First staged in 2012, Beacons might be one of the newest additions to the UK festival calendar but it’s already proven itself one of the finest small music events about, dedicated to showcasing cutting-edge and emerging talent from the worlds of indie and electronica. This year’s headliners are Bonobo, Local Natives and Django Django, and they’ll be being joined by a host of international and local acts, plus around 5,000 punters ready for three days of live music at the Funkirk Estate in Skipton, North Yorkshire.

To mark the occasion, we’re pleased to present a free Beacons 2013 mixtape in conjunction Leeds-based music enthusiasts, I Like Press, featuring some of the bands on this year’s bill. Download your free copy, and last year’s edition below, and check out our must-see picks for the weekend.

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Download your free Beacons mixtapes

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Top three must-sees

Holden

DJ, minimal techno producer and founder of the boundary-pushing Border Community imprint, James Holden is one of the most respected names on the UK electronic scene. He returned in June with The Inheritors, the long-awaited follow-up to his 2006 debut The Idiots Are Winning, and we’ve barely stopped playing it since. He headlines the Red Bull Stage on Sunday; you’d be a fool to miss him.

Preview and download music by Holden »

Julia Holter

Frequently compared to Laurie Anderson, Joanna Newsom and Julianna Barwick, LA’s Julia Holter is part singer-songwriter and part experimental sound artist. Her last album Ekstasis was one of our top ten albums of 2012, and less than a year on, she’s readying her third long player – and first for Domino – Loud City Song. Get a sneak preview of the new material on Saturday, when she’ll be wowing the masses at the ELFM Stage.

Preview and download music by Julia Holter »

Hookworms

Having picked up some staggering reviews for the psychedelic indie-rock on debut album Pearl Mystic, 2013’s panning out quite nicely so far for this Leeds-based five-piece. And as Beacons practically counts as a homecoming show, their set on the Loud And Quiet Stage on Sunday promises to be something very special indeed.

Preview and download music by Hookworms »

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Line-up by day

Friday, 16th August

Saturday, 17th August

Sunday, 18th August

Visit the official Beacons Festival website »