For me, the real magic of a UK music festival lies in those unexpected moments of stumbling upon a band on a smaller stage that completely blows you away. It’s about the thrill of discovery, the feeling of being in on something special before everyone else. If you share that passion for finding your next favourite guitar band or indie sensation, then you’re in the right place. We’ve scoured the festival landscape to bring you our Top 10 UK Festivals that consistently deliver incredible opportunities to discover new music and emerging artists.

Kendal Calling

• Dates: 31st July – 3rd August 2025
• Location: Lowther Deer Park, Lake District, Cumbria, UK
• Genre Focus: While Kendal Calling features a range of genres, it has a strong and consistent booking of indie rock, alternative, and guitar-based bands, both established and emerging.
• Why it’s a great place to discover new music: Kendal Calling is known for its diverse lineup spread across multiple stages, creating ample opportunity to stumble upon exciting new artists. Beyond the headliners on the main stage, areas like the Calling Out stage and smaller tents often showcase fantastic up-and-coming indie and guitar bands who are generating buzz. The festival has a friendly and enthusiastic atmosphere, encouraging exploration of the lesser-known acts. Many attendees specifically seek out these smaller stages to find their next favourite band. Kendal Calling also has a good track record of booking artists who go on to achieve greater success.

Second Stage Sounds
Kendal Calling also has a knack for creating those special, intimate moments where you can witness a band on the cusp of something bigger. A perfect example of this is The Lathums’ appearance on the legendary Tim Peaks Diner stage. For those in the know, catching a set at Tim Burgess’s quirky haven within the festival often feels like discovering a secret gem. When The Lathums graced the Tim Peaks stage, it was one of those sets that crackled with raw energy and undeniable talent. Word quickly spread, and those who were lucky enough to witness their performance in that intimate setting knew they were seeing a band destined for bigger things. It’s these kinds of serendipitous discoveries, happening on stages like Tim Peaks, that make Kendal Calling such a fertile ground for finding your next favourite band.

Second Stage Insight

The Great Escape (Brighton)

• Dates 14th – 17th May 2025
• Location: Various venues across Brighton, UK
• Genre Focus: The Great Escape is renowned as a showcase festival for emerging talent across a wide range of genres, with a particularly strong focus on indie rock, alternative, electronic, and pop – often featuring a significant number of guitar-based bands on the cusp of breaking through.
• Why it’s a great place to discover new music: Unlike traditional field-based festivals, The Great Escape takes place in numerous intimate venues across the vibrant city of Brighton. This format allows you to hop between gigs and discover a huge array of new artists in a short space of time. It’s a key event for music industry professionals looking to scout new talent, which means the quality of the emerging acts is often incredibly high. You’re likely to see bands playing in small pubs and clubs who could be headlining bigger stages in a year or two. The sheer volume of new artists on display makes it a prime destination for adventurous music fans seeking their next favourite band.

Second Stage Sounds
The Great Escape has served as a crucial early platform for countless successful artists. For example, bands like Foals played early iterations of the festival in smaller venues before their meteoric rise. Attending their sets back then offered a glimpse of the raw energy and talent that would later captivate massive audiences. The festival continues to be a reliable predictor of future stars, making it an essential event for anyone wanting to be “in the know” about the next wave of indie and guitar music.

Second Stage Insight

FOCUS Wales (Wrexham)

• Dates: 8th -10th May 2025
• Location: Various venues across Wrexham, Wales, UK
• Genre Focus: FOCUS Wales is an international showcase festival placing a strong emphasis on emerging artists from Wales and across the globe. While it features a diverse range of genres, it consistently highlights exciting new indie, alternative, and guitar-based bands.
• Why it’s a great place to discover new music: Taking place in a variety of intimate venues throughout the city of Wrexham, FOCUS Wales offers a unique opportunity to immerse yourself in a vibrant atmosphere of discovery. The festival is known for its carefully curated lineup, blending established names with a wealth of emerging talent. It’s a fantastic place to see bands early in their careers, often in small, energetic settings. The festival’s commitment to showcasing Welsh artists also provides a chance to discover unique and exciting sounds you might not encounter elsewhere.

Second Stage Sounds
FOCUS Wales has a strong track record of platforming artists who go on to gain wider recognition. For instance, bands like The Joy Formidable, who hail from North Wales, have supported and played at the festival in their early years, showcasing their powerful guitar-driven sound to enthusiastic crowds. Keep an ear out at FOCUS Wales – you’re likely to hear the next band that will be making waves in the indie and alternative scene.

