Worldwide Musical Voyage
By Chris Astrala
Music. No matter who you are or where you are from, music is part of your life. We decided to take you on a musical journey around the world and visit ten of the most renowned music festivals. So pack your bags, check that your passport is up to date and lets embark on a fantastic musical voyage.
Leeds & Reading Festivals, UK
Britain’s annual mud-baths-cum-music-festivals are as notorious for their riotous performances as they are for their unfortunate abundance of rainfall. The hippie haven of Glastonbury might steal the prize for England’s most popular festival, the crowds will be descending upon the Leeds & Reading Festivals instead. Held simultaneously at two venues in the North and South of the country over the final bank holiday weekend of the summer with a rotating cast of bands, the two festivals have quickly reached legendary status among world rock fans. The audiences, renowned as one of the craziest festival crowds, make the festival, with the last evening routinely turning into a chaotic display of alcohol-fueled debauchery, as the festival campsites turn into one enormous party with campfires, fireworks and impromptu mud sliding.
Lollapalooza, Chicago
Unashamedly meshing the mainstream with the indie, the bill for Chicago’s renowned Lollapalooza Festival reads like the ultimate record collection, with everything from little-known gems to major acts joining the party. Started up back in 1991 and celebrating its 25th year, Lollapalooza’s sheer popularity with attendees from all over the country; has music fans descending on downtown Chicago to sate their musical appetites.
Roskilde, Denmark
Northern Europe’s largest open-air festival, Roskilde in Denmark has been running annually since 1971 and attracts over 90,000 music lovers over its four-day run. A mere 30 km outside of Copenhagen, the festival brings fans from Europe and all over the world to enjoy the mix of rock, pop, hip hop and electronica, mixing local bands with world renowned artists playing over seven stages. The festival has played host to everyone from Bob Marley to Nirvana over its 40-year reign.
Splendour in the Grass, Australia
It may be winter in Australia, but the sun is bound to be shining for the annual Splendour on the Grass festival, a short trip from hippie haven Byron Bay and one of the world’s largest eco-friendly festivals. The New South Wales concert stretches over three days and draws fans from all over the country for possibly the most chilled out rock concert known to man. It’s not just about the music here, there’s a natural beauty spa onsite, a kids relaxation area and a shopping area nick-named the “very small mall.”
Rock in Rio, Portugal
Claiming the title of the biggest music and entertainment event of all time, the Rock in Rio festivals have been held alternatively in Portugal, Brazil and Spain in addition to Las Vegas. It’s one of a growing trend of events using music to inspire change in environmental and social issues around the world. This year’s Rock in Rio takes place in Lisbon, Portugal and is set to draw in crowds of over 300,000.
Benicassim Festival, Spain
Spain’s East coast became a hub of international music, as the Festival Internacional de Benicassim (FIB) descended on the unassuming coastal region. Attracting a massive 50,000 festivalgoers over its four days, this is one festival that covers all bases when it comes to music genres. Previous years line-up offered up one of the world’s most diverse festival line-ups, with the world’s best in folk (Bob Dylan), pop (Jessie J, Katy B), dance, (David Guetta), hip hop (Tinie Tempah, De La Soul), indie (The Strokes, Noel Gallagher), alternative (At the Drive-in, Arcade Fire) and rock (The Stone Roses, New Order). Need we say more?
Bonnaroo Festival, Tennessee
The Southern cousin of Lollapalooza and another favorite on the U.S. festival roster, Bonnaroo in Tennessee pits itself as more than just a music festival, with a vast array of arts and cultural programs. There’s certainly no shortage of entertainment over the festival’s four days, with 150 acts performing, an adjourning film festival, a silent disco, art installations and live comedy capturing the attentions of over 80,000 campers. There are even free yoga classes, a complimentary hair salon and the Broo’ers mini festival celebrating micro-brewed beers from all over the country. This year’s line-up brings a veritable summer soundtrack, dozens of the world’s best loved bands spanning rock, pop, country and even some hip hop and electronica thrown in for good measure.
Summer Sonic Festival, Japan
Musicians have long pegged Japan as one of their favorite places to perform, due in no small part to the wild enthusiasm of the crowds. Held simultaneously in Osaka and Tokyo, the Summer Sonic Festival is the biggest event on the calendar for Japanese music fanatics. There are no bounds to great music here, with a roster of rock, punk, hip hop and pop keeping the crowd bopping well into early hours. Past line-up looks like its been lifted from the Billboard chart with Rihanna, Nelly Furtado, Adam Lambert and Ke$ha to name a few. Also make sure you catch some of Japan’s own rock bands too — legendary for their craziness.
Sziget, Budapest, Hungary
Eastern Europe’s coolest music festival, the Sziget Festival in Hungary has rapidly risen to the ranks of festival stardom, becoming one of the most exciting dates on the European calendar. The mammoth seven-day extravaganza leaves few left standing by its close. Hosted on an island on the River Danube in the center of Budapest, the festival is nothing if not unique — pitch your tent on the riverbank, and head to one of the infamous Hungarian bathhouses to spruce yourself up in between acts. As for the entertainment, expect to be spoilt with variety — around 60 stages feature everything from rock to classical and there are film showings, art exhibitions, sports, all-night parties and even a fairground; you can even learn to belly dance or go bungee jumping.
Rock Werchter, Belgium
Belgians might be better known for sipping beer and whipping up some of the world’s most delicious chocolates, but these rock fans know how to get down and dirty in the mosh pit come festival season. Forget the cultural and artistic ethos of modern festivals; the Rock Werchter Festival in Belgium has been all about the music since it started up in the 1970s, so expect some sweaty, beer-fueled crowds connecting over a shared love of all things loud. It’s not all rock ‘n’ roll though — the festival features everything from indie, pop and rock, to hip hop and dance, so there’s something for everyone.
No music festival list would be complete without mentioning Coachella & Stagecoach, which have grown into 2 of the best. We will be featuring them both in next month’s issue. We know that your favorite might not have been included in this list, so feel free to drop us a line and let us know. Perhaps we can include it in a future issue.
