Discover the world’s most up-and-coming music festivals [2024]

Dr. Martens has uncovered the festival circuit’s hidden gems. From the global sounds of Womad to the electronic beats of Noisily Festival, there are festivals offering something for every music lover. These festivals provide a platform for established acts and rising stars.

To uncover the most up-and-coming festivals, Dr. Martens collected a seed list of festivals worldwide. They then compared the total number of Instagram followers for each festival’s account against Google’s worldwide search volume. This was to find a ratio of followers to searches. A lower ratio of followers to Google searches indicates a festival is generating significant interest and buzz despite having a smaller social media presence than its search volume and growing in popularity. 

As a result, Dr. Martens has identified the festivals on the cusp of breaking through to the mainstream. They are generating significant interest and buzz despite their smaller social media presence compared to more established festivals.

These include: 

WOMAD, London, England

WOMAD, or the World of Music, Arts and Dance, is the best festival worldwide for finding new music. This long-running festival, hosted in multiple locations worldwide, celebrates global music and culture. It showcases a broad international spectrum of genres. From traditional world music and folk styles to more contemporary, experimental and globally influenced sounds. 

Past lineups have featured acclaimed artists like Angelique Kidjo, Tinariwen and Fatoumata Diawara. The festival continues in its commitment to boundary-pushing programming. It welcomes headliners like Young Fathers, the acclaimed Scottish hip-hop group, and legendary Malian duo Amadou & Mariam. Together with thought-provoking Zambian-Australian rapper Sampa the Great. 

The WOMAD 2024 lineup also features an impressive roster of lesser-known global acts. Therefore showcasing the festival’s commitment to musical discovery and cross-cultural exchange. 

Senegalese electronic project, Ndox Électrique, blends traditional West African sounds with cutting-edge production. While the unique Qawwali Flamenco collaboration fuses the spiritual Sufi traditions of South Asia with the passionate rhythms of Spanish flamenco. 

This diverse lineup promises to deliver an unforgettable musical experience that celebrates the global reach of WOMAD. 

Victorious Festival, Portsmouth, England

Held on the seafront in Portsmouth, Victorious Festival has built a reputation for its eclectic mix of indie, rock and electronic acts. Known for its community-driven vibe and stunning coastal setting, previous headliners have included Pixies, Snow Patrol and Dub FX. 

This year, attendees can expect similar big-name headliners from Jamie T to Arlo Parks. 

The lineup includes an impressive array of up-and-coming acts for those looking for new music. Therefore, allowing attendees to discover new and exciting musical talents. 

Irish post-punk band The Murder Capital, known for their intense, atmospheric sound and raw, emotive lyrics, will bring their critically acclaimed artistry to the stage. 

And rising singer-songwriter Nieve Ella, who blends indie, folk and pop influences into her introspective, melody-driven sound, will offer festival-goers an intimate and captivating live experience. 

Defying genre boundaries, the innovative artist Royel Otis seamlessly incorporates elements of R&B, soul and electronic music. Therefore, showcasing Victorious’ commitment to spotlighting emerging, genre-bending musicians. 

Isle of Wight Festival, Isle of Wight

Returning to the Isle of Wight in 2024, this historic festival has hosted legendary acts like The Doors, Jimi Hendrix and The Who over its 50+ year history. 

Praised for its family-friendly atmosphere, this year’s lineup continues to balance nostalgia and contemporary sounds. 

Alongside more recognisable names, attendees can expect to see up-and-coming acts like the indie rock band The Amazons, the electro-pop duo Wet Leg and the soulful singer-songwriter Arlo Parks. 

Kendal Calling, The Lake District, England

Similarly, Kendal Calling has earned a loyal following for its diverse lineups and immersive, nature-inspired setting in the Lake District. 

While past festivals have featured acclaimed acts like Elbow and Stereophonics, the 2024 event is set to showcase a mix of established artists and rising stars like alt-rock band Courting, psychedelic R’n’B singer Greentea Peng and the electronic duo Overmono who will perform alongside familiar favourites. 

Latitude Festival, Suffolk, England

Nestled in the “beautiful” Henham Park, Latitude Festival offers an eclectic lineup spanning music, comedy and the arts. Beyond the marquee headliners, the event has a history of spotlighting up-and-coming acts, with the 2024 edition set to feature breakout artists like the indie pop group Bloxx and the alt-R&B singer Tiana Major9. 

