your guide to the festival season

All Tomorrows Parties '08:

ATP Festival-curated by Explosions In The Sky.

from Friday 16th May to Sunday 18th May, festival line up:
EXPLOSIONS IN THE SKY »
BROKEN SOCIAL SCENE »
IRON AND WINE »
DINOSAUR JR »
ADEM »
....AND YOU WILL KNOW US BY THE TRAIL OF THE DEAD »
POLVO »
ANIMAL COLLECTIVE »
A HAWK AND A HACKSAW »
ELUVIUM »
OLA PODRIDA »
LAZARUS »
THE PAPER CHASE »
FOUR TET »
GHOSTFACE KILLAH »
WESTERN KEYS »
SILVER JEWS »
JENS LEKMAN »
MONO »
TONY TEARDROP »
THE DRIFT »
THE NATIONAL »
LIARS »
SUNSET RUBDOWN »
LICHENS »
STARS OF THE LID »
BATTLES »
DE LA SOUL »
SAUL WILLIAMS »
RAEKWON »
THE FIELD »
OKKERVIL RIVER »
ATLAS SOUND »
THE PALE GALLERY »
THE OCTOPUS PROJECT »
CONSTANTINES »

I can tell you from personal experience, this festival tops many I've been to. The line-up is always incredible and diverse, the people are friendly, the atmosphere is relaxed, and it's perfect for those who love great music but don't like to camp in the great outdoors. 

Held at Butlins in Minehead, both self-catering apartments and 2,3,4,5 and 6 berth rooms are available. Just make sure you pack a lot of food and drink before you go or you'll get a nasty shock. I ran out of money on the Sunday and had to go hungry. Butlins food prices are -extravagant-.

Nick Cave performing at ATP '07:



Tickets must be ordered in groups according to however many people are sharing a room, and cost from £140.

And not that it will EVER happen, but if you get bored of watching the music you can mess around with the services the resort itself has to offer- for example the cinema, the swimming pool and amusement arcade.

And last year, the organisers held a poll of ATP go-ers favourite television programmes and films, compiled a list of the most popular and showed everything back to back- no breaks- on ATP-TV, one film channel and one channel for seasons of programmes like Family Guy, Futurama, Brass Eye, Peep Show, The Mighty Boosh, and many more cult TV series'.
Something for everyone.



Awesomeness rating: *****

Green Man festival '08: 

Friday 15th to Sunday 17th August.

Just as it was in 2007, the festival will be remaining the same size at 10,000 people.

Held at Glanusk Park in Wales, the line-up as yet is TBA, but Beirut and Super Furry Animals are said to be headlining.

This festival is wonderful. Under 12's go free- a tamer atmosphere than festivals such as Reading and Leeds; family friendly. Just a lovely atmosphere full of folk music and hippies. Camping is a MUST- the atmosphere on the campsite is as chilled as the arena, so make the most of the tent-pocked fields and new neighbours as is possible. Ticket prices start at £105 for one adult (camping), excluding the booking fee. A must for those of you who are nature children and/or mellow folk/alternative music lovers.

Awesomeness rating: ****

Over the next few posts, expect more news, reviews and information to help you decide where you should/could be spending your summer months. I shall be covering the following music orientated events to give you an insight into each one:

• Reading/Leeds Festivals '08
  
• Global Gathering
  
• Benicassim
• Bestival
  
• WOMAD
  
• Wasted
• V Festival