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2025 festivals: Superbloom, Pinkpop, Open’er & more

Boardmasters, Forbidden Fruit, Superbloom, Pinkpop, All Points East, Love Supreme, Latitude, Syd For Solen, Colours of Ostrava, Pukkelpop and Open’er are among the raft of the festivals that have secured new names for their 2025 lineups.

Germany’s Superbloom has unveiled its first lineup announcement featuring international acts Post Malone, Nelly Furtado, Hozier, Tiësto, RAYE, and Suki Waterhouse, as well as top German acts such as 01099, Alligatoah, Montez, $OHO BANI, Juli, and Esther Graf. The fourth edition of the Goodlive-promoted event will take place between 30–31 August at Munich’s Olympic Park with 50,000 visitors per day.

Denmark’s Syd For Solen (South of the Sun) has secured Chappell Roan, Sam Fender and Queens of the Stone Age for headlining slots at this year’s festival in Valbyparken, Copenhagen. The 7–9 August event, promoted by Smash!Bang!Pow!, will also feature Mk.gee, Confidence Man, Overmono, Khruangbin, CMAT, Don West, MJ Lenderman & The Wind.

Chappell Roan has also been announced as a headliner for Pukkelpop 2025, along with Chase & Status and Oscar and the Wolf. The Belgian event will return to Kiewit, near Hasselt, between 14–17 August.

Poland’s biggest festival, Open’er, has added Grammy Award-winner Doechii to the lineup, as well as Lola Young. The Alter Art-promoted festival will return to Gdynia-Kosakowo Airport between 2–5 July.

In the Netherlands, Pinkpop‘s lineup is coming together with Justin Timberlake, Olivia Rodrigo and Muse set to headline. Tate McRae, Weezer, The Last Dinner Party, Cypress Hill, Korn, Biffy Clyro, and Girl In Red are also set to perform at the MOJO-promoted festival, taking place in Landgraaf between 20–22 June.

Love Supreme Jazz Festival has secured six-time Grammy-winning Jacob Collier for his first major festival headline appearance

Czech Republic’s Colours of Ostrava has announced FINNEAS, Iggy Pop, Justice, The Chainsmokers, Sting, Shaggy, Snow Patrol and more for its 22nd edition, taking place July 16 to 19 in Ostrava.

In the UK, Chase & Status will be making their All Points East debut on Saturday 16 August in east London. Their RTRN II DANCE takeover will feature special guests Overmono, Sammy Virji and Nia Archives. Chase & Status join previously announced headliners RAYE (Saturday 23 August), Barry Can’t Swim (Friday 22 August), and The Maccabees, who are headlining their first show in eight years on Sunday 24 August.

Elsewhere, it has been announced that The Kaiser Chiefs will return to Latitude as part of their 20th-anniversary celebrations. Leon Bridges, Air, Alison Moyet and Doves have also joined the lineup for the Festival Republic-promoted event, slated for 24–27 July in Henham Park, Suffolk. Previously announced headliners include Sting, Snow Patrol, Fatboy Slim, Basement Jaxx, and Elbow.

Boardmasters in Cornwall has announced Central Cee as the final headliner for the 2025 edition, joining RAYE and The Prodigy. Other new names for the Superstruct-backed festival include The Wombats, Sub Focus, Flo, Leigh-Anne, Krept & Konan, The Blessed Madonna, Caity Baser and Maverick Sabre. The event takes place at Watergate Bay and Fistral Beach from 6–10 August.

In Ireland, the 13th edition of Forbidden Fruit, promoted by POD in association with Aiken Promotions, is taking shape. In a full-circle moment, Jamie xx will return to the Dublin festival for his only Ireland show in 2025. Underworld, Caribou, Peggy Gou, Mall Grab, Glass Beams and FCUKERS are also on the bill for the 31 May to 1 June event at Royal Hospital Kilmainham.

