The best music festivals in London 2023

Gone are the days when jazz was exclusively for chin-stroking middle-aged white men. The Brick Lane Jazz festival has quickly established itself as a must-see for cool, underground and genre-blending artists, teaming up with Tomorrow’s Warriors, (of Moses Boyd and Ezra Collective) to help you to find your new favourite jazz stars.

Line-up includes: Reuben James, Nu Civilisation Orchestra, Steam Down, Lex Amor. 

Truman Brewery and nearby venues, London. April 14-16.

Cementing itself as a melting pot of genres, Wide Awake covers everything from hyper-pop to left-field indie and underground techno. Twirl around Brockwell Park to the sound of singer-songwriter Caroline Polachek as she performs her headline set. It's sure to cradle you back to health after losing your voice in the mosh pits of Osees and Viagra Boys.

Line-up includes: Caroline Polachek, Alex G, Black Country, New Road, Viagra Boys, Jockstrap.

Brockwell Park, SE24 9BJ. May 27.

NTS (you know, the uber cool radio station) is hosting its very first festival, in Burgess Park no less. Little has been revealed thus far, but we do know there will be two stages, with experimental LA rapper JPEGMAFIA on one and DJ Theo Parrish performing for the first time in three years on the other. Get tickets through the NTS website, with priority access going to members.

Line-up includes: JPEGMAFIA, Theo Parrish, more TBA.

Burgess Park, SE5 0AL. May 27.

Join London's clubbing elite at this Peckham Rye three-dayer, which showcases the finest in electronic music, sprinkled with a little soul, jazz and afrobeat. Jordan Rakei will be bringing funky vibes on Friday, plus there's a rare chance to catch Amadou & Mariam, while Saturday and Sunday will lean harder into techno and house, with Overmono and Kerri Chandler headlining respectively.

Line-up includes: Overmono, Jordan Rakei, Amadou & Mariam, Nubya Garcia, Kerri Chandler.

Peckham Rye, SE15 3UA. May 27.

Cross the Tracks is back for its fourth year at Brockwell park with a groove-heavy curation of soul, funk and jazz. The laid-back feel is amplified by a large selection of food stalls, talks and workshops. As for the tunes? There's a headline set from NxWorries (Anderson .Paak and Knxwledge), alongside R&B-influenced Masego, hip hop star Kelis, and native London jazz stars Ezra Collective. 

Line-up includes: NxWorries, Masego, Kelis, Alfa Mist, Roy Ayers.

Brockwell Park, SE24 9BJ. May 28. 

Real ones will remember Brixton Splash, the massive reggae and dub festival that would take over south London and fill its streets with bass-heavy grooves. Kicking off in Brockwell Park this May, City Splash is a reiteration of the legendary event, with a focus on reggae, dancehall and afrobeats, alongside a curated selection of Caribbean and African street food from Black Eats LDN. 

Line-up includes: Chronixx, Koffee, Arya Starr, General Levy, Skillibeng.

Brockwell Park, SE24 9BJ. May 29.

Remember seeing that Sugababes set all over Twitter? Well, it was at Mighty Hoopla. And it's back for another massive year, with nostalgia-filled sets from the likes of Jameilia, Rachel Stevens and Natasha Beddingfield, plus a kaleidoscopic range of drag superstars, recognisable DJs and emerging LGBTQ+ performers. Expect a raucous all-day party that's bursting with pop perfection. 

Line-up includes: Kelly Rowland, Years & Years, Confidence Man, Rachel Stevens, Vengaboys. 

Brockwell Park, London. June 3-4.

Like the idea of dancing around Henry VIII's old gaff? Hampton Court Palace Festival is taking place this June with two weeks of music. The kind of festival you could take your mum to, the event has headliners like Grace Jones, Kaiser Chiefs and Rick Astley. Dressing up like a royal isn't required, but it might get you more into the spirit of things. 

Line-up includes: Grace Jones, Kaiser Chiefs, Björn Again, Rick Astley.

Hampton Court Palace, KT8 9AU. June 8 -17.

David Bowie, Grace Jones and Robert Smith are hard acts to follow, but Christine and the Queens has assured 'gut-wrenching quality’ for the festivals of free and ticketed events in June 2023. Chris' previous collaborators include the likes of Charlie XCX, Caroline Polachek and 070 Shake, so you can expect the forthcoming line-up to be studded with plenty of stars. 

Line-up includes: TBA

Southbank Centre, SE1 8XX. June 9 - 18.

Hip-hop heads will be flocking to Finsbury Park for another installation of Wireless. Spanning trap, grime, R&B and beyond, the line-up boasts more A-list talent than the Met Gala, last year had the likes of Cardi B, A$AP Rocky, Nicki Minaj and SZA take to the stage. So keep your eyes peeled for further announcements. 

Line-up includes: 50 Cent, Travis Scott, Lil Uzi Vert, Latto, Headie One. 

Finsbury Park, London. Jul 7-9.

Given its 23-year history, you would assume that Fabric already had staged its own festival. But it hasn't, until now. Taking place in a top-secret location just outside of London, it's all very hush-hush. What we can reveal is the line-up, which comes inspired by dance music tastemakers from throughout the decades. 

Line-up includes: Ricardo Villalobos, Seth Troxler, Ross From Friends, Djrum, Peach.

Secret location near London. July 8-9.

Since its inception in 2018, All Points East has earned a reputation for a varied blend of musical styles and genres. Back in Vicky Park for another instalment, it's already confirmed big-hitting headliners Stormzy and The Strokes. Previous years have included Björk, Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds, Foals and The Chemical Brothers. Something for all tastes, really. 

Line-up: Stormzy, The Strokes, Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Angel Olsen, more TBA. 

Victoria Park, E3 5TB. August 18 - 28.

A relative newcomer to London's festival scene, Maiden Voyage is returning for its third year at north London's Lee Valley Showground, bringing a stellar selection of electronic artists along with it. Created by the behind Camden’s Jazz Cafe as a more intimate and affordable alternative to some of London’s bigger festivals, its tickets start at just £20. 

Line-up includes: Logic1000, Richie Hawtin, DJ Boring, VTSS, DJ EZ. 

Lee Valley Showground, EN9 1AB. August 27.

Touring the UK with big-name chefs and an eclectic line-up of musicians, Pub in the Park is back for another three events in London. Touching down in Wimbledon, Dulwich and Chiswick respectively, the Tom Kerridge-founded family-friendly day out filled with restaurant pop-ups, cooking demos and talks, plus a smattering of live music. 

Line-up includes: The Craig Charles Funk and Soul Club, McFly, Clean Bandit, Tinie Tempah, Bananarama.

Multiple locations. May 12 - September 3.