1. Iceland Airwaves, Iceland
by Flora The Explorer
A competition efficiency at KEX hostel in Reykjavik.
Iceland Airwaves is a five-day music competition held each November within the nation’s capital metropolis of Reykjavik. Though the climate is chilly and the solar units early, individuals journey from all around the world to attend Airwaves – primarily as a result of it’s so distinctive. First up, whereas calling itself a global competition, any worldwide act invited to carry out at Airwaves can solely ever achieve this as soon as. This ensures that the Icelandic musicians, nonetheless new or with nonetheless small a fan base, at all times have an annual platform the place they will carry out.
Secondly (and that is my favourite side), the daytimes are comprised of ‘off-venue’ gigs, the place artists carry out brief, intimate units in Reykjavik’s espresso outlets, eating places, libraries, church buildings, swimming swimming pools, and hostel dormitories – principally each location conceivable. Off-venue performances are open to anybody, not simply ticket holders; the town’s streets are flooded with music and also you by no means know what you’re going to listen to subsequent. Within the evenings, the true (ie. festival-ticketed) performances kick off in a number of totally different venues, all inside strolling distance from one another, and afterward the get together continues late into the evening within the metropolis’s bars, golf equipment and the streets themselves.
I volunteered on the competition in alternate for my Airwaves ticket the primary 12 months, fell in love with the nation/metropolis/competition after which stayed in Reykjavik the 12 months after, selecting to simply attend Airwaves’ off-venue exhibits every day. When you’re seeking to price range, both one is a good possibility!
Flora Baker is Flora The Explorer.
2. The Secret Backyard Get together, the UK
by International Assist Swap
The Secret Backyard Get together is without doubt one of the most picturesque festivals you’ll ever attend. Set within the grounds of a Georgian Farmhouse with its personal lake (which you’ll be able to swim in), river and landscaped gardens, it is a place the place fairy tales are made.
The competition started in 2004 and has gone from power to power. Held yearly in July at Abbots Ripton, close to Huntingdon, England, the competition is often set round a theme. This 12 months’s theme is “Infantile Issues”. I might say 70% of the competition goers gown up across the theme which makes for some fascinating pictures!
This competition is the place you possibly can catch acts which can be about to hit the large time. We’ve got watched Florence & The Machine, The XX, and Lily Allen all earlier than they turned headliners. Like Glastonbury, The Secret Backyard Get together helps charities. The principle one being The Marketing campaign In opposition to Dwelling Miserably (CALM), which goals to forestall male suicide in the UK.
The Secret Backyard Get together is a good medium sized competition with a enjoyable crowd. I’ll meet you on the Paint Combat!
3. Finish Of The Highway Pageant, the UK
by International Assist Swap
Beginning in 2006, the Finish of the Highway competition is held yearly (in Sept) within the Larmer Tree Gardens on the borders of Somerset and Dorset, England. In 2011 the competition gained the award for “finest small competition” and it’s not exhausting to see why.
With 4 levels set round woods, gardens, and Tipis, this competition has an extremely mellow vibe. The music is centered round people, Americana and alt.nation. This 12 months the competition might be celebrating it’s 10 12 months anniversary with Tame Impala, The Conflict on Medication and Laura Marling enjoying.
Because the competition is held in fantastically landscaped gardens don’t be alarmed while you come throughout the peacocks roaming about. In addition to the music there are additionally youngsters’s play areas, a movie tent, a library within the forest and way more. Like all various UK competition, our recommendation is to discover, discover, discover!
We attended this competition for the primary time final 12 months and beloved the chilled out crowd and environment. I’ll meet you within the woods for a sport of cover and search. Paul Farrugia is an avid traveler and blogger. When he isn’t touring he likes to spend his free time studying, going to festivals and sitting down having fun with a pleasant glass of crimson! If you want to succeed in him, test his weblog International Assist Swap! You’ll be able to comply with him on Fb as nicely.
