May

BRIGHTON FESTIVAL
Where: Various venues, Brighton
When: 1-23 May
What: A feast of music, art, theatre and dance taking place in venues all across Brighton, this year featuring Brian Eno as guest artistic director. Musically, you can expect everything from the classical interpretations of the Kalichstein-Laredo-Robinson trio to the contemporary folk of Ian King and Alisdair Roberts, with a similar eclecticism right across the board. Price: various, with many free street performances. Tel: 01279 703703, web: www.brightonfestival.org

LOCAL EVENT
BRISTOL FESTIVAL OF IDEAS
Where: Various, Bristol
When: 2 May-6 June
What: With the noble aim of stimulating people’s minds and passions, this hugely successful Bristol brainfest is now in its sixth year. Hosting a seriesof lectures, performances and films, it’s guaranteed to get the grey matter working: you get celluloid treats such
as Sex Pistols doc ‘The Filth and The Fury’, and talks on everything from (sadly deceased) playwright Harold Pinter, paranoia in the 1970s, influential French film journal Cahiers du Cinema and why we lie. Price: various. Web: www.ideasfestival.co.uk

CAMBRIDGE SUMMER MUSIC FESTIVAL
Where: Various venues, Cambridge
When: 4 May-3 July
What: Classical music is the name of Cambridge’s game during this popular and renowned annual festival. Performances range from Chopin’s piano favourites to Monteverdi’s Vespers through to more modern offerings like chamber-rock Bach botherers Red Priest. Kings and Jesus College both offer their chapels for use during the festival, alongside legendary Cambridge venue the Corn Exchange. Price: various. Tel: 01223 357851, Web: www.cambridgesummermusic.com

LOCAL EVENT
MAYFEST
Where: Bristol Old Vic and other venues, Bristol
When: 7-22 May
What: Billed as “adventurous theatre for playful people”, Mayfest draws some of the most exciting contemporary theatre companies from across the UK and Europe. Things kick off on 7 May with a rare old party at the Old Vic, and well over 30 different shows will follow: highlights look to be ‘Wondermart’, which pokes fun at consumer culture, and ‘The Human Computer’, a stand-up show that promises to journey to “the wiry heart of the cyber web”. Price: various. Web: www.mayfestbristol.co.uk

NEWBURY SPRING FESTIVAL
Where: Various venues, Newbury, Berks
When: 8-22 May
What: Two weeks of first-rate kulcher in various venues around the river Kennet. Classical music is the main thrust of the festival: the Moscow State Symphony Orchestra play music from legendary Russian composers Borodin, Rachmaninov and Rimsky-Korsakov, though jazz (Neil Cowley trio) and cabaret (‘Fascinating Rhythm’) are also represented. Tina May also pays tribute to divinely-voiced French warbler Edith Piaf. Price: various. Tel: 01635 528766, Web: www.newburyspringfestival.org.uk

ISLE OF WIGHT WALKING FESTIVAL
Where: Various venues, Isle of Wight
When: 8-23 May
What: The dramatic, undulating landscape of the Isle of Wight is the ideal place for a walking festival, so
it’s a bloody good job they’ve gone and organised one. There are over 300 walks arranged for all ages, abilities and levels of fitness, around an island that has more recognised areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty than most. There are also walks for children, speed dating walks and so-called ‘quirky’ walks. Price: various, mainly free. Web: www.isleofwightwalkingfestival.co.uk

LOCAL EVENT
BATH COFFEE FESTIVAL
Where: The Recreation Ground, Bath
When: 15-16 May
What: A two-day celebration of the hot brown stuff featuring talks, demonstrations and lots of coffee-themed stalls. Learn latte art or even how to use coffee as a cooking ingredient. Web: www.bathcoffeefestival.co.uk

LIVERPOOL SOUNDCITY
Where: Various venues, Liverpool
When: 19-22 May
What: Merseyside musical mash-up with a varied and eclectic programme. Gigs are hosted in venues all over the city, and acts confirmed to appear include kitsch retro popper Paloma Faith, Mercury prize winner Speech Debelle, the brilliantly monikered Holy Fuck and Liverpool’s new export - Wave Machines. Price: £45 festival pass. Web: www.liverpoolsoundcity.co.uk

