The Big One: Summer Sundae Weekender 2010

When is it? Who to watch, what to drink, should mum come?

Gemma Dietrich - 06 August 2010

What, when and where?
Smack bang in the middle of Leicester city centre, Summer Sundae takes over the picturesque De Montfort Hall and Gardens from 13-15 August. Celebrating its tenth anniversary, this year is set to be even bigger and better with festival organisers offering an impressive line up of music, comedy and cabaret.

In nine years the festival has grown from a 14-band one-dayer to a three-day event with more than 100 bands playing, maintaining its policy of mixing established acts, up-and-coming groups and local bands. Infamous for its great facilities, affordability and relaxed atmosphere, the weekend guarantees all music lovers something to get excited about and this year the gardens enjoy the added bonus of a make shift beach area for when it all gets too much...

Five to watch

Seasick Steve
Having played Summer Sundae in 2007, to celebrate the Weekender's tenth anniversary, festival bosses have invited the charismatic, former-hobo back to the main stage. Armed with his infamous three stringed guitar and decades of hard living, Seasick Steve will bless your ears with his jagged blues and stories from times gone by.

Johnny Flynn & The Sussex Wit
It's hard to believe that Johnny Flynn is only in his twenties. With the face of an angel and a voice that far exceeds his years, Flynn - backed by the amazing Sussex Wit – will bring you modern folk music at its finest. Having recently released his new album ‘Been Listening’, his set is sure to be full of new exciting material.

Roots Manuva
The proud owner of the UK's greatest hip hop tune of all time (‘Witness (1 Hope)’, by the way), Roots Manuva encompasses all kinds of dub, ragga, funk and abstract electronica. Regardless of your musical affiliations, it is impossible to watch Roots Manuva perform and not appreciate his raw, unadulterated talent.

Mumford & Sons
Rising from the underground folk scene in 2008 alongside the likes of Laura Marling and Noah and the Whale, Mumford & Sons are to set to go global with an upcoming tour across the states and Australia. Expect a wonderful mixture of banjos, acoustic guitars, addictive melodies and drums that will leave you stomping into the night.

The Go! Team
Loud, energetic, exciting tunes are what The Go! Team specialise in and will be just what the doctor ordered to wake up the main stage on Saturday night (14 August) after a long day of folk. As front woman Ninja enthusiastically jumps around the stage, you'll be left feeling revitalised and raring to go.

One to miss

Diana Vickers
Just because she's cute enough to pop in your pocket and has been packaged up beautifully by a successful PR company does not mean she makes good music. Her vocals have potential and her song titles are poetic, but both are let down by repetitive, uninspiring lyrics and melodies.

Inside tip

Kirsty Almeida
Almeida is the latest addition to an ever-growing, over-crowded string of big-voice, female oddities, but unlike her rivals, she is a lady to get excited about. As a former member of the travelling theatre company, Carnival Messiah, and lead singer of Latin band La Gran Descarga, Almeida knows a thing or two about putting on a show.

Be at the Summer Sundae Weekender if you like...
Award winning green festivals, folk music, up and coming artists, attention to detail.

Avoid if you hate...
Middle class families, incredible organisation, being respectable.

Festival tactics
Just because we're in Britain doesn't mean queuing is mandatory. Avoid the queues and pick up your tickets early from the box office from Tuesday (10 August) morning and set up camp from 2pm Thursday (12 August). Pootle on down to the Musician Stage for free tea, coffee, morning newspapers and a host of artists.

Fashionista or folky?
The stages are bursting with acoustic guitars this year, leaning the festival more towards camp folk. Feel free to spice things up a little!

Alcohol of choice
Ales, cocktails and cider.

Take your mum score - 7/10
March your Mamma off to the Regent Campsite, which will be divided into family and quiet camping with the added bonus of extra toilets and showers. No chairs are allowed on the main gardens of the amphitheatre but there is a limited number of viewing platforms for those who genuinely cannot stand or sit on the ground.

Can I still get tickets?
Yes! Tickets are available at £113.50 plus booking fees for an adult weekend camping pass.

Click here to buy Summer Sundae Weekender tickets.

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