Critical popcorn

With Festival Season already just around the corner, we thought this was the perfect time to share our Festival Guide for 2019, covering all manner of music, comedy and huge events both here in the UK and in Europe! With so many to choose from, we’ve had to break this into two parts, below are the UK ones we think you’ll love and then head over here if you’re thinking of escaping to Europe!

There’s a wide range and something for everyone with incredible line-ups from now, to the summer and beyond!! Across all-day city parties, unmissable weekends and globe-trotting experiences, it’s set to be an incredible 2019…. let’s begin!

LIVE AT LEEDS FESTIVAL

BEST FOR: FINDING YOUR NEW FAVOURITE ARTIST and THE BEST IN NEW MUSIC

ACTS INCLUDE

SUNDARA KARMA, METRONOMY, TOM GRENNAN, KATE TEMPEST, SWIM DEEP, DREAM WIFE, DRENGE, BLACK HONEY, SPORTS TEAM, GOAT GIRL, GENGAHR, MARSICANS, SAM FENDER, EASY LIFE, IBIBIO SOUND MACHINE, GENTLY TENDER, THYLA, ANOTHER SKY, LAUREN AQUILINA, ELLI INGRAM, SWIMMING GIRLS, THE DUNTS, FUZZY SUN, ZUZU, SALTWATER SUN + SQUID AMONG OVER 55 NAMES CONFIRMED

Renowned as the first place to hear the essential sounds of the year ahead, the award-winning Live At Leeds returns in 2019 with its biggest lineup to date – bringing together the names and bands that’ll be on everyone’s lips for the next 12 months, and the chance to find your new favourite band first for a day of live music like no other.

The home of new music, it all begins at Live At Leeds.

TICKET PRICE (SUBJECT TO BOOKING FEES)
TICKETS STARTING FROM £36
www.liveatleeds.com
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COMMUNITY FESTIVAL

BEST FOR: THE ULTIMATE INDIE ALL-DAYER IN THE HEART OF LONDON

TAKING PLACE
SUNDAY JUNE 30^TH
FINSBURY PARK, LONDON

ACTS INCLUDE
THE KOOKS, BLOSSOMS, KATE NASH, DON BROCO,
THE AMAZONS, GERRY CINNAMON, THE HUNNA, THE ACADEMIC,
THE NIGHT CAFÉ, SEA GIRLS, BLOXX + MORE

Marking itself out in the calendar for an entire generation of indie fans, Community Festival hosts an unmissable festival line up of the biggest and best loved British guitar bands going – following in the footsteps of legends like Oasis, The Stone Roses and The Sex Pistols to play the iconic park. Headlining its third year are indie royalty The Kooks. With a stunning support bill throughout the day from Blossoms, Gerry Cinnamon, Blaenavon and The Amazons to Don Broco, Kate Nash, Sea Girls + more – it’s the perfect summer party.

TICKET PRICE (SUBJECT TO BOOKING FEES)
£40
www.communityfestival.london
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BLACK DEER FESTIVAL

BEST FOR: AN AUTHENTIC AMERICANA EXPERIENCE THIS SIDE OF THE ATLANTIC

TAKING PLACE
JUNE 21ST – 23RD
ERIDGE PARK, KENT

ACTS INCLUDE

BAND OF HORSES ✮ JOHN BUTLER TRIO ✮ THE STAVES ✮ KRIS KRISTOFFERSON & THE STRANGERS ✮ THE MAVERICKS ✮ NEKO CASE ✮ THE DEAD SOUTH ✮ THE MARCUS KING BAND ✮ LARKIN POE ✮ JUSTIN TOWNES EARLE ✮ RYAN BINGHAM ✮ LUCERO ✮ BRANT BJORK ✮ THE WANDERING HEARTS ✮ FANTASTIC NEGRITO ✮ JERRON BLIND BOY PAXTON ✮ HAYSEED DIXIE ✮ THE SHEEPDOGS ✮ LEFT LANE CRUISER ✮ JOHN SMITH ✮ RADIO MOSCOW ✮ MARTIN HARLEY ✮ WATERMELON ✮ CHANCE MCCOY ✮ FERRIS & SYLVESTER ✮ DANIEL ANTOPOLSKY ✮ AND MANY MANY MORE!