Second Stage Insight

Liverpool Sound City

• Dates: 3rd May – 4th May
• Location: Various venues across Liverpool City Centre, UK
• Genre Focus: Liverpool Sound City is a dynamic metropolitan festival celebrated for showcasing a wide array of emerging talent. While spanning various genres, it consistently features a strong contingent of indie, alternative, rock, and electronic artists, with a keen eye on new guitar-based bands making their mark.
• Why it’s a great place to discover new music: Taking place in the heart of Liverpool’s vibrant cultural scene, Sound City utilizes numerous iconic venues, from intimate clubs to larger spaces. This setup encourages exploration and the serendipitous discovery of exciting new sounds. Known as the “first music festival of the year” for many in the industry, it attracts scouts and enthusiastic fans eager to witness the next wave of talent. The festival has a reputation for booking artists who are on the cusp of breaking into the mainstream, offering a chance to see them in a more intimate setting before they hit bigger stages.

Second Stage Sounds
Liverpool Sound City has a rich history of showcasing artists early in their careers who have gone on to achieve significant success. For instance, bands like The 1975 played smaller stages at Sound City in their formative years, offering a glimpse of their future stadium-filling potential. Keep your ears open as you wander through the diverse venues of Sound City – you’re highly likely to stumble upon a band that will soon be dominating the airwaves and festival lineups.

Second Stage Insight

Wide Awake (London)

• Dates: 23 May
• Location: Brockwell Park, London, UK
• Genre Focus: Wide Awake champions independent and leftfield music, with a strong emphasis on post-punk, indie rock, alternative, and electronic genres. It’s a festival that consistently showcases exciting new guitar-driven bands alongside innovative electronic acts.
• Why it’s a great place to discover new music: Situated in the vibrant heart of London, Wide Awake offers a curated lineup that often leans towards the cutting edge of independent music. It’s a festival for those looking beyond the mainstream, providing a platform for emerging artists who are pushing boundaries and creating fresh sounds. The atmosphere is often energetic and forward-thinking, attracting a crowd eager to discover their next favourite unconventional band. If you’re looking for the future sounds of indie and alternative, Wide Awake is a key destination.

Second Stage Sounds
Wide Awake has quickly established itself as a festival that spotlights exciting new talent. For example, many emerging post-punk and indie bands who have gained significant traction in recent years, such as Dry Cleaning, have played early slots at Wide Awake, showcasing their unique sounds to an appreciative audience. Keep an ear out for the raw energy and innovative sounds on display at Wide Awake – you’re bound to discover a band that will soon be on everyone’s radar.

Second Stage Insight

End of the Road Festival (Dorset)

• Dates: 28th – 31st August
• Location: Larmer Tree Gardens, Tollard Royal, Dorset, UK
• Genre Focus : End of the Road is a more intimate and carefully curated festival known for its strong focus on indie, alternative, folk, and Americana. While it features some established artists, it’s highly regarded for its dedication to showcasing unique and emerging talent within these genres, often with a strong emphasis on songwriting and distinctive guitar sounds.
• Why it’s a great place to discover new music: Set in the beautiful and slightly whimsical Larmer Tree Gardens, End of the Road offers a different festival experience. Its multiple stages, tucked away in the gardens, provide an ideal setting to stumble upon a new favourite artist in a relaxed and unhurried atmosphere. The organizers are known for their excellent taste and often book left-of-centre and genuinely exciting emerging acts that you might not see on the bigger festival circuits. It’s a festival for those who appreciate a deeper dive into indie and alternative music and are keen to discover something special.

Second Stage Sounds
End of the Road has a history of championing artists who go on to critical acclaim. For example, bands with distinctive indie sounds, like Ezra Furman, played earlier editions of the festival to enthusiastic crowds, building a dedicated following. The festival’s commitment to showcasing authentic and often unconventional talent means that you’re very likely to discover a truly unique and memorable band on one of its many stages.

Second Stage Insight

Green Man Festival (Brecon Beacons, Wales)

• Dates: 14th – 17th August
• Location: Larmer Tree Gardens, Brecon Beacons National Park, Wales, UK
• Genre Focus: While Green Man spans indie, alternative, folk, and electronic music, it has a deep-rooted appreciation for guitar-based bands and consistently showcases a wealth of emerging talent within these genres. It’s known for its thoughtful curation and discovery-focused ethos.
• Why it’s a great place to discover new music: Set against the stunning backdrop of the Brecon Beacons, Green Man fosters an enchanting atmosphere that encourages exploration beyond the main stages. With numerous smaller tents and stages like the Rising Stage, it provides a dedicated platform for emerging artists to showcase their talents. The festival is renowned for its discerning audience, who are often as enthusiastic about discovering new sounds as they are about seeing established acts. Green Man also runs the “Green Man Rising” competition, further highlighting its commitment to finding and supporting future headliners.

