Disclosure, Rudimental, Mark Ronson, George Ezra and Fatboy Slim at Parklife Festival

In Derbyshire, we’ve got Y Not - the perfect local festival, but for those in search of something bigger - we have Parklife.
Parklife FestivalParklife Festival
Parklife Festival

It’s just over two weeks to go to the two-day urban festival in Manchester, perfect for those in the north of the county (Glossop, I’m looking at you). And unlike many British festivals - there’s no camping - a godsend in the rainy Pennines!

Die-hard fans scoffed when it moved to the less accessible Heaton Park on the northern outskirts of the city two years ago, away from the student area of Fallowfield, where many fans lived within walking distance.

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But after a few hiccups in the first year (not enough bars / toilets / confiscating sun cream on the way in), the weekender settled into its larger surroundings, attracting bigger crowds and even bigger acts.

And this year promises to be no different. Firm favourites Disclosure and Rudimental will take to the stage for the third year running, and why not? The chart-topping dance acts were born to perform at festivals - their anthems never fail to get the crowds going and always sound better in the sun.

Last year, Snoop Dogg was an unusual choice for a predominantly indie and dance festival, dividing festival goers. Is he a sellout after his Money Supermarket ads? What has he even released recently? And in the case of today’s teenagers, just who is he?

But this year, no one can argue with Mark Ronson (who realised the tune of the year last year in the form of the ubiquitous Uptown Funk), the charming George Ezra and the fresh-sounding Jungle.

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If folk’s more your thing, Ben Howard will be there with his surfer brand of pop and for those thinking there’s a hip hop gap in the line-up after Snoop Dogg (or is it Snoop Lion these days?), Nas will be there to fill the void.

And, of course, house fans will always be looked after at Parklife with the likes of dance royalty Fatboy Slim and Annie Mac, as well as Duke Dumont, Julio Bashmore and a whole host of superstar DJs I’m not cool enough to have heard of.

I for one can’t wait. I can smell the cider and straw hats already.

Parklife takes place on June 6 and 7 at Heaton Park, Manchester. Tickets are available from Parklife.uk.com . Weekend tickets, including bus transfer from Manchester city centre, are £99.99.

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