Top 5 virtual festivals

As the May half-term comes to an end, we will forgive you for thinking it didn't really feel like half-term. Usually, the countdown to the end of the academic year has started, we are deep in revision, and daydreaming about those summer festivals.

Sadly, that isn't the case this year.

But all is not lost. Challenging times call for creative solutions - solutions in the form of virtual festivals! Chart-toppers and big hitters in the music industry have taken to social media to do live gigs and festivals... And here are some of the best.

Radio 1's Big Weekend 2020

Scheduled each year for the end of May Bank Holiday, Radio 1's Big Weekend usually kicks off the festival season. Determined to host a weekend of music, the BBC swiftly announced the line-up. There were live living room sets from Anne Marie and Becky Hill as well as re-runs from past Big Weekends, including Jay-Z in Hackney. You can listen and watch again for another three weeks on the Radio 1 website and BBC Sounds.

Defected Virtual Festivals 2020

If dance music is your thing, then you may have seen Defected Records' virtual festivals on social media and YouTube. If not, then there are six weeks worth of virtual festivals to get you social dis-dancing. Dozens of DJs played sets from their homes around the world, but our favourite stream was 'Defected Virtual Festival 5.0' which featured Danny Howard, Sonny Fodera and Claptone. House music all life long.

Glastonbury 2019

Revellers won't be descending on Worthy Farm this year, but there is still time to catch some of last year's action on BBC iPlayer. There are 21 performances on iPlayer, including Foals, Georgia, The Chemical Brothers, and Freya Ridings. They're available for another month. Sign in to your account to watch.

PLUS - The BBC will be showing classic Glasto performances across the weekend of 26-28th June. You'll be able to watch on BBC2, BBC4, and BBC iPlayer.

#TogetherAtHome with Chris Martin

One of the first to bring us a lockdown set was Coldplay frontman, Chris Martin. In support of #TogetherAtHome, Chris played a number of Coldplay hits and has since seen the video pass 2 million views. John Legend, Bastille, Little Mix, and Anne-Marie have also performed live to support the #TogetherAtHome campaign.

Friday Night L!VE - LiveFest 2020

OK, so not a world-famous festival or gig like the others on the list, but Friday Night L!VE, part of King's Church 1066, is hosting a live virtual festival on Friday 29th May. Streaming live on their YouTube channel, MiniFest-goers will recognise some the acts they have lined up. Former ESC Lewes student, Morgan M James, will be performing live from his home and Ministry of Sound DJ, Mike Sherwood, will be taking to the decks. Tune in from 6:45pm.

Which live festivals have been getting you dancing during lockdown? Let us know.