You might think that with T In The Park and Glastonbury out of the way, and the Rolling Stones put back on ice for a while that the festival season is just about over, but you'd be completely wrong. And while the sun has still just about got his hat on, there is plenty of musical goodness still to come in 2013, starting in just a short couple of weeks, thanks to the essential festivals that are still yet to come. So, if you're considering taking advantage of the atypically good weather, or you just want to fill your ears with some Biffy Clyro, Elton John, Beyonce or Kings Of Leon, there are ample opportunities for festival veterans and newbies alike to pack their babywipes and wellies and head off to a festival that could be the best experience of the year.
5. V Festival
Where: Hylands Park, Chelmsford and Weston Park, South Staffordshire When: 17th & 18th August With Beyonce, Kings of Leon, Stereophonics, Emeli Sande, Basement Jaxx, and Olly Murs all topping a packed bill, the Staffordshire based festival can legitimately claim to have the biggest star quality of the year's remaining events, and there's more of a broad range of talent to cater to those fans who want a bigger spread than some of the more niche offerings from earlier in the year, like Download. Even with barely 10 days to go until the curtains open, there are still
tickets available for V Festival.
4. Leeds & Reading Festival
Where: Bramham Park, Wetherby & Richfield Avenue, Reading When: 23rd-25th Aug The twin festival will kick off in just over two weeks, with newly crowned rock-Gods Biffy Clyro headlining, alongside Green Day and the walking phenomenon that is Eminem who returns to the sites after debuting at Reading back in 2001. Again, the offering is pretty broad, with strong representation from the indie rock and roll camp, and less pop than at V, but it's a great line-up across all three days, particularly for rock fans who don't necessarily like the screamcore of harder festivals.
3. Creamfields
Where: Daresbury, Cheshire When: 23rd-25th Aug One for the dance fans, and packing in a huge bill of talent including The Prodigy, David Guetta, Tiesto, Paul Van Dyk and this summer's hottest property in the shape of Avicii - it's not too much of a jump to accept the festival's claim to be the UK's biggest party. Very few festivals can boast the same level of DJ talent in one place, and it's definitely one for fans of the strobe lights and tub-thumping basslines.
2. End Of The Road Festival
Where: Larmer Tree Gardens, North Dorset When: 30th Aug - 1st Sept And from a dance mecca to something altogether more relaxed, with the second last festival on the summer schedule, which celebrated the great and the good of folk music. This is very much a well-kept secret in comparison to other fests, and the relaxed approach makes for a good way to wind-down if you've been to multiple other events, with thebig benefits being longer sets, from the likes of Dinosaur Junior, Belle & Sebastien and Sigur Ros, and a head-spinning number of local ales to sample.
1. Bestival
Where: Robin Hill County Park, Isle of Wight When: 5th-8th September The last stop on 2013's festival road is also one of the most impressive line-ups of the entire calendar, thanks to the presence of Elton John, Snoop Dog (or Lion or whatever animal he's being today) and Franz Ferdinand, and there's enough here from all walks of musical life to entertain even the most cynical of festival vets. It's a little bit more alternative, and a little less busy (although 55,000 isn't anything to be sniffed at by any means), so if you're looking for the slightly "boutique" festival feel, as it tends to be marketed as, you can still
pick up tickets for Bestival now.