Everybody loves the sun. The current heatwave that we are all enjoying, or enduring, has been predicted to end next Thursday (25 July). So we've come up with some things to do to ensure you make the most of the last days of the scorching sunshine.
These are the best ways to make the most of music in these bizarre sunny conditions, while they last...
Lovebox
Probably the most commercial festival event this weekend, London's Lovebox is a three day festival featuring a host of big names such as Plan B, Goldfrapp, Hurts and Lil Kim, in a rare appearance in the UK. Li'l Kim may well be the highlight of the festival, as it may be her only performance in this country for some time. The festival takes place in Victoria Park in London, offering a diverse range of music over a large number of stages. Love box starts today and ends on Sunday (21st).
Tramlines
If Lattitude or Love Box aren’t for you, then you may fancy heading to Tramlines in Sheffield this weekend with a diverse range of great acts on offer including singer songwriter Lianne La Havas, or synth driven screamo five piece Rolo Tomassi who will be sure to get the pits going. Other big names include Toddla T and The Selecter. The festival begins today and continues until Sunday, it promises to be three days of great music. Tramlines is currently enjoying is fifth year, is amazingly priced at £6 a day and takes place at a variety of venues across Sheffield.
Watch Lianne La Havas performing 'Tease Me' live below:
Lambeth Country Show
If you’re looking for a tamer festival experience then you may be suited to the Lambeth Country show - a free two day festival starting on Saturday that runs until 7pm. The festival will take place at Brockwell Park, in Lambeth, and features a range of entertainment and activity with different musical performers, animal shows and theatre work shops on offer. Highlights include 1969 ‘afro pop’ band Osibisa, who will bring their uplifting and summery rhythms to the main stage at 5pm on Saturday, and Max Romeo and the Charmax Band who will headline the main stage on the Sunday.
Watch Osibisa performing 'Fire' live below:
Last days of Somerset House’s Summer Series
This year saw the Summer Series has seen some brilliant sold-out shows in London's Somerset House over the past month featuring some top performers like Lianne Le Havas, Of Monsters & Men and Richard Hawley. The series of shows are set to end this weekend, so be sure to catch the open air performances of Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros (19th), Goldfrapp (20th) and Basement Jaxx (21st) if you can.
Last Days of Manchester International Festival
The arts, culture and music festival will end this weekend but there are some great things still to see, especially if you are into live theatre. Music highlights this weekend include three piece DJ collective Despacio sees LCD Soundsystem's James Murphy team up with Soulwax to create their own soundsystem, venue and unique disco experience. See them playing tonight at the New Century Hall at 10pm and tomorrow (20th) also at 10pm. Also worth seeing will be Manchester three piece Delphic, who are also playing tonight and tomorrow but at the earlier slot of 8.30pm and will be playing at the Pavillion Theatre at Festival Square.
Pretend to be at Latitude
If you were going to Latitude festival this weekend, you'd probably be there by now. Never mind - we've thought of everything. Kick back in the sun and enjoy the best of the line-up with Gigwise's Road To Latitude Mix Tape:
Enjoy the outdoors with some sweet sunshine tunes
You don't have to go a gig of course. Why not just lose yourself in your garden or a park and enjoy our special summer playlist:
