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Music Festivals 2014: Where to find variety

By MusicRadar Team
published 19 April 2014

From pop and techno to folk and blues, these are the events with diversity in their DNA

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Intro
One size fits all
(Image credit: © The Hell Gate/Corbis)

Intro

When most of us are asked what kind of music we like, the classic (if perhaps clichéd) answer is that, actually, we tend to like a diverse range of genres.

So with that in mind, let's take a look at the festivals that are aware of this maxim: the ones that throw together a broad range of genres to create an eye-opening experience. These are the events with an instinctive awareness that, if the music's good, it just don't matter what label you stick on it.

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Page 1 of 10
Bonnaroo
12-15 June, USA
(Image credit: © Samantha Shrader ./Retna Ltd./Corbis)

Bonnaroo

Headliners: Elton John, Kanye West, Jack White

Location: Great Stage Park, Manchester, Tennessee, USA

Best reason to go: Jack White's back with a new album this year, and this could be one of the first live opportunities to hear the thing.

Other line-up highlights: Lionel Richie, Vampire Weekend, Arctic Monkeys, Flaming Lips, Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds, Damon Albarn

Tickets: General admission sold out, but VIP tickets (pairs only) are $85.90 per pair

Official site

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Page 2 of 10
Bestival
4-7 September, Isle of Wight
(Image credit: © Jim Bennett/Corbis)

Bestival

Headliners: OutKast, Chic Ft Nile Rodgers, Foals, Beck

Location: Robin Hill, Isle of Wight

Best reason to go: Fancy dress is a huge part of Bestival and this year's theme is 'desert island disco'. That aside, you'll find films in the forest, musical bingo and loads more.

Other line-up highlights: Busta Rhymes, Disclosure, Paloma Faith, Basement Jaxx, Caribou

Tickets: Adult passes from Thursday are £195

Official site

Page 3 of 10
Page 3 of 10
Green Man Festival
14-17 August, Wales
(Image credit: © Dosfotos/Lebrecht Music & Arts/Corbis)

Green Man Festival

Headliners: Beirut, Anna Calvi, Simian Mobile Disco + more TBA

Location: Brecon Beacons, Wales

Best reason to go: Green Man has evolved from being a folk festival to becoming one of the best alternative events around - plus the scenery is superb.

Other line-up highlights: Bill Callahan, Teleman, Real Estate, Lanterns On The Lake

Tickets: Adult tickets are £166.50

Official site

Page 4 of 10
Page 4 of 10
Lollapalooza
1-3 August, USA
(Image credit: © JUMANA EL HELOUEH/Reuters/Corbis)

Lollapalooza

Headliners: Eminem, Kings of Leon, Outkast, Arctic Monkeys, Calvin Harris, Skrillex

Location: Grant Park, Chicago, USA

Best reason to go: The greatest line-up of cross genre talent that isn't called 'Glastonbury'.

Other line-up highlights: Broken Bells, Interpol, White Denim, Royal Blood

Tickets: Sold out, although platinum passes and travel packages are available

Official site

Page 5 of 10
Page 5 of 10
Glastonbury Festival
25-29 June, UK
(Image credit: © Matthew Aslett/Demotix/Corbis)

Glastonbury Festival

Headliners: Kasabian, Skrillex, Lana Del Rey, Arcade Fire, Jack White, The Black Keys, Pixies

Location: Worthy Farm, Pilton, UK

Best reason to go: The festival's green area is like a wild west of underground arts, yoga, debate and ethical lifestyle ideas.

Other line-up highlights: Massive Attack, MGMT, Warpaint, Lily Allen, Disclosure,Dolly Parton, Blondie

Tickets: General admission tickets are £215. Although Glastonbury is sold out, there will be a re-sale of any cancelled tickets from 27 April

Official site

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Page 6 of 10
T In The Park
11-13 July, Scotland
(Image credit: © Francesca Sara Cauli/Demotix/Corbis)

T In The Park

Headliners: Biffy Clyro, Calvin Harris, Arctic Monkeys

Location: Balado, Kinross-shire, Scotland

Best reason to go: If you're young this festival's ideal, as it features a diverse range of contemporary dance and rock acts.

Other line-up highlights: Pixies, Disclosure, Manic Street Preachers, Franz Ferdinand

Tickets: Weekend camping from £203.95

Official site

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Page 7 of 10
Latitude
17-20 July, UK
(Image credit: © The Hell Gate/Corbis)

Latitude

Headliners: Damon Albarn, The Black Keys, Two Door Cinema Club, Mogwai

Location: Henham Park, Suffolk, UK

Best reason to go: With stages dedicated to comedy, theatre, film, poetry and even literature, Latitude boasts much more than top musical acts.

Other line-up highlights: Bombay Bicycle Club, Haim, Jon Ronson

Tickets: Weekend adult tickets are £195.50

Official site

Page 8 of 10
Page 8 of 10
Main Square
3-6 July, France
(Image credit: © Jan-Henrik Wiebe/Demotix/Corbis)

Main Square

Headliners: David Guetta, The Black Keys, MGMT, Iron Maiden

Location: Arras, Pas-de-Calais, France

Best reason for going: A diverse but strong bill under guaranteed sunny skies.

Other line-up highlights: Skrillex, Alice in Chains, Foals

Tickets: Tickets are €49-€59 per day, camping for four nights is €25 on top

Official site

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Page 9 of 10
Isle of Wight Festival
12-15 June, Isle of Wight
(Image credit: © Paul R. Giunta/Corbis)

Isle of Wight Festival

Headliners: Red Hot Chilli Peppers, Calvin Harris, Kings of Leon, Biffy Clyro

Location: Seaclose Park, Isle of Wight

Best reason for going: Since starting in 1968 with Jefferson Airplane headlining, the festival has grown with the times, now boasting diverse acts, a kids' zone, a forested area and bathing tubs.

Other line-up highlights: Peace, Suede, Katy B

Tickets: Adult weekend passes are £290

Official site

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