Music, mud and warm beer. For any self respecting music fan, it can only mean one thing – the start of the summer festival season.
2009 is shaping up to be an epic year, with some amazing acts headlining at events across Europe. So get that tent packed, forget about the dubious personal hygiene issues and check out the top 5 parties taking place this summer. Just don’t forget the baby wipes!
1. Glastonbury, United Kingdom, June 24 – 28
Kicking off the season is the old granddaddy of the festivals. Since the first event took place in 1970, on the day after Jimi Hendrix’s death, Glastonbury has become synonymous with the free-spirited festival vibe. Despite controversy in recent years over increased security and restrictive ticketing measures, the festival remains one of the most loved and celebrated musical events of the summer.
Headline acts this year include Blur, Neil Young, Bruce Springsteen and Franz Ferdinand, yet Glastonbury is about much more than just the music. With activities and entertainment taking place for several days during the run up to the main event, it is an experience not to be missed.
But remember, Glastonbury is famous for its bad weather – so come prepared to brave the mud!
2. Roskilde, Denmark, July 2 – 5
Denmark’s premier musical event takes place the weekend after Glastonbury and the two festivals have grown up along remarkably similar lines. Roskilde, which was also founded in the early 1970s, originally catered for just a few hundred hippies but has since evolved into one of the largest music fesitvals in Europe. Organised by the Roskilde Foundation, the event is run as a non-profit organisation for the support of music, culture and humanism.
And Roskilde rocks, big time. 2009 sees headline performances from Coldplay, Kanye West, Pet Shop Boys and Slipknot, and is guaranteed to draw crowds from across Scandinavia and beyond.
3. Exit, Serbia, July 9 – 12
With its picturesque setting in the eighteenth century fortress of Novi Sad, its turbulent political background and its trailblazing musical lineups, Exit has quickly become a bit of a legend amongst festival goers. Originally held over 100 days during the summer of 2000, the festival began as a protest against the oppressive political regime of Serbian President, Slobodan Milošević.
Perfectly capturing the zeitgeist of its era, Exit has enjoyed a meteoric rise over the last decade and is pulling out all the stops for its tenth anniversary this year. Despite being considerably pared down since the original event – four days rather than 100 – the festival retains its innovative spirit, with performances from Moby, Madness, Arctic Monkeys and Kraftwerk.
What’s more, at just £72 per ticket, Exit is one of the best value festivals you will find.
4. Benicassim, Spain, July 16 – 19
If the thought of three days camping in a muddy field is enough to turn you off the festival experience for good, then Benicassim is the event for you. Think sun, sea, and dancing on a beach – this is what all festivals should be like!
Taking place in the port town of the same name near Valencia, Benicassim is guaranteed to be a sun-soaked affair. No need to pack the waterproofs for this one.
Focusing mainly on alternative rock and electronica, the festival also celebrates short films, theatre, fashion and art. And with headline acts including Oasis, Kings of Leon, Franz Ferdinand and The Killers, Benicassim 2009 is set to be huge.
5. Sziget, Hungary, August 12 – 17
Considered by many to be Europe’s answer to the Burning Man festival, Sziget takes place annually in Budapest, on a leafy island in the Danube River. Established as a low key event in 1993, the festival has exploded over recent years, becoming increasingly popular with music fans throughout Western Europe. It is estimated that 50% of Sziget’s visitors now come from outside of Hungary, particularly from France, Germany, Italy and the UK.
For a truly international feel and some of the best acts around, Sziget is definitely the place to be. Headline performances for 2009 come from The Prodigy, Pendulum, Primal Scream, Snow Patrol and Bloc Party.
Photo of Sigùr Rós live performance at the Benicassim Festival Scmollmoch
Topic: Top five Monday |
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About the author
Mhairi is a freelance writer and marketeer. Based in Manchester, she is a lover all things food and wine shaped, travel, random adventures and general merriment. She can often be found propping up the bar at any one of the city's numerous watering holes.
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