Festivals 2023: Ten epic live music events with tickets already on sale

The best way to cure those already niggling January blues is to start planning for yet another epic festival season in 2023; because sitting around and wallowing will you get nowhere and change nothing.

There are huge multi-day camping festivals with every genre under the sun, more focused day raves with all the two steppers one could ask for, and city festivals that have the biggest names take over the main stage (there's one that Steps performed at last year, and this year is bound to be anything but a tragedy).

So, stop looking back through all your festive videos, dust off your wellies, and start planning for all the music festivals 2023 has on offer. Because it's never really too early to start - even if you don't really know whos playing yet.

 

 

Highest Point

When: Thursday 11th - Sunday 14th May 2023

Where: Williamson Park in Lancaster

Building on the roaring success of its recent fourth edition, Highest Point will be returning to the magnificent grounds of Williamson Park in 2023. The Lancaster summertime soiree, which takes residence on the highest parkland space in the historic northern city, offers music fans a place whereby a diverse mix of genres and styles can be enjoyed. 

The programme for this year's instalment will include performances from recently announced headliners Anne-Marie and Bastille. The Hacienda Classical also makes its long-overdue return, opening the festival on Thursday 11th May. It's bound to pop off.

 

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Creamfields South

When: Friday 26th - Sunday 28th May 2023

Where: Hylands Park in Chelmsford

Creamfields, the UK's most iconic, and one of the world's biggest, electronic music festivals, bring their second instalment of the huge 50,000-capacity, two-day, camping festival in 2023 which sees them bring their award-winning festival South, taking over the stunning Hylands Park once again. Creamfields Chelmsford has been a game-changer for the UK festivals 2023 landscape and there will be no better place in the South this year to see all the world's biggest electronic acts in one place. The lineup isn't out yet, but we all know it's going to deliver.

 

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Manchester Psych Fest

When: Saturday 2nd September 2023

Where: Various Venues Around Manchester

Taking over the majority of Manchester for one day a year, Manchester Psych Fest has become of the biggest events on the city's festival calendar and for good reason. The wild success of 2022 saw over 60 bands fill up rooms across the city and deliver mesmeric performances of mind-bending music for all the tie-dye-clad customers to sway to. From Kurt Vile to Tinariwen to Black Midi, the event was not short of international names, and 2023 seems primed to surpass it. It is one of those festivals where there’s just too much good stuff for one person to fit in, given the persistent quality of the lineup, but that's why it happens each year! 

 

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Moovin Festival

When: Friday 25th - Sunday 27th August 2023

Where: Whitebottom Farm in Stockport

Big names, booming basslines, a boutique festival in a bull field, well all these Bs can only mean one thing... Moovin Festival is coming back for 2023 and promises to get you dancing to their iconic mix of bass, funk, soul, reggae, house and d&b until the cows come home.  Now in its seventh year, the festival has organically grown to a sell-out event that attracts the best in the biz. Taking place on the picturesque Whiteboom Farm, through a magical canopy of trees, past lakes, and a breathtaking gorgeMoovin welcomes you to their party paradise, and we can't think of many better ways to spend our 2023 August Bank Holiday.

 

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Kubix Festival - Pop & Dance

When: Saturday 15th July 2023

Where: Herrington Country Park in Sunderland

Sunderland's best pop party is returning once again in 2023, this year with an all-new expanded site with two huge stages and some surprising new additions! The 2022 chapter of Kubix saw pop icons left and right, with Steps headlining the day, and even Vengaboys bringing the party that they like. Already announced for the 2023 edition are acid house icons N-Trance, the popstars that just keep on movin', Five, and even early noughties pop group, A1 will be sprouting like a rose in one of the headline spots. It's the place to be to get that injection of pure pop cheese and is bound to be a joyous and carefree party of the best kind.

 

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Solfest

When: Thursday 24th - Sunday 27th August 2023

Where: North Lakes Country Park in Silloth, Cumbria 

Springing up annually like a wild flower in the Cumbrian meadows, Solfest has evolved continually since its inception in 2003, transitioning from a local shindig, into one of the best-loved UK's independent festivals. Over the years, the festival has stayed true to its anti-corporate roots, meaning that art and decor take the place of ubiquitous advertising and the international big names on the mainstage don't drown out the voices of the hidden gems. Solfest is founded on the idea that what truly makes a festival great is the crowd. From Punks to ravers, grannies to toddlers, whoever you are or wherever you're from, Solfest has something for you.

 

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In It Together Festival

When: Friday 26th - Sunday 28th May 2023

Where: Old Park Farm Margam in Port Talbot

One of the biggest annual events to hit the Welsh Valley, the genre-spanning In It Together is returning in 2023, and already has a stellar collection of artists ready and primed to take over its stages. The family camping weekender will see the likes of Kelis, James Bay, Tom Zanetti, Twin Atlantic, and even Britains Got Talent's own iconic dance group Diversity, grace its stages. Alongside the superstars, there will be a range of electronic acts, most notably Chase and Status, and a whole host of independent Welsh artists to keep it homegrown. Get your tickets, its gonna be a belter

 

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MADE Festival

When: Saturday 29th July 2023

Where: Venue TBA

Since debuting in 2014, MADE Festival has become a cultural institution in the Midlands. Originally based in inner-city Birmingham the event has moved across a number of venues in the region and the venue for 2023 is yet to be confirmed. 2022 saw MADE continue its mission to spearhead the West Midlands' burgeoning creative scene on the grounds of Wolverhampton Dunstall Park. Featuring the usual blend of the region’s finest street food, street art displays, installations and live demonstrations, as well as world-class DJs and live acts, the 2023 festival is set to celebrate its ninth year with the biggest and most exciting production to date. 

 

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Knockengorroch Festival

When: Thursday 25th - Sunday 28th May 2023

Where: Knockengorroch in Kirkcudbrightshire

Found on the site of an ancient village, Knockengorroch Festival re-populates the valley for four days a year and is the seminal outdoor roots music festival in Scotland. Located deep in the Southern Uplands in a river valley on Knockengorroch farm, the area was recently awarded Dark Skies status - one of the best places on the planet to see the stars, and see the stars you will.

With a line-up that is a melting pot of world, folk, fusion and dub reggae with electronica, hip-hop and drum n bass thrown in for good measure, Knockengorroch always brings the vibes. Plus, with cabaret, spoken word, comedy and dance all taking place alongside the music, you'll never be bored, and you won't have time to be. 

 

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Check out our What's On Guide to discover even more rowdy raves and sweaty gigs taking place over the coming weeks and months. For festivals, lifestyle events and more, head on over to our Things To Do page or be inspired by the event selections on our Inspire Me page.