Festivals

Who's playing Leonard Cohen, Cornelius, The Mighty Boosh, Roisin Murphy, Roots Manuva, Nitin Sawhney, Múm, Ty, Evan Parker, Orchestra Baobab and more

Parents love the Chill because they can take their kids along safe in the knowledge that there won't be much in the way of loud, edgy noise to get them over-excited. This year is no different as the majority of acts, minus Cornelius, Roisin Murphy and Roots Manuva, are of the usual laidback ilk. And if the kids do play up, Leonard Cohen is on hand to depre– um, sorry, calm them.

One of the first new-breed festies (ie, ones that offered more than superheadliners), The Big Chill can't rely on a chill-out niche and lakeside location any longer, what with so many other small events springing up. This year, sprucing things up, the ICA provides films, comedy venue Underbelly brings the laughs and The Roundhouse erects the 'Big Round Tent', a place where kids can join a band, learn how to produce and do graffiti, giving parents the chance to break out that long-awaited spliff.