European Festival Guide 2014
The fact that the majority of Europe was recently hidden under snow/dirty floodwater makes it seem almost ludicrous to consider planning summer festival trips, but, believe it or not, festival season is just around the corner. If you wanna get yourself to a European festival then you need to start planning your excursion, kinda now-ish. So we thought we’d give you a rundown on some of the latest news. Obviously you already know about your mega-big festivals like Glastonbury and Reading (and we’ve given Primavera lots of love elsewhere on the site) so check some of the smaller (but just as cool) events, in our European Festival Guide 2014…
TIME WARP, Germany, 5 April 2014
The ultimate techno festival, Time Warp Mannheim, celebrates its 20th birthday this year with another show stopping line-up. For more details, go to the Time Warp website.
SNOWBOMBING, Austria, 7 – 12 April
Europe’s biggest snow and music festival will host its 15th edition in the village of Maryhofen, Austria. An impressive line-up boasts Tom Odell, Pete Tong, Foxes, The Prodigy, Chemical Brothers, Rudimental, Nina Kraviz, The Martinez Brothers, Daniel Avery and many, many more. Snowbombing is the ultimate winter music festival, blessed with warm spring rays and pure powdery perfection. Boarding, skiing and spas all topped with a world class selection of live acts and DJs. Find out more at the Snowbombing website.
THE GREAT ESCAPE, England, 8-10 May
For the ninth year running, our favourite UK festival, The Great Escape in Brighton will open the UK festival season, showcasing 400 of the best emerging artists. Firmly established as Europe’s leading festival for new music, the 3-day festival will draw over 18,000 music lovers to the south coast of England, united in their pursuit to catch the next-big-thing performing in one of the 35 venues dotted across the city. Kelis (pictured, top) is playing this year! Kelis! Also on the bill are Chloe Howl, Fat White Family and lots of other Something You Said favourites. For more details, go to The Great Escape website.
SUNSPLASH FESTIVAL, Turkey, 1-8 June
Sunsplash returns with a glistening new beachside location for its sixth edition taking place over a week this year in June on the sun soaked shores of Aspat Beach, nestled in Turkey’s sun, fun style spot – Bodrum. First wave of artists just announced include Brownswood vocalist of the moment Zara McFarlane, Gilles Peterson, Osunlade, Karizma, Lefto, Phil Asher, Rainer Trueby and many more. The festival offers daily workshops, talks, yoga and wind sports all set amongst beautiful local nature, historic ruins and stunning views + many other activities. For more details, go to the Sunsplash website.
PLISSKEN FESTIVAL, Greece, 6-7 June
A heavy-hitting, multi genre line-up including Mount Kimbie, Wild Beasts, Fuck Buttons and Wooden Shjips will converge in Athens, Greece for the Plisskën festival – brought to you by the first promoters ever to bring an event of this magnitude to an inspirational city that’s seeped in culture, both ancient and brand new. Full info here.
MEADOWS IN THE MOUNTAINS, Bulgaria, 13-15 June
Meadows In The Mountains Festival returns for it’s 4th magical adventure high up in the Rhodopean Mountains nestled in the beautiful Bulgarian countryside this 13th-15th June. Those who have been will tell you this is a festival unlike any other festival experience in the world. Showcasing over 3 days an intimate ethos celebrating the best of Disco, House, Electronica, Acoustic, Jazz, Funk alongside creative arts and installations all set in stunning vistas high up near the Greek border. Deets at the MITM website.
WEEKEND ON THE EDGE OF THE LAKE, Switzerland, 27 – 29 June
The beautiful Weekend On The Edge Of The Lake Festival returns to Switzerland for an idyllic 8th edition at its stunning summer alpine lake and beachside setting in Sierre (City Of Sun). With tickets just £32 for a weekend pass and flights currently at just £50 return, what’s not to like? You need more reasons? Ok… there’s beautiful Alpine vistas, idyllic lake & beachside setting, world renowned live bands, DJ’s & AV DJ’s, live visual art programme, beach volleyball, lake pedalos & Petangue. And the whole thing is fully sustainable & eco friendly. More deets can be found on Facebook.
THE GARDEN FESTIVAL, Croatia 2 – 9 July
The Garden Festival returns to its stunning coastal home in Tisno this summer, reaching its ninth season in beautiful Croatia as the country’s founding iconic electronic event. Blessed with crystal clear Adriatic waters, sizzling sunshine and star-lit night skies, the idyllic and intimate setting welcomes a global crowd to a true slice of paradise. Sound-tracked by some of the best and most revered live acts and DJs across 7 days and nights. Headliners include Bicep, Craig Richards, Eats Everything, Wolf and Lamb, Soul Clap, Crazy P Soundsystem, Levon Vincent, KiNK, Greg Wilson and many more. More deets can be found at the Garden Festival website.
EXIT, Serbia, 10 – 14 July
Skrillex, Koven & Rudimental are amongst the first acts announced for EXIT Festival, winner of ‘Best Major Festival’ at the 2013 Festival Awards Europe. For more information, head to the Exit website.
MELT, Germany, 18 – 20 July
Germany’s Melt! Festival returns to the ‘City of Iron’ in July. Expect monumental performances from the likes of Dixon, Haim, Jagwar Ma and Metronomy. For more info, head to the Melt website.
SECRET GARDEN PARTY, England, 24 – 27 July
Set in Cambridgeshire, Secret Garden Party is an amazing festival, where the line-up is an eclectic mix of music of all genres and all manner of workshops and activities. This year’s theme is Goodbye Yellow Brick Road, and the bands playing include Little Dragon, Fat Freddys Drop, Martha Reeves, Deep Vally, Morcheeba, Jagwar Ma, Clean Bandit, Max Raabe and Palast Orchester, Fat White Family, The Correspondents and MT. Learn more about this lovely event here.
KAZANTIP REPUBLIC, Ukraine, July 31 – August 14
One of the world’s most fascinating events, Kazantip Republic showcases cream of the electronic music scene on the sun-drenched coastline along with impressive art projects, kitesurfing and more. For more deets, head to their website. NOTE: DUE TO THE POLITICAL CLIMATE, THIS ONE MIGHT NOT HAPPEN. KEEP AN EYE ON THEIR WEBSTIE FOR UPDATES.
OFF FESTIVAL, Poland, 2 – 4 August
Poland’s OFF Festival in Katowice will serve up some of the best alternative artists this August, including Fuck Buttons and Neutral Milk Hotel. For more news, hit up the Off Festival website.
WAY OUT WEST, Sweden, 7 – 9 August
Now in their seventh year, Way Out West 2014 will take place in the leafy environs of Slottsskogen in Gothenburg. This year’s Way Out West will, without a doubt, be the best so far and they’re ready to get the festival buzz going by releasing a few of the confirmed artists that will be coming to Gothenburg this summer. Included are The National, Blood Orange and Deafheaven. For tickets and more deets, visit www.wayoutwest.se.
BARRAKUD, Croatia, 9 – 16 August
The Barrakud ‘party experience’ features the crème de la crème of the house and techno world with beach-side clubs, boat parties and more on the beautiful island of Pag. See more at the Barrakud website.
SZIGET, Hungary, 11 – 18 August
A week long, non-stop party in the heart of our favourite city, Budapest providing a complete festival-holiday experience, amazing line-up and all the city has to offer. More news here.
ADE, Netherlands, 15 – 19 October
With over 300 events, 2000 DJ’s and 80 venues the Amsterdam Dance Event is the most important global conference for dance and electronic music, and the biggest club festival in the world. See more here.
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