The Budget Festival Guide

By Elizabeth Fish, The Linc

Summer is just around the corner and university is coming to a close for the year — as are the loans! With festivals such as Reading/Leeds and Glastonbury about to put tickets up for sale, tempting they may seem the prices may put you off. However, help is at hand. The Linc have found some weekend festivals (and even free) with plenty of your favourite bands.

Live At Leeds ’09
Date: 1st-3rd May
Price: £10

More a take over of a whole city  than a field, Live at Leeds is held in various venues across Leeds over the days. Many acts are still to be announced, the Maccabees and White Lies are just two of the bands confirmed. The ticket for the full weekend may seem attractive, but price of accommodation during the festival also needs to be considered.

Eclectricity Boutique May Bank Holiday Festival ’09
Date: 3rd May
Price: £23.50, concessions £16.50

For those not keen on long weekends, this one-day event in Birmingham may be ideal. Held at The Custard Factory, attendee’s will dance the day away to the likes of Calvin Harris, Friendly Fires, Chase & Status and Annie Mac from BBC Radio 1.

Radio One Big Weekend ’09
Date: 9th-10th May
Price: Free

Previously known as One Big Weekend, Radio One’s festival is this year pitching in Wiltshire (the festival changes location every year). Four main stages host several musical genres, and currently confirmed are Snow Patrol and N-Dubz, with the list being fully announced nearer the registration date (14th April).

Although most of the tickets go to people in the surrounding area, festival- goers can register online and be entered into a lottery to get one of the 40,000 tickets available.

The Great Escape ’09
Date: 14th- 16th May
Price: £45 for a 3 day gig pass

For those into indie music who are a little short of cash, the Great Escape festival is perfect. Similar to Live at Leeds, the festival is held at 34 venues in Brighton, headlined this year by Kasabian. Additional appearances from the likes of Lightspeed Champion, Noah & The Whale, White Denim, The Brute Chorus, Little Boots, Metronomy, Kissy Sell Out, Passion Pit, It Hugs Back and Dananananaykroyd are to name but a few of the 300 acts.

There’s also a chance to get in to a special, separate gig by Enter Shakiri. On top of the typical festival entertainment, people can also listen to interviews, talks and join in workshops on how to succeed in the Media and Music world.

Beach Break Live
Date: 16th-19th June
Price: £84 inc. camping

Known for its appearance on TV show Dragon’s Den, Beach Break Live is a relatively new festival for students, created by two graduate students. With four stages hosting big names such as Dizzee Rascal, The Zutons, Mystery Jets, Ladyhawke, and Friendly Fires, on top of attractions such as the vintage fairground and ‘Moustache Bar’ (real or fake moustache wearers only) this festival is ideal for the broke student. Fed up of watching the live acts? Go to the outdoor cinema!

The ticket price only entitles the buyer to one day of the weekend with no option for a weekend ticket, but with Wireless being in the centre of London, there’s plenty to do to make a weekend out of this great festival!