LOCAL EVENT
BRISTOL FESTIVAL OF PHOTOGRAPHY
Where: Various venues, Bristol
When: 20 May-9 June
What: Huge, amorphous celebration of the art of photography, with dozens and dozens of events scheduled throughout the city, including exhibitions and workshops. Pete Cranston invites Bristolians to take part in one of 12 shoots in 12 hours, with themes ranging from families to pets through hats and food; the Bristol PhotoMarathon will arm the public with disposable cameras and send them out into the city with a list of topics to capture; and there’ll be a workshop on pinhole photography, among many more. Price: various. Web: www.bfop.org

STAG AND DAGGER
Where: Various venues, London and Glasgow
When: 21-22 May
What: Two-leg mini festival straddling north and south, in London on 21 and Glasgow on 22. Exact venues yet to be announced, but the current line-up features Filthy Dukes, Peggy Sue and Sky Larkin in London, with Wild Beasts and Bristol dubstep producer Joker appearing in Glasgow. Price £12 early bird. Web: www.staganddagger.com

ACOUSTIC FESTIVAL OF BRITAIN MAYFEST
Where: Uttoxeter Racecourse
When: 21-23 May
What: Somewhat of a mecca for all things unplugged, Uttoxeter racecourse swaps horses for music-hungry punters over the course of this laidback festival. Most of the acts fall into the folk and pop categories - this year hosts the Levellers, Kate Rusby, Donovan and Sandi Thom (wishes she was a punk rocker - remember?). Price: £75 w/e early bird tickets w/camping. Tel: 0333 9000 919, web: www.acousticfestival.co.uk

WOOD
Where: Braziers Park, Oxon
When: 21-23 May
What: Billed as the “folkier, younger, cleaner, greener” brother of Oxford’s marvellous Truck Festival, and organised by Robin and Joe of Danny and the Champions of the World. Run entirely on renewable energy: expect compost toilets, showers heated by woodburning stoves, solar-powered stages and an all-round atmosphere of spiritual well-being. Acts are spread over two stages and are mainly acoustic: confirmed this year are nu-folksters Tunng, Irish ballad merchant Fionn Regan and Billy Bragg-alike rabble rouser Frank Turner amongst many others. Price: £70 adult w/e. Web: www.thisistruck.com

SALISBURY INTERNATIONAL ARTS FEST
Where: Various venues, Salisbury, Wilts
When: 21 May-5 June
What: The figures speak for themselves: 1,200 artists from 10 countries descend on Salisbury, with 55,000 attendees present for a banquet of music, theatre and dance. This year’s cryptic themes are Russia, Stories, Chalk and Stone: for Russia, the Russian Patriarchate Choir present an evening of orthodox music in Salisbury Cathederal. Tuesdays and Thursdays throughout the festival are street theatre days, where free performances will break out alfresco, and the diverse programme of events also features guided walks, a journey into the life of Eric Morcambe, a showing of Tarkovsky’s sci-fi classic ‘Stalker’ and a concert from the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra. Price: various, many free. Tel: 0845 241 9651, web: www.salisburyfestival.co.uk

LOCAL EVENT
BRISTOL INTERNATIONAL COMIC AND SMALL PRESS EXPO
Where: Ramada Hotel/Mercure Hotel, Bristol
When: 22-23 May
What: If you know your Venom from your Doppelganger and your Atlas from your Atomic Skull, then you’ll want to be among the comic book enthusiasts taking a trip into the Multiverse and beyond at Bristol’s Ramada and Mercure Hotels. There’ll be panels, signings and workshops a-plenty, with X-man Chris Claremont and 2000AD co-founder Pat Mills among this year’s guests. Price: £14 adult w/e, £6 child w/e. Web: www.fantasyevents.org/bristolcomicexpo

RADIO ONE’S BIG WEEKEND
Where: Faenol Estate, Bangor, North Wales
When: 22-23 May
What: Radio One’s nomadic annual festival this years brings a feast of disposable radio-fare to Bangor, North Wales. At time of going to press, much of the line-up is yet to announced, but previous years have seen Prodigy, Kasabian, Lily Allen and a gristly Madonna take to the stage. Tickets are free and obtained by a lottery, but there are only 10,000 pairs available for each day - last year there were 350,000 applicants, so best keep your fingers crossed. Price: free, by lottery entered through Radio One website. Web: www.bbc.co.uk/radio1/events/bigweekend

