THE JOURNAL
Mr Trevor Nelson on stage at The Cambridge Club Festival, 2022. Photograph by Mr Garry Jones, courtesy of The Cambridge Club Festival
Festival season is fast approaching, and if you’re wondering what to book to avoid finding yourself in the middle of a moshpit or surrounded by ravers half your age, then you’ve come to the right place. From Meadows in the Mountains, a wellbeing, art and music celebration in the valleys of Bulgaria’s Rhodope Mountains, to the world’s largest jazz festival in Montréal and Wales’ Green Man independent music, science and arts festival, here are eight that are worth the virtual queue this summer – and some nearby holiday destinations to visit right after.
01.
Meadows in the Mountains, Bulgaria
Baba Yaga stage at Meadows in the Mountains, Polkovnik Serafimovo. Photograph by Mr Jack Pasco, courtesy of Meadows in the Mountains
1-5 June
Now in its 11th year, Meadows in the Mountains is one of Bulgaria’s best-kept secrets. Nestled in the valleys and fields of the country’s Rhodope Mountains, an untouched corner of nature 850m above sea level and just a short hop from the Greek border, the festival celebrates music, visual expression and spiritual wellbeing with four performance stages, art installations and a wellness programme dedicated to spotlighting Bulgarian and Thracian ceremonies and healing traditions.
Where to go on holiday after: the Black Sea beaches are some of the most underrated in Europe – try Burgas, Ahtopol or Nessebar
02.
Primavera Sound Madrid, Spain
Tous stage at Primavera Sound, Barcelona. Photograph by Mr Eric Pamies, courtesy of Primavera Sound
8-11 June
Primavera Sound – one of the biggest city festivals, originally held in Barcelona – is bringing its stages and crowd to Madrid for the first time ever this year. The festival champions environmental responsibility – it uses electricity-powered vehicles, solar panel-supplied energy for stages and other facilities on site – and since 2019, it has pledged gender equality with a 50/50 gender and pronoun split for their line-ups. This year’s acts include Messrs Kendrick Lamar, Loyle Carner, Channel Tres, Depeche Mode and Rosalía.
Where to go on holiday after: Valencia, famous for its Baroque architecture, and Cordoba, renowned for its leather manufacturers and silversmiths, are both less than two hours away on the high-speed train.
03.
Love Supreme, UK
Mr Henry Wu in the Blue in Green Bar at Love Supreme, East Sussex. Photograph courtesy of Love Supreme
30 June – 2 July
A three-day greenfield festival held annually on the first weekend of July in Glynde Place, East Sussex, Love Supreme is home to some of the world’s top jazz, funk and soul acts. Alongside a stellar line-up, which this year includes the likes of Ms Grace Jones, Little Simz, Ms Emeli Sandé and Gabriels among others, you’ll be able to enjoy anything from yoga classes and comedy to artist interviews, panels and film screenings.
Where to go on holiday after: check out Eastbourne’s typical British coastal architecture
04.
XJAZZ, Germany
Magro’s Impulsive Session at Drink & Drunk, XJAZZ! Festival, Berlin. Photograph by Mr Eike Walkenhorst, courtesy of XJAZZ!
8-14 May
If you’re looking for a city getaway without the full festival commitment, XJAZZ is for you. Running during May in Kreuzberg, one of Berlin’s most vibrant districts, the line-up includes a mix of new-comers and seasoned artists. This year, we’re looking forward to seeing Mr Roy Ayers, Ms Nadia Rose, Kokoroko and Alfa Mist among others.
Where to go on holiday after: one of Germany’s visit-worthy gems, Hamburg, is just a couple of hours away on the train – and we’ve got a guide to its best restaurants, too.
05.
Wilderness, UK
The Forum at Wilderness, Oxfordshire. Photograph by Mr Giles Smith, courtesy of Wilderness
3-6 August
Wilderness calls itself a “party like no other. A weekend of escapism, high jinks and wholesome hedonism,” so expect four days of indulgence in music, workshops, talks, culinary experiences and open-air activities against the leafy background of Cornbury Park, Oxfordshire. From world-class acts – including The Chemical Brothers, Fat Boy Slim, Sugababes, Honey Dijon and more – to Victoria & Albert Museum’s Academy DIY fashion workshop, Haus of Fatale’s cabaret and panels with Mr Lloyd Griffith, Ms Munroe Bergdorf and more, the 2023 edition will be one to remember.
Where to go on holiday after: Cornbury Park is just a stone’s throw away from Soho Farmhouse and some of the Cotswolds’ best spa hotels
06.
Montréal International Jazz Festival, Canada
TD Stage at Festival International de Jazz de Montréal, Montreal. Photograph by Mr Frédérique Ménard-Aubin, courtesy of Festival International de Jazz de Montréal
29 June – 8 July
Now at its 43rd edition, the Festival International de Jazz de Montréal is the largest jazz festival in the world, having reached two million attendees over the nine-day-long festivities. Get lost in the streets of the city’s Quartier des Spectacles and experience top-notch performances (a lot of which are free) by some of the world’s best artists – this year, the line-up includes Ms Diana Krall, Thundercat, Mr Vance Joy, Christine and the Queens and many others.
Where to go on holiday after: explore other parts of the city, like the Old Town, or get closer to nature at the Montmorency Falls
07.
Green Man, UK
Mountain Stage at Green Man, South Wales. Photograph by Mr Patrick Gunning, courtesy of Green Man
17-20 August
Held in the Brecon Beacons, Wales, Green Man is an independent festival that encompasses live music, visual and performing arts, science, film, literature and comedy. This year’s line-up features predominantly indie, dance, folk and electronic artists with the likes of First Aid Kit, Spiritualized, The Walkmen, Obongjayar and more.
Where to go on holiday after: immerse yourself in nature in Snowdonia National Park, or don’t miss the country’s famous castles, such as Conwy or Caernarfon
08.
Cambridge Club Festival, UK
The Discovery Den at The Cambridge Club Festival. Photograph by Mr Parri Thomas, courtesy of The Cambridge Club Festival
9-11 June
The Cambridge Club Festival is a three-day journey of disco and discovery held at Childerley Orchard, Cambridge. With a mind, body and soul wellness programme, a line-up of comedy, talks and live podcasts at the Auditorium of Intrigue, after-dark parties at the Discovery Den, feel-good, exclusive spaces to unwind away from festival crowds and Mr Lionel Richie, Ms Grace Jones and Kool & The Gang among the headline acts, this year’s edition is not to be missed.
Where to go on holiday after: venture into town for a visit of the Fitzwilliam Museum, a punting tour or a testing session at the Cambridge Gin Laboratory