Love Supreme Jazz Festival has secured six-time Grammy-winning Jacob Collier for his only UK show of the year and his first major festival headline appearance. The UK event returns to Glynde Place in East Sussex from 4–6 July 2025, with Smokey Robinson, En Vogue, Maxwell, War, Thee Sacred Souls and more.

 


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Boardmasters makes changes after 2024 crowd crush

The UK’s Boardmasters has enhanced security measures for next year’s festival after a crowd crush took place at this summer’s event.

Held in Newquay, Cornwall, from 7-11 August, the 2024 event featured acts such as Chase & Status, Sam Fender and Stormzy, backed by Courteeners, Becky Hill, The Streets, Leftfield, Tom Odell, Nia Archives, Declan McKenna, Maisie Peters, Cat Burns and Mahalia.

The “isolated incident” took place on the Superstruct-backed festival’s The Point stage on Friday (9 August) during a performance by DJ Sammy Virji, whose set was cancelled and the stage closed temporarily as a result.

The festival later confirmed that seven festivalgoers had to be taken to hospital and the council launched a formal investigation into what happened.

Boardmasters has confirmed it is boosting security personnel to “crowd and behaviour management positions” by 20% for the 2025 event

The festival’s capacity had been increased from 53,000 to 58,000 this year after its licensing application was partially accepted by the local council.

Now, Boardmasters has confirmed it is boosting security personnel to “crowd and behaviour management positions” by 20% for the 2025 event taking place between 6-10 August.

The festival will have 25 more entry lanes which organisers said would enable deeper searches of visitors’ belongings, 25% more watchtowers manned 24-hours a day, and 50% increase in high-visibility security patrols.

The festival has also brought in numerous other changes based on feedback from attendees, including an increase in the number of Wi-Fi hotspots in both the arena and campsites and a ‘chilled’ campsite with an 11 pm noise curfew. They have added that further updates will be issued in due course.

Next year’s Boardmasters line-up has not yet been confirmed.

 


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Seven hospitalised after Boardmasters incident

A number of festivalgoers were taken to hospital after a crowd collapse at the UK’s Boardmasters over the weekend.

Held in Newquay, Cornwall, from 7-11 August, the event featured acts such as Chase & Status, Sam Fender and Stormzy, backed by Courteeners, Becky Hill, The Streets, Leftfield, Tom Odell, Nia Archives, Declan McKenna, Maisie Peters, Cat Burns and Mahalia.

The “isolated incident” took place on the Superstruct-backed festival’s The Point stage on Friday (9 August) during a performance by DJ Sammy Virji, whose set was cancelled and the stage closed temporarily as a result.

Organisers say seven people were transferred to hospital with “minor injuries”, but Boardmasters otherwise continued as normal, adding that “experienced pit management and security teams” were in place at the event “with robust medical and welfare provision including highly experienced and trained medical, welfare and safeguarding staff”.

“We were notified following a crowd collapse at Boardmasters music festival which left a small number of attendees injured”

A statement by Devon and Cornwall Police, given on Saturday, read: “We were notified following a crowd collapse at Boardmasters music festival in Newquay on Friday 9 August which left a small number of attendees injured.

“The injured parties were treated on-site by medical staff and a small number were taken to hospital to be checked over for minor injuries.

“Contrary to speculation, we can confirm that there have been no deaths as a result of this incident. This is an isolated incident and the festival continues.”

The festival’s capacity was increased from 53,000 to 58,000 this year after its licensing application was partially accepted by the local council.

 


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Euro festival preview: Øya, Boardmasters, Sziget

Continuing our regular European festival previews, IQ gives readers a snapshot of what’s to come this weekend…

Norway’s Øya Festival is celebrating its 25th anniversary between 6-10 August, with Jack White drafted in as a late replacement for Queens of the Stone Age. White joined PJ Harvey, Pulp, Janelle Monáe and Gabrielle in headlining the Oslo event, which will also feature The Kills, Vince Staples, The National, Slowdive, Big Thief, Arca, Sampha and Idles, among others.