THE YELLOW’S ON THE BROOM INTERNATIONAL MUSIC AND ARTS FESTIVAL
Where: Silly Flat Barn, Inverbervie, Aberdeenshire, Scotland
When: 22-23 May
What: Bizarrely monikered culture festival with a broad range of music on offer, from home-grown folk to rock ’n’ roll. Set in a barn and aimed at the whole family, it also offers dance, crafts and workshops. Price: £75 w/e early bird tickets w/camping. Tel 01569 750756, web: www.yellowsonthebroom.ifb.co.uk

GYLNDEBOURNE
Where: Gylndebourne, nr Lewes, East Sussex
When: 22 May-29 Aug
What: Forget a night at the opera - Glyndebourne offers a whole three months of events in one of the UK’s most prestigious opera festivals. Black-tie sophistication is the order of the day, and the programme is just as classic: this year’s billing includes Verdi’s ‘Macbeth’, Mozart’s ‘Cosi fan Tutte’, Stravinsky’s ‘The Rakes Progress’ and Benjamin Britten’s ‘Billy Budd’. Price: £10 standing-£200 stalls/foyer. Tel: 01273 813813, web: www.gylndebourne.com

NORTH DEVON FESTIVAL
Where: Various venues, North Devon
When: 22 May-30 June
What: Reckoned by the Times to be one of the top five events in the country, North Devon Festival brings together dance, fairs, art, lifestyle, sport, theatre, comedy and nature events for a welcome trumpeting of the area’s rich cultural life. The Fringe Theatrefest, Appledore Visual Arts Festival, Lyton and Lymouth Musical Festival and GoldCoast Oceanfest also fall under the festival’s umbrella, so there’s no shortage of diversity. Chuckle-merchants Paul Merton and Shappi Khorsandi appear, Magic Numbers headline the Oceanfest, reggae legends Toots and the Maytals play a headline set at the Factory in Barnstaple and Illyria theatre company present an adaptation of Roald Dahl’s classic book ‘James and the Giant Peach’. Price: various. Tel: 01271 324242, web: www.northdevontheatres.org.uk

PLYMOUTH SUMMER FESTIVAL
Where: Various venues, Plymouth
When: 22 May-10 October
What: “England’s Events Capital!” they proudly decree, and with events stretching over six months, they might have a case. On 3 June Crowded House play the Plymouth Pavilions, there’s a Summer Jazz Picnic on 24 July, 10-11 August sees the British Fireworks Championship light up the night skies and on 23 September ‘medium’ Derek Acorah takes to the stage (presumably with spirit guide Sam in tow). Price: various. Web: www.visitplymouth.co.uk

RHS CHELSEA FLOWER SHOW
Where: Royal Hospital, Chelsea, London
When: 25-29 May
What: The country’s - nay, the planet’s - most prestigious and well-to-do flower show, which draws national coverage for its world-beating displays of horticultural excellence. Landscapers from across the globe come to exhibit their creations and the green-fingered assemble in their thousands to admire them, including the odd monarch. Price: various, advance tickets only. Tel: 0844 209 0357, web: www.rhs.org/chelsea

LOCAL EVENT
BATH INTERNATIONAL MUSIC FESTIVAL
Where: Various venues, Bath
When: 26 May-6 June
What: Providing a welcome alternative to the usual festival diet, Bath International Music Festival turns out a top-notch bill of orchestral, chamber, contemporary jazz and world music, with plenty of open-air, free-to-the-public events. The main event is the Party in the City on 28 May, with the city’s venues opening their doors for a variety of free shows. Acts confirmed to appear during the festival include the Eddi Reader Band, Acoustic Ladyland and Led Bib, Booker T and the English National Ballet Orchestra. Price: various, many free. Tel: 01225 462231, web: www.bathmusicfest.org.uk

ORKNEY FOLK FESTIVAL
Where: Various venues, Orkney, Scotland
When: 27-30 May
What: Spread across the islands, this remote folk shinding boasts dances, ceilidhs, a fiddlers rally and performances from local and international folksters. Lau, New Rope String Band, Pentlands Ceilidh, R Cajun and The Zydeco Brothers, Stambordet and Frank Keenan are all set to appear. Price: TBC. Tel: 01856 851635, web: www.orkneyfolkfestival.com