Returning for its second year, Black Deer is on a mission to bring the real Americana & Country music,and way of life, to the UK – expressed through a truly unique and authentic music festival. Black Deer celebrates a culture like no other and is more than just a music festival; it’s a complete homage and celebration of a way of life rooted in, and respectful of, the rich cultural heritage of America – a movement that’s become known as ‘Americana’. Black Deer has been widely acclaimed as a truly authentic experience, an independent festival born from passion, and built from experience – thanks to its two female founders whose love and respect for the genre shines through every facet of the festival – Read our review from last year!

TICKET PRICE (SUBJECT TO BOOKING FEES)
TICKET PRICES FROM £125
www.blackdeerfestival.com
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KENDAL CALLING FESTIVAL

BEST FOR: HUGE LINEUPS, INCREDIBLE SCENERY and POPULAR PARTIES

TAKING PLACE
JULY 25TH – 28TH
LOWTHER DEER PARK, LAKE DISTRICT

ACTS INCLUDE
COURTEENERS, DOVES, MANIC STREET PREACHERS, NILE RODGERS & CHIC, ORBITAL, TOM JONES, YEARS & YEARS, GERRY CINNAMON, MILES KANE, THE FRATELLIS, GOMEZ, IDLES, KT TUNSTALL, MYSTERY JETS, SLOWTHAI, THE SUBWAYS, NINA NESBITT, LEFTFIELD (DJ), MARIBOU STATE (DJ), HIGH CONTRAST (DJ) AND MANY MORE.

UPDATED 28/03: Reverend & the Makers and The Pigeon Detectives will both be bringing a nice dose of indie nostalgia to the Lake District, alongside Charlatans frontman Tim Burgess and a host of up and coming talent such as Average Sex, Low Island, PEANESS, Black Futures and loads more.

We also have some huge comedy names joining us in the fields this year on the Soapbox Stage – including headline slots from loveable panel show favourite Josh Widdicombe and the honeyed-toned Reginald D Hunter, alongside a Hot Water Comedy Club resident Paul Smith, and Northern Jokers Justin Moorhouse, Dan Nightingale and Mat Reed to name a few.

Kendal Calling was born from a group of music lovers who felt the fabulous fields of the Lake District could be put to better use. When summer came, it was time to take to the fields for a shindig that would grow so big the whole country would hear it calling!

Set in the incredible setting of the Lake District’s Lowther Deer Park, this innovative, fan-focused festival is renowned for more than just music. Revellers can enjoy 4 days of arts installations, comedy, gourmet food, children’s entertainment, late night parties, secret sets and much more, all within the confines of what is surely the most beautiful festival site in the UK.

TICKET PRICE (SUBJECT TO BOOKING FEES)
ADULT WEEKEND CAMPING TICKETS START AT £129
www.kendalcalling.co.uk
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SLAM DUNK FESTIVAL

BEST FOR: DISCOVERING NEW ARTISTS + RELIVING HUGE ALTERNATIVE MOMENTS

TAKING PLACE
SLAM DUNK FESTIVAL NORTH – SATURDAY MAY 25TH
TEMPLE NEWSAM PARK, LEEDS

SLAM DUNK FESTIVAL SOUTH – SUNDAY MAY 26TH
HATFIELD PARK, HATFIELD

ACTS INCLUDE
ALL TIME LOW, BULLET FOR MY VALENTINE, NOFX, NEW FOUND GLORY, NECK DEEP, GLASSJAW, THE INTERRUPTERS, CANCER BATS, BOSTON MANOR, ATREYU, AS IT IS, GALLOWS,  WATERPARKS,
PLAIN WHITE TEES, TURNSTILE, HELLOGOODBYE, GRANSON, SHVPES, TIGERS JAW, IDKHOW, MILK TEETH, TINY MOVING PARTS, EMPLOYED TO SERVE, PAGAN, WALLFLOWER
+ LOADS OF ADDITIONAL ALTERNATIVE ACTS!

Delivering the ultimate one-day alternative festival celebration, Slam Dunk Festival is set to take a whole new stride into 2019 with its most ambitious and exciting weekend to date – lead by an incredible first wave of names and a huge move to Temple Newsam Park in Leeds. Reaching across two stunning greenfield sites in Leeds and Hatfield on Saturday 25th and Sunday 26th May 2019 – Slam Dunk 2019 is the next evolution for that go-to destination of rock.

TICKET PRICE (SUBJECT TO BOOKING FEES)
£59
www.Slamdunkfestival.com
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SO! What ARE you going to choose?

One of them or ALL of them, we’re sure that would be possible…somehow. Just click the links you want above to order tickets, there’s some sublime festivals out there across Europe in 2019 and we genuinely believe these are some of the best so, what are you waiting for?