London festivals 2019: Best music events to go to this summer

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Jochan Embley2 July 2019

London's festival scene is an incredibly busy one. With more than 20 major festivals set to take place in the capital next year, there is no shortage of world-class talent coming to town.

But which events should you go to? Fancy a disco all-dayer? Or how about a rave in a 7,500-capacity warehouse? London has it all.

This is our guide to the best festivals the capital has to offer in 2019.

Re-Textured

George Rex

What is it? A brand new electronic music festival for 2019, organised by Krankbrother, taking place in Brutalist and Modernist buildings around London.

Who’s playing? Nina Kraviz, James Ruskin, Anastasia Kristensen, Ben Sims and more.

When is it? March 28-31

Where is it? Various venues

Tickets: Various prices per event, re-textured.com

Brixton Disco Festival

What is it? Pretty much what it says on the tin: a celebration of all things disco across multiple venues in Brixton.

Who’s playing? Evelyn “Champagne” King, Greg Wilson, Francois K, Colleen “Cosmo” Murphy and more.

When is it? April 27

Where is it? Various Brixton venues

Tickets: from £25 for all-day passes, brixtondiscofestival.com

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Arcadia London

What is it? A riot of high-energy dance music, with all the madness overseen by the massive animatronic spider that looms over the stage.

Who’s playing? Jamie Jones, DJ EZ, Hot Since 82, Sub Focus, Flava D and others.

When is it? May 4-5

Where is it? Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, E20 2ST

Tickets: from £85 for weekend passes, arcadiaspectacular.com

All Points East

What is it? Certainly the most impressive festival in east London and possibly the whole capital, booking a mix of cutting edge headliners and legacy favourites across 10 days. It's hard to believe this is only its second year.

Who’s playing? The Chemical Brothers, Christine and the Queens, Hot Chip, Primal Scream, Metronomy and more.

When is it? May 24-June 2

Where is it? Victoria Park, E3 5TB

Tickets: from £59.95 per day, allpointseastfestival.com

We Are FSTVL

What is it? The main contender to SW4’s dance music crown, this big-hitting festival draws in some of the most hyped names around.

Who’s playing? Andy C, Armand van Helden, Basement Jaxx, The Black Madonna, Honey Dijon and more.

When is it? May 24-26

Where is it? Damyn's Hall Aerodrome, Aveley Road, Upminster, RM14 2TN

Tickets: from £119.50 for weekend passes, wearefstvl.com

Gala

What is it? One for the house and disco obsessives, pulling together some of the finest DJs from both genres.

Who’s playing? To be announced. Derrick Carter, Midland, Horse Meat Disco and Honey Dijon were involved last time around.

When is it? May 26

Where is it? Peckham Rye Park, SE15

Tickets: from £35, thisisgala.co.uk

Jam on Rye

Ross Silcocks

What is it? Lots of great music with a particular focus on street food, all taking place in Peckham Rye Park.

Who’s playing? To be announced. The line-up in 2018 featured David Rodigan, Horace Andy and Theon Cross.

When is it? May 27

Where is it? Peckham Rye Park, SE15

Tickets: from £20, jamonryefestival.com

Hampton Court Palace Festival

What is it? An ode to the some of the biggest names from the last few decades in pop music, set within the grand surroundings of Hampton Court Palace.

Who’s playing? Kylie, Tears for Fears and The Jacksons.

When is it? Various dates in June

Where is it? Hampton Court Palace, KT8 9AU

Tickets: from £74.50 per event, hamptoncourtpalacefestival.com

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Junction 2

What is it? A feast of hard-hitting techno from the very best DJs on the scene, playing beneath the M40 motorway bridge in west London.

Who’s playing? Bicep, Adam Beyer, Daniel Avery, Apollonia, Daphni and more.

When is it? June 7-8

Where is it? Boston Manor Park, TW8 9JU

Tickets: from £47.50, junction2.london

Field Day

What is it? An eclectic festival, promising everything from rock to rap, which incorporate four north London warehouses into its new festival site for 2019.

