{"id":1918781,"date":"2026-05-05T00:00:00","date_gmt":"2026-05-04T21:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=1918781"},"modified":"2026-05-05T00:00:00","modified_gmt":"2026-05-04T21:00:00","slug":"wonderland-169","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=1918781","title":{"rendered":"Wonderland"},"content":{"rendered":"
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\n\t\t\tWonderland<\/span>
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\n\t\t\tFESTIVAL GUIDE 2026 PT. 2<\/span>
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Madrid mania, Scandi sophistication and boundary-pushing on the English south coast; still looking to add to your summer calendar? Here are ten sure-fire hits to augment your 2026 festival season. <\/h3>\n

Mad Cool<\/strong><\/p>\n

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\"Festival
Photography by Andres Iglesias<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n

When is it?<\/strong> 8th-11th July<\/p>\n

Who\u2019s playing? <\/strong>Lorde, Zara Larsson, Wolf Alice<\/a>, Jennie<\/p>\n

Why should I go? <\/strong>This is the year to get Mad Cool. Taking over Villaverde, Madrid, for three days in the heat of summer for its tenth anniversary edition, the globally renowned festival is going big. Drawing over 70 names in world music, spanning rock, pop, electronica, and so much more, this year promises to be more intentional, more expansive, and more exclusive than ever before. On top of that, get to know some of Spain\u2019s best musical talent; LA PALOMA, Hoonine, Aerea, Mad Cool looks set to continue cementing itself as both a musical and cultural pioneer.<\/p>\n

Tickets<\/em><\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

Way Out West\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

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\"Festival
Photography by Nathalie Ulinder-Cuti<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n

When is it? <\/strong>13th-15th August<\/p>\n

Who\u2019s playing? <\/strong>Gorillaz, The xx, Lorde, sombr<\/p>\n

Why should I go? <\/strong>Scandinavia boasts some of the best hidden gem festivals in Europe \u2013 from Norway\u2019s \u00d8yafestivalen<\/a> to Denmark\u2019s Rokslide. But this year\u2019s humdinger line-up comes from Sweden\u2019s Way Out West. Occurring in Slottsskogen Park in Gothenburg, the sleeping giant musical arena has put together a who\u2019s who of the hottest artists of the moment \u2013 from Geese to Zara Larsson and Clipse \u2013 as well as legacy headliners and the promise of a laidback, sophisticated festival experience.<\/p>\n

Tickets<\/a><\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

End of the Road<\/strong><\/p>\n

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\"Festival
Photography by Sandra Ebert<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n

When is it? <\/strong>3rd-6th September<\/p>\n

Who\u2019s playing? <\/strong>Pulp, CMAT<\/a>, Mac DeMarco, Earl Sweatshirt & Mike<\/p>\n

Why should I go? <\/strong>A late summer swansong of sonic experimentalists and crowd-pleasing comets alike, End of the Road is one of Britain\u2019s best-loved independent festivals. With the promise of sing-alongs to Pulp and CMAT and discovering the most exciting new avant-garde acts around alike, EOTR feels like the perfect end to the season for any avid festival goer.<\/p>\n

Tickets<\/a><\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

Horst<\/strong><\/p>\n

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\"Festival
Photography by Willem Mevis<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n

When is it? <\/strong>14th-16th May<\/p>\n

Who\u2019s playing?<\/strong> Todd Edwards, Daphini, Stacey Hotwaxx Hale, Moxie<\/p>\n

Why should I go? <\/strong>Maybe your playlist is spinning the same music, or you\u2019re stuck in a cycle of old favourites. If you\u2019re tired of the same loop, Horst Festival is the place where things start to bend in a new direction \u2013 the right one. For 2026, it returns to Asiat Park with a programme built on evolution, pulling together over 120 artists who sit off-centre from the mainstream. Think leftfield club sounds, deep-cut house lineage, and live sets that lean into the unexpected.<\/p>\n

Tickets<\/a><\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

Truck<\/strong><\/p>\n

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\"Festival<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n

When is it? <\/strong>23rd-26th July<\/p>\n

Who\u2019s playing? <\/strong>The Libertines, CMAT, English Teacher, The Vaccines<\/p>\n

Why should I go? <\/strong>Who doesn\u2019t love singing along to indie classics in a field of thousands of people? Truck is the epitome of the British festival \u2013 huge bestseller bands who you can never grow tired of seeing playing their hits and new work alike. Expect nostalgic anthems aplenty, family-friendly atmosphere, and a right ol\u2019 knees-up.<\/p>\n

Tickets<\/a><\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

Cross The Tracks\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

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\"Festival
Photography by Garry Jones<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n

When is it? 24th May\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

Who\u2019s playing?<\/strong> Little Simz, Joy Crookes, Knucks, Obongjayar,<\/p>\n

Why should I go? <\/strong>Entering into its seventh year dominating South London\u2019s Brockwell Park, Cross The Tracks returns to save your Bank Holiday Sunday. Sure, you could be sitting having tinnies in the park with your friends, eating picky bits \u2013 but you could be dancing body-to-body to that bassy vibrato with music fellows as you listen to some of music\u2019s best, from up-and-comers to the established. If you like it funky, or you love a bit of R&B, and some smooth soul to set the tone of your day, this is the one to get your dancing shoes down to.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Tickets<\/a><\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

Rally<\/strong><\/p>\n

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\"Festival
Photography by Jake Davis<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n