In addition, White has stepped in for QOTSA at Sweden’s Way Out West and Denmark’s Syd for Solen (both 8-10 August).

The Way Out West lineup already boasts artists including Fred Again.., Pulp, PJ Harvey, The National, Air, Skepta, Charlotte Day Wilson, Peggy Gou, Chase & Status, Andre 3000, Big Thief, Jessie Ware, Tems and J Hus, while Fred Again.. also tops the bill at Syd for Solen, which will also welcome the likes of Jorja Smith, Michael Kiwanuka, Sampha, Air, Big Thief, Kenya Grace, Andre 3000 and The Kills.

Also in Denmark, Smukfest, which runs from 4-11 August, has Deep Purple, Sam Smith, Diana Ross, Hardwell, Icona Pop, Example, Faithless, Joel Corry, Lukas Graham, The Prodigy, Zara Larsson and Kiefer Sutherland.

In Hungary, Budapest’s Sziget (7-12 August) presents an all-star cast starring Fred Again.., Halsey, Janelle Monae, Kylie Minogue, Liam Gallagher, Martin Garrix, Sam Smith, Skrillex and Stormzy. Acts will also include Bebe Rexha, Fisher, Louis Tomlinson, Raye, Four Tet, Fontaines DC, Tom Odell, Becky Hill, Aurora and Big Thief.

Meanwhile, Halsey, Fred Again.., PJ Harvey and Pulp head Finland’s Flow Festival in Helsinki (9-11 August). The bill also includes acts such as Raye, Jessie Ware, Idles, Janelle Monae, Vince Staples, Aurora, James Blake, L’Imperatrice, Kenya Grace and Gasellit.

The UK’s Boardmasters (7-11 August) in Newquay, Cornwall, will be headlined by Chase & Status, Sam Fender and Stormzy, backed by Courteeners, Becky Hill, The Streets, Leftfield, Tom Odell, Nia Archives, Declan McKenna, Maisie Peters, Cat Burns and Mahalia.

Other acts will include The Teskey Brothers, Kenya Grace, Soft Play, Elderbrook, Holly Humberstone, Ghetts, Katy B, Kate Nash, Royel Otis, Los Bitchos and Nick Mulvey.

Boomtown 2024 – Chapter 3: Revolution of Imagination (7-11 August) brings The Pharcyde, Damian “Jr. Gong” Marley, Ezra Collective, Viagra Boys, Marc Rebillet, Earth Wind & Fire Experience by Al McKay, Soft Play and Hak Baker to Winchester’s Matterley Bow in Hampshire.

SBTRKT, Pendulum, Ibibio Sound Machine, Children Of Zeus, Ghetts, Fish 56 Octagon, Dream Wife, Priya Ragu and  Sherelle will also perform at the event.

MEO Sudoeste (7-10 August) in Portugal is headed by Martin Garrix, Anitta, Don Toliver, Da Weasel and Alok, with the supporting cast including Charlotte De Witte, Richie Campbell, Matue, Barbara Bandeira, Lil Yachty and Mizzy Miles.

Elsewhere, the likes of Rise Against, Alligatoah, Deichkind, Beatsteaks, Nina Chuba, Giant Rooks and Feine Sahne Fischfilet will grace Germany’s Taubertal-Festival (8-11 August).

 


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UK festival Boardmasters granted capacity increase

UK festival Boardmasters is set to increase its capacity to 58,000 this year after its licensing application was partially accepted.

The Cornwall Council approved the Newquay-based festival’s capacity rise by 5,000 to 2026 following an extensive hearing with the licensing committee.

“Thank you to Cornwall Council, the residents who took time to provide their valuable feedback and to all of the relevant parties who have supported us on this journey,” says festival founder Andrew Topham.

But the capacity for the music and surf festival will remain at 58,000 — including staff, performers and non-ticket holders — through 2026 after council members voted to curtail further capacity increases.

