Not going to Glastonbury this year? These alternative festivals might help quell your Worthy Farm FOMO

There are plenty of other events going on from June 26-30

First there was the almighty ticket scramble. Then there was the grand unveiling of the full line-up. And now, it’s hurtling so close into view that the BBC are showing tantalising trailers for it on television. It just can’t be denied any longer: Glastonbury season is upon us, and while that is cause for celebration for over 200,000 ticket-holding punters, there are many thousands (if not millions) more who are quickly coming down with a bad case of the GlastoFOMO.

Tickets for Glastonbury are, as we all well know, quite hard to come by, and the aforementioned great scramble so often leaves plenty of people disappointed and throwing their laptops out of the window in frustration. And while Glastonbury will be well-covered by the BBC, the hours and hours of live footage of people having the time of the lives in a (hopefully not muddy) Somerset field is sure to arouse jealousy, resentment and outright sobbing. Don’t worry, there’s always next year…

But you shouldn’t despair too much. If you’re not in possession of a golden pass to the festival gates next weekend, there’s still plenty of alternative live music events going on at the end of this month to get involved in — so do please read on before you go ahead with staging your very own Glastonbury Festival in your front room (tip: don’t do that).

Community Festival

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What is it: This one-day festival, which falls on the final day of Glastonbury, is certainly good value for money, with a bill including talk-of-the-town troubadour Gerry Cinnamon, new music-readying Blossoms and nostalgic headliners The Kooks. An indie-heavy alternative for those who haven’t managed to secure Glasto tickets this time round.
Where is it: Finsbury Park, London.
How much does it cost: £40.
How satisfyingly will it cure GlastoFOMO?: It just might — for one day, at least.

Made in Leeds Festival

What is it: Billed as Leeds’ “most-loved festival”, this dance music-centred event boasts five stages and a “secret garden and fantasy forest” theme this year. And it’s in a handsome location, too: Thwaite Mills’ “river-side location, extensive forestry and picturesque grounds make for a truly unique and breathtaking backdrop” for the event. Who needs Somerset tranquillity when you’ve got a handsome watermill in Leeds to rave by?
Where is it: Thwaite Mills, Leeds.
How much does it cost: £36.25 for standard tickets, but ticket prices are set to increase closer to the festival.
How satisfyingly will it cure GlastoFOMO?: If you go to Glastonbury for Arcadia and the like, then quite possibly.

Paddington Covers 2019

What is it: The first of three days of live music in central London this summer, Paddington Covers 2019 will kick off on June 28 with renditions of songs by the likes of Stevie Wonder, Madonna and The Rolling Stones. Plus, it’s “based in a magical secret garden square in the heart of Paddington”, attracts “hippies to hipsters” and describes itself as “a bit bonkers, completely unique” and something “you can’t help but love”. Now why does all that sound so familiar?
Where is it: Norfolk Square Gardens, London
How much does it cost: It’s free!
How satisfyingly will it cure GlastoFOMO?: Well, none of Stevie, Madonna or the Stones are playing at Glasto this year, so you’ll at least be one-up on everyone who’s down at Worthy Farm.

Warlingham Sausage And Cider Festival Presents The 80’s & 90’s Retro Pop Festival

What is it: A family-friendly weekend filled with sausages, crisp cider and retro pop! Hazell Dean, Sonia and the Urban Cookie Collective will be among the throwback artists sending the crowd positively wild at the John Fisher Sports Club from June 29-30.
Where is it: Warlingham, Croydon
How much does it cost: £8 for adult tickets.
How satisfyingly will it cure GlastoFOMO?: If you like sausages, cider and pop from previous decades – then yeah, sure!

Rock Werchter

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What is it: One of the biggest names on the European festival circuit, Rock Werchter this year boasts an impressive bill with performances from the likes of The 1975, The Cure, Tool, Florence + The Machine, Muse and New Order set to well and truly rock Werchter.
Where is it: Werchter, Belgium
How much does it cost: Tickets are understandably running out so close to the event, but you can still grab a limited amount of day and weekend passes (which cost around £216) here.
How satisfyingly will it cure GlastoFOMO?: This one is probably the pick of the bunch – but you’ll have to dig out your passport…

Derbyshire Sausage & Cider Music Festival and Country Show 2019

What is it: It’s another sausage-and-cider fest! “Make memories that will last a lifetime,” organisers promise as you idly hover over the ‘Buy Ticket’ button on their website. If you want your memories to be filled with the smell of sausages, tasty, tasty cider and a deluge of tribute bands (we’re talking the likes of Noasis, Kaiser Thiefs and The Cheatles), then go forth and spend Glastonbury weekend in Derbyshire.
Where is it: Catton Hall in Swadlincote.
How much does it cost: Between £17.81 and £161.69, with weekend tickets starting at £49.99.
How satisfyingly will it cure GlastoFOMO?: If you like sausages, cider and tons of tribute acts – then yeah, sure!

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