It was a soggy July in Great Britain, but the spirits of Camp Bestival attendees were not to be dampened.

It was change or die time for Noisily and I admit I felt a little apprehensive about the prospect of an entirely new site. The old location in Coney Wood had felt, well, quite homely and I wondered if the soul of the place would endure the displacement.

Glastonbury Festival is widely renowned as one of the most iconic and beloved music festivals in the world. Held annually in Somerset, England, this legendary event has garnered a dedicated following and a reputation for being an unrivaled experience. From its incredible vibe to its diverse stages and areas, Glastonbury Festival truly stands out among its peers. Let's explore why this festival is considered the best on Earth, covering various aspects that contribute to its unmatched appeal.

Let's hear what the set was like from someone who actually likes rock music, rather than UK music writers who spent weekend at the techno tents.

The Isle of Wight Festival 2023 was a swirling vortex of sonic rebellion, debauchery, and transcendental chaos. From the moment I set foot on the hallowed grounds of Seaclose Park, I knew I was in for a ride straight into the heart of the wildest musical carnival of the year. Armed with a typewriter and a head full of drugs, I ventured forth, ready to channel my inner Hunter S. Thompson and document the madness that unfolded.

This year was my first time attending Reading/Leeds since 2015. My reasons for not attending in the last few years have been down to my assumptions on what the experience would be like. I suspected I would feel very out of place, very old, and uncomfortable experience. It is worth saying that musically as well, I am far more of a rock and metal fan. Pop and hip-hop are genres that I dip my toe into, but don't listen to very much.

The Green Man Festival in the Brecon Beacons, Wales, held from August 18th-22nd 2022, attracted more than 25,000 attendees, making it one of the largest festivals in the UK. Despite the impressive lineup featuring big names like Kraftwerk and Michael Kiwanuka, the sense of community and togetherness remained the festival's driving force. The festival offered a range of genres, and attendees had the opportunity to discover new bands like Wunderhorse and Honeyglaze, and enjoy established acts like Metronomy, Cassandra Jenkins, Mdou Moctar, and Beach House.

This year, Boomtown brought with it a sense of immense excitement and cautious apprehension. It’s no secret that three years of lost revenue would impact any festival, let alone one that reinvests so heavily in the spectacle of art and culture. The recondensation of the city was the talk of the town as the anticipation rose with the citizens gathered at the gates. As the fences were cleared and life began to flood the streets, worries faded as people were consumed by the twists and turns of the redesigned city.

Rob Da Bank's family focused festival has not only survived the pandemic, it has exploded into two locations, diversified it's lineup, and broken a world record.

Let's break down the July Dorset offering:

Photo credit to Nick Caro

Noisily festival, oh how we’ve missed you…

Three years is a long time. A lot can happen. People change their careers, homes and even create more people. Very little is a constant… apart from the apparently overwhelming desire to go nuts and smash it to some of the best of the UK’s alternative electronic music in a woodland setting.