, dockyardslondon.co.uk
BST Hyde Park
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(Gareth Cattermole/Getty Images f)
Always nailed on for the big names, this concert series runs more like a series of mini day festivals, with a headline act and a whole host of support acts.
Where? Hyde Park, London
When? Various dates, July
Who’s playing? Bruce Springsteen, Billy Joel, Gwen Stefani, P!nk, Take That and more to be announced.
Tickets: Various prices, bst-hydepark.com
Somerset House Series
The series of shows has been running since 2003, establishing itself as a mainstay in London’s summer festival season. The summer series returns to the capital, celebrating its 20 year run with eleven nights of performances, showcasing exciting breakthrough talent as well as more established names.
Where? Somerset House, London
When? July 6-16
Who’s playing? La Femme, Gabriels, Greentea Peng + Special Guests, Alison Goldfrapp, Interpol, Olivia Dean, Beabadoobee, Tinariwen, The Comet Is Coming, Young Fathers, Gabzy.
Tickets: from £28.50, somersethouse.org.uk
Community Festival
London’s ultimate indie-rock festival takes on Crystal Palace Park with some of the most recognisable names in the genre.
Where? Crystal Palace Park, London
When? July 7
Who’s on the line-up? Two Door Cinema Club, The Wombats, The Vaccines, Sea Girls, Baby Queen
Tickets: from £54.45, communityfestival.london
Wireless
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(PA)
Wireless expanded to three weekends in 2022, with two events in London and one in Birmingham, but in 2023 it’ll go back to the traditional Finsbury Park weekender.
Where? Finsbury Park, London
When? July 7-9
Who’s on the line-up? Headliners: Playboy Carti, Travis Scott, D-Block Europe, 50 Cent
Plus, huge acts including Lil Uzi Vert, Metro Boomin, Headie One, Bryson Tiller, JoeyBada$$, FLO, Lil Durk, Popcaan, Lil Tjay, GloRilla, Kenny Allstar and more to be announced.
Tickets: Day tickets from £80, full weekend tickets from £230, wirelessfestival.co.uk
Worried About Henry
A showcase of some of the biggest artists in the bass scene, Worried About Henry is renowned for throwing some of the biggest raves in the UK, and the brand expands to host its first ever three-stage festival in the city.
Where? Dockyards, London
When? July 9
Who’s on the line-up? Chase and Status Present: What Came Before, Andy C, Hybrid Minds - Wilkinson, Dimension, Friction, Skepsis - Flava D, Darkzy b2b Zero feat. Window Kid, Jamie Duggan b2b DJ Q, Sub Zero b2b Logan D, DJ Hazard and many more acts announced.
Tickets: from £62.50, dockyardslondon.co.uk
Kew The Music
A glorious week-long festival set within the stunning Royal Botanic Gardens, this is perfect for lovers of scenic views, picnics and classic hits.
Where? Royal Botanic Gardens, London
When? July 11-15
Who’s on the line-up? The Human League, Hacienda Classical, Jack Savoretti, Jools Holland and his Rhythm and Blues Orchestra
Tickets: from £61.25, kewthemusic.org
Kaleidoscope Festival
A relatively new festival, over the last four years Kaleidoscope Festival has built a reputation for being one of London’s best one-day events. With a capacity of 11,000 people, and with dozens of major acts, “London’s highest festival” completely sold out last year, so move fast to get your tickets.
Where? Alexandra Palace Park
When? July 15
Who’s on the line-up? Hot Chip, George Fitzgerald, Gaz Coombes, Elvana, Girls of the Internet, Antony Szmierek, Erol Alkan, Raw Silk, Fabio & Grooverider, Heidi, Wookie, Nina Conti, Shaun Keavney & Joe Lycett, Maisie Adam, Rebel Bingo, Tej Dhutia, Das Brass, Knats and many more.
Tickets: Adult general release, £59.15, children (5-15 years) £33.85, under fives, £10.75, family tickets (2 adults, 2 children) £175; alexandrapalace.com
Junction 2
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(ShotAway)
The popular London festival is back for the first time in four years, following the pandemic and strikes that meant last year’s instalment had to be cancelled. The two-day extravaganza, run by dance promoters LWE, returns to its spiritual home of Boston Manor Park, and with an array of big-name DJs, dancers are ready to get back under the bridge again.
