UK Events

Live Your Life Newsletter - July 2005
Travel & Hostel Newsletter for Backpackers

Newsletters: July 2005 | All Archives

Wicked Events in the UK this July!

London

As always London is once again the hottest place to be this summer, and not just for the weather. With the normal summer festivities already planned, the recently announced Live8 concert has to be added to the already busy summer calendar for the true party animals and the socially aware music fan.

Bacardi Rum present B-Live: 1-3rd of July

Barcardi Rum adds to the increasing roster of music festivals in the capital by bringing an eclectic mix of talent to Clapham Common over three days this summer. The line-up includes Jamiroquai, Paul Oakenfold, Amy Winehouse, Flavour Flav, The Brand New heavies and Hed Kandi to name just a few.

Pride London: 2nd of July

The original Pride protest march has firmly established itself in London over the last 30 years and is the biggest event in the UK gay diary. A humble little gathering has flowered into a parade attracting as many as 100,000 from all over Britain and the rest of Europe. The carnival atmosphere transforms central London with a flamboyant parade of floats filled with partiers and activists representing the full force of Great Britain's gay and lesbian community.

The parade assembles in the Hyde Park area then passes through the city centre towards Westminster and past the Houses of Parliament to disperse at Victoria Embankment. A Pride Rally is then held in Trafalgar Square from 4pm, focusing on community elements including political speeches, community music and stalls for LGBT charities and organisations. This is followed by a cabaret in Leicester Square.

Live8: 2nd of July

Sir Bob Geldof hopes to repeat the fantastic success of the now legendary 1985 Live Aid concert with Live 8, a massive live music event with concerts held simultaneously in London's Hyde Park, Toronto, Rome, Philadelphia, Paris and Berlin, to highlight the ongoing problem of poverty and debt in Africa.

The illustrious line-up for the London gig includes such luminaries as Sir Elton John, Madonna, Sir Paul McCartney, REM, Coldplay and U2. The high calibre continues throughout the day with Dido, Keane, Annie Lennox, Mariah Carey, Muse, Scissor Sisters, Joss Stone, Stereophonics, Sting, Robbie Williams, Velvet Revolver, The Killers, The Cure, Snow Patrol and the man Bob Geldof himself. Anyone not able to get a ticket can catch the action on big screens in seven cities across the UK, with millions more likely to be watching live on BBC TV and radio.

Party in the Park: 10th of July

The 95.8 Capital FM Party In The Park returns to London's Hyde Park, in a mammoth concert staged for The Prince's Trust. Last year's event featured a storming line-up of over 30 acts, including Alanis Morissette, Anastacia, Blue, Lenny Kravitz, the Sugababes, Busted and Jamelia. The event raised £1 million for the Prince's Trust, helping disadvantaged young people across the UK. It was also broadcast live on 95.8 Capital FM and on terrestrial television.

Greenwich & Docklands International Festival: 24th June - 30th of July

East London erupts this summer during the Greenwich & Docklands International Festival, a multi-arts extravaganza offering theatre, comedy, dance, music, spectacles and fireworks. A changing brief each year always finds space for outdoor theatre, great classical concerts, and cutting-edge and popular music. One of the festival's key facets is finding unusual venues for performances - from the Cutty Sark to Greenwich's imposing Naval College. This year's Festival sets sail with a powerful maritime spectacle in the grounds of the Old Royal Naval College and ends with a fantasy ship sweeping through the streets of Bow.

DMC Championship UK Finals: 29th of July

Once again DMC stage the DMC/Technics UK Final at the event's spiritual home of the Shepherds Bush Empire. Over 2000 diehard fanatics meet to see 14 of the country's finest turntablists unleashing their skills in six-minute routines, battling to win the chance to meet the rest of the world at the finals.

Brighton

Brighton Pride Festival and Parade: 30th July - 7th August

Brighton Pride takes over the town for a week in summer, culminating in a flamboyant parade from the seafront to Preston Park on the final Saturday and street parties on St James's Street. This year's theme is "Heroes and Heroines".

The history of Pride here goes back to 1992 with a very modest afternoon event on The Level. Since then it has evolved into the biggest free Pride festival in the UK and in September 2004 was awarded charitable status. Come check out the spectacle and great atmosphere as Brighton opens its arms for every member of its community to celebrate this great event.

Newquay

The K Festival Rocks On: 23rd July

A spectacular cliff top location overlooking the ocean with the surf rolling in- The K Festival is undoubtedly the most amazing music gig setting in the UK. Where else can you surf in the morning and then spend the afternoon soaking up the atmosphere then the evening rocking with some of the UK's best biggest bands? You can't afford to miss it!

