Words : Izzi Glover
Photos : Tom Sunderland
Summer is coming.
It’s that time of year again, where the Thatcher’s Haze and tent poles come out of hibernation. This year, Dizzy Magazine visited Y Not Festival in the Peaks for the third year in a row, and it was a good one. The headliners featured Snow Patrol, Jamie T and Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds.
Thursday saw lots of eager campers coming in on the extra day to set up in Black Dog campsite (a mere 5 minute walk from the gate, bliss!) and immediately get straight to it. Acts like Ten Tonnes, Fever, Scouting For Girls and Kaiser Chiefs were on offer on the sunny Thursday.
Scouting For Girls were the perfect pre-headline to the indie rock legends, as they have crowd interaction mastered to a tee. Everyone forgot about the long journey and the struggle of setting up camp and were lost in the sounds coming from The Big Gin.
Kaiser Chiefs were the perfect Thursday headline, showering us with classics like Ruby, I Predict a Riot, and Oh My God to finish.
Friday was another hot, sunny day for the campers. There were lots of water points scattered around to aid the festival goers in the extreme heat, however, and a bar round every corner, where customers would receive a reusable cup they use again and save money.
Lots of smaller bands got the recognition they deserved at Y Not. For example, Balancing Act took on the early afternoon slot on The Giant Squid, a short walk away from the main stage. Bby played The Quarry later in the evening, which was much more accessible with a shortcut from The Big Gin, unlike the year before.
The Big Gin saw a huge mix of bands on the stage on Friday, Black Honey, Yard Act and Soft Play to name a few. Look at that range of genres! The Kooks and Snow Patrol were the headliners, both playing their classic anthems for all members of the crowd to enjoy, while Jake Bugg killed The Quarry on the other side of the arena, displaying his Midlands talent in the Peaks.
Hungry after the acts? No problem! Y Not is scattered with lots of amazing food choices, suiting all gluten free, vegetarian and vegan needs, at reasonable prices considering portion size and the fact you’re at a festival - we all know how expensive it is. Here at Dizzy Magazine we’d recommend the Yorky Puds, Gyros and Mac & Cheese.
If you’re like us and still fancied a boogie after the headliners had finished, there were lots of choices in different tents of DJ sets, house music, 80s bangers, indie disco, you name it.
Saturday was an amazing day for the headlines, Declan McKenna and Jamie T?! The indie kids are screaming. Jamie T clearly was having the absolute time of his life, both him and Declan obviously showing their love for the festival, making the performances all the more personal for the fans.
Lots of amazing smaller talent scattered across the arena on Saturday too. The Clause, Do Nothing and Overpass to name a few, all Midlands legends. The Midlands doesn’t often get the praise it deserves in the music industry, but you can always count on Y Not for making sure it does.
We ended with a bang on Sunday with Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds, the last song of the evening being Don’t Look Back In Anger, how iconic is that? Before Noel, The Vaccines put on an excellent performance for the crowd too.
Y Not we love you. Keep on being the safest, cosiest festival in the game x
Y Not 2025 tickets have gone on sale and they’re already going quickly, don’t miss out on what 2025 has to offer!