The Superstruct-backed event’s initial planning application proposed increases up to 66,000 by 2026, which sparked concerns over traffic congestion and public safety.

“I certainly appreciate the economic impact that this event does bring to the county, but I have to look at safety”

“Is there any point in increasing the numbers until we know that these new plans will work?” asked local councillor Joanna Kenny.

The annual event has perennially expanded, hosting 14,000 attendees in 2014, with Topham telling the committee the team has continuously “invested into the safety and infrastructure of the festival”.

“We want to add more and more layers of security, traffic management and anything that enhances the festival operation but to do that ultimately means more capacity,” Topham says.

In 2022, the five-day event, headlined by George Ezra, Disclosure, and Kings Of Leon, brought in £40 million (€46m) into the local economy.

“I support any business that wants to expand as long as it’s done at the right time and in a safe way. I certainly appreciate the economic impact that this event does bring to the county, but from my perspective, I cannot focus on that — I have to look at safety,” says Ann Marie Jameson, council health and safety officer.

The 2024 edition is set for 7-11 August 2024, with Stormzy, Sam Fender, and Chase & Status topping the bill. Courteeners, Overmono, Royel Otis, Kate Nash, Holly Humberstone, Wunderhorse, Hedex, and Ewan McVicar add to this year’s lineup.

 


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Festivals ’24: Wireless, Release Athens, Longitude

Festival lineups from across Europe have continued to flood in for 2024, with the UK’s Wireless, Greece’s Release Athens and Ireland’s Longitude among the latest to confirm.

Nicki Minaj, Doja Cat, 21 Savage and J Hus head the first wave of acts for Wireless, which will take place at Finsbury Park, London from 12-14 July.

The bill also features special guest Future, plus Ice Spice, Sean Paul, Asake, Gunna, Rema, Tyla, Digga D, Vanessa Bling, Veeze, Ragz Originale, DJ Target and Remi Burgz. Sexyy Red, Fridayy, Skillibeng, Byron Messia, Shallipopi, Strandz, Kenny Allstar, Seani B, Uncle Waffles, Ruger, Teezo Touchdown, Nadia Jae and Snoochie Shy.

In Greece, concert series Release Athens has so far unveiled headliners The Offspring, Megadeth, Jain, Pulp, Thievery Corporation, Massive Attack, Duran Duran, Judas Priest and Behemoth between 9 June and 28 July. The Smile, Black Pumas, Blind Guardian, Telenova, Pestilence, Bruce Dickinson, Testament and Accept are also on the bill.

Set for Marlay Park, Dublin from 29-30 June, Longitude‘s first round of acts includes Central Cee, Doja Cat, Becky Hill, 21 Savage, Belters Only, blk., D-Block Europe, Sonny Fodera, Joel Corry, Jazzy and Kenya Grace.

Italy’s I-Days has headline shows with Metallica, Lana Del Rey, Green Day, Doja Cat, Tedua, Queens of the Stone Age, Bring Me the Horizon, Sum 41 and Stray Kids. The gigs, which will be staged in Milan between 29 May and 12 July, will also feature a supporting cast including Five Finger Death Punch, Ice Nine Kills, Nothing But Thieves, Hemlocke Springs, 21 Savage, Royal Blood, Yungblud, Bad Omens, Avril Lavigne and Simple Plan.

Jonas Brothers are the final headliner announced for the 20th anniversary of Rock in Rio Lisbon. The trio will play their first ever show in Portugal at the event alongside Scorpions, Ed Sheeran and Doja Cat over the weekends of 15-16 & 22-23 June. The likes of Camila Cabello, Jake Bugg, Evanescence, James, Lukas Graham, Ivete Sangalo and Callum Scott will also appear.

“It’s thrilling to announce such an incredible range of groundbreaking artists who are shaping the music scene in real time”

Spain’s Mad Cool has added The Killers, Måneskin, Rema, Tyla, Sexyy Red, Nia Archives, Alec Benjamin, 2ManyDJs, Claudia León, Dead Posey, Depresión Sonora, Lord Huron, Bar Italia, Andres Campo, Picture Parlour, Sea Girls, Nadye, Comandante Twin, Julia Sabaté, Choses Sauvages and Slix.

