There’s nothing quite like the thrill of losing yourself in live music. The feeling is unparalleled: experiencing your favourite artists in a pumped-up atmosphere, along with a crowd of fellow fans. Whether it’s an intimate gig at a local venue or a packed-out arena, live music brings together audiences from different walks of life with one common interest: the artist on the stage.
If you’re truly a music lover, though, waiting patiently for summer festivals isn’t enough. You want to enjoy live music all year round. So, with this in mind, we’ve outlined some of the most exciting out-of-season music festivals below.
Mighty Hoopla Big Weekender
This fun festival typically takes place in January, when those who haven’t totally over-indulged or over-spent during the Christmas period surface. The Mighty Hoopla Big Weekender typically spreads over three days and nights on the South Coast. On the roster, you can expect some big names in the pop genre, a series of epic pool parties and an overall great vibe. While the event may not host the types of artists that you might see headlining the likes of Glasto, there are plenty of upcoming, talented British bands breaking through the ranks in this festival. Attending is a great way to discover new artists and support them along their journey. Mighty Hoopla Big Weekender saw the likes of Belinda Carlisle, Mel C, and Booty Luv hit the stage.
Terminal V
Fast forward to April and we have Terminal V. What started out as a small, 2500-person event in a single warehouse back in 2017, Terminal V is now Edinburgh’s biggest techno/house festival. Boasting a prior headline of the acclaimed Patrick Topping in 2019 and now host to both BIG MIZ and blk. in 2022, the event is quickly gaining traction, and the lineup for April is already out. The festival runs once in April and then again in October every year, meaning that you dance music fans are never out of season. If you’re looking for an upbeat music festival to whet your appetite before the summer season starts, Terminal V has got you covered.
The Wide Awake festival
Taking us closer to the start of the summer festival period is the Wide Awake festival in London. Kickstarting in late May, this independent music festival features an array of artists from less mainstream genres, including left-field Indie, Post Punk, Electronica, Techno and a range of other names you might not even have heard of. If you’re getting bored of the music you listen to and fancy exploring the genres to discover something new, this event is the one for you. Headlined by Caroline Polachek in 2023 and accompanied by the likes of Shygirl and more, this environmentally-aware event is shaping up to be a great one.
Music connects people across the world, through words, sounds and genuine emotion. It’s a shame to limit this connection to a small three-month period in summer. These festivals had the right idea in spreading the love of music around the calendar year so people like us never grow bored. If you’re feeling nostalgic about the last festival you went to in summer, perhaps it’s time to get back out there and explore a new festival, and we’ve outlined some great options above.