Evolution Festival, Newcastle Gateshead Quayside, Newcastle, 29th-30th May 2011
Newcastle isn’t just famous for brown ale and brassy young men and women dressing like they were stepping out in Saint-Tropez all year round, you know. For example, Evolution Festival is another jewel in the Geordie crown, where last May, Dizzee Rascal, The Maccabees, White Lies, The Horrors, I Blame Coco, De La Soul, Ellie Goulding and Slow Club all turned up to join in the May bank holiday party. And since 2011’s early bill promises the arrivals of Iggy Pop & The Stooges as well as London rapper, Plan B, you’d be mad not to buy-in, too.

Insider Tip: Being one of the earliest festivals on the block, and also because it’s a massive favourite with “canny” locals, Evolution spits out tickets in record time, so if you want a pass, get in early as they went on sale on November 30th.