The 2005 K Festival will see one of the UK's best known bands, The Happy Mondays, stepping down to the South West to headline the main stage. Opening of the Happy Mondays will be Belushi's in Edinburgh's very own house band Bleeker. The capacity will more than double in size with twelve hours of continuous music over two sound stages and the added attraction of a dedicated festival campsite for those who want to stay for the weekend and enjoy all the surf and entertainment on offer.

Bath

National Adventure Sports Show: 8-10th of July

Europe's biggest annual adventure and street sports event comes to the Royal Bath and West Showground, offering the chance to catch a unique mix of sporting entertainment and great music.

As you'd expect this is fast-paced entertainment, with non-stop musical and extreme sport events, including professional competitions. This year the public get the chance not just to watch the outstanding skills of some of the world's finest street and adventure sport athletes, but also to join in and participate.

Great bands and DJs perform on the outdoor stage, providing entertainment all-day and continuing into the evening. There are also cinemas, themed bars and exhibitions. The main expo once again hosts a large array of retailers and manufacturers selling the season's top clothing and equipment lines. Special guest DJs will be announced closer to the event.

Edinburgh

Well Scotland may not get the great warm summers of the southern end of the UK but that doesn't mean you cant get out and enjoy the season properly. This month, Edinburgh (and the rest of Scotland) features some incredible music - Live8, Rod Stewart, T in the Park, Wickerman Festival. See below for more info.

Rod Stewart at the Glasgow SECC: 5th of July

In his first UK tour for three years, Rod - D'ya think I'm sexy? - Stewart is back, in town, playing Hall 4 in Glasgow's Scottish Exhibition & Conference Centre (SECC) for five nights, backed by a 12-piece band, string section and backing vocals. Hot on the tails of his 82-date US tour last year, he'll be singing hits from Maggie May to his ongoing project, the Great American Songbook.

Live8 Edinburgh: 6th of July

While those of you not living in a cave will all have heard about Live8 you may or may not realise that this isn't the only concert going on to coincide with the G8 Summit. Oh no, far be it from Sir Bob to do things by halves, the hairy humanitarian has organised the Edinburgh 50,000 a second event to be held in Edinburgh, featuring some names from the Live8 line up and maybe important Scottish acts.

Held at the Murrayfield Stadium Edinburgh, the show for an expected crowd of 50,000 has been set up to occur just as those all important world leaders arrive at Gleneagles to discuss what to do with the world.

It'll be a chance to see some of your favourite music acts, have a laugh and enjoy the sunshine whilst also helping to highlight one of the world's most important causes. And if you're feeling extra dedicated to the cause you can even use it as a fitting end to your extremely long walk should you choose to take part in the Long Walk To Freedom - trek all the way from Live8 in London's Hyde Park.

T in the Park: 9-10th of July - Balado in Kinross, near Perth

Festival organisers Big Day Out Ltd and founding partners Tennent's Lager recently increased the event capacity, taking it up to 69,000 music fans per day. T in the Park organisers were absolutely delighted that, due to the huge ticket demand experienced for the festival, the capacity was increased to its biggest figure ever, including 170 acts across 10 stages. This year's festival will boast some huge names with big albums out this year. This years eclectic line up includes: Foo Fighters, Green Day, Snoop Dogg, Travis, Keane, Embrace, The Streets, Audioslave, Beautiful South, The Killers, Prodigy, Kasabian, Ian Brown, Razorlight and many more.

Wickerman Festival: 22-23rd of July - Dundrennan

Scotland's premier alternative festival boasts Alabama 3, The Stranglers, Dreadzone and the Crazy World of Arthur Brown and are just a fraction of the entertainment laid on for this year's Wickerman Festival. The event takes place in deepest Galloway on the 22nd & 23rd of July 2005 all in a spacious 120 acre site. An amazing seven stages are on offer alongside late bars, trade stalls, children's area and of course the Torching of a giant Wickerman on the Saturday night.

Described as "cutting edge", "the Glasto of the North" and "as retro as a mullet", the Wickerman offers a unique chance to enjoy everything from Psy Trance in the Eden tent, through to Celtic Rock, Reggae and Acoustic sounds on the other stages.

Edinburgh Jazz & Blues Festival: 29th of July- 7th August

Every year, the Edinburgh Jazz Festival presents a diverse musical celebration that brings together a wide variety of top quality performers in venues all over the city. Founded in 1978, it is now the longest-running jazz festival in the country.