I have now been to Parklife three times, and I can honestly say 2024 did not disappoint.

Although there were some mix ups with the line up this year, including massive headliners such as J Hus and Fisher dropping out just before the festival (two acts I would've loved to have seen), I think the organisers did a good job of creating another exciting weekend this year.

Parklife can sometimes gets a bad reputation for the type of music, acts and type of festival goers that attend Heaton Park on the second weekend of June nearly every year.

But I think it has gone on long enough now that people should at least try it once with an open mind, and they'll realise they either love it, or it's not for them, and that's OK.

But for me, I have thoroughly enjoyed it every year I've been, which was in 2019, 2021, and now 2024.

I was most excited to see The Sugababes after their reunion earlier this year, and some of my old favourites such as Rudimental.

I enjoyed dancing to all of Sugababes old tunes, such as "Push the Button", "Round Round", and "About You Now".

Rudimental, made up of Piers Aggett, Kesi Dryden and Leon "Locksmith" Rolle, captivated their audience with a new song and their classic, "Feel the Love". 

Parklife is known for their offering of great DJs, as it is run by the same people that organise Warehouse Project in Manchester city centre, a series of club nights that has been going on since 2006.

(Image: NQ)

People who expect more pop artists or genres such as rock music may prefer Leeds Festival or Glastonbury, but fans of electronic music like me can't complain at the big names Parklife gets year after year.

Disclosure were one of everyone's favourites, with many videos going viral on TikTok of their hit single, 'Latch' with Sam Smith.

Crowds also gathered in large numbers for horsegiirL, a pseudonymous German DJ, singer, and songwriter who hides her identity behind a horse head mask, who definitely got the party going Sunday afternoon.

A feature I enjoyed specifically this year was the new stages that were available- the Jagermeister and the Casa Bacardi, which were both decorated in their counterpart themes.

I also enjoyed seeing smaller names get huge crowds lining up for their set, such as DJ Window Kid who gained fame over TikTok. It has always felt to me that Parklife brings an array of acts that are up and coming.

Although the weather rained fairly heavily Sunday night, it was mostly dry throughout the weekend, and got some gorgeous bursts of sun all Saturday, an aspect I think most people who know Manchester weather can't complain about.

Whilst it rained on and off at the weekend, the site did not get too muddy or wet enough to ruin my time there.

(Image: NQ)

I think most festival goers should expect a small amount of bad weather and the conditions that come with it, and be brave enough to stick it out to see your favourite acts.

The crowds at Doja Cat, who headlined on Sunday night in the pouring rain, were still in large numbers to see the American rapper who has not performed in the UK for five years.

One aspect I will say needs to be improved though is the transport, especially after the festival closes.

For some reason, they shut off Heaton Park tram stop at 9pm, two whole hours before the last act finishes.

There is still Bowker Vale, but with no car park available and parking tickets littered everywhere to the car owners who ignore 'no stopping' sides on the road, it has always been a nightmare to get home to.

My only suggestion would be to leave slightly earlier than the very last minute. On Saturday we left at 10.45pm, as soon as The Sugababes ended, and the tram was eerily quiet.

I think it must be hard to organise so many people going home at once, but it is definitely something to take into consideration if you plan on going next year, especially if you're not local.

My last wish would have been to sign bigger headliners in replacement of Fisher and J Hus, as there was not many big names on the Parklife stage all day Sunday and I felt there was something lacking. But with time constraints, I think the organisers made the best out of a situation that wasn't their fault.

All in all, I think Parklife 2024 was definitely a success. Despite headliners dropping out, bad weather, and sometimes bad press, I think it is definitely a festival you should at least try once with an open mind, and you'll enjoy it more than you think.