To so many music fans across the country, the festival season is so important. There is just so much choice now it becomes a case of which one do you choose? Well if you feel like a lost little soul take a look over and consider your options from these, Thirteen, top festivals. Whether you're into Metal, Rock, Indie or Folk all bases are covered in this mega festival guide, a guide which will hopefully help make your choice a lot easier.

The Big Guns

Download Festival

You can look at Download Festival as the first really BIG event to take place each year during the festival season, and every year it almost feels like they set the mark. The festival rolls in to the hallowed turf at Donington every year, and before any other festival has the chance to set up its Main Stage, Andy Copping and co are already yelling 'Beat THAT!' and for good reason. This year it looks like it's going to be the same, with headliners Slipknot, Iron Maiden (bringing their Maiden England show no less) and Rammstein it is set to be heavy, fun and most importantly very LOUD. These three titans front a bill showcasing an array of different bands; from QOTSA and Mastodon to Limp Bizkit and Thirty Seconds to Mars. Download Festival takes place on the 14th-16th June. Now SCREAM FOR ME DONINGTOOON.



Reading and Leeds

Eminem, System of a Down, Green Day, Deftones? Is it 2001 again? No it's not 2001 again, but what a HUGE bill. With Sonisphere's demise in the last two years, Reading and Leeds have been able to reintroduce a heavier element; bringing back the variety this great event has always been able to show case. Perhaps the most exciting, yet understated, part of this festival is the fact that Biffy Clyro have returned to a festival that has been so good to them in the past and are now amongst the headliners and they're sure to bring a great live show that could certainly be a 'performance of the weekend' contender. A huge coup for the festival as well sees the live return of Nine Inch Nails so be sure not to miss that one. Reading and Leeds has seen an exciting expansion in recent times so whether you enjoy Rock, Indie, Metal, Punk or Dance, it's all here, Reading and Leeds takes place on the 23rd - 25th August.



Glastonbury

It would probably be a bit silly to do a festival guide without talking about probably the most famous festival in the world. Glastonbury is back this year after taking a hiatus last year, (it's that major it can just do that), and as expected the bill is already being packed and filled to the seams with a huge variety of acts, so many in fact it is impossible to cover it all here. And with The Rolling Stones being one of the headliners it is definitely back with a bang. But anyone who's been to Glastonbury will tell you, it's not all about the headliners, it's not even all about the iconic Pyramid Stage. If you were one of those lucky enough to get tickets this year then use this opportunity to really explore everything this massive festival has to offer. It's not just a festival, it's truly a spectacle. Glastonbury takes place on the 27th - 30th June.



Bloodstock Open Air

People who go to Bloodstock have a pretty good idea on what they're after. Brutal riffs, blistering Metal and lots of beer. This year's festival though is also set to be extremely emotional. Slayer's headline performance will no doubt be a fantastic tribute to the tragic loss of one of the true Gods of Metal, Jeff Hanneman. Alongside this Lamb Of God's performance is set to be highly charged and we all know why and there's no point going into it too much, but the moment Randy Blythe walks out onto that stage on the 10th August, shit is going to kick right off. Alongside these two behemoths, the line up this year is very strong, with King Diamond, Anthrax, Exodus and Municipal Waste to name a few! If you want a nuclear amount of Metal in your face then don't miss out on Bloodstock taking place on 9th - 11th August at Catton Hall, South Derbyshire.



Hard Rock Calling

Whilst Hard Rock Calling certainly feels like a 'different' festival, instead feeling like two big gigs, it certainly holds its own against the likes of Download, Reading and Glastonbury. This is mainly because they are consistently able to attract huge name stars, and this year is no different. The Boss is back in town, (yes he played this last year as well), but with Bruce Springsteen being such a powerful draw it is easy to see why he'd be rebooked, for what is now his third appearance, to perform one of his legendary live sets, hopefully this year there won't be further curfew controversy. Other huge names across the weekend include Kasabian in the other headlining slot, Mod God Paul Weller and The Black Crowes, amongst others. Keep an eye out for further announcements which will surely beef up this line up with even more great acts. Don't miss out on Hard Rock Calling taking place on 29th - 30th June at the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park.



