From Ypsigrock to Oyafestivalen, we try to deliver the perfect festival preparation

Festival season is looming, and by now it’s likely that many are already applying glitter to their unmentionables in preparation for Coachella festival, which runs until 21 April.

However, if you’ve not yet signed up for a music event that will cost you an arm and a leg just so you can see a few celebrities looking bored in their VIP pen, The Independent is on hand with recommendations for the best festivals – and what to do once you’re there.

Each year towards the end of this month we publish two separate guides of our favourite festivals in the UK and Europe, from the big dogs like Glastonbury and Primavera to the smaller, but just as special, events such as Ypsigrock in Sicily and Oyafestivalen in Norway. We choose each one based on a variety of factors including lineup, location, whether it’s family friendly, and if it offers something other events might not.

Given there are dozens, if not hundreds, more festivals in the UK and Europe than there were a decade ago, lineup announcements are released far earlier than they used to be. This means from around late January we’re covering those announcements and occasionally confirming them ourselves.

For the main event, it’s about keeping coverage fresh, entertaining and informative. I’m not convinced readers are satisfied simply by a review of the festival after the fact. For a big event like Glastonbury, The Independent offers advice, updates and guides before it kicks off, then rolling live coverage, reviews, social media posts, video and news as it happens, before wrapping things up with a recap and any key talking points.

As you may have seen from our previous coverage, while many of these events are fun, we’re not there to give them free PR. If there’s a festival whose lineup is skewed towards a largely white, male set of artists, we’re going to call them out on it. If the event is lacking in anything, from the food on offer to the overall experience, we’ll let you know. But if you check out our guides, hopefully you’ll end up with an unforgettable festival experience this summer.

Yours,

Roisin O’Connor

Music correspondent