Festivals
In 2025, festivals have become defiantly political. Roskilde is one of the most powerful
A sea of people — Music and countercultural movements have a hand-in-hand relationship spanning decades. As authorities increasingly police traditional on-street protests, dancefloors and crowds are again becoming crucial spaces for solidarity, writes Ella Glossop, reporting from Denmark’s largest festival.
Written by: Ella Glossop
At Belgium’s Horst, electronic music, skate and community collide
More than a festival — With art exhibitions, youth projects and a brand new skatepark, the Vilvoorde-Brussels weekender is demonstrating how music events can have an impact all year round.
Written by: Isaac Muk
Block9 reveals its Glastonbury Festival 2025 plans
Party and protest — The nightlife hub will feature a bigger-than-ever Saturday daytime block party across The NYC Downlow and Genosys, and a huge collaboration with artist-activist group Led By Donkeys.
Written by: Isaac Muk
Southbank Centre reveals new series dedicated to East and Southeast Asian arts
ESEA Encounters — Taking place between 17-20 July, there will be a live concert from YMO’s Haruomi Hosono, as well as discussions around Asian literature, stage productions, and a pop-up Japanese Yokimono summer market.
Written by: Zahra Onsori
Activists claim victory after major UK festivals drop Barclays as a sponsor
Groups and artists have been campaigning for Live Nation to drop the bank as a sponsor for Download, Latitude and Isle of Wight over alleged ties to the arms trade.
Written by: Ben Smoke
Boomtown 2023: portraits of the people behind the madness
Photographer Alice Louisa captures the passionate organisers, dedicated artists and devoted attendees that make up the UK’s most extraordinary festival.
Written by: Alice Louisa
Punk bands with their punk vans
Photographer Chris Bethell headed to Manchester Punk Festival over Easter weekend to capture bands with their temporary homes on wheels.
Written by: Emma Garland
Harsh drug policing at festivals is endangering lives
Reform now — Tough fines and arrests for drug possession and supply is pushing festival-goers towards unsafe measures to consume or smuggle in their substances, reports Rebecca Tidy.
Written by: Rebecca Tidy
The 50th Anniversary of Woodstock, in pictures
Peace and music — American photographer Henry Diltz uncovers his archive of shots from the legendary music festival, now over half a century old.
Written by: Miss Rosen
How to survive as an independent festival in 2019
Can it still be done? — With more and more festivals crowding the cultural calendar, it’s hard to survive, let alone stand out. But among the noise, a number of DIY events are carving out their own distinct space – thriving in the process.
Written by: Daniel Dylan Wray
Celebrating ten outrageous years of the UK's best queer club
Inside NYC Downlow — For just four nights a year, the UK's best queer club opens its doors. We went along to the NYC Downlow's messy, sweaty and wild tenth birthday celebrations at Glastonbury this weekend.
Written by: Michael Segalov
This is what 30 years of British counterculture looks like
Exist to Resist — Matthew Smith has spent three decades documenting street culture at its rawest, from rural raves to political protests, in the face of police pressure.
Written by: Khadija Ahmed
