Festival Spotlight 2010

With the past few days seeing the sun shine brightly over the usually dreich streets of Glasgow, it’s impossible to avoid the fact that summer is rapidly hurtling towards us… and with it, festival season; marked by the likes of Rockness and Download just a mere few days away.

As we prepare to spend another few weekends sitting about dodgy fields with our smuggled-in bottles of Jack Daniel’s, we’ve decided to shine the spotlight on a couple of the lesser known players on the scene.

The Wickerman

where: a farm near Kirkcudbright, Scotland.
when: 23rd-24th July
url: http://www.thewickermanfestival.co.uk/

With its popularity increasing over the past few years as the young and cool discover Scotland’s underground alternative to the monolith that is T in the Park, this is the festival to watch north of the border in 2010.

The lineup has never really set the heather on fire, but acts aren’t really the draw of this weekend spent near Dumfries. The hillbilly attitude, whilst having to be toned down slightly as more and more people come along, gives off an atmosphere that is both safe and family friendly, as well as being dangerous enough to feel like you’ve actually participated in something on the edge.

I’ve got my tickets - make sure you experience this one before it becomes huge.

2000 Trees

A festival that I had only heard of in passing before this year, it’s gained critical acclaim for its eco approach. If you were planning on going to this, it’s too late… tickets are completely sold out. Maybe next year though eh? With Future of the Left, Pulled Apart by Horses, Tubelord and 65daysofstatic all on the bill, it’s no big surprise that there’s no space left. 

It has all the makings of a great drunken, leisurely weekend if you go with a group (or on your own?). We’ll be there - come bearing wine and we’ll become the best of friends. Campfire sing-alongs anyone?

where: Cheltenham
when: 16th-17th July
url: http://www.twothousandtreesfestival.co.uk/

Offset

Every so often, a festival comes along that just presses all the right buttons.. ticks all the right boxes… fills all the right.. buckets? or something. Whatever the expression, last year Offset was the place to be. I was sorely reminded of this as I was sent reams of pictures and reviews from glowing punters who’d soaked up the atmosphere of this Artrocker-favourite festival, whilst I sat in dreich weather in Glasgow.

This year sees them return with a whole host of acts including Rolo Tomassi and the Mystery Jets. I don’t need to tell you how good this will be; you already know.

where: Hainault Forest, London
when: 4th-5th September
url: http://offsetfestival.co.uk/