Who’s playing? To be announced. Erykah Badu, Loyle Carner, Jeff Mills, Nao and Helena Hauff played there in 2018.

When is it? June 7-8

Where is it? from £67.50 for weekend passes, Meridian Water, N18

Community

What is it? One-day festival Community prides itself on showcasing the best new artists from the broad spectrum of rock and indie, with a little pop thrown in for good measure.

Who’s playing? The Kooks, Blossoms, Kate Nash, The Amazons, Gerry Cinnamon and more.

When is it? June 30

Where is it? Finsbury Park, N4

Tickets: from £40, communityfestival.london

Barclaycard presents British Summer Time

What is it? A series of mini-festivals which take place on various days in Hyde Park.

Who’s playing? Florence + The Machine, The National, Robbie Williams and more. Neil Young was set to play with Bob Dylan as part of BST but, after Young hit out at Barclays sponsoring the show, it will now go ahead as a standalone concert.

When is it? July 2019 (exact dates to be confirmed)

Where is it? Hyde Park, W2 2UH

Tickets: various prices for each event, bst-hydepark.com

Wireless

What is it? The only place to be for pop music obsessives, with a particular focus on the rap and grime artists that have dominated the charts in the last few years.

Who’s playing? To be announced. Post Malone, J Cole, Stormzy and French Montana were among the big names in 2018.

When is it? July 5-7

Where is it? Finsbury Park, N4

Tickets: from £175 for weekend passes, wirelessfestival.co.uk

Lovebox

What is it? A vibrant gathering of the big players from the worlds of grime, rap, pop and dance music.

Who’s playing? To be announced. Childish Gambino, Skepta, N.E.R.D and Kali Uchis topped the bill in 2018.

When is it? July 12-13

Where is it? from £90 for weekend passes, Gunnersbury Park, W3 8LQ

51st State

What is it? Effectively an A-Z of dance music heroes, all of whom will come together for a gloriously eclectic day of boogying in north London.

Who’s playing? To be announced. Carl Cox, Derrick May, Derrick Carter and Norman Jay all played the festival last time.

When is it? August 3

Where is it? Trent Park, EN4 0PS

Tickets: £30, 51ststatefestival.com

Eastern Electrics

What is it? A stacked line-up of DJs, ranging from the selectors who have been doing this for decades to those who are on course to be the next big things.

Who’s playing? To be announced. Jamie Jones, Eats Everything, Skream, David Rodigan and Bad Company UK were part of the 2018 edition.

When is it? August 3-4

Where is it? Morden Park, SM4

Tickets: from £45 for weekend tickets, easternelectrics.com

Art’s House

What is it? A one day festival with just two DJs on the line-up, organised by the loveable party-starter Artwork.

Who’s playing? Artwork and a yet-to-be-announced guest. Last year, he was joined by DJ Harvey.

When is it? August 10

Where is it? Three Mills Island, E3 3DU

Tickets: from £30, residentadvisor.net

South West Four

What is it? London’s biggest dance music festival, both in terms of size and the artists it books. It takes place across the August bank holiday every year.

Who’s playing? To be announced. In 2018, Marshmello, Netsky, Armin van Buuren and Andy C were among the headliners.

When is it? August 24-25

Where is it? Clapham Common, SW4 9DE

Tickets: price TBA, southwestfour.com

Hospitality in the Park

Jake Davis

What is it? A showcase from the legendary drum ‘n’ bass label, Hospital Records, whose Hospitality events travel the world.

Who’s playing? To be announced. Last year, Goldie, LTJ Bukem, Grooverider and Alix Perez were on the line-up.

When is it? To be announced.

Where is it? Finsbury Park, N4

Tickets: price TBA, hospitalityinthepark.london

Southport Weekender

What is it? A hugely popular, long-running dance party which made a triumphant comeback in 2018.

Who’s playing? To be announced. David Morales, Sister Sledge, Hector Romero and DJ Jazzy Jeff all played last year.

When is it? To be announced.

Where is it? To be announced.

Tickets: price TBA, southportweekender.co.uk

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