Best Unique Indie Music Festivals In The UK
The UK has a unique and growing indie music scene, best showcased at its range of small to medium sized festivals. There are so many different festivals to get your teeth into, whether they’re in the beautiful Welsh mountains or in Brighton town centre.
I really do believe there’s something for everyone on the UK festival scene, but these are particularly special for indie music fans. Indie rock festivals in particular are a true highlight of the British music scene, and indie folk festivals certainly hold their own here too. If you’re just dipping your toes into the indie scene, why not head to an indie pop festival?
Heading to an alternative music festival is a great opportunity to explore the deeper British music scene. While they tend to have headliners that are successful in the scene, they also tend to have a wide selection of new artists and up-and-comers.
That makes these festivals perfect for seeing your favourite artists as well as discovering a number of new ones too.
Festival season is coming up, and is a great way to experience the UK’s arts and culture. For more ideas on what to do in the UK this summer, make sure to sign up to the newsletter.
Now, let’s get started. Here are my personal favourite indie festivals in the UK.
Green Man
Location: Glanusk Park, Brecon Beacons
It has grown in popularity a lot over the last five years, and tickets now sell out rather quickly after release.
However, it’s easy to understand why. It provides a massive range of musical acts in many different genres, making it one of the overall best indie festivals in the UK.
From folk, to rock, to post-punk, there’s something for everyone here. There are art installations, workshops, comedy performances, a cinema, and late night discos.
A highlight is the enormous green man sculpture on which visitors are encouraged to write their wishes. This is burned on the last day, combined with an impressive firework display.
This festival has a really chill vibe – proved by one of my friends who worked security, and told me the most dramatic issue she dealt with was was a man who got slightly too drunk and fell into a puddle!
When it comes to alternative music festivals, Green Man has so much to offer that you can’t possible find anywhere else.
2024 Headliners: Big Thief, Sampha, Jon Hopkins, Sleaford Mods
2024 Dates: 15th – 18th August
Check Out The Highlights Of Green Man 2023
End Of The Road
Location: Larmer Tree Gardens, Wiltshire
Unique and eclectic, End Of The Road is a small festival with a carefully curated line-up. The line-up is always extremely varied, covering many genres.
The one thing you can guarantee from each act is that they will be exciting, interesting and unique.
It is a great place to find new artists to listen to, especially those outside of the mainstream.
The location reflects the uniqueness of the line-up. Peacocks wander the grounds, and the resident parrots fly overhead.
This UK festival has a reputation for having a much calmer atmosphere than many, while still maintaining the quirkiness and excitement some of the larger ones are so well known for.
There is plenty to discover here, and you’re sure never to have a dull moment.
2024 Artists: Idles, Slowdive, Fever Ray, Bonnie Prince Billy
2024 Dates: 29th Aug – 1st Sept
Truck
Location: Hill Farm, Oxfordshire
Known as “The godfather of small festivals”, this is one for the indie-rockers amongst us. With a great line of of indie, rock and punk artists, this might appeal to those who enjoy the vibe of Reading and Leeds and want to move on to a festival that’s smaller, more relaxed and with a more unique selection of artists.
This festival does a really great job of booking a number of well known, popular artists amongst a wider selection of up-and-comers in the indie scene.
This means it’s a great option for people who are just getting into the indie scene and want to discover some more smaller artists.
You know you’re in safe hands with the popular headliners, while having plenty more promising acts to discover and enjoy. When it comes to indie rock music festivals, Truck festival is a fantastic place to head to see your favourite artists.
Held on a small farm in Oxfordshire, it follows the familiar format of some of the larger festivals.
A great, fun festival with some of the best British indie bands on offer, it’s hard to think of anyone who wouldn’t enjoy a weekend here.
2024 Headliners: Jamie T, Wet Leg, The Streets
2024 Dates: 26th – 28th July
Y Not
Location: Pikehall, Derbyshire
Y Not is based in the expansive and beautiful landscape of the Peak District. An affordable festival on a large site, this is the indie festival to head to if you’re based in the North.
Attracting both teenagers and adults alike, this UK festival has certainly cracked a particular demographic. A great place to go for indie-rockers, this festival books fun bands that are great for a dance-y weekend away.
If you’re a fan of the types of music played on the likes of Radio X or 6 Music, then this festival will most likely be right up your alley. This is one of the top alt rock festivals in the UK for music fans of all ages.
With somewhat less variety in style than some of the other festivals on this list, this a great one if you know what you like and want to stick with it.
With a number of smaller bands on the line-up, Y Not festival is a great spot to discover more bands that play the kind of music you like.
If the headliners are right up your street, then the festival as a whole is a pretty safe bet for you and is overall considered one of the best indie music festivals in the UK.
2024 Artists: Snow Patrol, Jamie T, Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds
2024 Dates: 2nd – 4th August 2024
Beautiful Days
Location: Escot Park, Devon
This UK festival really is one for everyone. Sold as a family-friendly festival, it truly is a place for everyone to have a great time and one of the best indie music festivals in the UK. This is reflected in it’s bookings – from theatre and puppet shows to old-school bands.
Run by legendary folk-punk group The Levellers, the line-up tends towards the older bands, but there’s still plenty of new stuff for the younger crowd to enjoy.
Understandably, the bands also tend towards the folk and punk side of things, although many of the newer bands are from the indie-rock genre too.
In a time where many festivals are known for being middle-class and luxurious, Beautiful Days is known for its authenticity.
It leans into its hippie vibe and brings in an eclectic crowd, with lots of unique and authentic retailers setting up shop here too.
Known for it’s community and down-to-earth basis, head to Beautiful Days for good vibes and something a bit different. Established as one of the top indie folk music festivals in the UK, this is also one of the top British music festivals.
