The Top 5 Chalet Festivals aka Weekenders.

There are literally hundreds of festivals on the circuit in the UK these days, some more suited to you than others. Although living in a tent for a long weekend is my idea of heaven, it did occur to us that some of you like to 'glam it up' a bit, and rather than sleeping in a wet sleeping bag and getting awoken before you've even gone to sleep, you could stay in a nice warm chalet form one of the many 'weekenders' that happen around the UK.

 

Here is our pick of the top 5 weekenders that might tickle your fancy. It's like Dirty Dancing brought into the noughties. Honest.

Bloc Weekend / 13.03-15.03

Minehead, Somerset

Only for the techno hearted and thick skinned, Bloc Weekend is electronic music without any frills or niceties. Describing their line-up as ‘powerful’ the beats coming out of this beast are going to be about as friendly as a thump to the face.

Aphex Twin
DJ QBert
The Future Sound of London
Lee Scratch Perry
Carl Craig
Mad Professor
Zion Train
Rob Da Bank
Jamie Lidell
Afika Bambaata
Beardyman
Modeselektor
Frequency 7

Go if: You love techno and insomnia
Don’t go if: You love acoustic sing along camp fires
 

Atomik Weekender / 20.03-22.03

Prestatyn, Wales

Atomik Weekender is a brand-spanking new festival that combines the big boys of the hard dance scene with some of the biggest UK dance names. The Tidy Boys and Goodgreef are a few of the Atomik pioneers who have masterminded the three day festival at the Pontins resort.

A Skillz
Adam M
Agnelli & Nelson
Dark By Design
John Askew
Kutski
Mark Kavanagh
Organ Donors
Ratpack
Rob Tissera
Slipmatt
Squadee with Wotsee
Strange Dave & Live Wire
Tidy Boys
The Technicians
Ultrabeat

Go if you like: Tidy Boys
Don’t go if you like: boys that are tidy

Bang Face Weekender 24.04-26.04

Camber Sands, Sussex

Billed as “3days of Neo-Rave Armageddon” this festival is made for those dance music maniacs who wish they were still in the days of acid house and smiley T-Shirts. Musically, Bang Face covers acid, jungle, rave, hardcore, drum n bass, techno, electro, dubstep and electronic.

808 State,
Congo Natty Trinity
Noisia
Kevin Saunderson
Renegade Soundwave
Bong-Ra & Deformer
Altern-8, Alec Empire
Venetian Snares
I-F, Beverly Hills 808303
DJ Assault
Wisp
Luke Vibert
Dillinja
Otto Von Schirach
Rustie
Hellfish
Caspa
Normski

Go if you like: The nineties.
Don’t go if you like: Mika

Southport Weekender / 08.05-10.05

Southport Weekender serves up its bass lines a little bit gentler than the other chalet festivals. The festival began as a soul music event, but now plays a mixture of R&B, hip hop, soulful house and jazz.

Line up to be confirmed.

Go if: You feel like UK festivals have lost their soul
Don’t go if: You’ve sold your soul

All Tomorrows Parties 09.05-11.05 and 15.05-17.05

Minehead, Somerset

This year ATP has been separated into two weekends, All Tomorrow’s Parties- The Fans Strike Back 2009 and All Tomorrow’s Parties- curated by the Breeders 2009. Each weekend half the line-up is either decided by ticket holders or The Breeders. So get a ticket and start demanding...

Line up to be confirmed.

Go if: You like smaller, up and coming bands
Don’t go if: You’re expecting to see The Prodigy or The Chemical Brothers