Check out these ten fab festivals coming to the region this July...

EL DORADO FESTIVAL

The chance for partygoers to revel in four days of unadulterated fun is the tempting offer being made by the organisers of this boutique festival. 

Alongside a diverse and eclectic programme of established and emerging live and electronic artists, El Dorado also features a wide range of activities and entertainment to enjoy, including cabaret, talks and comedy events. 

2023 line-up includes: KC And The Sunshine Band, Sampa The Great (pictured), Shy FX, Ben Hemsley, Goldie, Barry Can’t Swim, Prospa, Dutty Moonshine Big Band, Mr Scruff and VC Pines.

Eastnor Castle, Ledbury, Thursday 6 - Sunday 9 July

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BROMSGROVE FOLK FESTIVAL

Now in its 32nd year, Bromsgrove Folk Festival features intimate concerts by UK-based folk, roots & acoustic performers. 

The four-day event is this year taking place at Avoncroft Museum for the first time, with organisers promising ‘a fabulous weekend of music, dance, story, food and crafts’.

2023 line-up includes: The Lost Notes (pictured), Colum Sands, The Jigantics, Vicky Swan & Jonny Dyer, Zulu Tradition, Keith Donnelly, Patchwork Skies and Pocket Choral Society.

Avoncroft Museum, Bromsgrove, Friday 7 - Sunday 9 July

Credit: Loz Moore

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FUSE FESTIVAL

Founded in 2001 and now established as one of the Midlands’ largest free music & arts festivals, Fuse features a line-up of music spanning genres as diverse as rock, afrobeat, RnB/soul, ska, pop, folk, jazz and reggae. 

Alongside the music, other attractions for 2023 include circus skills, storytelling and art sessions.

2023 line-up includes: Kioko, The Silver Lines (pictured), Vibrant Ducks, The Kubrics, THEIA, Open Arms, Jess Silk, Collective Sleep, Marquis Drive, Lobster and Gasoline & Matches.

Beacon Park, Lichfield, Friday 7 - Sunday 9 July

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MOSTLY JAZZ FUNK & SOUL FESTIVAL

Created by the Midlands masterminds behind Moseley Folk & Arts Festival, Mostly Jazz Funk & Soul sees world-class artists coming together with leading lights of the local jazz community for a laidback family-friendly event designed to celebrate Birmingham’s musical heritage. 

The festival is located in the picturesque surroundings of Moseley Park, a stunning woodland glade tucked away behind busy Birmingham streets, making it the ideal retreat for music-loving city dwellers.

2023 line-up includes: Fat Freddy’s Drop (pictured), Ezra Collective, KC And The Sunshine Band and Fred Wesley & The New JB’s.

Moseley Park, Birmingham, Friday 7 - Sunday 9 July

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NOZSTOCK: THE HIDDEN VALLEY

Indulge your curiosity at this eclectic and eccentric festival. Founded by a fun-loving family in the noughties and still overseen by Farmer Noz, the four-day bash presents a line-up of off-the-wall and generically diverse talent. Look out for arts & crafts distractions too, not to mention folk diversions, screenings, workshops and plenty more.

2023 line-up includes: The Wailers, Fat Freddy’s Drop, Shy FX ft. Stamina MC, Grandmaster Flash (pictured) and David Rodigan.

Rowden Paddocks, Bromyard, Herefordshire, Thursday 20 - Sunday 23 July

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UPTON BLUES FESTIVAL

Set in the beautiful riverside town of Upton upon Severn, Upton Blues started in 2001 as a small event taking place in just a couple of pubs... The festival now features a full weekend of live, free-to-experience music presented across a variety of venues, including pubs, boats and clubs. 

2023 line-up includes: Catfish, Martin Harley, Polly Gone Wrong, Josie Field (pictured), Vo Fletcher, Dave Acari, Sister Bodhi, The Washboard Resonators, The Troy Redfern Band and Emma Jonson.

Various venues around Upton upon Severn, Worcestershire, Friday 21 & Sunday 23 July

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INTERMISSION FESTIVAL

Inclusivity is very much at the core of Intermission, a culturally rich and gender-balanced festival that celebrates the music and creativity of people from underrepresented backgrounds. 

Exploring the sounds of the UK’s jazz, Afro, global, electronica and hip-hop scenes, the event features two stages of live music, a creative area, DJ and mental-health workshops, an outdoor yard with food traders and stalls, and a rooftop takeover by female and gender-minority DJ collectives.

2023 line-up includes: Steam Down, Children of Zeus (pictured), Shy One, Toya Delazy, Romo Weeks, TC and the Groove Family ft Franz Von.

The Mill, Digbeth, Birmingham, Saturday 22 July

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SOLIHULL SUMMER FEST

Solihull Summer Fest has become one of the most popular music get-togethers on the Midlands events calendar.

Speaking about the 2023 edition, festival founder & organiser Ian Rogers said: “We are delighted to be bringing such huge talent to Solihull this July - every year the festival gets bigger and better.
“The performances are obviously outstanding, but what people talk about the most is the Summer Fest atmosphere, which is electric.”

2023 line-up includes: Lisa Stansfield, Sophie Ellis-Bexter, The Human League, Boney M & Martin Kemp (pictured).

Grange Park, Solihull, Saturday 22 & Sunday 23 July

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WARWICK FOLK FESTIVAL

Now in its fifth decade, Warwick Folk Festival boasts the very best in contemporary and traditional folk arts from the UK and beyond.

As well as an extensive line-up of performers, the four-day camping event features workshops, dance performances, children’s entertainment and a festival village. 

There’s a fringe event to enjoy as well, including a Morris procession, pop-up stages, and session music in bars & restaurants across the town.

2023 line-up includes: This Is The Kit (pictured), Chris Wood, Mànran, O’Hooley & Tidow, Benji Kirkpatrick and the Excess and Suntou Susso Band

Warwick Castle, Thursday 27 - Sunday 30 July

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MADE BIRMINGHAM

Now in its ninth year, MADE Festival is heading back to Birmingham. The popular three-dayer was forced to relocate as a result of the city’s successful bid for the Commonwealth Games.

After taking place at Sandwell Valley Country Park in 2021 and Wolverhampton Racecourse last year, the get-together this month returns to its original site and presents a high-energy celebration of the city’s music and culture.

2023 line-up includes: Sean Paul (pictured), Hedex + Eksman, Hybrid Minds, Bou + Haribo, Shy FX and General Levy.

Digbeth Triangle, Birmingham, Friday 28 - Sunday 30 July