Field days
Look further afield than the congested UK festival scene this summer and head to Europe for sun, sea and stellar line-ups
Canny festival organisers on the Continent have cottoned on to a fervent festival audience in the UK and as well as established Euro festivals such as Benicassim, Exit and Roskilde, countries such as Poland, Norway and Croatia have also put themselves on the map, festival organisers curating top-quality line-ups as part of an increasingly sophisticated set of festival offerings. And with Glastonbury off this year, the Big Chill on hold and the age-old unpredictability of the UK’s weather putting the dampeners on the approaching summer, it’s time to get out the diary and scroll down for Glass magazine’s month-by-month guide to the best of the summer European festivals:
May
Amsterdam Open Air Festival, the Netherlands
When May 26-27
Who Digitalism, Breakbot, Paco Osuna
What Holland’s capital comes alive for an all-out aural assault of all types of dance music sure to keep you up til dawn.
Primavera Sound, Barcelona
When May 30 – June 3
Who Bjork, the Cure, the XX
What Spain’s premier festival for ‘real’ music fans, a critically acclaimed line-up curated by the likes of Pitchfork, Vice and ATP taking to the stage at the futuristic Parc Del Forum.
June
Sonar, Barcelona
When 14-16 June
Who Hot Chip, Lana Del Rey, the Roots
What The Catalan capital’s bleepy electro mash-up continues to cement its deserved reputation as one of the world’s biggest and best parties with one of the summer’s most exciting line-ups.
Hideout festival, Croatia
When June 29 - July 3
Who SBTRKT, Annie Mac, Skrillex
What A boutique-sized festival that boasts boat parties, beach parties and a bass-heavy schedule, all set by the stunning blue of the Adriatic sea.
July
Heineken Open’er, Gydnia, Poland
When July 4-7
Who Bjork, Bon Iver, Justice
What One of Poland’s premier festivals has now upped its game, bringing global headline acts across the spectrum of indie, dance and hip-hop.
Melt!, Ferropolis, Germany
When July 13-15
Who M83, Caribou, Modeselektor
What Set among discarded cranes, diggers and mines, a truly industrial setting makes a fitting venue for one of the most forward-looking electro-based line-ups.
August
La Route du Rock, Saint-Malo, France
When August 10-12
Who Spiritualized, the XX, Willis Earl Beal
What Just a short ferry hop away, France’s stunning walled city of Saint-Malo makes a scenic seaside spot to take in a lovingly crafted schedule of on-the-money folk and indie acts.
Oya, Oslo, Norway
When August 7-11
Who Black Keys, Stone Roses, Bjork
What With daylight lasting almost all night at this time of year, there’s even less of an excuse to go to bed early as Norway’s biggest festival sees some of the world’s biggest acts take to the stage.
oyafestivalen.com
And beyond…
Berlin Festival, Germany
When September 7-8
Who Sigur Ros, Metronomy, Friendly Fires
What The cavernous aircraft hangars at Tempelhof Airport form an atmospheric backdrop for a high-calibre line up that bridges the worlds of dance and indie music.
Airwaves, Reykjavik, Iceland
When Oct 31-Nov 4
Who Poliça, Patrick Wolf, Django Django
What After the summer is over, any self-respecting scenester will be found listening to an eclectic range of left-field acts in one of the Continent’s coolest cities.
by Ben Olsen
Posted: 10 May 2012