Isle Of Wight

You can always count on the legendary Isle Of Wight Festival to bring an eclectic mix of bands and musicians together from an array of different genres and this year is certainly no different. The double whammy of the Happy Mondays and The Stone Roses performing last on Thursday and Friday respectively is one of many highlights across the sprawling line up. The job of closing this year's festival though has been entrusted to global megastar Bon Jovi who is sure to deliver a hit-heavy performance, and cue the sing-alongs. Isle of Wight takes place on the 13th - 16th June.



The "Smaller" Guns

Slam Dunk Festival
This festival uniquely covers all bases in the UK, attacking the North, South and the Midlands, and in doing so it brings a huge array of bands across several different stages. Big names acts on this year's line up include Cancer Bats, All Time Low and Four Year Strong but this festival has proved to be an important platform for more up and coming acts. There's so much going on it will actually be an achievement to come out of the festival and not discover a new favourite band. Be sure to check this festival out as it hits UK shores at the end of May.



Hevy Fest

It's hard to believe that this festival currently doesn't have a home. After being booted out of the zoo, as Hevy Fest looks set to celebrate its 5th year, they have not yet confirmed a new setting. Minor issue obviously, especially looking at some of the band's they've already announced; Killswitch Engage, Hatebreed, Black Flag and EyeHateGod to name a few. It's still a relatively small festival but clearly someone forgot to tell them that, as the quality of bands gets higher and higher as the years go on. This festival already has a strong history of being fun and erm... very heavy. So if this sounds like it's right down your alley then make sure you don't miss out on this one taking place 2nd - 4th August.



Redfest

Redfest really is a tale of discovering new music. One stage showcasing the best in up and coming radio friendly type indie and folk, the other the best new bands in metal and punk. Even beyond these two main stages, if you're looking for something more alternative, Redfest's 'Boileroom stage' offers a more eclectic brand of music styles. With the low prices on offer it ends up being a great bargain as well. So whether you're keen to see one of 2013's revelations, Bastille, or the truly brilliant Turbowolf, or neither for that matter, consider giving Redfest a go and enjoy discovering something new. Redfest takes place on July 26th and 27th at Robins Cook Farm, Surrey.



Rebellion Festival

Sham 69, Misfits, The Damned, Buzzcocks? Rebellion Festival returns to Blackpool again this year, bringing along the best in old school punk. The punk vibe and scene may have diminished since its heyday, but it's time to shape those Mohawks again and lace up those Dr Marten's for one big rebellious party. The feel good attitude created from hearing and seeing such an array of legendary punk band's certainly makes this one of the best independent festivals in the country. And if you have no idea what I am talking about, watch the below video, it will be exactly like this. For Rebellion Festival, make sure you hit the Winter Gardens in Blackpool on the 8th - 11th August.



Beermageddon

With a name like Beermageddon, how on earth could it not be mentioned? One can safely assume that at Beermageddon there is a lot of beer going on, but alongside that there is a lot of Metal. Only two years old, Beermageddon is a small, cheap festival based in Worcestershire boasting a strong line up of new, emerging Metal bands. With the festival only being in its second year, (and the first also being a sell out) Beermageddon is already starting to build a nice little cult following. With the prices as cheap as they are, and the promise of it being a load of fun, Beermageddon is definitely one of the smaller festivals you should look to try out this year. Be sure to check out Beholder in particular who are an absolutely storming live act. Beermageddon takes place on the 23rd - 25th August.



And for those seeking the continental experience....

Hellfest

Hellfest has got bigger and bigger in recent times, and at the top of this year's line up there is a distinct 'classic rock' edge to it with the likes of Def Leppard, Kiss, ZZ Top and Whitesnake. To a certain extent a lot of the festivals across the UK this year are lacking in Classic Rock so if this is more your thing then make your way over to France for this giant festival. Alongside the Classic Rock edge, Hellfest boasts a massive array of brilliant bands including Clutch, Gojira, Danzig and Karma To Burn across a series of stages (which are also brilliantly named). Hellfest takes place on the 21st - 23rd June.



Sonisphere

The UK leg may have met an untimely end, but the Sonisphere brand is still very much running riot across the continent. And one of the bands which helped drum the name into our heads from the start, Iron Maiden, are the driving force once again. Each leg also brings together an accumulation of some of the biggest Metal and Rock acts you'll find anywhere including the likes of Mastodon, Limp Bizkit and Ghost. So if you're really missing Sonisphere UK (and can't wait for its potential return at some point) pop along to one of its European legs taking place across several dates this summer.