4. Couleur Café, Belgium
by Fantastic Wanderings
Couleur Café is an annual music competition within the metropolis of Brussels. It’s distinctive because it doesn’t happen within the streets of the town, both on a competition terrain, however on the occasions website of Tour & Taxis. Right here you possibly can hearken to massive hip hop and rap artists, but additionally to every kind of world music, together with reggae and Latin, and a little bit of dubstep
Moreover the stage acts, there are additionally at all times some facet acts, like a marching band or road performers, who entertain the crowds all through the day.
And for those who do want a musical break, you possibly can head to the world market or to the meals stands. No must worry: the meals at Couleur Café is scrumptious and the choices are lots. There are about 50 meals stands with merchandise from all around the world, together with vegetarian meals.
Tip for first timers: Couleur Café is in the midst of Brussels and parking choices are scarce. The competition web site doesn’t even tackle coming by automobile. On the upside: there are numerous low cost choices with public transportation particularly for the competition, so make sure you test these out.
Sofie is a contract author, translator and journey blogger who takes individuals together with her on her travels in Belgium and past. Her weblog Fantastic Wanderings focuses each on the must-sees and day by day life, on the large sights and the locations you’d by no means discover by your self. You’ll be able to join with Sofie on Fb.
5. Rock in Rio Lisboa, Portugal
by Concerteca
Rock in Rio was born in Brazil in 1985. In 2004, it arrived in Portugal to remain, with fairly massive gigs equivalent to Paul McCartney, Kings of Lion and Foo Fighters in Belavista Park, a pure stage that turns into a rock metropolis each version. RiR has additionally been held in Spain and this 12 months it should arrive on the US, being Vegas the chosen metropolis for its opening within the nation.
Final 12 months, Rolling Stones and different bands celebrated in Lisbon the tenth anniversary, 90 thousand individuals loved how Bruce Springsteen made a final minute shock look after being invited by Jagger to hitch the get together. Fairly epic.
Contained in the competition grounds, other than a ferris wheel, there’s Rock and Avenue dance, a meals courtroom and a chillout space. Unluckily, this one doesn’t have a tenting space and when you enter the competition, you possibly can’t exit, a little bit of a nuisance. However for those who play alongside, it’s certainly one of your finest bets within the nation and it is possible for you to to get pleasure from Lisbon, a incredible metropolis, as nicely!
6. Fundamental Sq. Pageant, France
by Concerteca
I might return in a whim simply to get pleasure from as soon as once more the unreal surroundings of the town the place is held, Arras previous city, about 150km away from Paris. 11 years previous, Fundamental Sq. is without doubt one of the finest put collectively festivals we’ve ever been to. Other than the comfortable city, the tenting zone occurs to be positioned actually close by and Lille or Charleroi airports are each conveniently positioned round 45km away.
Sting, Inexperienced Day, Iron Maden, David Guetta, Muse, and The Prodigy have performed there. This 12 months dates are July, third to fifth, being the 3-day passes and Saturday / Sunday tickets over. So if you wish to have a peak, the Friday cross is your finest guess and you can be listening to Lenny Kravitz and Shaka Ponk in just a few weeks.
An ideal environment, a mixture of festival-goers, households, and locals, excellent for the primary timers and likers of every kind of music. Really pleasurable!
Maria runs Concerteca. Comply with them on Fb.
7. Pageant do Sudoeste, Portugal
by A World to Journey
This one is held in Zambujeira do Mar, within the South West coast of Portugal, therefore the identify. Jose traveled there in 2011. Unluckily, Amy Winehouse – who was main the road up – had simply handed away however nonetheless he may get pleasure from another nice bands and DJs like Asian Dub Basis, Underworld, Deus, Scissor Sisters, David Guetta, Snoop Canine, Swedish Home Mafia, Alpha Blondie, Interpol and lots of others unfold throughout 4 levels, being his favourite the reggae one.
Though temperatures can get actually harsh and shades are nearly non-existent, there’s a pond the place you will get some aid through the day. Extremely beneficial.
