It’s something you’ll see all over event posters during the summer months. From the small ‘uns with their won’t-find-anywhere-else headliners, to the big ‘uns with their ‘omg they’re back’ special guests, if you want your festival to stand out from a mass of often similar line-ups you need the word “Exclusive” plastered on somewhere or other. This year’s batch of one-offs is a good ‘un, too. Here are a few of our faves.
VAMPIRE WEEKEND, END OF THE ROAD
(30th August – 2nd September, Larmer Tree Gardens)
Vampy Weeks are back! Hasn’t it felt a long time? End of the Road will mark their first live show in four years as they work their way towards a new album, and also their only UK festival for 2018. They join fellow festival exclusive Feist at the top of the bill, and St. Vincent, too.
TAME IMPALA, CITADEL
(15th July, Gunnersbury Park, London)
This one isn’t just a festival exclusive, oh no – it’s a UK exclusive. You’re not going to see Tame Impala anywhere else without getting on a plane, boat or, er, going under a tunnel. The Aussie psych-rockers are currently working on the follow-up to 2015 album, ‘Currents’.
LONDON GRAMMAR, BESTIVAL
(2nd-5th August, Lulworth Estate, Dorset)
Along with Jorja Smith, London Grammar are putting in a UK exclusive set at Bestival this year, on a bill that also features M.I.A., Grace Jones, First Aid Kit, Mura Masa and loads more still to come. It’s about time London Grammar were headlining major UK festivals, innit?
AT THE DRIVE IN, 2000TREES
(12th-14th July, Upcote Farm)
For the first time in 2000trees’ history, the Main Stage will be open for Thursday daytime – leading up to a UK festival exclusive set from post-hardcore legends, At The Drive In. They’ll be in town to celebrate the release of their latest album, ‘in•ter a•li•a’, playing alongside Basement, Arcane Roots, Creeper and loads more.
STORMZY, WIRELESS
(6th-8th July, Finsbury Park, London)
The Wireless line-up is a bit of a sausage-fest this year; it’s basically Lots Of Blokes plus Mabel, Cardi B (who has since cancelled) and Lisa Mercedez. Maybe they’ll have fixed that by the time you’re reading this. We can hope, eh? If you want to see Stormzy though, you’re going to have to brave the bratwursts because this is the only UK festival he’s playing. [Update – Yes, they’ve added a few more.]
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yNtZ5ZG9oxo
DUA LIPA, READING & LEEDS
(24th-26th August, Richfield Avenue, Reading; Bramham Park, Leeds)
There’s been a mixed reaction to Reading & Leeds’ first line-up announce, but that’s just par for the course, innit? They’ve got some good names signed up so far – from headliners Fall Out Boy, Panic! At The Disco and Kendrick Lamar (no, not you Kings of Leon), to Dua Lipa, (this here exclusive), Sigrid, Wolf Alice and Pale Waves.
Taken from Dork’s Festival Guide 2018 – pick up your copy here.