IREBY FESTIVAL
Where: Ireby, Cumbria
When: 28-29 May
What: Tucked away in the bosom of the idyllic Cumbrian countryside, this popular jazz/folk crossover fest has already sold out, and no wonder - the programme features such choice delights as Kate Rusby, Canada’s Po’ Girl and highly recommended jazz-Middle Eastern fusioneer Sarah Gillespie. Price: weekend tickets sold out, though some day tickets still available. Web: www.musicinireby.co.uk

GLASTONBUDGET
Where: Turnpost Farm, Wymeswold, Leics
When: 28-30 May
What: Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, as they say, and Glastonbudget is the most flattering of them all. Boasting some of the biggest and best tribute acts from the UK and beyond, the inventive monikers alone are worth the ticket price: this year sees Oasish, The Fillers, Four Fighters and Blurb appear, as well as highly lauded Queen impersonators Mercury - and all for a fraction of the price of most major festivals. Price: £54.50 w/e camping. Web: www.glastonbudget.net

HUNGRY PIGEON: THE NORTHERN QUARTER FESTIVAL
Where: Various venues, Manchester
When: 28-30 May
What: Second year for this multi-venue Manc fest which takes over various venues in the city’s northern quarter. Athlete, Reverend Soundsystem, Liam Frost and The Longcut are confirmed to play sets so far. Price: £25. Web: www.hungrypigeon.com

NICE N’ SLEAZY
Where: Trimpell Sports and Social Club, Morecambe, Lancs
When: 28-30 May
What: Visitors hoping for some sort of gentleman’s literature fest are likely to be disappointed, as ska, punk and new wave is in fact the focus of Nice n’ Sleazy. Eddie and the Hotrods headline with Straighten Out, Blitzkrieg and Goldblade also playing. Price: £25 earlybird w/e camping. Web: www.nicensleazy.co.uk

OFF THE TRACKS SPRING FESTIVAL
Where: Donnington Park Farmhouse, Isley, Walton, Derbyshire
When: 28-30 May
What: Twenty-two years in and more popular than ever, this intimate, carnival-esque festival is spread over two stages and hosts 30 artists. Aside from the eclectic music billing - genre-hoppers Alabama 3, 2-Toners The Beat and Gaelic rockers The Popes headline - there’s also yoga, shiatsu, tai chi and meditation to align your chakra. Price: £60 w/e camping. Tel: 0870 264 3333, web: www.offthetracks.co.uk

STRUMMERCAMP
Where: Manchester Rugby Club, Cheadle
When: 28-30 May
What: As far as punk idols go, they don’t get much bigger than Joe Strummer, so it’s only right there should be a festival in his memory. Organised and staffed by volunteers, it’s an entirely independent and not-for-profit affair, just as the great man would have wanted it. This year sees The Blockheads, Godfathers and Spear of Destiny take to the stage. Price: £59.50 adult w/e camping. Web: www.strummercamp.co.uk

CHESTER FOLK FESTIVAL
Where: Kelsall, nr Chester
When: 28-31 May
What: Concerts, workshops, dances and craft affairs, alongside the standard-issue ceilidhs, all due to take place during this family-orientated folk festival just outside Chester. Talent, both home-grown and from further afield, includes The Churchfitters, Martin Simpson, Bernard Wrigley and Isambard (from Coventry, not Bristol). Appearances by WAGs a definite maybe. Price: £59 w/e camping, day/afternoon tickets, concs. Tel: 07005 977405, web: www.chesterfolk.org.uk

LOCAL EVENT
CHIPPENHAM FOLK FESTIVAL
Where: Chippenham town centre, Wilts
When: 28-31 May
What: Three and a half days of song, dance, workshops, storytelling and displays - and with over 200 events crammed into the town centre, you can be sure of an electric atmosphere (well, mainly acoustic, actually). There’s a head-spinning variety of acts and performers already booked, including the rather marvellous London Philharmonic Skiffle Orchestra. Price: £74 adult w/e, £17pp camping, youth tickets. Tel: 01249 657190, web: www.chippfolk.co.uk

RUN TO THE SUN
Where: Newquay, Cornwall
When: 28-31 May
What: Somewhat tempting fate by calling themselves a “proper festival, an anything-goes festival”, Run to the Sun is a four-day beach bum party of music, comedy and VW camper vans. The VW and Custom Car Show is the heart of the event, showcasing all the latest souped-up camper action, but there’s also plenty on offer to distract the motorphobic: a full five arenas’ worth, in fact, with dedicated spaces for DJs and live music, a silent disco, a more relaxed Shakin’ Shack and the experimental Morph Tent. Price: £75 w/e camping. Web: www.runtothesun.co.uk