8. Berlin Pageant, Germany
If we wish to speak about music festivals we will overlook Berlin, the cradle of the (in)well-known Love parade has these days many different exceptional occasions to comply with just like the small, however extremely necessary, Berlin Pageant.
The Berlin Pageant used to happen at Tempelhofer Feld, the deserted airport and metropolis lung, however quick sufficient has left behind the “overpopulated” competition concept and moved right into a extra intimate area, the Enviornment Berlin. It takes place alongside 3 days in a row within the “metropolis heart” and gives an enormous quantity of prospects from cultural workshops, to Loopy DJ electro events until chillout mornings/afternoons in one of the vital specific swimming swimming pools within the metropolis, The Badeshift.
One of many exceptional issues is the assist to the native artists, the Berlin competition counts with enormous worldwide names equivalent to Rudimental or Fritz Kalkbrenner however its additionally a spot with an enormous area for the local people giving Berlin bands and artists a bounce to the mass public.
I at all times confer with it because the “practically 30’s competition”, is a metropolis competition, subsequently, no tenting place, you’ll sleep completely comfortable in your mattress and have a bathe in your toilet earlier than hitting the get together once more. It’s not a large competition simply small situations, cultural occasion, and lots of prospects… Name me previous however sounds just like the paradise to me.
Valen & Jesper have been touring for about 3 years now, they quiet down in Berlín for some time and from right here plan their subsequent journey. Comply with them on Fb.
9. Paredes de Coura Pageant, Portugal
by A World to Journey
Rather a lot has been stated round right here about our favourite music competition ever. After having attended the final 4 editions (learn 2014 Paredes de Coura Uncut Chronicle Half 1 and Half 2 right here), we will solely await subsequent August to return and stay it up as soon as once more. Dream location on a hill that includes a cool river – excellent for the afternoon ‘Jazz na relva’ classes in addition to cooling off when the solar is at its highest, and a few massive levels that stay pumping it up until 5am largely (typically, coming as an incredible shock, additional within the wee hours!).
We even put a brief video that includes the easiest of final 12 months’s version.
Significantly, it is advisable to test this one out. Priceless!
10. Hellfest, France
by Fotostrasse
I’ve labored as a photographer for years and years on this competition, it was clearly the perfect place to see your fav band and have a good time. The 2011 version I acquired the possibility to see for the primary time my one real love, at the least my 16 years previous’s love: Phil Anselmo, the previous lead singer of the legendary Pantera.
It was nice! I used to be with out phrases and a bit frozen to be so near my idol.
Hellfest grew an excessive amount of within the final years and a few issues got here with it, however however, it’s nonetheless in my high place. It holds the medal for the perfect metallic fest in Europe for my part.
My tip is: overlook about lodges, go tenting.
The tenting website is nice, you’ll not miss one single present, there’s at all times a celebration occurring and there should not sufficient buses to take you to the subsequent city. Keep away from a headache and embrace the headbanging.
The place: Clisson, France
Music: Rock, Steel, Punk and extra.
11. Sonisphere, the UK
by Fotostrasse
My first European expertise as a photographer occurred at Sonisphere in 2009.
Since that day, Sonisphere grew on my coronary heart like my vegetation develop on {the summertime}.
I don’t know whether it is the truth that I used to be seen Metallica for the second time stay if it was the truth that I met the fellows or the truth that I used to be lastly doing work for an enormous journal overseas. I used to be working with Rolling Stone again within the days.
Gotta say that of all of the crowds I’ve seen as a music photographer over time, the UK delivers the perfect and most humorous characters each time! It’s spectacular the power and the dearth of self-preservation that you simply see throughout festivals within the UK, particularly England.
Even for those who’re not there for the music, go for enjoyable that comes with it!
England is the birthplace for metallic and the legend of craziness continues each time I’ve the possibility to see a present or a competition there!
12. Growth Pageant
by Mochila Nomada
Growth Pageant is a biannual trance music competition which is held just a few km away from Idanha-a-Nova, a Portuguese city by an superior lake that quickly turns into one of many festival-goers favourite locations to hang around.
