Way Out West – Sweden
Way Out West is one of Sweden’s premiere music festivals, despite only being around since 2007. Swedes are renowned for their efforts to be environmentally friendly, and this festival is no exception, even offering the controversial all-vegetarian food option. With Neil Young, Tame Impala, and Kendrick Lamar among the acts performing, festival-goers will have a good time regardless of their dietary choices.
Roskilde Festival – Denmark
The Danes have a great festival with Roskilde, and this year’s lineup features James Blake, Rihanna, Sigur Ros, and pieces of nostalgia like Slipknot and Kraftwerk. Starting on June 29th, the non-profit event is one of Denmark’s best. The focus on 24-hour parties and organic food is another plus.
Pinkpop Festival – Netherlands
This year’s Pinkpop Festival has already taken place, and it received rave reviews with The Killers, Kings of Leon, and Green Day headlining the three days. Like Way Out West, Pinkpop Festival was first held in 2007, and has already risen to become a staple of the Netherlands music events.
The Isle of Wight Festival – United Kingdom
Another successful festival that already took place this year, The Isle of Wight Festival is one of Europe’s most historic festivals, tracing back to the late ’60s when Bob Dylan headlined. This year audiences were treated to The Stone Roses, The Killers, and Paul Weller. Ever since it was revived in 2002, Isle of Wight continues to replicate the excitement of its legendary 1970 set with Hendrix, Jethro Tull, The Doors, and many others.
Glastonbury – United Kingdom
Glastonbury is perhaps the most noted music festival in the UK, beginning only a few years after The Isle of Wight Festival in 1970. Organizer Michael Eavis formed Glastonbury after being wowed by an outdoor Led Zeppelin performance at Bath and West Showground in 1970. The festival hasn’t looked back since then, with powerhouses like The Rolling Stones and Arctic Monkeys headlining this year’s lineup when it took place in late June.
T in the Park – Scotland
Since 1994, T in the Park has been Scotland’s premiere major music festival. Headlined by The Killers, Rihanna, and Mumford and Suns this year, fans can attend the legendary event in Strathclyde Park on July 11-14. In February, Kraftwerk was added to the lineup, adding a storied veteran to a lineup that primarily consists of rising new artists.
Primavera Sound – Barcelona
One of the largest music festivals in Spain, Primavera Sound is renowned for the wide range of musical styles it presents throughout. 2013’s edition was headlined by some of the most respectable artists within their own niche; Brit-pop maestros Blur, shoegaze innovators My Bloody Valentine, and the idiosyncratic scowl of Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds all made appearances this past May.
Rock Werchter – Belgium
Rock Werchter is truly one of the biggest music festivals in the world, hosting up to 139,000 different attendees during its four day span. Festival-goers from all over the world will convene from July 4th to the 7th as artists like Green Day, The National, Rammstein, and Depeche Mode take the stage.
Exit – Serbia
The likes of Bloc Party, Snoop Dog, and Atoms For Peace are among the headliners at this year’s edition of Exit, which starts July 10th in Vojvodina, Serbia. Although the festival also aims to promote certain political beliefs among the Serbian youth, fans are treated to quality acts could care less about political lines. They just play great music, and for that Exit is one of the most renowned festivals in Eastern Europe.
Sónar – Barcelona
Barcelona is known for its congenial atmosphere and good times, and having two festivals on this list cements that reputation. Sónar is more affixed to the electronica and dance scenes. To celebrate its 20th anniversary this year, Sónar moved to a larger and took full advantage of it, with acts like Kraftwerk, Pet Shop Boys, and Major Lazer serving as guests at massive parties. For electronic music fans, Sónar is a must-attend event.
Top Ten European Music Festivals
Way Out West – Sweden
Way Out West is one of Sweden’s premiere music festivals, despite only being around since 2007. Swedes are renowned for their efforts to be environmentally friendly, and this festival is no exception, even offering the controversial all-vegetarian food option. With Neil Young, Tame Impala, and Kendrick Lamar among the acts performing, festival-goers will have a good time regardless of their dietary choices.
Roskilde Festival – Denmark
The Danes have a great festival with Roskilde, and this year’s lineup features James Blake, Rihanna, Sigur Ros, and pieces of nostalgia like Slipknot and Kraftwerk. Starting on June 29th, the non-profit event is one of Denmark’s best. The focus on 24-hour parties and organic food is another plus.
Pinkpop Festival – Netherlands
This year’s Pinkpop Festival has already taken place, and it received rave reviews with The Killers, Kings of Leon, and Green Day headlining the three days. Like Way Out West, Pinkpop Festival was first held in 2007, and has already risen to become a staple of the Netherlands music events.
The Isle of Wight Festival – United Kingdom
Another successful festival that already took place this year, The Isle of Wight Festival is one of Europe’s most historic festivals, tracing back to the late ’60s when Bob Dylan headlined. This year audiences were treated to The Stone Roses, The Killers, and Paul Weller. Ever since it was revived in 2002, Isle of Wight continues to replicate the excitement of its legendary 1970 set with Hendrix, Jethro Tull, The Doors, and many others.
Glastonbury – United Kingdom
Glastonbury is perhaps the most noted music festival in the UK, beginning only a few years after The Isle of Wight Festival in 1970. Organizer Michael Eavis formed Glastonbury after being wowed by an outdoor Led Zeppelin performance at Bath and West Showground in 1970. The festival hasn’t looked back since then, with powerhouses like The Rolling Stones and Arctic Monkeys headlining this year’s lineup when it took place in late June.
T in the Park – Scotland
Since 1994, T in the Park has been Scotland’s premiere major music festival. Headlined by The Killers, Rihanna, and Mumford and Suns this year, fans can attend the legendary event in Strathclyde Park on July 11-14. In February, Kraftwerk was added to the lineup, adding a storied veteran to a lineup that primarily consists of rising new artists.
Primavera Sound – Barcelona
One of the largest music festivals in Spain, Primavera Sound is renowned for the wide range of musical styles it presents throughout. 2013’s edition was headlined by some of the most respectable artists within their own niche; Brit-pop maestros Blur, shoegaze innovators My Bloody Valentine, and the idiosyncratic scowl of Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds all made appearances this past May.
Rock Werchter – Belgium
Rock Werchter is truly one of the biggest music festivals in the world, hosting up to 139,000 different attendees during its four day span. Festival-goers from all over the world will convene from July 4th to the 7th as artists like Green Day, The National, Rammstein, and Depeche Mode take the stage.
Exit – Serbia
The likes of Bloc Party, Snoop Dog, and Atoms For Peace are among the headliners at this year’s edition of Exit, which starts July 10th in Vojvodina, Serbia. Although the festival also aims to promote certain political beliefs among the Serbian youth, fans are treated to quality acts could care less about political lines. They just play great music, and for that Exit is one of the most renowned festivals in Eastern Europe.
Sónar – Barcelona
Barcelona is known for its congenial atmosphere and good times, and having two festivals on this list cements that reputation. Sónar is more affixed to the electronica and dance scenes. To celebrate its 20th anniversary this year, Sónar moved to a larger and took full advantage of it, with acts like Kraftwerk, Pet Shop Boys, and Major Lazer serving as guests at massive parties. For electronic music fans, Sónar is a must-attend event.
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