Since it’s inception in 2012, Festival number 6 has grown in influence to become one of the most cherished and enigmatic events of the burgeoning UK festival landscape.
Occurring in the Italianate village of Portmeirion and slightly out of sync with the rest of the festival season, Festival number 6 is a marvellously eccentric celebration of arts, crafts and music and boasts an incredible array of things to do for all the family.
A Brief History of Festival number 6
The organisers were looking to create a new kind of festival which was tailor-made and unique to the region. Portmeirion provided the perfect setting – a location as inspirational and unique as the event itself.
From just over 6,000 visitors in the first year, Festival No.6 now welcomes over 15,000 festival goers from around the world.
This year plans to be the biggest and most spectacular yet and has all the ingredients for a fabulous weekend, with over 550 artists playing across 26 stages and venues.
Festival number 6 – Location
You can’t talk about Festival number 6 without referring to it’s wonderful location. The journey in must be experienced to be fully appreciated. Majestic woodland, meandering rivers and beautifully contoured craggy outcrops frame your experience as you weave through the wild hills of Snowdonia and drop down into the magical village of Portmeirion.
The village offers an alternative ambience to the hustling main festival site with a Mediterranean vibe, a smorgasbord of playful designs and quirky architecture. Take time to admire the Gothic Pavilion, Bristol Colonnade, Hercules Hall and Belvedere. Statues, structural oddities and whimsical details fill every corner with interest.
Aside from iconic architecture, scenic surroundings and vast woodlands, Portmeirion is home to two hotels, historic cottages and award winning restaurants.
Additionally, the rich variety of stages the location offers are put to good use, with the seafront views of the estuary and the shaded charm of the woodlands all as good as any location to hear music.
Who’s on at Festival no. 6?
This year’s headline acts include the mighty Bloc Party, The Flaming Lips and the mesmerising Mogwai. Other notable inclusions are The Cinematic Orchestra, Wild Beasts, Rag n’ Bone Man, Nick Mulvey, Jarvis Cocker and Arab Strap.
Here’s the up-to-date line-up for 2017 ..
Bloc Party
Mogwai
The Flaming Lips
Aine Cahill
Arab Strap
Benji B
Bootleg Beatles & Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra
Cabbage
Charlotte Church’s Late Night Pop Dungeon
Cinematic Orchestra
Daniel O Sullivan
David Holmes
Down to the Sea and Back
Formation
Fort Romeau
Gerd Janson
Goldie
Gulp
Heavenly Jukebox
Hercules And Love Affair
Honeyblood
Horse Meat Disco
Island
Jagwar Ma
James Vincent McMorrow
Joe Goddard (Hot Chip)
Joy Orbison
Justin Robertson
Kate Tempest
Kevin Rowland (Dexys DJ Set)
Klangstof
Laura Mvula
Mary Anne Hobbs
Mr Scruff
Palace
PINS
Public Service Broadcasting
Purple Stardust
Rag n Bone Man
Running Back Super Ball: Henrik Schwarz (live)
Skott
Slang
Steve Davis & Kavus Torabi
Steve Mason
Superfood
Tash Sultana
Ten Tonnes
The Brythoniaid Welsh Male Voice Choir
The Cribs
The Lightning Year
The Pheromoans
The Rhythm Method
Tom Grennan
Tom House Smith
Toy
Vaults
Wild Beasts
Xamvolo
Yucatan
As well as the terrific line-up of musical acts Festival number 6 also boasts an exotic showcase of talks, theatre, cabaret, spectaculars, screenings, comedy and a host of events aimed especially for the kids in attendance.
“This is the coolest, most surrealist, funkiest, freakiest, best festival in the world”.
Event Information
Website: http://www.festivalnumber6.com/
Dates: 7th – 10th September 2017.
Where: Portmeirion, Gwynedd, Wales, LL48 6ER
Places to Stay
Check out our selection of superb holiday cottages situated near to Portmeirion.