Greater than 30 thousand individuals gathers to attend this ‘acutely aware’ and ‘sustainable’ competition. A lot that it was awarded the ‘Excellent Greener Pageant Award’ in 2008, 2010 and 2012.
And music is simply solely a small a part of what’s going on there. Conferences, workshops, exhibitions, video games, chillout areas, and an enormous tenting zone from the lake to some shut mountains’ peaks.
A should.
Jairo runs Mochila Nomada and wrote in regards to the competition right here: mochilanomada.com/boom-festival. Comply with him on Fb.
13. Colors of Ostrava
by My Wanderlust
From all of the festivals I’ve ever attended Colors of Ostrava have to be probably the most distinctive one.
It takes place in mid-July within the third greatest Czech metropolis – Ostrava – not too removed from the Polish border. What makes it so particular is the placement. The occasion is held within the industrial environment of the previous iron and metal mill in Dolni Oblast Vitkovice – that itself provides as much as the superb vibe of the competition.
There are seven levels however you don’t should stroll an excessive amount of between the concert events – the manufacturing facility buildings completely insulate the sound! The most important stars of this 12 months’s, 14th version, might be Bjork or Kasabian however artists come from all around the world and symbolize numerous music kinds, from jazz to metallic.
However Colors of Ostrava is greater than only a music competition – there are additionally workshops, theater performs, poetry, films or dialogue panels – certainly everybody will discover one thing for themselves.
No marvel this Czech occasion is taken into account top-of-the-line main European festivals, it certainly is my favourite too!
Kami blogs at My Wanderlust.
14. MITO Pageant, Italy
Usually, while you consider summer time festivals, you think about muddy fields and dancing all evening lengthy. Now, I’m not saying that’s not good! However MITO, certainly one of my favourite summer time festivals, happening yearly in September, could be very totally different. MITO stands for Milano and Torino, the 2 cities the place the competition occurs.
It’s very exhausting to place the competition into a particular class as certainly one of its traits is that there are concert events for all preferences, from classical to jazz, rock and digital. The venues are additionally particular; concert events happen not solely in theatres and halls but additionally on trains, at trans stations, parks, and reconverted factories. MITO is without doubt one of the the explanation why September is my favourite month in Milan!
Photograph caption: Nema Problema, a Balkan music band, acting at Stazione Centrale, Milan.
Margherita runs The Crowded Planet together with her husband Nick, a photographer.
15. Time in Jazz, Italy
by My Adventures Throughout The World
Time in Jazz takes place each August in Berchidda, within the North of Sardinia (Italy), and it’s a should for any jazz, music and even nature lovers. It consists of an entire week or extra of jazz concert events, held throughout a variety of villages equivalent to Berchidda and the environment, with open-air concert events (that are free to attend).
The competition is organized by Paolo Fresu, a Sardinian born world well-known trumpet participant. Annually he gathers probably the most acclaimed jazz musicians for some unbelievable concert events.
It’s an general nice occasion not just for the unbelievable high quality of the music, but additionally for the settings: think about listening to some nice jazz in the midst of the forest, or within the fairly sq. of a stunning village. And a few of the world’s finest seashores are close by too. Guests can keep in one of many numerous tenting websites or in some mattress and breakfast lodging, and high off their go to with some fabulous native meals and wine!
Claudia Tavani, a former human rights lawyer and tutorial, writes at My Adventures Throughout The World. Comply with her on Fb.
16. Tremendous Bock Tremendous Rock, Portugal
by Maruxaina
We uncover this one final 12 months. Tremendous Bock Tremendous Rock Pageant is held in Aldeia do Meco, within the outskirts of Lisbon, and Eddie Vedder, Huge Atack and Kasabian performed there already. We may see a really younger viewers, a simply nice tenting zone, excellent VIP space (not troublesome, in spite of everything, it’s VIP!) and an incredible location by the seaside.
