The UK is renowned for its vibrant music scene, and dance music festivals are a big part of that. Every year, thousands of music fans flock to these festivals to dance, party, and immerse themselves in the latest sounds from the world of electronic dance music (EDM). From established festivals like Creamfields and Glastonbury to newer events like Eastern Electrics and We Are FSTVL, the UK has something for every dance music fan.
Creamfields
Creamfields is one of the UK’s most iconic dance music festivals, attracting electronic music fans from around the world. Held annually in August in Daresbury, Cheshire, the festival has been a staple of the UK dance music scene since 1998. Creamfields has grown over the years to become one of the biggest dance music festivals in the world, with multiple stages, impressive production values, and a lineup of big-name DJs and underground talent.
History
Creamfields was founded in 1998 by the team behind Liverpool nightclub Cream, which had been a key player in the UK dance music scene since the early 1990s. The first festival was held in Winchester, attracting around 25,000 people. Over the years, the festival has grown in size and reputation, moving to its current location in Daresbury in 2006 and expanding to become a multi-day event.
Location and Stages
Creamfields takes place on a sprawling site in Daresbury, Cheshire, with multiple stages featuring different genres of electronic music. The main stage is where the biggest names in dance music perform, while other stages focus on genres like techno, bass, and house. The festival site also includes a silent disco, chill-out areas, and a funfair. 2023 see two venues, Creamfields North and Creamfields South which are on different weekends.
Lineup
Creamfields is known for its impressive lineup of big-name DJs and underground talent from around the world. Over the years, the festival has hosted some of the biggest names in dance music, including Calvin Harris, Swedish House Mafia, and deadmau5. The festival also features a strong lineup of up-and-coming talent, with many DJs making their breakthrough at Creamfields.
Tickets
Tickets for Creamfields are in high demand and usually sell out quickly. The festival offers a range of ticket options, including standard weekend tickets, camping tickets, and VIP packages. The festival also offers a payment plan, allowing fans to pay for their ticket in installments.
Creamfields is a must-visit for any electronic music fan in the UK. With its impressive lineup, multiple stages, and incredible atmosphere, the festival offers a truly unforgettable experience. Whether you’re a fan of techno, house, bass, or a mix of genres, Creamfields has something for everyone. So gather your friends, book your tickets, and get ready to dance the night away at one of the UK’s best dance music festivals.
Glastonbury Festival
Glastonbury Festival is one of the most iconic music festivals in the world, taking place annually in June at Worthy Farm in Somerset, England. While it’s not exclusively a dance music festival, it always features a strong lineup of DJs and electronic acts, alongside a diverse range of other music genres.
History
The festival was first held in 1970, as a small event on a farm near Glastonbury Tor. Since then, it has grown to become one of the world’s most famous music festivals, attracting over 200,000 people each year. Over the years, the festival has seen performances from some of the biggest names in music, including The Rolling Stones, David Bowie, Beyoncé, and Adele.
Location and Stages
Glastonbury Festival takes place on Worthy Farm, a 900-acre site located near the town of Pilton in Somerset. The festival site is divided into several different areas, each with its own stage and atmosphere. The Pyramid Stage is the festival’s main stage, where the biggest acts perform, while the Other Stage and West Holts Stage also feature a mix of electronic and other genres. The festival also has dedicated dance music areas, including the Silver Hayes and The Glade stages.
Lineup
Glastonbury Festival’s lineup is always highly anticipated, with a diverse range of music acts performing across the festival’s stages. While dance music acts are not the sole focus of the festival, it always features a strong lineup of electronic acts, including DJs and live performers. In recent years, dance music acts such as The Chemical Brothers, Fatboy Slim, and Carl Cox have all performed at the festival.
Tickets
Glastonbury Festival is known for being one of the hardest tickets to get in the music festival world, with tickets selling out within minutes of going on sale. The festival offers several types of tickets, including standard weekend tickets and camping tickets, and also has a range of VIP packages available.
