From pop pioneers to the diverse sounds of today, Britain has a long and dynamic musical legacy just waiting to be discovered. Our taste in music is just as eclectic and vibrant as our venues, with star-studded festivals, mighty classical concerts and hopping dance halls alike. Read on for the ultimate British playlist…
A music and festivals showcase
Glastonbury
The UK’s biggest festival is Glastonbury Festival. With huge headliners and an enormous site - an 8.5-mile (14-km) perimeter and a capacity of around 200,000 - you’ll never forget it.
Isle of Wight
June, Isle of Wight
Another mega-festival is the historic Isle of Wight Festival, which was Britain’s answer to Woodstock. Revived in 2002, this island event is enormous fun.
Reading and Leeds
August, Reading and Leeds
These two music festivals take place over the same weekend, in two cities, with major rock bands and indie artists usually playing both venues on different days.
Parklife
June, Manchester
Parklife is the UK’s biggest metropolitan festival and the line-up features everything from rock to hip-hop, indie to grime.
Boardmasters
August, Cornwall
The laid-back Boardmasters in Newquay’s famous Fistral Beach and nearby Watergate Bay is part surf competition, part music festival.
Creamfields
August, Cheshire
It’s one of the biggest dance festivals in the world and Creamfields, near Liverpool, includes talent from the worlds of house, techno, drum and bass, trance and more.
TRNSMT
July, Glasgow
TRNSMT showcases the latest in British indie and rock and has rapidly grown into Glasgow’s biggest event of the summer.
BST
June - July, London
British Summer Time in London’s Hyde Park is a series of mega-concerts through the summer, which guarantees huge headliners like Elton John, as well as rising stars.
Camp Bestival
July – August, Dorset and Shropshire
Camp Bestival is a family-friendly event which takes place in two sites in Dorset and Shropshire.
Latitude
July, Suffolk
Latitude Festival in Henham Park in Suffolk, features music, dance, comedy, literature and family activities.
Why Britain's best for music and festivals
Love music? You’ve come to the right place. Whether you catch a gig in the Liverpool bar where The Beatles were discovered, tour Oasis and Joy Division’s Manchester hang-outs, or enjoy a soul-stirring Proms concert at London’s Royal Albert Hall, you’ll find that Britain’s streets are paved with songs.
You can hear the best bands in the world at our famous music festivals, such as Glastonbury and Creamfields – or discover the next-big-thing on small, intimate stages – such as London’s Moth Club and Bush Hall. Often, music will take you to Britain’s most glorious locations too, such as Green Man Festival in the Brecon Beacons, or Scotland’s Hebridean Celtic Festival – set on the beautiful Isle of Lewis.
Sometimes, a great gig will catch you completely by surprise: a soulful saxophone played on a street corner perhaps, or a toe-tapping Celtic band in a Northern Irish pub. From centuries-old folk music played on traditional instruments, to cutting-edge dance music, A-list stars and emerging talents – here’s where to get into the groove.
Top music and festivals experiences
Top music and festival destinations
Featured things to do
Soul sensation
From moody blues to swing ensembles, the Cheltenham Jazz Festival has it all – showcasing some of the world’s top musicians and bands every spring.
Boogie at Cheltenham Jazz Festival
More than music
A five-day extravaganza of music, dance, art, theatre and circus, Glastonbury Festival is Britain’s most iconic summertime festival, taking place at the end of June.
Get your Glastonbury tickets
Throwing shapes
Dance the night (and day) away at Boundary Brighton, the city’s biggest electronic music party: held every September, it’s the festival season’s big finale.
Check out Boundary Brighton
Festive favourites
It wouldn’t be Christmas without Britain’s traditional carol concerts, held everywhere from outdoor markets to magnificent cathedrals all over the country. Simply magical.
Explore London’s Christmas carol concerts
