The Best of the Fests: The festivals you need to know about in summer 2023

Virgin Radio

7 Jul 2023, 08:27

Virgin Radio’s Stu Elmore is here to break down the best festival line-ups of summer 2023!

With Glastonbury out of the way for another year, there are plenty of massive festivals to enjoy up and down the country. Nowhere beats the UK for music festivals and to make sure you know the places to be and the bands to see, Stu has got you covered.

This Sunday (9th July) at 7pm on Virgin Radio is Sunday Night Live: Best of the Fests where Stu picks his top picks from the top festivals and will treat you to some live music from those acts. Below are just some of the festivals you should be adding to your calendar...

Latitude Festival

The likes of Pulp, Paolo Nutini and George Ezra will be headlining Suffolk-based festival Latitude. 

The big names don’t end there, as The Kooks, Metronomy, Paul Heaton, Jacqui Abbott, Black Midi, Lightning Seeds, The Proclaimers, Sophie Ellis-Bexter, and Young Fathers are all lined up to play. 

Headlining the comedy tent will be Ed Gamble, Bridget Christie, Sara Pascoe and Romesh Ranganathan with the likes of Russell Kane, Suzi Ruffell, Fern Brady and Ed Byrne joining the line-up.

If food is a bit more your thing, the Guest Chef tent will be just as star-studded, with Richard Curtis, Sophie Ellis-Bextor and Rachel Parris expected to cook up a storm! 

(Make sure you stay locked to Virgin Radio across Latitude weekend as we’ll be bringing you all the latest from Henham Park!)

Virgin Radio are Latitude's Broadcast Partner this year. Latitude Festival takes place from 20th-23rd July 2023 at Henham Park, Suffolk. For the full line-up and ticket information, visit latitudefestival.com.

Kendal Calling

There will be some very familiar faces in the Lake District for Kendal Calling 2023.

Virgin Radio’s drivetime presenter Ricky Wilson and rockers Kaiser Chiefs will join the likes of Natalie Imbruglia, Melanie C and Rick Astley on stage from 27th until 20th July. 

Kasabian, Blossoms and Royal Blood are headlining the three-day event, while Frank Turner and The Enemy will lead the way on the Parklands stage. 

Kendall Calling will take place 27th-30th 2023 at Lowther Deer Park, Lake District. For the full line-up and ticket information, visit kendalcalling.co.uk.

CarFest

Music loves and motoring enthusiasts unite! This year’s cinch presents CarFest is once again jam-packed with big stars and classic cars. 

Returning to Laverstoke Park Farm in Hampshire this summer, festival-goers can look forward to a weekend packed full of fun from the 25th to 27th of August 2023. 

The brainchild of Virgin Radio’s Chris Evans, CarFest is entering its 12th year, and has more activities and attractions to keep the whole family entertained - from live music, adventure and comedy to classic cars, famous faces and cookery demonstrations.  

Performers set to hit the main stage for some brilliant performances include Sophie Ellis-Bextor, The Feeling, McFly, Boyzlife, Craig David presents TS5, Rick Astley, Texas and The Horne Section to name just a small few.

Virgin Radio are media partners of CarFest. cinch presents CarFest runs from 25th to 27th August at Laverstoke Park Farm, Hampshire. For full line-up ticket information, visit carfest.org.

Reading and Leeds Fest

A festival so big they have to do it twice! There are some major names headlining this year’s Reading and Leeds Festival. 

Sam Fender, The Killers and Billie Eilish are headlining the stuffed-to-the-gills event, which is taking place on 25th-27th August. 

The Main Stage West will be packed with talent including Imagine Dragons, Foals and Sea Girls. 

Reading & Leeds Festival will take place 24th - 27th August at Richfield Avenue in Reading, and Bramham Park in Leeds. For full line-up and ticket information, visit readingfestival.com.

See the full line-up of unmissable festivals on Virgin Radio at 7pm on Sunday 9th July for Best of the Fests.