The acts join Pearl Jam, Motxila 21, Dua Lipa, The Smashing Pumpkins, Avril Lavigne, Keane, Janelle Monáe, Bring Me The Horizon, Garbage, Sum 41, Jessie Ware, Soccer Mommy, Greta Van Fleet, Larkin Poe, Rels B, Chinchilla and Jet Vesper on the lineup from 10-13 July.

Back in the UK, Reading & Leeds has announced more than 50 new artists for 2024 including Reneé Rapp, Fontaines D.C., Denzel Curry, Pendulum, Neck Deep and Nia Archives, who will join the six headliners, including UK festival exclusives Fred again.., Lana Del Rey and Blink-182, as well as Liam Gallagher, Catfish and the Bottlemen and Gerry Cinnamon. Organisers have also teased the launch of a new stage called The Chevron.

“It’s thrilling to announce such an incredible range of groundbreaking artists who are shaping the music scene in real time,” says Festival Republic MD Melvin Benn. “Reading & Leeds doesn’t stand still; our audience demands the best and our line up strives to reflect what people are currently listening to. We’re proud to always be at the cutting edge and keen eyes may have spotted another evolution for the show on the poster; ‘The Chevron’ – details of which will be revealed soon.”

K-pop superstars Stray Kids are the latest headliners announced for American Express presents BST Hyde Park in London on 14 July. Andrea Bocelli and Robbie Williams have previously been confirmed.

Completing Boardmasters‘ 2024 bill is Sam Fender, who headlines alongside Stormzy and Chase & Status in Newquay, Cornwall between 7-11 August. Other acts include Courteeners, Declan McKenna, Overmono, Kate Nash, Wunderhorse, Los Bitchos, Charlotte Plank, Newdad, Sprints, Redro, Flo Crowe & The Dilemmas, Girls Don’t Sync, Hedex & Eksman, Billy Gillies, Charlie Boon, 24hr Garage Girls, a Dick & Dom DnB set, Elkka, Syreeta, Kara and Pola & Bryson.

Family festival Camp Bestival lands in Lulworth Castle, Dorset from 25-28 July with artists such as Pete Tong, Paloma Faith, McFly, Orbital, Jake Shears, The Darkness, Sophie Ellis-Bextor and Roger Sanchez. It will then be held at Weston Park, Shropshire between 15-18 August with a similar lineup including Faithless, Paloma Faith, Rick Astley, McFly, Orbital, Jake Shears, The Darkness and Level 42.

Elsewhere, following the announcement of Sheryl Crow as headliner, Black Deer Festival has bolstered its 2024 lineup with the likes of Seasick Steve, Hermanos Gutiérrez, The Shires, Courtney Barnett, The Staves and Villagers. Running from 14-16 June at Eridge Park, Kent, the UK’s festival for Americana will also showcase rising talent such as Dylan Gossett, Divorce, Michele Stodart, Prima Queen and Holly Macve.

“We really are at a critical point for the UK’s festival sector… UK festivals need time to recover and rebuild. They need help from our government”

Plus, the inaugural Plymouth Summer Sessions will star Tom Jones, Bryan Adams, Madness and Sting from 13-16 June, with support from Gabrielle, Cassyette, Lightning Seeds and Blondie, while Stirling Summer Sessions will welcome Busted and The Darkness on 28 June, with Tom Jones to perform on 30 June.

Meanwhile, UK trade body the Association of Independent Festivals (AIF) has launched a new campaign for a VAT reduction on festival tickets, which it says would save many event promoters from closures in 2024.

The 5% For Festivals campaign seeks to inform festival-goers about the problems that music festival promoters have faced over the last five years, encouraging them to contact their MPs to lobby for a VAT reduction on tickets.

