Itchy's Festival Rundown
To help you decide where to get muddy this summer
Preview
If there's one great thing about the British summer it's our vast selection of music festivals. It is a trait to be proud of really, to have the strength of character (and liver) to spend up to five days in a field with no showers, only junk food to eat, only alcohol to drink and a lot of noisy bands as entertainment. In the rain.
Unfortunately none of us have the money, holiday allowance or stamina to go to all of them, so Itchy have very helpfully picked out the important information and enticing highlights to make your decisions a little less painful.
In chronological order...
Reading/Leeds (Sold Out)27th, 28th, 29th August - £180
Duh.
This year's line-up would look astoundingly at home in 2006, which is a bit weird, but at least it means these two monster festivals offer something a bit different. Feel free to behave like a spoilt teenager. Everyone else does.
Look out for: Guns 'n' Roses, Arcade Fire, Blink 182, Klaxons
www.readingfestival.com
Bestival9th, 10th, 11th, 12th September - £150
Isle of Wight
Famous for its fun factor, Bestival has been an increasingly popular choice with a varied but high-quality line up, and emphasis on a party atmosphere. Craziness includes the Time for Tease Burlesque Tent for your nipple tassle fix and a fancy dress theme which this year is Fantasy.
Look out for: The Prodigy, Hot Chip, Jonsi, Rolf Harris
www.bestival.net
