We don’t want this site to be just about the biggest festivals. Some of my most memorable times have come at the smaller less manic events staged around the UK and Europe. As there are hundreds of these, we will be posting a monthly roundup of significant news from the best of these, and try to tempt you out for an event of two. And don’t forget if you have an event organised you would like us to feature please use the comments box below the article to let us all know. All publicity is good publicity, especially when it’s free. So lets kick off with some recent news.
Beautiful Days is a bit out on a limb taking place at Escot Park, near Fairmile, Devon, but the line up is commendable and varied. This year sees James, Newton Faulkner and festival organisers The Levellers do the headline duties. A strong supporting cast features Billy Bragg, Fairport’s Acoustic Convention, New Model Army, Easy Star All Stars, The Alarm, and Neds Atomic Dustbin. Altogether there are 5 stages offering all the usual mix of music, comedy and theatre, this years theme is apparently stripe’s, which should be proudly worn on the Sunday. (Mmm, can see a few footie kits featuring here). Tickets cost £100 including camping for a 3 day ticket (There are no day tickets for this one). And did we mention that the great Hugh Fearnley Whittingstall will be attending, running a food stall, but sadly not fronting a death metal band. Thought we did.

Up the country a fair bit, North West Leicestershire to be more precise a little bash will soon be taking place near Castle Donington. No not the Download extravaganza of metal, but Off the Tracks, a small family friendly festival which takes place behind the racing circuit at the imaginatively titled Castle Donington Farmhouse Friday 28th to Sunday 30th May, the Bank Holiday weekend. Acts are many and varied as the festival offers its usual mix of roots, trance, dance and fusion. The Alabama 3, Biggles Wartime Band and The Popes among the standouts. The festival is a great place to try out a band you have never heard of before, and also to get involved in some of the activities including a marathon drum workshop, yoga and tribal chanting. The festival also offers a cracking real ale selection and flushing toilets and takes place mostly indoors. Tickets for this one are a very reasonable £60, £30 for kids, though under 12s go free. If you are going take earplugs as the bike racing will probably be on next door.

If its an atmospheric and scenic festival you require with a bit of age old mystery thrown in, try heading even further north to the banks of Lock Ness in June. Rock Ness (What else?) offers yet another eclectic line up, something a lot of these smaller festivals seem to go for, as well as some pretty big international acts. This year we get Fatboy Slim, The Strokes, Pendulum, Doves, Soulwax and Vampire Weekend amongst loads of others. A top line up DJs is heading north too, including Rob Da Bank and Annie Mac. The Arcadia Arena will also be featuring this year which offers a mix of audio and visual delights including laser shows, pyros and fire performance to go along with the music. Camping Tickets are priced as follows: £130 for 2 day (Sat + Sun) camping ticket, or £149 for 3 day camping ticket. Day tickets and 2 day tickets are also available.

Finally a quick word about one of the more unusual festivals. The Tan Hill Festival takes place at Reeth, the location of Britains highest public house 30th April to 2nd May. Details are sketchy at the moment but given that British Sea Power have a lot to do with the organising, and play 2 or 3 sets themselves, expect the unexpected. Camping is available at the pub, though the rooms and cottaage for rent will have long been snapped up. It also goes without saying that most excellent real ales will be available througout the whole weekend. Take foliage.