SLAM DUNK FESTIVAL
Where: Bournemouth, University of Hertfordshire, University of Leeds and O2 Academy, Glasgow
When: 28-31 May
What: Not a b-ball exhibition at all but a punk, metal, ska and emo festival spread across four days and four cities. Expect plenty of sweeping fringes nodding in unison to top US talent like New Found Glory, Capdown, RX Bandits, Alkaline Trio and Against Me!. Price: £25, Scotland £20. Web: www.slamdunkmusic.com

THE GUARDIAN HAY FESTIVAL
Where: Hay-on-Wye, Powys, mid-Wales
When: 28 May-6 June
What: King in the land of literary festivals, this fortnight-long series of events always attracts some of the biggest names from the world of books, and this year is no different. Bill Bryson, Philip Pullman, Quentin Blake, Stephen Fry, Martin Amis, Chris Evans and Tom Stoppard are among many others booked to enthral the massed throngs of bibliophiles, with music from Orquesta Buena Vista Social Club, Laura Marling and Christy Moore. Price: various. Tel: 01497 822629, web: www.hayfestival.com/wales

LOCAL EVENT
BATH FRINGE FESTIVAL
Where: Various venues, Bath
When: 28 May-13 June
What: A serious Edinburgh rival for atmosphere, eclecticism, variety and sheer entertainment value, right in the heart of beautiful Bath. Events are far too many to list, as you’d hope for and expect, but a particular highlight of last year’s was the Bedlam Fair Street Festival, which brought a kaleidoscopic array of musicians and street performers to the usually sleepy Georgian streets. Price: various. Tel: 01225 463362, web: www.bathfringe.co.uk

MEADOWLANDS FESTIVAL
Where: Glynde Place, Lewes, Sussex
When: 29-30 May
What: Two days of music with over 30 acts on a rather fancy estate in Glynde, just outside of Brighton. Am
bient electronica types The Shadow Orchestra headline on the Saturday night, with experimental house/drum & bass act The Bays taking the reins on Sunday. Bristol’s brilliant Emily Breeze will also be bringing her ragged punk-Americana to the festival on Saturday night. Price: £65 w/e camping. Web: www.meadowlandsfestival.com

LOCAL EVENT
THE BRISTOL ECO VEGGIE FAYRE
Where: The Harbourside, Bristol
When: 29-30 May
What: 140 stalls, talks, classes and cookery lessons geared towards the good veggies, vegans and environmentally conscious folk of Bristol. There’s plenty of family-orientated fun on offer too, including a dedicated kids’ area. The organisers have pulled off quite a coup in getting British hip-hop legend Roots Manuva to headline the main stage on Saturday so, veggie or not, there’s plenty to enjoy. Bravo. Price: main fayre free, £6 Roots Manuva. Tel: 0117 923 9053, web: Bristol.ecoveggiefayre.co.uk

LOCAL EVENT
DOT TO DOT FESTIVAL
Where: Various venues in Bristol, Manchester and Nottingham
When: 29-31 May (29 May in Bristol)
What: First there was Nottingham, then Bristol, now Manchester - this premier venue-hopping festival has built up quite a profile since its 2005 inception, mainly catering to the indie end of the market. This year sees Eel Pie Island’s most famous exports The Mystery Jets play, with Field Music, Wild Beasts, The Eighties Matchbox B-Line Disaster, Los Campesinos!, Liars and flavour of the month Ellie Goulding also appearing. Price: £25. Tel: 0871 380 0000, web: www.dottodotfestival.co.uk

EVOLUTION 2010
Where: Gateshead Quayside, Newcastle
When: 30-31 May
What: Two days, two stages, and a whole host of pop, indie and dance talent pretty much sums up Evolution 2010, Newcastle and Gateshead’s premier spring bank holiday pan-city party. Sunday sees lasts year’s darlings of the radio head the bill - Paolo Nutini, Calvin Harris and Tynchy Strider among them - whereas Sunday is a slightly more noisy proposition, hosting synth-abusing metallers Enter Shikari and sad sack alt-rockers The Horrors. The second stage at Baltic Square offers more dance-orientated fare. And at a measly £25, it’s got to rate as one of the best-value fests out there. Price: £25 w/e. Tel: 0844 477 1000, web: www.evolutionfest.co.uk

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