2024 Headliners: The Saw Doctors, Richard Ashcroft, The Levellers
2024 Dates: 16th – 18th August
Wide Awake
Location: Brockwell Park, London
If you don’t want the commitment of a full weekend festival, then Wide Awake is a great alternative option. This festival runs for only one day at Brockwell Park in London, and it’s a pretty new addition to the scene.
Its focus is on showcasing up-and-coming music from indie artists. This means that if you spend a day here, you’ll be ahead of the game when it comes to the next big things on the music scene, making it one of the best alternative festivals in the UK.
Aimed mainly at a younger crowd, this festival is the number one place to discover new bands within the indie, alternative and techno genres.
This new and trendy festival also prioritises ethical practice. It showcases an equal gender split on its lineup as well as committing to a sustainable practice.
The festival’s website proclaims its status as being “ethically conscious and socially aware”.
It strives to meet the high standards of its younger audience in the ways that it runs, as well as its up-to-date knowledge of trends in music.
2024 Headliners: King Gizzard And The Lizard Wizard, Slowdive, Slowdive, Young Fathers
2024 Date: 25th May
The Great Escape
Location: City Centre, Brighton
The Great Escape is a massive festival, that’s hosted in various venues across Brighton. This is not only a great way to discover Brighton as as city and it’s many wonderful music venues, but also a great way to discover new bands.
This festival’s focus is on showcasing as many emerging artists as possible, no matter the genre they fit into. From rap, to punk, to folk, there will be more than enough for any music fan to enjoy here.
If you’re someone who likes to be ahead of the curve, then head to this festival. It’s launched the careers of many now popular musicians, including Adele, Stormzy, HAIM, Vampire Weekend, Bon Iver and many more.
If you want to be the person to say “I knew them before they were famous” about dozens of bands, then this is the place you want to head.
Not only this, but the venues used for the festival vary in all different shapes and sizes. This means you have the chance to see some amazing emerging artists in some very small, intimate venues.
This UK festival is one of the earliest in the year, taking place in May, but it is still competing for the best indie music festival in the UK.
2024 Artists Include: Big Special, Malice K, Noah And The Londers, The Gulps
2024 Dates: 15th – 18th May
2000 Trees
Location: Upcote Farm, Cheltenham
This is a small UK festival for the rockers. If Download is your sort of festival, then 2000 Trees a sort of chiller, kinder version with a little more variety – and more home-grown and emerging acts.
This is the favourite festival of many a diehard rock fan, including the musicians themselves. When it comes to independent music festivals, this is one that is truly close to people’s hearts. Alternative rock festivals can be hard to come by nowadays, but this is one of the top alt rock music festivals in the entire country.
2000 Trees also hosts a variety of punk artists, whether it be punk-rock, folk-punk or riot grrrl. As expected in the punk scene, many of the artists who play are politically inclined, whether that’s in support of LGBTQ+ rights or an anarchist society.
The passion that runs through attendees and musicians alike is palpable. Despite loud music, opinions, and emotions, there is a feeling of kindness and consideration throughout the festival and it is easy to feel welcome and included at this festival.
If you need to take a time out, the acoustic sessions in the forest are perfect.
Otherwise, there is plenty of space to mosh, dance or sit and listen however you please at one of the best indie music festivals in the UK.
2024 Artists: The Gaslight Anthem, The Chats, Don Bronco
2024 Dates: 10th – 13th July
Check Out The 2000 Trees 2022 Documentary
Barn On The Farm
Location: Over Farm, Gloucester
Barn On The Farm is hosted in a lovely rural location, with some stages actually located in wooden barns. This festival has a really cosy and rustic feel to it, not least because of its small capacity numbers.
It has a reputation for being rather a special one for festival fans just due to the atmosphere alone. Known for having a very welcoming and communal feel, many people report making new friends at this festival.
It’s also renowned for having a great up-and-coming lineup, combined with larger artists that like the festival so much they keep coming back.
They have hosted the likes of George Ezra, Catfish And The Bottlemen and Ed Sheeran just before they hit the big time.
Not only that, but they often have exciting secret acts perform, such as The Vaccines.
For an absolutely beloved festival that will make you want to return year after year, this is the one for you.
Championing intimacy, authenticity and a friendly atmosphere, this is definitely one of the best indie music festivals in the uk
2023 Artists: Holly Humberstone, Dylan, Olivia Dean, Wunderhorse
2023 Dates: 29th June – 2nd July
110 Above
Location: Gopsall Hall Farm, Leicestershire
Another festival known for its intimate atmosphere is 110 Above. Even its physical site is described as intimate, with stages and sites being only a short walk from each other.
With a small number of tickets sold and intimate stages, it’s almost impossible to have a bad view of the bands.
One of the smaller festivals, this one’s great at booking some of the most popular new indie-rock bands on the scene. Not only is the atmosphere intimate, it’s also a load of fun.
If you want a boogie to some upbeat tunes, then this is the place for you.
Another perk is the cheap prices, not only for tickets, but for the food and the £3 pints!
This is one that attendees return to year after year due to the fact they like it so much. A fun, intimate and affordable UK festival, make sure not to miss this one.
2024 Artists: Circa Waves, Jack Garratt, Twin Atlantic,
2023 Dates: 10th – 13th August
Happy Festival-ing
So, there is my round up on the best indie music festivals in the UK. There are so many wonderful festivals here, so it’s been hard to narrow it down. I think these are a really great range of locations, vibes and musical styles whilst all remaining amazing quality.
Each offers something different, so I hope my guide helps you choose the perfect one for you.
Make sure to sign up to the newsletter for my latest posts, and leave a comment letting me know if you’ve been to any of these festivals and what you thought of it. Thank you so much for reading and I hope to see you here again soon.
Ta-ta for now! x