AIF research suggests that at least 36 festivals cancelled before they were due to take place in 2023, with six UK festivals having announced some form of cancellation already this year: NASS Festival, Leopollooza, Long Division, Bluedot, Barn On The Farm and Nozstock The Hidden Valley, which will make its 2024 edition its last.

“We really are at a critical point for the UK’s festival sector,” says AIF CEO John Rostron. “Five years ago, it would have been impossible to imagine that promoters would have to endure something as damaging as the Covid-19 pandemic – but many of them did, without passing the inevitable cost onto the consumer. To think that, since then, they have had to manage the effects of Brexit, war in Ukraine, inflation and an energy crisis is staggering.

“That festival-goers were able to enjoy some of the fantastic events they did in 2023 is testament to the resilience and passion of those promoters. But we lost 36 festivals last year, and with six festivals having postponed activity in 2024 or closed the gates for good, we are on track to see well over double the number of casualties this year.

“UK festivals need time to recover and rebuild. They need help from our government. A reduction in VAT on festival tickets from 20% to 5% for three years is an evidence-based, simple, sensible remedy that would ease the financial burden on promoters enough for them to return to health. We need this action now.”

 


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UK lineups for 2024: All Points East, R&L and more

The UK’s 2024 festival season is beginning to take shape, with lineup announcements from All Points East, Reading & Leeds, Boardmasters, Slam Dunk, Lytham Festival and Summer Sessions.

LCD Soundsystem have been announced to headline London’s All Points East 2024, promoted by AEG Presents.

The New York-hailing electro-punk band, who headlined the inaugural edition of the festival back in 2018, will return to top the bill at Victoria Park on Friday 23 August for the Bank Holiday Weekend.

They’ll be joined by Jai Paul, Pixies, Floating Points, Jockstrap, Nation of Language, Sofia Kourtesis and Eyedress.

The news comes after Loyle Carner was announced as All Points East’s first headliner, to be joined by Nas, Ezra Collective, Sainté, Joe James, ENNY and Navy Blue. More headliners and other acts are expected to be revealed soon.

Reading & Leeds 2024, meanwhile, will be headlined by Liam Gallagher, Lana Del Rey, Blink-182, Fred Again.., Gerry Cinnamon and Catfish & The Bottlemen.

The legendary twin-site festival is due to return to Little John’s Farm in Reading and Bramham Park in Leeds across August Bank Holiday Weekend (21-25).

21 Savage, Jorja Smith and The Prodigy, Raye, Skrillex, Spiritbox and Digga D are also set to perform at the Festival Republic-promoted event.

The first wave of artists appearing at Boardmasters 2024 have been announced, with Stormzy, Chase & Status and Becky Hill leading the line-up.

Next year’s edition of the Superstruct-backed festival will be held between 7-11 August, and take place on the usual sites on the Cornish Coast – Watergate Bay and Fistral Beach.

Over 30 other acts have also been locked in for the 2024 edition, including Becky Hill, Bicep, Nia Archives, Tom Odell, Soft Play, English Teacher and Katy B.

The surf and music festival is hoping to increase its capacity to 65,000 by 2025 after submitting a licensing application to Cornwall Council.

Slam Dunk festival will make its return to Hatfield Park and Leeds Temple Newsam Park on 25 and 26 May, with acts including You Me At Six, the All-American Rejects and I Prevail.

Also on the bill is Boys Like Girls, We The Kings, Funeral For A Friend, Asking Alexandria, I Prevail, The Interrupters, Waterparks, Palaye Royale, Pale Waves, Bob Vylan, Pennywise, The Skints, Goldfinger, LA Dispute, Mad Caddies, Mom Jeans, One Step Closer, Artio, Røry, Set It Off, The Bouncing Souls, The Selecter, The Wonder Years and L.S. Dunes.

Lytham Festival, the biggest in the North West, has also announced the line-up for the 2024 edition, featuring artists including Hozier, Courteeners, Madness and more.

