Our Top Five Bank Holiday Festivals

Image: Love Saves The Day

This coming Bank holiday, sadly the last Bank holiday for a while, will see five of our favourite, original festivals commence around the country. From deep in Scotland's countryside to the cricket pitches of Blackpool, right through to Bristol's bustling metropolis, there is a real cross section of outstanding festival fun taking place over the upcoming long weekender.

Knockengorroch World Ceilidh // Thursday 22nd - Sunday 25th

Having established itself as the 'seminal outdoor roots music festival in Scotland', Knockengorroch's World Ceilidh has continued to garner more fans and world music devotees through its peerless purveying of everything from cutting edge electronica to folk, dub reggae to hip hop, drum n bass to world music (hear one of this year's headliners - Vieux Farka Toure doing his thing, above). 

Alongside the music, the World Ceilidh is home to a host of cabaret, spoken word, comedy and dance spectacles too, which take place at five venues across the festival site, making it one of the country's most entertaining family friendly festivals. Head here to find out more and get your tickets.

Dot To Dot Manchester // Friday 23rd

For those that love their music brand spanking new, cutting edge, and under the radar, Dot To Dot is the festival you need in your life. The festival has already received plenty of critical acclaim for 'for its forward thinking, discovery of new talent, and wholehearted approach to giving its fans the best possible venues and surroundings to experience great new music'. 

Dot To Dot's Manchester leg (the festival appear in Bristol and Nottingham as well) will feature sets from the likes of Peace (listen to 'Bloodshake' above), The Midnight Beast, Real Estate and Wolf Alice, and that's just for starters. Check out the full Dot To Dot line up here. Grab your Dot To Dot Manchester tickets here.

Leestock // Saturday 24th - Sunday 25th

Having been established back in 2008 as a way to raise money for a close friend who battled against a rare disease, LeeStock has grown every single year since, matching it's worthy cause with an always exciting line up and most importantly, a positive, friendly, feel-good atmosphere that takes some beating.

This year sees appearances from The Lightning Seeds, Terrorvision (relive their classic track 'Tequila' above), Mark Morriss of The Bluetones fame, plus plenty of quality, up and coming acts. Find out more here. Get your LeeStock tickets here.

Alfresco // Sunday 25th

Now entering its fourth year of operations, Blackpool's Alfresco sees the sublime one-dayer continue to match a discerning music line up with enough entertainment to keep everyone in the family more than happy.

Factory Records' A Certain Ratio, the impossible to define Mr Scruff, British dance music icon Andrew Weatherall (check out his mesmerising Boiler Room appearance above) and Sheffield based DJing veteran Chris Duckenfield will all take to Blackpool Cricket Club, creating an event that's a far cry from the usual Blackpool fare. Bag your Alfresco tickets here.

Love Saves The Day // Sunday 24th

Bristol's inner city music event of the year returns with another barnstorming selection of musical pioneers, innovators, world class DJs and blistering live acts on the 23rd and 24th.

Expect memorable appearances from luminaries like Congo Natty (stream 'Get Ready' above), Breakage, Gentleman's Dub Club, Greg Wilson, SBTRKT, Jamie XX, Tessela and John Talabot as Love Saves the Day serves up another unmissable line up of groundbreaking electronic musicians, ensuring another roadblock edition of the festival. Pocket your Sunday tickets here.