It’s that time of year again, so get your face paints, wellies, silly hats and novelty sunglasses out. It’s time to get a little muddy, a little sweaty and a

little crazy as the UK festival season kicks into gear for what should prove to be one of the best festival

seasons ever.

Reading and Leeds

• One for those who like to rough it in the mud, Reading and leads offer some of the most current music up to date with everything from metal, rock, indie, RnB, drum and bass, dance and rap. Well loved by a younger audience who love to cut loose and get a little crazy.

• Headliners: Green Day, Eminem, Biffy Clyro

V Festival

• One for the pop addicts here. All your favourite chart toppers up close and live over a weekend that is set to be packed to the rafters with avid pop fans looking to get a glimpse of their favourite stars. Beyonce will no doubt be one of the best performances of the year .

• Headliners: Beyonce, Kings of Leon

Glastonbury

With over 1000 artists to choose from, this is arguably the most history and most loved British festival. Drawing huge crowds and the biggest names in music. This years Glastonbury will be one to remember as, finally The Rolling Stones headline the festival with a two and a half hour set.

Headliners: The Rolling Stones, The Arctic Monkeys, Mumford and Sons

Latitude

Eclectic and extraordinary, Latitude has a bit of everything. Arts, music, theatre and comedy, film, dance, fashion and food. This year the legendary Bobby Womack performs as well as BBC Radio 6 having their own stage.

Headliners: Bloc Party, Kraftwerk 3D, Foals

Bestival• Arguably the best line up of the season with some of the hottest

acts of the year appearing alongside genuine legends, Bestival will be something special this year. With the festival theme this year being all things nautical, bring your pirate costume and your swimming trunks and get ready to party.

• Headliners: Elton John, Snoop Dogg, Fatboy Slim

Beach Break Live• The UK’s biggest student festival heads down to Newquay this year

for the biggest beach party this year. Beach Break Live is taking over town, with gigs in local cafes, bars, venues and a main stage out on the beach, it promises to be one of the best small festivals of the year.

• Headliners: David Rodigan, Jake Bugg, Dub Pistols

Wilderness• Probably the most beautiful festival this year, Wilderness is set to be

the most idyllic, cerebral and beautiful festival in the British Isles. Held in the Oxfordshire countryside this is a feast for the senses with long table banquets, feasts, Shakespearian theatre and a philosophical discussion tent as well as a stellar line-up in terms of music. The perfect chill out festival for families.

• Headliners: Empire Of The Sun, Noah And The Whale, Rodriguez

Festival Number 6• Voted best new festival and best small festival last year, Festival

Number 6 boasts the most stylish festival site possible in the town of Portmeirion. Explore the ocean, the mountains the forests and the stunning city, and maybe take in some culture, music, film or theatre while you’re at it.

• Headliners: My Bloody Valentine, Manic Street Preachers, Chic

Remember! You’re going to have to carry all your bags and beer with you into the arena, so it’s important to only take what you can carry. You’ll need a big rucksack rather than a suitcase, dragging a heavy case through the mud isn’t much fun so get yourself a good camping bag.

Itinerary• Tent • Sleeping bag• Roll mat• Wellies• Comfortable Socks• Beer • Snacks such as chocolate bars and

fruit• Waterproof clothes

Don’t Forget To Take These!• Torch• Toilet roll• Wet wipes• Hand sanitizer• Sun cream • Watch• Hat

Make sure you’re ahead of the crowd with some festival gadgets. These things can make or break your weekend, with them you’ll be more organised and well prepared, without them you could find yourself a little lost.

• Pop up pint and wine glass

Want to put some class in your campsite? The pop up pint and wine glass are great for allowing you to look rather refined as you treat you self to a midday tipple. Fold it up and pop it in your pocket and take your plastic glass with you.

• Walkie Talkies

Lose your friend in the crowd? No problem with these walkie talkies. Give your self code names, over and out , ten-four , see you in the dance tent.

• Pebble BatteryThere’s nothing worse than your phone going dead at a festival. Keep your batteries charged for the whole weekend with the Pebble Battery portable charging device and make sure you capture all those unforgettable festival moments with your smartphone.

Festival fashion is all the rage now, whether you’re going to glam up on your way to see Beyonce or go scruffy for The Rolling Stones. It’s important to look good and feel comfortable.

Remember that you’ll be bouncing round and dancing for most of the day so you’ll need some comfortable boots or wellies to dance the day and night away.

You’ll also need to stay dry, if the heavens open and you’re stuck in nothing but a t-shirt and shorts then you’re going to feel pretty rotten. Your tent might be a half an hour walk away from your tent so keep that in mind.

Wacky headwear is always good for festivals, stand out with a peacock headdress or just a crazy hat!

Fancy dress is always a great idea, some festivals pre set themes so check the website to see if there are any organised festivities. If not, set your own theme with your friends and get dressed up.

Here’s a couple of secrets that the festival organisers wont put in the brochure

Toilets – Be in for a bit of a shock. If you’re at a festival with portaloos then they should get cleaned once a day. But be prepared for nothing more than a hole in the ground and a wooden seat to perch on.

Booze – Do not take any glass into your campsite, it will be confiscated. Take plastic bottles of booze and cans of beer. Alcohol is not allowed inside the main arena but it is possible to sneak some in if you’re smart enough.

Cash Points – There will be cash points inside the arena but they will charge you for making a transaction

Festival Etiquette - It’s every man and woman for themselves out there, so if you want to get to the front of the crowd and get a good spot to see the band, get there early and hold your ground.

• Food and Drink –With everything from full English breakfasts, gourmet burgers and noodle bars on offer at festivals, there’s plenty to choose but don’t expect it to be cheap.

• Buy a Guide – They might be expensive but they’re well worth having. Get all the stage times and make sure you don’t miss a thing.

• Get Your Bearings – Take some time to walk around the arena and your campsite. You’ll need to know you’re way around when you’re trying to find your tent in the middle of the night.

You Will Get Lost – There’s no avoiding it. You could be talking to a friend one minute, turn around and they’ll be gone the next. Avoid this by setting out meeting points at each of the main stages and organising your group before you set off for the arena each morning.

• The festival season has become an integral part of the British summertime, there’s something for everyone on the calendar this year. So whether you want to dance the night away to some of the most exciting DJ’s in the world, listen to some of the biggest names in music on some of the biggest stages in the world or just sit back, relax and enjoy some fine food, music theatre or comedy, it’s all out there waiting for you