Glastonbury Festival is a unique and unforgettable experience, attracting music fans from all over the world. While not exclusively a dance music festival, it always features a strong lineup of electronic acts, alongside a diverse range of other genres. With its incredible atmosphere, stunning location, and legendary history, Glastonbury Festival is a must-visit for any music fan.
Lovebox
Lovebox is an annual music festival that takes place in July at Victoria Park in London, England. The festival features a mix of electronic and hip-hop music, with an emphasis on emerging talent and established headliners.
History
The festival was founded in 2002 by DJs Groove Armada as a one-day event. It has since grown to become one of London’s biggest music festivals, attracting tens of thousands of music fans each year. The festival has seen performances from a range of music genres, including electronic, hip-hop, and indie.
Location and Stages
Lovebox Festival takes place in Victoria Park, a 213-acre park located in the East End of London. The festival site features several stages, each with its own unique atmosphere. The main stage, Lovebox Live, features headliners and big-name acts, while the Noisey Stage showcases emerging and underground talent. The festival also has a range of other stages and areas, including the Corona Sunsets Stage and the Kopparberg Urban Forest.
Lineup
Lovebox Festival has a reputation for booking a diverse range of acts, including electronic and hip-hop music. Past headliners have included Solange, Childish Gambino, and Frank Ocean. The festival also features a range of up-and-coming talent, with stages dedicated to showcasing emerging artists. In addition to music, Lovebox also has a range of other activities, including cabaret performances, comedy, and food and drink vendors.
Tickets
Tickets for Lovebox Festival typically go on sale in early February, with a range of ticket options available, including standard weekend tickets and VIP packages. The festival also offers single-day tickets for those who can’t attend the entire weekend.
Lovebox Festival is a vibrant and exciting music festival, offering a mix of electronic and hip-hop music alongside a range of other activities. With its central London location, diverse lineup, and emphasis on emerging talent, Lovebox has become one of the UK’s must-visit music festivals.
Parklife
Parklife is an annual music festival that takes place in Heaton Park, Manchester, England. The festival is known for its eclectic lineup, featuring a mix of dance, hip-hop, and pop acts, as well as its vibrant atmosphere and diverse crowd.
History
Parklife Festival was founded in 2010 by a group of Manchester promoters, including The Warehouse Project. The festival began as a one-day event but has since grown to a two-day festival, attracting over 70,000 music fans each year. The festival has seen performances from a range of music genres, including electronic, hip-hop, and indie.
Location and Stages
Parklife Festival takes place in Heaton Park, a 600-acre park located in North Manchester. The festival site features several stages, each with its own unique atmosphere. The main stage, The Parklife Stage, features headliners and big-name acts, while the Sounds of the Near Future Stage showcases emerging and underground talent. The festival also has a range of other stages and areas, including the Valley and the Palm House.
Lineup
Parklife Festival is known for booking a diverse range of acts, from established headliners to up-and-coming talent. Past headliners have included The 1975, Lorde, and The Chemical Brothers. The festival also features a range of up-and-coming talent, with stages dedicated to showcasing emerging artists. In addition to music, Parklife also has a range of other activities, including fairground rides, street food vendors, and art installations.
Tickets
Tickets for Parklife Festival typically go on sale in January, with a range of ticket options available, including standard weekend tickets and VIP packages. The festival also offers single-day tickets for those who can’t attend the entire weekend.
Parklife Festival is a vibrant and exciting music festival, offering a mix of dance, hip-hop, and pop music alongside a range of other activities. With its Manchester location, diverse lineup, and emphasis on emerging talent, Parklife has become one of the UK’s must-visit music festivals.
SW4
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SW4, also known as South West Four, is an annual two-day electronic dance music festival that takes place in Clapham Common, London, UK. The festival is known for its diverse lineup of big-name DJs and underground talent, as well as its lively atmosphere and state-of-the-art production.
History
SW4 was founded in 2004 by London-based promoters Lock N Load Events. The festival began as a one-day event but has since grown to a two-day festival, attracting over 50,000 music fans each year. The festival has seen performances from a range of music genres, including house, techno, trance, and drum and bass.
