With Christmas behind us and New Years Eve already planned, it’s time for a few uncomfortably cold months kicking around hour hometowns – with the odd off-peak festival adventure – before we become full-time nomads seeking out the best sets of 2017.
With the headliners for many festivals already revealed, here are the ones that already take our fancy and could well offer the highlight of the calendar year.
Radiohead
Glastonbury and Radiohead are the perfect match. Ideologically they’re hippy enough, and musically they’ve got everything a live band should have: hit singles with euphoric choruses that’ll make you feel weightless, and experimental wig-outs that will satisfy your inner Eno. Electronic, pop, rock, whatever your ‘thing’ is – Radiohead have elements of it and apply it so beautifully you can’t deny them the role as kings of British music. Thom Yorke and co are playing a whole host of other festivals, too - see here.
Aphex Twin
Having been announced for Primavera Sound Barcelona, NOS Primavera, Porto, Flow Festival, Helsinki, and Field Day the opportunitis to see this British electronic innovator are in abundance. His latest track ‘tnodvood104’ has ghostly tones, creating both an infectious and eerie aura. It’s certainly heightened out excitement to see the inimitable genius of Richard D. James in flesh for the first time since 2008.
Muse
The only European festival Muse will be playing is Reading and Leeds. Now, Muse skeptics are a more abundant force than ever so that’ll be a relief to some. But I’m on the side of the fence that respects Muse for having made one of the greatest album ever in Origin Of Symmetry. There was just nothing else like it. Another reason to love them is there’s no denying their ability to pull out all the stops to put on a show live. Their experimentation with drones was fascinating and their next move to “levitate on magnets” sounds impressive. Hopefully they’ll have it ready for Reading and Leeds and prove doubters wrong, substantiating their role as one of the greatest live acts on the planet.
Lana Del Rey
Worth seeing because she writes timeless, catchy songs that have that more money than sense major label sheen. Highlights include her second album Born to Die you feel her heartbreak in her lyrical escapades nestled into the minimalist trip-hop instrumentation. ‘Video Games’ is a superb lead single that deservedly shot her to international stardom. The following album Ulatraviolence, which was produced by The Black Keys’ Dan Auerbach, managed to see her rise even higher in critics' estimation as she honed her artistry to a new level and added a more scuzzy-riff heavy feel. Honeymoon, her third major label album, has fewer obvious singles but nevertheless is rich in beautiful melancholic, wavering melodies. Lana will perform at the Flow Festival in Helsinki, Finland, Gothenberg’s Way Out West festival and Oya Festival in Oslo and don't miss it.
Young Fathers
Edinburgh’s Young Fathers, who are set to be on the Trainspotting 2 soundtrack, are one of the main acts at Wonderfruit a festival held in Thailand 16 – 19 of February. It’s held in plantation fields at Siam Country, Pattaya and that image alone inspires us to imagine what beauty there myust be before you whilst watching some of the most incredible music in the world from Young Fathers. Makes a change from a cow field anyway.
Aerosmith
It’s Aerosmith live in the UK for the first time in a long time. Can’t wait to hear this band who along with Guns N’ Roses and Ac/Dc are the best classic rock band of all time. Download is a very suitable location for the band, too. Joe Perry of Aerosmith explains: “Every time we go on tour I look at the schedule for cities, towns or events that I look forward to playing. Download Festival is always one of the ones I circle. Donnington is like home to us. I have some great memories playing there and I can’t wait to make some more.”
Foo Fighters
Totally phenomenal live band. No one works a crowd quite as well as Grohl and the intensity of the mosh pits during the heavy songs area great fun to be a part of. Getting down the front of the numerous European festivals they’re plating will be the jey to feeling the full impact of this band who for everlong will be one of my favourites. Check here for details of where they’re playing.
Green Day
Pop punk hasn’t transitioned from its heyday in the 90s and early 00s to now particularly well. But Green Day – the band predominantly responsible for paving way for the movement – will never lose credibility. They’ve done so many great album with Dookie, still the best. They can blow away 80,000 people in a field pretty well. They play British Summer Time in Hyde Park as well as festivals on the continent. Check here for full Green Day tour details
Moderat
Sascha Ring (aka Apparat) and Modeselektor's Gernot Bronsert and Sebastian “Charlie” Szary make up the electronic super-trio Moderat. They’re easily one of the most mesmerising performers from any genre and the ultimate soundtrack to a hedonistic evening at Romania’s Electric Castle Festival. It's £60 for a 4 day-ticket with camping and beer there is a pound. With flights only £50 return at this point it’s cheaper and much more of an adventure than going three hours down the motorway in England to see music.
Frank Ocean
It took Frank Ocean 1502 days to release the follow up to his critically acclaimed album channel ORANGE and he last played live in July 2014.But he brought out the record Blonde and thankfully he’s out and about in 2017 to play it live. Lovebox Festival have the fortune of being the only festival in the UK to say they have Ocean on the bil as the R&B star headlines the Friday at Victoria Park in addition to European dates.
Swans
Experimental rock legends Swans will headline OFF Festival in Katowice, Poland where according to band leader Michael Gira the “scenery is out of this world”. Swans also serve as curators for its experimental stage. That sounds like a lot of fun. But the sad news is it’s Swans last ever show in their current form. Unmissable for any fan then.