Rick Astley, Johnny Marr, The Kooks and more are also booked to play the next instalment, set for Lytham Green from 3–7 July.

Summer Sessions, Scotland’s long-running live music series, has added Tom Jones, James and Johnny Marr to the bill.

They join the previously announced Nile Rodgers & CHIC, Jess Glynne and DJ Pete Tong’s Ibiza Classics as headliners.

As previously reported, Live Nation, DF Concerts and Cuffe & Taylor are expanding Summer Sessions to five new destinations in England and Wales in 2024.

The new 15,000 to 30,000-cap events will take place in Bedford’s Bedford Park, Chepstow Racecourse, Derby’s Markeaton Park, Plymouth’s The Hoe and Southampton’s Guildhall Square.

 


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Boardmasters bids to raise capacity to 65k by 2025

UK surf and music festival Boardmasters is hoping to increase its capacity to 65,000 by 2025 after submitting a licensing application to Cornwall Council.

If granted, the new licence will allow the event, which was headlined by Lorde, Liam Gallagher and Florence + The Machine in 2023, to grow its capacity from 53,000 to 58,000 next summer, and expand by a further 7,000 the following year.

Organisers say it would also enable the Superstruct-backed festival to increase the economic impact for Cornwall, creating more jobs and opportunities for more direct contracts for businesses in the area, as well as scope for even bigger music artists. The festival brought £40 million (€46m) into the local economy in 2022.

At Fistral Beach, where the Boardmasters OPEN surf competition takes place, capacity will remain at 22,000.

“It would allow us to further elevate festival facilities, create more space, and enable us to continue to invest in our industry leading safeguarding work”

“We have exciting and ambitious plans for Boardmasters and under the proposal, we would be able to take the festival to the next level,” says Boardmasters Festival founder Andrew Topham of Vision Nine. “That means even bigger artists from all over the world, even more content for our attendees to enjoy, greater economic impact locally, more jobs as we increase staffing numbers and much more.

“Operationally, it would allow us to further elevate festival facilities, create more space, and enable us to continue to invest in our industry leading safeguarding work. Boardmasters is proud to be a part of Cornwall, generating millions each year for the County, as well as fundraising efforts through the Boardmasters Foundation which contributes to local charities and organisations.

“We look forward to the consideration of all of the relevant parties and thank residents whose feedback we value greatly. As always, we will continue our work to produce a world-class festival in Cornwall.”

Boardmasters returns to Newquay from 7-11 August, with the first wave of acts for its 2024 line-up to be announced this week.

 


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Major fests confirm new blockbuster acts for 2023

Major festivals including Boardmasters (UK), MEO Kalorama (PT), Fest Festival (PL), NOS Alive (PT) and Orange Warsaw (PL) have revealed new names for their 2023 editions.

Boardmasters music and surfing festival in the UK has unveiled the first wave of more than 30 acts, including two headline performers, for next year.

Former Oasis frontman Liam Gallagher and Florence + The Machine will headline the festival in Newquay, Cornwall, on 9–13 August 2023.

Other acts announced for the Superstruct-backed event include Little Simz, Four Tet, Example, Dylan, Bob Vylan, Cassyette, Kid Kapichi, Jockstrap, Connie Constance, Gwenno, Katachafire, Gretel Hänlyn and Wunderhorse.

The festival, which usually attracts about 50,000 people, is held at Watergate Bay and Fistral beach.

Liam Gallagher and Florence + The Machine will headline Boardmasters

Organisers said “tens of thousands” had already signed up for pre-sale tickets before the general release on Friday (25 November).

Elsewhere, Portugal’s MEO Kalorama is set to return to Bela Vista Park in Lisbon between 31 August and 12 September, after a successful debut.

The second edition of the 40,000-capacity event will feature acts including Arcade Fire, Florence and the Machine, Foals and Metronomy.

