5 Ridiculously Hipster Festivals

Hipsters, don’t you just love ’em? Those bushy beards, skinny legs, mum jeans and can’t-keep-up-fashion sense – what will they think of next hey?

I like to think of myself as part hipster, part emo, part a bit weird and part whatever’s comfy. That little hipster part of me can’t resist going to the festivals and making the most of the people watching opportunities though. Here are 5 festivals where you can track down the best fashions, the most ‘sustainable, gluten-free, raw-food vegan, pulled pork’ and the coolest bands.

1. Field Day, London

It was… Jun 6 & 7 2015 

A combination of school sports day and late night acoustic sessions, Field Day takes place in London’s Victoria Park. The musical line-up includes a diverse mix of folk favourites, weird pop, indie newbies and urban dance acts so those seeking to embrace the edgy and step away from the mainstream can find a full schedule for alternative, feel-good tunes.

Making this three-day London event a little more kitsch is Village Mentality. This is a series of daytime events plucked straight from a fifties village fete. It’s all hay bales, brass bands and jam jars as festival go-ers compete in egg and spoon races, tugs of war and sack races. Florals, bow ties and a quirky Urban Outfitters tee are 100% suitable attire.

I’ve been, I wasn’t sure, I didn’t get the man with the flower pot on his head, or the queues and meanness of the staff – Field Day Sort Your Toilets Out. 

2. Hipster Cup, Berlin

It was… July 4 2015 

– Photo from nymag.com

The guys at Hipster Cup are all about the irony, in an ironic sense. They designed an entire festival to poke fun at the stereotypes and instead of saying ‘hell no we won’t go,’ the hipsters are loving it.

The Berlin factory fills up with hipster’ed up Lena Dunham / Chloe Sevigny lookalikes who take part in the iPhone toss, compete in a skinny jeans tug and ride the bucking moustache. Yes a little odd but extremely good fun, this is for all of the ukelele-playing, bearded folk who love what it means to be a twenty-first century hipster.

All of this takes place to a soundtrack of big DJs and live bands that are all about the latest mixes, in an ironic way, of course.

3. Lollapalooza, Berlin

Sept 12 & 13, 2015

Speaking of Berlin, Lollapalooza’s first European event takes place here. Lollapalooza was originally a strictly-Chicago fest but they’ve been expanding round the world for the last few years.

“Lollapalooza Berlin will follow in the tradition of Lollapalooza US bringing incredible music, food, art and social responsibility to a location in the heart of Berlin.”

Little Dragon, The 2 Bears and Kygo will all be standing up for the hipsters at the inaugral German event – and MUSE will be playing who are my most favourite ever band. I’d go, if I wasn’t already going to Bestival that weekend.

4. Austin City Limits, Texas

Oct 2-4 & 9-11 2015 

– photo from the Dallas Observer

This Austin City Limits Music Festival comes off the back of the TV concert series of the same name. The programme has been such a success in the US over the years, showcasing new acts from a multitude of genres, that someone had the ‘far out’ idea of taking it on the road.

Held in Zilker Park in Austin, Texas over two weekends, it draws in music fans looking to hear quirky faves and alternative newbies across the eight stages.

But it’s not just about the music. Falling in line with the hipster vow of sustainability and saving the planet one coffee bean at a time, organisations such as Oxfam America are there to show us the way.

It runs over my birthday, so if anyone wants to treat me, I’m available.

Definitely one of the coolest festivals in the world!

5. Pitchfork Festival, Paris / Chicago

The Pitchfork Festivals are definitely in the top 5 of my festivals I want to go to list. Held in Paris and Chicago, they usually have the best line ups (according to me) – ones that attract a more ‘discerning customer’. Both versions encourage attendees to arrive by bike, they have craft fairs, food fairs and vinyl fairs within the grounds and the book fort is one of the best places for those all important Instagram shots.

So pull up your socks, grab your Ray-Bans, denim cut offs with the pockets showing, festival hats and statement jewellery and you’ll fit right in, but that’s not what it’s all about is it?