Second Stage Sounds
Green Man has a strong reputation for identifying and nurturing emerging talent. The “Green Man Rising” competition, for example, has been a launchpad for several notable artists. Keep an eye on the smaller stages and the “Rising” tent – you’re very likely to witness a band early in their journey who will soon be making a significant impact on the indie and alternative music scene. The festival’s dedication to new music makes it a prime destination for those seeking their next favourite guitar band or innovative indie act.

Second stage insight

Truck Festival (Oxfordshire)

• Dates: 24th – 27th July
• Location: Hill Farm, Steventon, Oxfordshire, UK
• Genre Focus : Truck Festival is a smaller, more independent festival with a loyal following, known for its strong booking of indie, alternative, and rock bands, often featuring a mix of established acts and exciting emerging guitar-driven artists.
• Why it’s a great place to discover new music: Despite its smaller size compared to some of the others, Truck Festival has a reputation for having a keen ear for up-and-coming talent. Its various stages, including the Truck Stage and The Nest, often showcase bands who are generating buzz on the independent circuit. The festival has a friendly and unpretentious atmosphere, making it easy to wander between stages and stumble upon a new favourite band without the overwhelming crowds of larger events. It’s a festival with a genuine passion for music discovery.

Second Stage Sounds
Truck Festival has a knack for showcasing local talent that goes on to wider acclaim. Young Knives, an indie rock band hailing from Oxford (just a stone’s throw from Truck’s location), played the festival in their early days. Their quirky lyrics and angular guitar riffs resonated with the Truck crowd, offering a glimpse of the unique sound that would later earn them critical praise and a dedicated fanbase. Keep an eye out for those regional gems on the Truck lineup – you might be witnessing the start of something special.

Second Stage insight

Latitude Festival (Suffolk)

• Dates: 24th – 27th July
• Location: Henham Park, Suffolk, UK
• Genre Focus: Latitude is a broad arts festival encompassing music, comedy, theatre, and more. However, its music lineup consistently features a strong presence of indie, alternative, and rock acts, with numerous opportunities to discover emerging guitar-based bands across its various stages.
• Why it’s a great place to discover new music: Set in the picturesque Henham Park, Latitude offers a diverse and vibrant atmosphere. Beyond the headliners on the main Obelisk Arena, stages like the BBC Introducing Stage, The Alcove, and the Sunrise Arena are specifically dedicated to showcasing emerging talent across various genres, including indie and alternative. The festival’s eclectic nature means you might stumble upon your next favourite band while exploring different corners of the site, and it has a history of platforming artists who go on to achieve significant success.

Second Stage Sounds
Latitude Festival has a keen eye for spotting future stars. For example, bands like alt-J played earlier editions of the festival on smaller stages before their Mercury Prize win and subsequent mainstream success. Their early performances at Latitude offered a glimpse of their unique and intricate indie sound to an engaged audience. Exploring the diverse stages at Latitude often rewards adventurous listeners with exciting new discoveries.

Second stage insight

Boardmasters Festival (Cornwall)

• Dates: 6th – 10th August
• Location: Watergate Bay and Fistral Beach, Newquay, Cornwall, UK
• Genre Focus: While Boardmasters is known for its surf and action sports elements, it also boasts a significant music lineup with a strong representation of indie rock, alternative, and guitar-based bands, alongside electronic and pop acts. It often features emerging artists alongside more established names.
• Why it’s a great place to discover new music: Set against the stunning backdrop of the Cornish coastline, Boardmasters offers a unique festival experience. With multiple stages at Watergate Bay, including the main stage and smaller tents, there are ample opportunities to stumble upon exciting new bands. The festival attracts a young and enthusiastic crowd often open to discovering new sounds. The blend of the laid-back surf culture and the energetic music scene creates a vibrant atmosphere for musical exploration.

Second Stage Sounds
Boardmasters has become a key festival for spotting rising indie talent. Catfish and the Bottlemen, known for their anthemic indie rock, played earlier editions of Boardmasters on smaller stages before their breakthrough into the mainstream. Their energetic performances by the Cornish coast offered a taste of the infectious energy that would soon fill larger festival fields and earn them a dedicated fanbase. Keep an eye out for those buzzing indie bands on the Boardmasters lineup – you might just be witnessing the start of their journey to bigger stages.

second stage insight