This 12 months it should participate in July, at Nations Park, Lisbon, and will probably be the twenty first version of certainly one of Portugal’s primary festivals. A 3-day cross is round $100 – a day ticket is half worth – and Sting, Blur, Florence and the Machine and lots of others are already confirmed.
SBSR surprises the crowds yearly with fairly various lineups. Metallica, Rage In opposition to The Machine, Ben Harper, Arcade Hearth, Incubus… a endless checklist that pleases very totally different crowds yearly.
Take a look at Maruxaina’s weblog right here.
17. Donauinselfest, Austria
by Lady vs Globe
Picture by way of 2013.donauinselfest.at
Donauinselfest – or Danube Island Pageant in English – is without doubt one of the greatest festivals in Europe and undoubtedly one which delivers the perfect bang in your buck. Why? Entry to this open-air free music competition is totally free! It takes place yearly within the stunning Austrian capital of Vienna and welcomes music acts from all around the world. As a result of I grew up in Vienna, I attended just a few occasions and acquired to see performances starting from Dawn Avenue to The Prodigy… Not dangerous for an occasion with free entry!
There are many nice meals stalls and leisure on website, for anybody from younger get together animals to prolonged households – in truth, my grandparents in all probability just like the competition much more than I do for all these lederhosen-clad conventional Austrian bands. Oh, and have I discussed that Danube Island is an precise island within the heart of Vienna? It won’t be as unique as being within the Caribbean, but it surely’s actually not dangerous for central Europe! So take pack your passport and ask your 15-year-old cousin and your 80-year-old grandma to return alongside as a result of they’ll each discover one thing to like at Donauinselfest!
18. Marés Vivas
by Una Thought Un Viaje
Marés Vivas has turn into one of the vital well-liked music festivals within the north of Portugal, an incredible reference for these summer time festivals’ lovers. Marés Vivas, which implies ‘Alive Tides’ if we translate it into English is strictly what its identify brings to your thoughts: a blow of recent air over all of the stereotype festivals, out of any common competition classification, a competition that comes and goes with kinds as pop, rock, digital, jazz, trip-hop…And you continue to marvel why I hold attending? Wonderful ticket costs, tenting space, nice vibe, low cost locations to sit back round and the perfect spot ever for a stage. When you haven’t been there but, don’t miss it this summer time, buddy. You gained’t remorse! Eva Abal is the founding father of Una Thought Un Viaje, a journey weblog targeted on nature, artwork, pictures, and ecotourism. Sharing her loopy and enjoyable adventures with none censorship, she’s enrolled now in a solo around the world journey. Comply with her on Twitter.19. La Route Du Rock
by My Journey Affairs
French and British competition – goers love the occasion primarily as a result of the road up is at all times a top-notch, no two bands ever overlap so there isn’t any want to decide on what you wish to see extra and the group is at all times spotless!
The competition at all times hosts high worldwide performers equivalent to Huge Assault or Portishead, this summer time Bjork is introduced to play!!! However they’re actually nice with recognizing new bands and singers early too! Sensible Mac Demarco or Excellent Pussy had carried out on La Route du Rock early on of their profession.
Subsequent one will participate on August 13-16 2015.
by My Journey Affairs
Electrical Fort Pageant is without doubt one of the largest music festivals in Romania, held yearly in Banffy Fort in Cluj. Over 4 days individuals can bask in an intensive number of concert events taking locations over 6 levels, quite a few workshops, city actions, and excessive sports activities! It’s loopy, it’s enjoyable and it’s not to be missed!
Marysia Maciocha runs My Journey Affairs. Comply with her on My Journey Affairs.
WHICH ONES ARE WE MISSING? LET US KNOW IN THE COMMENTS BELOW and in case you are a journey blogger your self, be at liberty to contact us to finish this checklist.
Fortunately, this isn’t the top. Take a look at the next articles as nicely and begin scheduling your favourite music festivals for this upcoming Summer season:
Coolest Music Festivals Across the World
Coolest Music Festivals in Spain
Coolest Music Festivals in Galicia