Head for the Hills 2021 at Burrs Country Park

The award-winning Head for the Hills festival is back this year, moving from Ramsbottom to Burrs Country Park near Bury, as part of The Met’s Burrs Live season of shows.

Running on 3 and 4 September, this will be a smaller – though perfectly formed – Head for the Hills. But size limitations haven’t stopped the organisers programming a great selection of acts.

Iconic singer-songwriter Badly Drawn Boy will be headlining on the Friday night, 10 years after he topped the very first Head for the Hills in 2011. Expect to hear tunes from across his discography, including new album Banana Skin Shoes. Headlining on the Saturday, meanwhile, are maximalist art poppers Everything Everything, whose fifth album Re-Animator was one of our favourite releases of 2020.

You can also catch Ibibio Sound Machine, who combine African music with electronics to create an explosively jubilant sound that’s made for festivals. Much-loved UK four-piece The Magic Numbers are also taking a trip to Bury, alongside Manchester’s own psychedelic rockers Heavy Salad, folk-pop singer-songwriter Bess Atwell and award-winning folk trio, Harp and a Monkey.

If you’re planning to head for the hills with all the family, then there are plenty of activities and performances to keep the kids entertained, including Global Grooves Carnival Parade, There Once Was a Bird and HMS Sinkipation.

And while you’re soaking up the summer festival atmosphere, you can work your way through a great selection of drinks from Radcliffe-based Brightside Brewery, who’ll be serving up everything from traditional real ale to experimental craft beer. There will also be a host of local food vendors, providing artisan delights to suit every taste.