TOGETHER AGAIN
Where last year saw some festivals tentatively dip their toes into the post-Covid waters, in 2022 the river is full and the banks are breaking. This year is the true return of that great weekend outing, the festival; the chance to experience music, literature, food, film and art with thousands of other people of varying levels of giddiness and intoxication. The pandemic stole away the idea that culture can, and should, be experienced communally, that feeling of ambling up to a random stage in a field and finding your new favourite band, or making fast friends on a campsite that you’ll sing along with for one night only. The following listings show that festival season is back and perhaps bigger than ever as Covid restrictions have been ramped down. The most notable names – Glastonbury, Green Man, the Edinburgh Festival – are at their full, expansive best once again. Brilliant, bespoke, and new, small festivals have appeared in the shadow of the drought (the likes of Leisure in Margate and Kite in Oxfordshire). Whether you want to headbang at Download or rap along at Longitude, there’s something on offer for all ages, all means, and all tastes. Get ready – the biggest act making a comeback this summer is normality.
LISTINGS
THE GREAT ESCAPE
May 11-14 Brighton, East Sussex £90
The Great Escape offers something slightly different: what if every act was just that next big thing that you’ll remember for years to come? Eschewing big headliners, the Brighton institution instead platforms the future. This year, look out for Nigerian singer Tems, the dry wit of Illuminati Hotties and the biting earnestness of Johanna Warren. greatescapefestival.com
EDEN SESSIONS
May 16-July 5 The Eden Project, Cornwall Ticket prices vary
Set to the sci-fi backdrop of the atmospheric Eden Project, this series of huge concerts runs for almost two months. Newly reunited emos My Chemical Romance are the main draw here, but there’s also Nine Inch Nails, Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds, Diana Ross (pictured above), Bryan Adams and Stereophonics. edensessions.com
KNOCKENGORROCH
May 19-22 Galloway, South West Scotland From £135
On the banks of the Water of Deugh sits this scenic world ceilidh of a festival, which seeks to celebrate the ‘finest music from the Celtic diaspora’, proving that Scottish music doesn’t have to be what you expect. On the line-up is Scottish BLM leader Joseph Malik, rapper and political activist Lowkey, SAY Award winner Nova and experimental rocker Callum Easter. knockengorroch.org.uk
THE GREAT EASTERN
May 21 Various venues, Edinburgh From £20
This brilliant and innovative festival from promoters 432 allows attendees to savour a varied line-up in multiple world-class small venues across a single day for an affordable price. Announced so far for this year are Kathryn Joseph, Free Love,