The Blaze, Amyl and the Sniffers are also slated to perform at the event, which is promoted by House of Fun and Last Tour – the cultural company behind events such as Bilbao BBK Live, Azkena Rock Festival, Cala Mijas and BIME Live.

Elsewhere in Portugal’s festival market, NOS Alive‘s first artist confirmation is American rock duo Black Keys.

The second edition of MEO Kalorama will feature Arcade Fire, Florence and the Machine, Foals and Metronomy

The 15th edition is due to take place between 6–8 July 2023 held in the Algés riverside, close to Lisbon.

This year’s NOS Alive, promoted as usual by Everything Is New, welcomed 210,000 people over four days and 165 artists across seven stages.

Poland’s 2023 festival summer is also shaping up, with Fest Festival and Orange Warsaw detailing their forthcoming editions.

The fourth annual Fest Festival will see performances from the likes of The Chemical Brothers, 070 Shake, Gibbs, Oki, Oliver Heldens, Rubens, The Stickmen Project, Two Feet and Yungblud.

The 50,000-capacity event will once again return to Chorzów’s Silesia Park – the largest park in Europe – between 9 and 13 August, 2023. Fest Festival is promoted by Follow The Step, which also stages On Air festival in Warsaw.

Poland’s capital will also see the return of Orange Warsaw next year, taking place at the Horsetrack Warsaw-Służewiec between 2 and 3 June.

English superstar Sam Smith has been confirmed for the 14th edition of the 10,000-capacity event, promoted by Alter Art (Open’er, Krakow Live).

 


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Scheme launched to tackle sexual violence at gigs

Community organisation Safer Spaces has officially launched in response to issues around sexual violence, harassment and abuse at music festivals and events.

Safer Spaces was set up in the UK by two sisters, Anna MacGregor and Madeleine North, in 2021 as a result of their personal and professional experiences, allied to the VAWG (violence against women and girls) “tolerant and systemic culture of assault and abuse of women and girls” at concerts, festivals and other events.

The volunteer-led initiative will be in place at a number of UK and international music festivals this year to offer a comfortable, safe space for women and girls who feel overwhelmed, uncomfortable or who have been sexually assaulted, abused or harassed. It follows a report by YouGov, which revealed that one in five attendees had experienced sexual assault or harassment at a festival, while two in five young female festival-goers have been subjected to unwanted sexual behaviour.

“Safer Spaces wants to eradicate VAWG and harassment throughout society by raising awareness, training professionals and members of the community to challenge behaviours, identify abuse and respond and support people who have experienced or been impacted by assault, abuse or harassment,” says Anna MacGregor, CEO and co-founder of Safer Spaces.

“Festivals, events and artists are uniquely positioned to really emphasise a zero tolerance approach”

“As a country we are creating better services, structures and legislation to respond to VAWG, but it is not enough. VAWG is a systemic and longstanding issue, embedded culturally and socially. We need to engage with people directly, creating safe spaces for women and girls and educating and challenging male violence. Festivals, events and artists are uniquely positioned to really emphasise a zero tolerance approach and show women and girls that they are valued and that male violence is condemned.”

Specially trained volunteer outreach teams will be sent to festivals to offer on site, face-to-face support, whilst educating and engaging festival goers, staff and vendors with zero tolerance and “don’t be a bystander” messaging, to de-stigmatise talking about and reporting sexual violence.

Safer Spaces’ tents offer a welcoming safe space where women and girls can come and hang out, use facilities and escape to some calmness. The tents also provide a safe space to report incidents via private disclosure cabins and get professional support. While Safer Spaces is gender informed, all services are gender inclusive, turning no one away that needs a safe space.

The scheme was piloted at the UK’s 50,000-cap Boardmasters festival in 2021, with around 60 specially-trained volunteers heading to the event. Safer Spaces also took its services to Isle Of Wight festival and SoundStorm in Saudi Arabia. In 2022, Safer Spaces will be in place at Boardmasters, NASS festival, Love Saves The Day, Forwards and BoomTown, with more to be confirmed in the coming months.

 


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