Music Festivals around the World
Music festivals are fantastic ways to experience not only your favourite bands live but also some of the best cities around the world. For a traveller, music festivals can be a great starting point for choosing your next destination and with new festivals emerging all over the world you won’t be short on fantastic places to visit.
Here is a roundup of some of the best music festivals the world has to offer:
Please note; these dates are for 2012
St Kilda Festival, Melbourne, Australia
Traditional held on the 2nd Sunday in February, this community festival showcases Australian talent in a fun environment for all the family. Fun activities include a kid’s zone, a dance zone, and more fun on the beach including volleyball and beach football tournaments. If the activities at the festival weren’t enough, visitors have the cosmopolitan city of Melbourne to enjoy when it’s all over. Melbourne enjoys a fantastic cafe culture so to make you feel better after the partying at the St Kilda festival, head to the sea front and enjoy a coffee in the sunshine at one of the many local coffee shops.
Coachella, California, USA
This world renowned festival runs over two separate weekends; the 13th to the 15th and the 20th to the 22nd of April. Set in the glorious Californian sunshine, although cold at night, this well popular and well organised festival ensures campers and musicians alike are well looked after. Headling acts this year include The Black Keys and Radiohead.
Roskilde Festival, Denmark
Roskilde Festival is the largest North European culture and music festival and has existed since 1971. It will take place from the 5th to the 8th of July and this year includes acts such as The Cure, The Roots, Bruce Springsteen and Bjork. This festival prides itself in being a non-profit organisation; The Roskilde Festival charity ensures that the profits from the festival are donated directly to humanitarian and cultural purposes.
Benicassism, Spain
Held over four days from 12th to the 15th July in the beach resort of Benicàssim on the Costa del Azahar, Valencia, Spain, The Festival Internacional de Benicàssim is a favourite with travellers to Europe. This year’s headliners include Bob Dylan, Florence and the Machine and Jessie J and visitors can enjoy heavy partying in the Spanish sun. If the big name acts weren’t enough, Benicassism is situated close to both the cities of Valencia and Barcelona so once the festival is over travellers can enjoy some sightseeing in two of Spain’s finest cities.
Fuji Rock Festival, Japan
The three day festival takes place from 27th to the 29th July 2012 in the Naeba Ski Resort, Niigata Prefecture, Japan. Headliners this year include The Stone Roses and the Radiohead as well as local bands for those who want to experience some of Japans unique musical culture. After the festival has finished travellers can enjoy the regions stunning coastline and the areas principal city, Niigata provides a bustling hub for visitors to enjoy an alternative to the more commonly visited Tokyo.
Glastonbury, UK
Please not Glastonbury is giving the fields a year off for 2012 and will be back on again for 2013. The longest running festival in the UK, Glastonbury has been entertaining festival lovers since the early 1970’s with world famous acts such as David Bowie, Oasis and The Cure. The field that Glastonbury festival is held in is thought to have spiritual connections and the sight is the birthplace of many New Age traditions and legends. Once you have found your inner peace at the festival the stunning countryside in Somerset is fantastic for travellers who enjoy all things ‘outdoors’ with plenty of awe inspiring landscapes to explore.
Bestival, Robin Hill Country Park, Isle of Wight
This award winning four day music festival is usually the last festival of the summer season running from the 6th to the 9th of September. If you want a music festival with a difference this boutique music festival could be just for you with different fancy dress theme for visitors every year. This year’s line-up includes Stevie Wonder, New Order and Sigur Ros.
Wherever you choose to enjoy music festivals, always make sure you are prepared before you go, take plenty of sunscreen if you are going to be stood outside for long periods of time, always take out an adequate travel insurance policy, festivals can be a prime target for thieves and arrange a meeting place with the rest of your party as it’s easy to get separated in the crowds and above all of course enjoy yourself!
