By You don't need another festival guide telling you to go to Glastonbury, not least because it's not even running this year.
Still, it can be hard to find the inspiration to try something new when every summer the big weekenders serve up a tempting roster of artists along with the pull of nostalgia for that time you went and had a blinder.
But wait! Festivals are the perfect place to stray outside your comfort zone, whether that means debating the dark web in deepest darkest Wales or or catching a 4am film in Finland.
With that in mind, here's six unusual, exciting or markedly different festivals for your consideration this year.
Lente Kabinet (Amsterdam)
Billed as 'Dekmantel's little sister' this festival set in a nature reserve in northern Amsterdam is expanding in this year, its sixth, from one to two days. Expect beautiful surroundings, an intimate crowd and euphoric house, disco and techno on the small but excellently curated line-up which includes Motor City Drum Ensemble, Peggy Gou and Hunee.
26-28 May, Het Twiske, Amsterdam, hetkabinetfestival.nl
How The Light Gets In (Wales)
This three day philosophy and music festival, in partnership with Hay literary festival, takes on big intellectual topics and remains a huge deal of fun (honestly). This year debates are on overthrowing authority and the post-truth backlash, and talks include linguistic expert Noam Chomsky, politician Diane Abbott and the controversial author of The Game, Neil Strauss. For a bit of light relief there's also riverside banquets and a DJ set from Hot Chip.
25-28 May, Hay-on-Wye, Hereford, hay.htlgi.iai.tv
Midnight Sun Film Festival (Finland)
Now in its 33rd year, Finland's Midnight Sun festival is a film-lovers paradise showing screening 24-hours over the five days. Celebrated filmmakers have attended in previous years such as Francis Ford Coppola, Jim Jarmusch and Terry Gilliam. Some silent films are played with live music accompaniment and respite from the heavy film schedule can be found in street food vans, hot tubs and river swimming.
13-17 June, Sodankylä, Finland, msfilmfestival.fi
Roskilde (Copenhagen)
This eight day marathon just outside Copenhagen has been running for over 40 years and is one of the largest in Europe and yet remains an undiscovered gem for many Brits. With 175 acts playing across the week the variety on offer is impressive. Catch the likes of Gorillaz, Stormzy, St Vincent, Four Tet and Cardi B this year.
30-7 July, Roskilde, Denmark, roskilde-festival.dk
Panorama (New York)
European festivals are so de rigueur you'd be forgiven for forgetting to check out the competition across the pond beyond Burning Man or Coachella. Now in their third year Panorama offer consistently brilliant line-ups. This year is no exception with great bands (The Weekend, Father John Misty, The XX) and DJs (The Black Madonna, Floating Points, Kyle Hall) alike. In May the same company are also putting on All Points East in Victoria Park with ten days of music including The National, LCD Soundsystem and more.
July 27-29, Randall's Island Park, New York, panorama.nyc
Green Man (Wales)
Still just about an under-the-radar festival, Green Man is a celebration of the best of the arts with excellent music, theatre, comedy, film and performance art set in the serene Welsh hills. This year Grizzly Bear, John Talabot and more are providing the soundtrack and while the rest of the arts offering is yet to be announced, it's always a guaranteed great weekend no matter your tastes.
16-19 August, Brecon Beacons, Wales, greenman.net
Gottwood (Wales)
This electronic music and arts festival has a dedicated following who journey down to laze by the lake and venture into the woods. This year they’re taking a stand against short sets and inviting DJs to play for as long as possible so you can catch Mr Scruff playing an extended set on the lawn stage as well as Avalon Emerson, Hunee, Move D and Romare’s live show across the weekend. A musical offering that is not only Gottwood’s best yet but is nearly unrivalled by other UK festivals line-ups.
7-10 June, Anglesey, Wales, gottwood.co.uk
The Tower (Lincolnshire)
Now in their second year, The Tower have collaborated with architecture firm Hesselbrand to create features like a dance floors made out of recycled trainers as well as planting trees for every ticket sold. A festival choice that will lighten your conscious a little when you get the Monday blues after it finishes. It’s also no compromise on music with Optimo, Dan Shake and Tornado Wallace all confirmed plus more.
29th-2nd July, Market Rasen, Lincolnshire, the-tower.co.uk
