WITH the promise of sunshine, warm temperatures and stunning locations, it is perhaps no surprise that the European festival scene has exploded over the last few years. For those music fans looking to get away from the unpredictable weather conditions and expensive ticket prices of UK festivals, there are now a plethora of options around Europe for revellers to choose from.
Whether it’s a giant globally-renowned event or a small, boutique one, these festivals all bring their own something to the musical calendar; and they are often able to attract a stellar bill with tickets at a fraction of the cost that we’re used to. With that in mind, TTV has compiled a list of some of the best line-ups announced around Europe so far.
Primavera Sound
Barcelona’s premier festival Primavera Sound has a spectacular lineup in place for this year’s event. Taking place at the Parc Del Forum on the Spanish Coast between the 31st May and 4th June, the epic bill features headliners Arcade Fire, Bon Iver, Frank Ocean and The xx. Elsewhere there will be appearances from Aphex Twin, Grace Jones, Van Morrison, Death Grips, Metronomy and Angel Olsen. Widely regarded as one of Europe’s biggest and best festivals, the eclectic lineup is sure to attract music fans all over the world.
When: 31st May – 4th June Tickets: Primavera official website
INMusic Festival
The largest open-air festival in Croatia, INMusic Festival is set in the beautiful surroundings of Zagreb’s Lake Jarun. Onto its twelfth edition, this year’s headliners have been confirmed as Kings of Leon, Arcade Fire and Kasabian with Alt-J and Michael Kiwanuka also set to perform across the three day bash. The event will mark an exciting chance to see some new material from Kasabian who released their sixth studio album For Crying Out Loud last week. The acclaimed event, running between 19th and 21st June, has become renowned for attracting some of music’s biggest names each year.
When: 19th-21st June Tickets: INMusic official website
GAROROCK
As the biggest music festival in the South of France, Garorock is known to welcome around 30,000 music lovers per day each year. With 5 stages and over 60 live performances across three days, the event combines widely known international acts and up and coming artists in an eclectic mix of music genres. French legends Justice and Phoenix have been announced for its 21st edition alongside Foals, M.I.A, London Grammar, Royal Blood and more. Set in a forest by the Garonne River in Marmande, South West France the event will take place from 30th June-2nd July this year.
When: 30th June-2nd July Tickets: Garorock official website
Open’Er Festival
Situated in Gdynia on the North Coast of Poland, Open’Er has been making a name for itself thanks to its increasingly impressive lineups each year. And 2017 looks like it is going to be no exception with headline performances coming from Radiohead, The xx, Foo Fighters and The Weeknd. Also confirmed are James Blake, G-Eazy, Mac Miller and Prophets Of Rage.
When: 28th June – 1st July Tickets: Open’Er official website
Bilbao BBK
Held in Spain’s Basque region, Bilbao BBK has became revered the world over for theie innate ability to produce eclectic line-ups which cater to fans of all genres and demographics. Featuring some of the most enviable names you’ll see at any festival this year, the bill was recently bolstered with the addition of acts such as Royal Blood, Brian Wilson performing the seminal Pet Sounds, Explosions In The Sky and more. Prior to their most recent announcement, organisers had previously revealed a varied range of acts including The Killers, Phoenix, Justice, Depeche Mode, Two Door Cinema Club, Cabbage and more.
When: 6th-8th July Tickets: Bilbao BBK official website
NOS Alive
Widely regarded as one of Europe’s best festivals, it looks like it’s going to be another stellar year for the Lisbon bash. Running between 6th and 8th July, organisers have been drip-feeding artist announcements since the tail end of 2016 with Foo Fighters, The Weeknd and Depeche Mode already confirmed as headliners. Other acts recently revealed include Cage The Elephant, The xx, Ryan Adams, Blossoms, Wild Beasts, Phoenix, Alt-J, Warpaint and The Kills. Tickets are now officially sold out for the festival.
When: 6th-8th July Full line-up: NOS Alive official website
Benicassim
Kasabian have been announced as the third headliner of Benicassim where they will join the previously announced Red Hot Chili Peppers and The Weeknd. Taking place in Spain’s Costa Azahar, Liam Gallagher, Blossoms, Slaves, Ride, The Jesus and Mary Chain and Bonobo have also been added to the lineup alongside Foals. With Gallagher said to be “making good progress” on his forthcoming solo album, fans can expect to hear new material from the legendary Oasis frontman. It’s another massive lineup for the festival which has established itself as one of Europe’s most popular music events among British tourists.
When: 13th-16th July Tickets: Benicassim official website
Sziget Festival
Celebrating its 25th anniversary, Sziget Festival in Budapest have recently added a host of exciting new names to this year’s line-up. Now an award-winning event, Sziget has established itself as one of Europe’s biggest multicultural festivals and is known to attract up to 500,000 people each year. Set on an island in the middle of the river Danube in Budapest between 9-16 August, 2017, this year’s music program features big names such as Kasabian, Two Door Cinema Club, Biffy Clyro Interpol, Jagwar Ma, Metronomy and Mac Demarco.
When: 9th-16th August Tickets: Sziget website
Lowlands Festival
Amsterdam’s Lowlands Festival has announced a massive lineup for its 25th anniversary. Taking place next to the Walibi Fairgrounds, Biddinghuizen, the festival has established itself as one of the country’s most popular cultural events and has been compared to Glastonbury with its micro-city layout; offering the best in alternative music, film, comedy, arts and literature. Attracting around 55,00 revellers each year, this year’s stellar lineup includes big names such as Mumford & Sons, The xx, Editors, alt-J, Bastille, Cypress Hill, Elbow, Flume, Iggy Pop, London Grammar, Michael Kiwanuka, Mac DeMarco and Future Islands.
When: 18th-20th August Tickets: Lowlands website
Rock En Seine
Returning to the Parc de Saint-Claude in Paris between the 25th and 27th August, Rock En Seine will celebrate its 15th anniversary with four high-powered headliners; The xx, PJ Harvey, Franz Ferdinand and Flume. Staying true to the festival’s name, other acts set to feature on the rock-heavy line-up include The Kills, Ty Segall, Mac DeMarco, At The Drive In, Cypress Hill, The Pretty Reckless and Frank Carter & the Rattlesnakes. Attracting some of the biggest names in modern music, the three-day event will ensure that the summer goes out with a bang. The 2017 bill has now been bolstered by the addition of Amber Run, Beach Fossils, Black Lips, George Ezra, Ulrika Spacek, Vince Staples and many more.
When: 25th-27th August Tickets: Rock En Seine website