Location and Stages
SW4 takes place in Clapham Common, a large green space in South London. The festival site features several stages, each with its own unique atmosphere. The main stage, The South Stage, features headliners and big-name acts, while The North Stage showcases underground and emerging talent. The festival also has a range of other stages and areas, including The VIP Village, The Basement, and The Big Top.
Lineup
SW4 is known for booking a diverse range of electronic music acts, from established headliners to up-and-coming talent. Past headliners have included Carl Cox, Eric Prydz, and Fatboy Slim. The festival also features a range of underground talent, with stages dedicated to showcasing emerging artists. In addition to music, SW4 also has a range of other activities, including fairground rides, street food vendors, and art installations.
Tickets
Tickets for SW4 Festival typically go on sale in January, with a range of ticket options available, including standard weekend tickets and VIP packages. The festival also offers single-day tickets for those who can’t attend the entire weekend.
SW4 is a must-visit festival for fans of electronic dance music, offering a diverse lineup of big-name DJs and emerging talent alongside a range of other activities. With its London location, state-of-the-art production, and lively atmosphere, SW4 has become one of the UK’s premier electronic music festivals.
Eastern Electrics
Eastern Electrics is an annual electronic dance music festival that takes place in Morden Park, London, UK. The festival is known for its focus on underground house and techno music, and has become a popular destination for fans of the genre.
History
Eastern Electrics was founded in 2008 as a one-day festival, and has since grown to a multi-day event. The festival has changed locations several times over the years, with past venues including Hatfield House and Greenwich Peninsula. In 2017, Eastern Electrics settled on its current location at Morden Park, a large green space in South London.
Location and Stages
Morden Park is a picturesque location for the festival, with plenty of green space and trees. The festival site features several stages, each with its own unique atmosphere. The main stage, The Switchyard, features big-name headliners, while other stages showcase emerging talent and underground artists. The festival also has a range of other areas, including chillout zones, food and drink vendors, and art installations.
Lineup
Eastern Electrics is known for its focus on underground house and techno music, with a lineup that features a range of established and up-and-coming artists from the genre. Past headliners have included Jamie Jones, Carl Cox, and Seth Troxler, with support from a range of other talented DJs and producers. The festival also features a range of other activities, including fairground rides, workshops, and art installations.
Tickets
Tickets for Eastern Electrics Festival typically go on sale in January, with a range of ticket options available, including standard weekend tickets and VIP packages. The festival also offers single-day tickets for those who can’t attend the entire weekend.
Eastern Electrics is a must-visit festival for fans of underground house and techno music, offering a diverse lineup of established and up-and-coming artists alongside a range of other activities. With its picturesque location in Morden Park, state-of-the-art production, and lively atmosphere, Eastern Electrics has become one of the UK’s premier electronic music festivals.
Reading & Leeds Festival
Reading and Leeds Festival is an annual music festival that takes place in two locations simultaneously: Reading, Berkshire and Leeds, West Yorkshire, UK. The festival was originally founded in 1961 as the National Jazz and Blues Festival, and has since evolved into a popular rock and alternative music festival.
Location and Stages
Reading Festival and Leeds Festival take place over the August Bank Holiday weekend. The festivals share the same lineup and take place on the same days, with bands and artists performing at both locations on different days. The festival sites include multiple stages, with the Main Stage being the largest and hosting the festival’s biggest headliners. Other stages include the Radio 1 Stage, The Pit, The Lock Up, and the Festival Republic Stage, which showcase a range of alternative and up-and-coming artists.
Lineup
Reading and Leeds Festival have a long history of booking some of the biggest names in rock and alternative music. Past headliners have included the likes of Foo Fighters, Arctic Monkeys, and Muse. The festival also features a range of other genres, including hip-hop, electronic, and pop music. Alongside established acts, Reading and Leeds Festival also provide a platform for up-and-coming artists, with the BBC Introducing Stage showcasing the best new talent.
Camping
Reading and Leeds Festival is a camping festival, with a range of options available for attendees. Standard camping is included with weekend tickets, while a range of other camping options are available for those who want a more comfortable experience. These include pre-pitched tents, boutique camping, and luxury camping.
