London festival season is now only a matter of weeks away, and things will kick off in earnest with the return of Wide Awake.
Offering one of the capital’s more eclectic line-ups, veering from experimental electronics moment to all-out rock the next, it’s a fine way to get back into the swing of things, with a huge summer of music ahead.
Whether you’ve got tickets or are still in the market, here’s what you need to know,
When is Wide Awake?
The two-day festival will spread across May 27-28, taking two days and two nights of music across Friday and Saturday.
Gates will open at 2pm on Friday and midday on Saturday, with last entry at 9pm (although if you don’t want to miss basically everything, we’d suggest getting down there much earlier than that).
Who’s on the Wide Awake line-up?
Friday’s line-up is largely focused on electronic sounds, headlined as it is by the all-conquering Bicep duo, who will be performing one of their popular live sets. Elsewhere, there will be sets from top producers and DJs — Caribou, Leon Vynehall, Overmono and Sofia Kourtesis among them — as well as synthy post-punks Working Men’s Club.
Saturday is a bit more varied, taking in all sorts. Primal Scream are the headline attraction, with the band playing their legendary Screamadelica album in full for the first time in a decade. Elsewhere, you can expect some heady electronics from Floating Points, rowdy rock from Amyl & The Sniffers, far-reaching soundscapes from jazz experimentalists The Comet Is Coming, and more. Here’s the full line-up:
How to get tickets for Wide Awake
There are three ticket options currently: day tickets for either Friday or Saturday, or a weekend pass that gives access to both.
General admission for Friday is currently priced at £49.50, though you can get a slight reduction to £40 if you buy the ticket that requires you to turn up before 4pm. It’s a similar deal on Saturday, with general admission tickets going for £44.50, or £35 if you get there before 2pm. Group tickets are available for both days, offering a discount if you buy four tickets at a time.
Weekend passes are currently priced at £84. Head here for more information.
How to get to Wide Awake
The festival is located in south London’s Brockwell Park. Festival organisers are actively encouraging attendees to travel by public transport — it’s good for the environment, and it saves the hassle of trying to find parking.
Herne Hill is the nearest train station, while Brixton on the Victoria Line is the closest Underground stop (it’s also part of the Night Tube, for any after-hours journeys). For the buses, there are a few options — 3, 68, 196, 201, 322, 468, 690 — with two night buses as well: N3, N68.
