Strong bets on the best festival sets

Looking to fill the void left by the axing of Warwick’s Summer Party? There’s a whole mix of festivals that’ll happily take that space. Here’s some of the sets that Boar Music’s writers are anticipating most.

Moulettes Beautiful Days, 21-23 August

Moulettes are set to play the Big Top at Beautiful Days festival in Devon this year, and they are certainly a band not to be missed. Their unique, imaginative style is hard to define due to the array of slick instrumentation from bassoons to handclapping, all performed with stunning musicianship. On stage, the tight female harmonies and clever compositions captivate audiences as they become enthralled by the quirky and cheerful, yet sometimes dark, narrative lyrics. Moulettes are a treat to watch and listen to, particularly in a festival environment like the diverse and folk-filled Beautiful Days. Be sure to catch them in Leamington when they play The Assembly on 1st November!

Molly Russell

Ryan Adams Glastonbury, 24-28 June

Although Adams clashes with Main Stage headliners The Who (yawn), on the final night of this year’s rather underwhelming festival, anyone with an appreciation for Americana music and Adam’s style of revivalist rock will find themselves at The Park Stage at 10:30pm on Sunday night. Despite Adams having a broken rib, causing him severe pain in his chest when he plays harmonica, he has stated he will continue his tour as normal, having recently performed at Red Rocks amphitheatre. Whilst this may be uncomfortable for the artist, it’s unlikely there’ll be complaints when he performs classics such as ‘Come Pick Me Up’ or ‘Oh My Sweet Carolina’. Adams is undoubtedly going to be one of this year’s hidden festival gems.

Tom Hemingway

Idlewild 2000 Trees, 9-11 July

The newly-reformed and criminally underrated indie giants are set to sub-headline (the equally overlooked) 2000 Trees in July. Boasting creative re-workings of their noisypunk youth with the folkier overtones of 2015’s Everything Ever Written, this is not a band afraid to play the ‘hits’, nor one that is stuck in the past. Combined with idyllic Gloucestershire scenery and surprisingly reasonable pints, 2000 Trees sets the perfect backdrop for melodic indie from yesteryear and beyond. Besides, is there a better summer anthem than ‘You Held The World In Your Arms’?

Ollie Ship

Alabama Shakes Glastonbury, 24-28 June

They conquered Glastonbury’s Other Stage in 2013, and now Alabama Shakes are set to groove their way onto the hallowed Pyramid, following sparkling reviews for their recently-released sophomore album, Sound & Colour. Bringing a mixture of soul, funk and rock, alongside a dazzlingly unique voice, this band from America’s Deep South has something for everyone at the festival where anything goes. Just listening to their records makes you feel the sun warming your back whilst those soothing tones drift through the air, with Brittany Howard’s voice pushing any negativity out of your mind. Glastonbury’s easy-going atmosphere couldn’t be more perfect for them. It’s going to be incredible.

Jess Mason

Fleetwood Mac Isle of Wight, 11-14 June

Whilst the Isle of Wight Festival’s headline act is emblematic of a certain trend du jour – relying on aged acts to take the helm – this choice looks set to breathe new life into the headline spot. Rising from the ashes with the full line-up from their Rumours glory days, this return of the Mac will remind the nation where its penchant for rock-pop came from. A testament to their legacy, Mac staples often appear in the repertoire of acts such as HAIM and Florence & the Machine, but you’d best believe that when the chugging riff of ‘The Chain’ rings out at Seaclose Park, it’ll be the real deal.

Adam Davey

Kanye West Glastonbury, 24-28 June

Yeezy will, just as Jay-Z, Beyoncé and Metallica did before him, defy the doubters, prove the pontificators wrong, and storm the Pyramid Stage like a crusading Howard Carter. There’s no reason to doubt that this will be one of the greatest and most important sets in pop music history. Put aside the stark misogyny and degrading sexism for one night only, and unapologetically bask in multi-platinum pop hit after pop hit. ‘Black Skinhead’, ‘Gold Digger’, ‘Stronger’: he’s got ‘em all. Of course, you can probably expect a completely pointless tirade berating someone as harmless as Beck. But that’s why we love Kanye. He’s a wee bit mental. No one really quite knows what he’ll do next. Predicting his set to be one of unpredictable brilliance? Makes sense. Well, just as much as Kanye does anyway.

Stephen Paul