Food and Drink
The festival has a wide range of food and drink vendors, offering everything from burgers and pizza to vegan and vegetarian options. The festival also has bars serving a range of drinks, including beer, cider, wine, and spirits.
Tickets
Tickets for Reading and Leeds Festival typically go on sale in November, with a range of ticket options available. These include weekend tickets, day tickets, and camping options. Early bird tickets are also available for those who book in advance.
Reading and Leeds Festival is one of the UK’s premier rock and alternative music festivals, offering a diverse lineup of established and up-and-coming artists alongside a range of other activities. With its two locations, multiple stages, and lively atmosphere, Reading and Leeds Festival has become a staple of the UK music festival calendar.
We Are FSTVL
We Are FSTVL is an annual electronic dance music festival that takes place in Upminster, Essex, in the southeast of England. The festival has been running since 2013 and has quickly become one of the UK’s most popular dance music festivals.
History and Location
We Are FSTVL was founded by a group of London-based promoters who wanted to create a new, innovative festival experience that celebrated electronic dance music. The festival takes place in an open-air space in Damyns Hall Aerodrome, Upminster, Essex, located approximately 17 miles from central London.
Stages
The festival features multiple stages, each with its own unique vibe and atmosphere. The main stage is called the Aerodrome and is a massive, open-air structure with state-of-the-art sound and lighting equipment. Other stages include the Terminal, a huge hangar-like structure, and the Warehouse, which showcases underground house and techno.
Lineup
We Are FSTVL is known for its impressive lineup, with some of the biggest names in electronic dance music performing across multiple stages. Past headliners have included Carl Cox, Jamie Jones, and Solomun, as well as up-and-coming talent from across the UK and Europe. The festival typically features a mix of house, techno, and bass music, as well as some hip-hop and grime acts.
Tickets
Tickets for We Are FSTVL typically go on sale several months before the festival and can be purchased through the festival’s official website. There are various ticket options available, including general admission, VIP, and group packages. The festival also offers payment plans for those who want to spread the cost of their ticket over several months.
Camping
Unlike some other UK festivals, We Are FSTVL does not offer on-site camping. However, there are a range of accommodation options available in the surrounding area, including hotels, B&Bs, and campsites. The festival provides shuttle buses to and from the nearest train station to make it easy for attendees to access the festival site.
We Are FSTVL is a must-attend event for fans of electronic dance music, with a great lineup, fantastic production values, and a lively, welcoming atmosphere.
The Warehouse Project
The Warehouse Project is a series of events that take place in Manchester, UK between September and December each year. Although not a traditional festival, it has become a major event in the UK dance music calendar and attracts some of the biggest names in the industry.
History
The Warehouse Project was founded in 2006 as a series of club nights held in disused warehouses around Manchester. It quickly gained a reputation for its cutting-edge lineups and underground vibe, and has since become one of the UK’s most popular dance music events.
Location and Stages
The Warehouse Project has been held at a number of different venues over the years, including disused warehouses, car parks, and even an old train station. In recent years, it has been based at the Depot Mayfield, a former railway station that has been transformed into a state-of-the-art event space. The venue features multiple stages and dance floors, each with its own unique vibe.
Lineup
The Warehouse Project is known for its diverse and cutting-edge lineup, which features a mix of established acts and up-and-coming talent. Previous years have seen performances from the likes of Carl Cox, Annie Mac, Jamie xx, Skepta, and The Chemical Brothers.
Tickets
Tickets for The Warehouse Project usually go on sale in the summer, with early-bird tickets selling out within minutes. The event is extremely popular, and tickets can be hard to come by, so it’s advisable to book well in advance. There are a variety of ticket options available, including VIP packages that offer access to exclusive areas and perks.
The Warehouse Project is a major event in the UK dance music scene, known for its cutting-edge lineup and underground vibe. Although not a traditional festival, it attracts thousands of music fans from all over the country and is a must-visit for anyone interested in electronic music.