Finding a Festival That Fits…
The sun has begun to shine, and it’s time for our tents to make a dent in a field somewhere as we set up camp, hoping that not only will we find that festival feeling and have one of the best times of our lives – but that we’ll be able to remember it!
The usual suspects for this ever-growing essential experience – from England’s Glastonbury and Reading, Scotland’s T in the Park to Spain’s Sonar and Belgium’s Pukkelpop – are finding themselves less likely to be called to the punter’s final line-up. The reason for their soft fall from the throne of festival royalty? Good old free-market competition.
With more and more people wanting to rock, rave, wave or wade their way through a few (hopefully) sunny days each summer, the festival market has blossomed to bring us as many choices are there are beats in a boom-box. The line-ups are (finally) fantastically diverse and whether it’s guttural screams, soulful harmonies, deep dubstep or dirty house you are looking for you should uncover them all at the festivals below.
So why not take your tent, and your sense of adventure, to another level this year. Visit one of the many unique festivals Europe has on offer in unusual locations that won’t - in any way, leave your hard-earned holiday lacking.
Exit Festival, Serbia–10 – 13 July 2008
Line Up: Paul Weller, The Sex Pistols, Primal Scream, Soulwax Live, DJ Hype, Roni Size and more
Serbia’s EXIT Festival is held within the walls of the 17th Century Petrovaradin Fortress. It may need the historical sites defences this year, as it is the biggest music and cultural event in South East Europe – with 10,000 Brits making it their choice of festival in 2007.
It has a heart-felt history, as it was created as an act of rebellion against Milosevic – although in those days they didn’t have the likes of John Digweed, Roger Sanchez , Wu Tang Clan and the Beastie Boys to catapult their campaign into the spotlight they can proudly claim to occupy today.
Listening to reports from those who voted it the ‘Best European Festival’ at the 2007 UK Festival Awards induce a mystical musical experience. They tell their stories of running through cobbled streets, tunnels and ramparts to make it to the stage on time to catch Snoop Dogg or Scissor Sisters.
Watching from the acclaimed Dance Arena as the sun rises over the fortress walls (if you haven’t fallen over by then) with your 20,000 new friends could perhaps even be an Ibiza-beater.
SeeMe Festival, Bulgaria–5 – 7th June 2008
Line Up: Jeff Mills, Paul Woodford, Eddie Halliwel, Logan D, Punx Soundcheck and more
Bulgaria’s SeeMe is a festival that feels at home in the heart of a city. Situated mainly in Sofia’s Historic Central Military Club it fills your three days with things you wouldn’t find in a field – like sensible (and very interesting) music seminars and conferences.
There’s a delectable dance music line-up for the public by night and the workshops for the professionals by day. So if you like your networking down to earth then you will be glad you landed at SeeMe. And in the unlikely event of you not seeing anything you like, there is always the city to sightsee outside the walls, in whose bars and clubs the music events will take place.
Wilsonic Festival, Slovakia–6 – 7th June 2008
Line Up: Soap&Skin, Midi Lidi, Beardyman, Flying Lotus, Little Dragon, Mike Shannon, Andrea Sartori and more
Wilsonic Festival in Slovakia aims to get local Central and Eastern European artists, musicians and producers sharing the stage with their international counterparts. It does this from its beautifully unspoilt location on the Danube’s riverbank. You can view the stunning panorama of fast-changing Bratislava whilst nodding your head to beats from bands that have yet to blow as well as names as big as Bonobo, Flying Lotus and Beardyman.
Melt! Festival, Germany–18 – 20th July 2008
Line Up: Bjork, Franz Ferdinand, Kate Nash, The Mitchell Brothers, Goldie, Hot Chip, Miss Platinum and many more
Germany may not be famed for it’s warmth, but this Summer is set to be hot with the 11th edition of Melt! Festival taking place on the Ferropolis peninsula.
Surrounded by the beautiful Lake Gremmin and the sounds of some serious artists such as Franz Ferdinand, Bjork, Editors , Kate Nash and The Mitchell Brothers (a personal favourite), this festival will strike a mark as a weekend to remember.
The unusual scenery includes five huge, hulking coal mining diggers – plus an equal number of sizeable stages to keep the Drum and Bass ravers, Funk fans, Hip Hop heads, Indie shakers and Techno lovers all smiling simultaneously. Melt! really does mix it all up – so make sure you take your glosticks to all the stomping grounds this event has to offer.
Photos courtesy of Global Publicity and Mick O
Filed under: Music
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