When is it? <\/strong>29th August<\/p>\n

Who\u2019s playing? <\/strong>Blood Orange, Smerz, james K, mark william lewis<\/a><\/p>\n

Why should I go? <\/strong>One of the most creative line-ups you\u2019ll see this summer \u2013 thanks in part to Blood Orange, who has co-curated as well as being set to headline the festival \u2013 Rally is set to be an ideal late summer soir\u00e9e for those of us dedicated to boundary-pushing and bohemian musical excellence. Taking place in South London\u2019s Southwark Park, there\u2019s a glorious amalgamation of live and electronic goodness, with some of the best upcoming talent from music\u2019s left-field on offer.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Tickets<\/a><\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

Sonar\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

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\"Festival
Photography by Ariel Martini<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n

When is it? <\/strong>18th-20th June<\/p>\n

Who\u2019s playing? <\/strong>Skepta, The Prodigy, Kelis, Addison Groove<\/p>\n

Why should I go?<\/strong> Things are heating up in Spain\u2019s capital, Barcelona, as its beloved Sonar festival lands. Three days, one reimagined home at Fira Gran Via, and a seamless flow of music across dance-punk, rave legends and cosmic gospel funk. With a can of Estrella in hand, a swig of Malaga a few hours later, it\u2019s a curated extravaganza of uninterrupted music for you to celebrate and get lost in.<\/p>\n

Tickets<\/a><\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

Voodoo Village\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

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\"Festival<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n

When is it? <\/strong>11th-13th September<\/p>\n

Who\u2019s playing? <\/strong>Nina Kraviz, Mathame, Adri\u00e1n Mills, Dear Jade<\/p>\n

Why should I go? <\/strong>Five elements, five stages, all in one village. At Voodoo Village, it\u2019s high stakes, even higher reward \u2013 it wouldn\u2019t have coined its reputation as \u2018Belgium\u2019s best kept secret\u2019 otherwise. As it reaches its 11th edition, its lineup continues to grow, adding to its roster a list of illustrious names such as techno trailblazer Anetha and global icon Nina Kraviz. And all of this against a backdrop of Humbeek\u2019s castle grounds. <\/p>\n

Tickets<\/a><\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

Wild Wood<\/strong><\/p>\n

\"Festival<\/figure>\n

When is it? <\/strong>19th-21st June<\/p>\n

Who\u2019s playing? <\/strong>Channel One, Paula Tape, Palms Trax, Auntie Flo\u00a0<\/p>\n

Why should I go? <\/strong>One of the smallest but most impactful and magical festivals on this list, cult favourite fest Wild Wood is perfect for those looking for a regenerative, restorative and riotous time away from reality. Set in the delightful South Cambridgeshire woodlands, this community-centric, intimate and independent gem has some world-class electronic music and a warm, mystical ambience.<\/p>\n

Tickets<\/a><\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

Footsteps<\/strong><\/p>\n

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\"Festival<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n

When is it? <\/strong>18th-22nd\u00a0May <\/p>\n

Who\u2019s playing? <\/strong>Warmduscher, Office Dog, Grandmas House, Preen<\/p>\n

Why should I go? <\/strong>How frequently are you at a pub? Well, if your answer to that was \u2018often\u2019, it\u2019s probably best to make your pints and pennies matter at Footsteps Festival. Born out of a desire to spotlight the venues that make up the backbone of London\u2019s music ecosystem, it enlists the ears of audiences that resonate with a wide list of artists and music. Tucked away in some of the city\u2019s most beloved gig spots, pubs, theatres and DIY spaces, you\u2019ll be getting your steps in \u2013 both physical and musical \u2013 at this festival.<\/p>\n

Tickets<\/a><\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

Forwards<\/strong><\/p>\n

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\"Festival
Photography by Khali<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n

When is it? <\/strong>29th-30th August<\/p>\n

Who\u2019s playing?<\/strong> Tems, Little Simz, Wet Leg, Amyl & the Sniffers<\/p>\n

Why should I go? <\/strong>Set in the creativity hub of Bristol, Forwards festival has a sharp focus on celebrating female talent, pulling in some of the paramount names in UK and global music to headline their fifth edition this year. Musically diverse \u2013 ranging as far and wide as Afro R&B to indie bops, punk mania to vibrant hip hop \u2013 there\u2019s something for everyone at this Bank Holiday bonanza.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Tickets<\/a><\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

Check out Festival Guide 2026 Pt. 1 here<\/a>.
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\n\t\t\t\t5 May 2026\t\t\t<\/div>\n
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Festivals<\/a><\/div>\n
Music<\/a><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n
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\n\t\t\t\tApril + VISTA Are Keeping The Flame Alive<\/span> <\/span><\/a>\t\t\t<\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Wonderland FESTIVAL GUIDE 2026 PT. 2 Madrid mania, Scandi sophistication and boundary-pushing on the English south coast; still looking to add to your summer calendar? Here are ten sure-fire hits to augment your 2026 festival season. Mad Cool Photography by Andres Iglesias When is it? 8th-11th July Who\u2019s playing? Lorde, Zara Larsson, Wolf Alice, Jennie […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[226,257],"class_list":["post-1918781","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-uncategorized","tag-crawlmanager","tag-wonderlandmagazine-com"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1918781","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=1918781"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1918781\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=1918781"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=1918781"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=1918781"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}