Tramlines Festival, Sheffield, England

Hosted in Hillsborough Park, the Sheffield Tramlines Festival is known for its strong northern identity. It features a mix of familiar names and rising stars, allowing attendees to discover new favourites alongside familiar sounds. 

Alongside headliners like Richard Ashcroft and the Courteeners, the 2024 lineup includes emerging talents like the post-punk outfit Yard Act and alt-pop singer-songwriter CMAT. 

Way Out West, Slottsskogen, Sweden

Held in the lush, dense Swedish countryside, this three-day festival is loved for its eclectic programming of live acts, DJs, cabaret and comedy. 

The festival has previously hosted artists like Kojey Radical, soulful R&B singer Enny and experimental jazz collective Riot Jazz. 

Green Man, Brecon Beacons, wales

Green Man Festival takes place in the Brecon Beacons and is Wales’ largest music, science and arts festival.

One of the four remaining large independent festivals in the UK, Green Man generates £10 million into the Welsh economy and is the only large UK festival where a woman has controlling ownership.

While the event has built a loyal following over the years, the 2024 edition will continue to spotlight emerging Welsh talent, including indie band The Tubs, the experimental post-punk sounds of Islet and the psychedelic rock of Das Koolies. 

Also performing is the ethereal artist Georgia Ruth, the genre-blending Pys Melyn and the raw, energetic Slate – all showcasing the depth and breadth of the local music scene. 

Noisily Festival, Leicestershire, England

Noisily Festival is a celebration of electronic music set deep in the forests of the Midlands. The event has been gaining popularity as one of the best UK festivals. 

Attendees can look forward to a lineup that includes a mix of established and lesser-known electronic and techno artists, from the talents of Dave Seaman, a veteran DJ known for his progressive house sets, to Hidden Empire, an emerging duo known for their dynamic and immersive techno soundscapes. 

Ultra Korea, Seoul, Korea

Ultra Korea 2024, celebrating its 10th anniversary, also features a blend of legendary and emerging talents in the electronic music scene. 

Among the lesser-known acts, attendees can experience the innovative performances of Knock2, known for his vibrant and bass-heavy electronic beats, and RL Grime, who blends trap, bass music and hip-hop into his thrilling sets. 

These artists add to the festival’s dynamic atmosphere, ensuring something fresh and exciting for every electronic music enthusiast.

Title	Followers	World Search Volume	Ratio Followers to SV
Womad	31,306	4900	15.65%
Victorious Festival	70,362	8200	11.65%
Isle of Wight Festival	91,203	10400	11.40%
Kendal Calling	73,995	6800	9.19%
Latitude	83,773	6800	8.12%
Tramlines	58,413	4500	7.70%
Way Out West	52,155	2000	3.83%
Green Man	43,657	1400	3.21%
Noisily Festival	31,207	210	0.67%
Ultra Korea	46,938	0	0.00%

Disclaimer:

Dr. Martens is not affiliated with or endorsed by any of the above festivals. Any references made are for informational purposes only.

Methodology: 

• Dr. Martens manually collected a seed list of popular festivals around the world. 
• Collected worldwide and UK search volume for these festivals in 2024 
• Collected the total number of Instagram followers for each festival account 
• Ranked festivals by search volume to reveal the most popular festivals
• Compared followers to the UK and world search volume to get a ratio of followers to searches. 
• The higher the ratio, the more the festival is up-and-coming. 

About Dr. Martens:

The first pair of Dr. Martens boots rolled off the production line on the 1st April 1960. With its trademark yellow stitch, grooved sole and heel-loop, it was a boot for workers, initially worn by postmen and policemen; comfortable, durable and lightweight in comparison to its competitors at the time.   

Throughout Dr. Martens history, the brand has been adopted and subverted by diverse individuals, musicians, youth cultures and tribes. These are the people who stand out from the crowd, and their journey of self-expression has always been accompanied by a pair of DM’s boots or shoes.   

The simple silhouette allows people to customise each pair; whilst on a utilitarian level their famous durability and comfort make them ideal footwear for the world of gigs and street fashion. On an emotional level, they are a flag of attitude and empowerment.   

The Northamptonshire factory where it all began still exists to this day, in the village of Wollaston. A specific range of ‘Made In England’ products are manufactured here by a small, close-knit team of people schooled in traditional shoe-making and a process that hasn’t changed since our first pair six decades ago.

• Information provided via Press Release