Where? Boston Manor Park, London
When? July 21-22
Who’s playing? Underworld, Jeff Mills, Nina Kraviz, Cirez D (Eric Prdyz), Adam Beyer, Ben UFO, Mall Grab, Charlotte de Witte, Daphni, Helena Hauff, Hunee, Or:la, Enzo Siragusa, Hessle Audio Trio, Midland plus many more
Tickets: Day tickets from £65, weekend tickets from £143 junction2.london
Elrow Town
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(Lawrence Jones)
Bringing the fiesta factor to London, Elrow town provides a full Ibiza experience for Londoners in the form of bright and bold staging as well as colourful carnival acts – with a roster of big names in dance music.
Where? Parsloes Park, London
When? July 22
Who’s on the line-up? TBC
Tickets: from £69.50, elrowtown.com
51st Festival
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(Marc Sethi/51st State Festival)
A one-day festival celebrating the best in dance music, from from classic acts and emerging artists
Where? Copthall Playing Fields, London
When? August 5
Who’s on the line up? Kings of House NYC, Body & Soul, Dimitri from Paris, Roger Sanchez, Todd Terry, DJ Jazzy Jeff, Roy Ayers, Norman Jay, Todd Edwards, Grant Nelson, Heartless Crew, Majestic and many more.
Tickets: from £39.98, 51stfestival.com
Peggy Gou presents Pleasure Gardens
Peggy Gou’s Pleasure Gardens has quickly become an annual early August treat for her fans, with a line-up curated by the renowned DJ herself, featuring big names in dance music.
Where? Finsbury Park, London
When? August 6
Who’s on the line-up? Peggy Gou and many more acts to be announced.
Tickets: from £61.85, skiddle.com
Field Day
This one day event has fast become a favourite of dance music fans, with some of the world’s biggest DJs playing at the East London spot.
Where? Victoria Park, London
When? August 19
Who’s on the line-up? Bonobo and Aphex Twin will be headlining. The line up, which hasn’t yet been fully announced, so far includes Arca, Fever Ray, Kelela, Actress, LSDXOXO, SBTRKT and Moderat.
Tickets: TBC
Hospitality In The Woods
The world renowned drum & bass events brand comes to London for one day, following its Croatian venture in July.
Where? Beckenham Place Park, London
When? August 19
Who’s on the line-up? Netsky, High Contrast, A.M.C Calibre, Roni Size, DJ Marky, Camo & Krooked, Goddard, LTJ Bukem, Metrik and many more acts announced.
Tickets: from £44.25, hospitalityinthewoods.com
All Points East
Spreading across two weekends, All Points East takes over Victoria Park in east London, with some of the biggest names in music across multiple genres.
Where? Victoria Park, London
When? August 19-28
Who’s playing? Headliners: Stormzy, The Strokes, Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Aphex Twin, Bonobo
Stormzy will be headlining the festival. He announced on Twitter, “This is my only UK show next year. We’re taking over Victoria Park for a special day full of incredible artists and music and vibes.”
New York indie rockers The Strokes and Yeah Yeah Yeahs will also be headlining the second weekend of the festival, with stellar support from Girl In Red, Amyl and The Sniffers, Angel Olsen and Black Midi, with more acts to be announced.
Tickets: TBC, allpointseastfestival.com
Eastern Electrics
One of London’s leading dance festivals, Eastern Electrics is a highlight in the calendar of any house and techno music fans, with a line-up packed full of huge names.
Where? Lea Valley Showground, London
When? August 26
Who’s on the line-up? The Martinez Brothers, ARTBAT, Ben Klock, Denis Sulta, Move D, Joris Voorn, Marcel Dettman, Chris Stussy, Crazy P, Mason Collective and many more artists announced.
Tickets: from £35, ra.co
We Are FSTVL
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(Giles Smith)
One of London’s biggest dance music festivals, always with a reliably huge line-up of global DJs, makes plans for its 10th birthday.
Where? Damyns Hall Aerodrome, Upminster
When? August 25-27
Who’s on the line-up? Amelie Lens, Andy C, Annie Mac, Apollina, DJ Seinfeld, Eats Everything, Enzo Siragusa, Example, Honey Dijon, I Hate Models, LF System, Loco Dice, Marco Carola, Michael Bibi, Seth Troxler, Skream and many more acts announced.
Tickets: from £150, wearefstvl.com
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