Hats off to us all. It’s taken all our mental and physical strength to refrain from banging our agitated fists on any available surface, accompanied by chants of “WHY ARE WE WAITING?” Yes, it’s been a long old winter, but spring has sprung real quick, and now we’re faced with the anticipation of the first few smatterings of festivals in May time – and boy, are we excited.

Pints of cold beer in plastic cups. Burnt noses. And a healthy, varied diet of nachos and chips for breakfast, lunch and dinner for like a week. Oh, how we’ve missed you.

May festivals = the glorious and long-awaited beginning of summer. Here are all the ones to look out for in the month…

When: 8-13 April
Where: MayrHofen, Austria
Why: It’s been two decades of slope-side thrills from the guys at Snowbombing, and as birthdays go, this one’s going to be a big ‘un. For the big 2-0, look forward to glitter-soaked nights at Sink the Pink, igloo raves, mountain-top yoga, forest parties, and much more. Wrap up.
Highlights: Fatboy Slim, Bicep, Groove Armada.
Our must-see set: Stormzy. Need we say anymore? The Brit rapper will be serving up a special #MerkyTakeover to celebrate the occasion.

Find out more at snowbombing.com

When: 2 – 5 May
Where: Malta
Why: We already know she knows how to throw a party. It’s Radio 1 rave queen Annie Mac. It’s the bank holiday weekend. It’s sun, sea and maybe some suspicious parents in the aftermath.
Highlights: RAYE, The Black Madonna, Chase & Status
Our must-see set: Peggy Gou for some Mediterranean-set sticky acid house in the sun.

Find out more at lostfoundfestival.com

When: 4 May
Where: Leeds
Why: The multi-venue fest lets you sample the best music boltholes of the city, with some of the major success stories throughout the years returning for 2019 in the headline slots. A certified testimony to the power of showcasing emerging talent.
Highlights: Metronomy, Tom Grennan, Sam Fender
Our must-see set: Since forming at Reading, indie heroes Sundara Karma have gone from strength to strength, now an undisputed global success. Catch them in the unmissable headline slot.

Find out more at liveatleeds.com

When: 3 – 5 May
Where: Across the Baltic Triangle, Liverpool
Why: If intimate’s your thing, then this ‘Pool city-based fest is the one for catching emerging artists who will no doubt hit the big time very shortly.
Highlights: Mabel, Shame, The Magic Gang
Our must-see set: Loyle Carner for some laid-back softboi tune-age.

Find out more at soundcity.com

When: 26 May
Where: Peckham Rye Park, south London
Why: I mean. First of all, it’s bank holiday Monday the day after. So guilt-free partying? And in easy-peasy south London?
Highlights: Honey Dijon, Palms Trax
Our must-see set: Horse Meat Disco in the sunshine (fingers crossed) will be all kinds of beautiful.

Find out more at thisisgala.co.uk

When: 9-11 May
Where: Brighton
Why: Sun (hopefully). Sea. Beach. Tunes. What more could you want? And Brighton is serving up some indie realness with their dreamy three-day fest.
Highlights: AJ Tracey, Frank Carter & The Rattlesnakes, Fat White Family
Our must-see set: Foals are back. And what better way to celebrate than catching the indie boys at their intimate headline slot for the Transgressive 15th Anniversary Spotlight Show at the Concorde 2 venue.

Find out more at greatescapefestival.co.uk

When: 30 May – 1 June
Where: Barcelona, Spain
Why: First of all, it’s Barcelona. Get an Airbnb and tag on some beach time + Gaudi-orientated sightseeing in the day. The festival site itself is a certified urban jungle, with a laid-back crowd and a cracking sunset.
Highlights: Solange, Robyn, Tame Impala
Our must-see set: Cardi B is no longer headlining. But instead you’ll have Wonderbabe Miley Cyrus coming in like a wrecking ball.

Find out more at primaverasound.com

When: 24 – 26 May + 31 May – 2 June
Where: London’s Victoria Park
Why: Held over two weekends at the end of May, you have all the lairy, festive fun, but can stagger back to the nearby comfort of your own bed at the end of it.
Highlights: Chemical Brothers, Bon Iver, Christine & The Queens, Mumford and Sons
Our must-see set: The Strokes. Cue endless screaming.

Find out more at allpointeastfestival.com