Top 7 Most Interesting Music Festivals in Europe
After years of pandemic, offline festivals continue to bring back those fantastic feelings of all-encompassing joy and unity that can only be experienced at crowded events. With your favourite music playing and your favourite people around you, your body is filled with endorphins and happiness is in the air. These are the moments you will keep in memory for the rest of your life.
Where to go this summer for an unforgettable experience?
Standon Calling
Where: Standon, Hertfordshire, UK
When: 20-23 July
Back in 2001, Standon Calling started as a private barbecue party for a birthday. Despite its humble beginnings, the festival is now a favourite destination for thousands of partygoers. Just 30 miles north of London, this Hertfordshire event is about to open its doors to one of the UK's biggest parties. Fans love this festival for its unique family atmosphere and entertainment for all tastes. A fancy-dress parade, hot tubs, swimming pools and a dog show – there is something for everyone. The festival has none of the pretentious ambition of elite dance floors: it’s cosy, relaxed and homely – just like a private party at your best friend's house. Only with cool performers on stage. This year, you will be able to dance to such pop bands as Years & Years, Self Esteem, Anastacia, Melanie C and even Rick Astley.
“Bring your dogs, bring your children. Standon invites everyone who wants to relax in the tranquillity of the countryside,” say the organisers, and it seems that those looking for just such a holiday should take a closer look at this event.
Pete the Monkey
Where: Saint-Aubin-sur-Mer, France
When: 13-15 July
Pete the Monkey, Normandy, Francea “secret little paradise” by Le Monde newspaper.
A recent study, conducted in the UK showed that people plan to spend their money on entertainment more rationally this year due to the cost of living crisis. So, perhaps, classic commercial festivals are not for everyone.In this case, look out for the three-day Pete the Monkey charity event in Saint-Aubin-sur-Mer, in the Seine-Maritime region of northern France.
Described by Le Monde as a “secret little paradise”, the festival takes place on the coast and is “a lively celebration of French and English culture”. But its main attraction is its support for the values of sustainable development. Food trucks serve only local products, no plastic is used at the festival, and the DJ stage is powered by solar panels.
The money raised during the festival goes to the Jacj Cuisi in Bolivia, which rescues animals that have become victims of deforestation and illegal trade. The story of how the festival came about is worthy of a film. While working at the shelter in 2009, volunteer Louis Dumas saw monkeys being used as pets and even forced to wash dishes in the river. He filmed it and the video went viral. That's when Louis and his brother Rob decided to create a music festival to raise money for the underfunded shelter. Little did they know that by 2012, a party for 350 people would become one of the most sought-after green festivals in France.
Every year, Pete the Monkey's musical line-up attracts visitors as much as its progressive ideas. In the past, the festival has featured acts ranging from Loyle Carner to Folamour. This year's line-up includes Afro-Cuban fusion band Orchestra Baobab, French indie artist Flavien Berger and Parisian duo Acid Arab.
Kraina Mriy
Where: Kyiv, Ukraine
When: 7-9 July
A cult ethno festival founded many years ago by Ukrainian musician Oleg Skrypka. Despite the war, the music and cultural event returns this year and will take place at a new location. In 2023, the international ethnic music event will be held at the UYAVA art space at VDNH in Kyiv.. For three days in July, festival-goers will be able to immerse themselves in Ukrainian traditions, watching ethnic performances, master classes, a fair of craftsmen who preserve the Ukrainian ethnic code and, of course, good music. The programme includes performances by Ukrainian and international folk and world music artists.
Green Man
Where: Brecon Beacons, Wales
When: 17-20 August
Another event for those who share environmental values. The organisers call it “the most useful festival in the world” and invite families to attend. Set in the foothills of the Black Mountains, amidst stunning green hills and picturesque lawns, Green Man offers yoga, relaxation with meditation workshops and vitality with talks and even stand-up shows.
Parents and children can spend time in Einstein's Garden, an area “reminiscent of Roald Dahl's classic book George’s Wonderful Medicine, with its fizzy abundance of scientific experiments”.
Traditionally, however, it is the musical line-up that makes the biggest impression. This year's line-up includes First Aid Kit, Devo, Spiritualised, Amyl and The Sniffers, Slowdive, Confidence Man, Goat, Young Father and The Comet is Coming.
Pol’and’Rock
Where: Czaplínek, Poland
When: 17-20 August
Known as Poland's Woodstock, Pol'and'Rock is one of the best free music festivals in the world, “driven by ideals, not money”.
Located in the town of Czaplincek in north-western Poland, it attracts a huge number of visitors. In 2019, there were 750,000 of them. Although the festival’s roots are in heavy metal and line-ups, it also includes indie, hip-hop, rock and reggae acts, as well as a host of creative workshops and talks. This year's headliners are Apollo 440 and Bullet for my Valentine (BFMV).
The event is organised by the Great Orchestra of Christmas Charity as a gesture of gratitude to its volunteers, and the funds raised each year are used to meet the needs of the healthcare sector in Poland. For example, care for the elderly or support for patients with specific conditions such as sepsis. People with special medical needs are encouraged to come to the festival with their families and friends, as there are safe spaces adapted to their needs.
Love International
Where: The Garden Tisno, Croatia.
When: 12-18 July
Croatia (and most of the Adriatic coast in general) has become a dance music hotspot in recent years. It’s the perfect place for boogie-woogie until dawn (and long after), daytime relaxation and secret island parties. Festivals from Dimensions to Defected have shown how to make the most of this picturesque location. Our pick is
Love International, which consistently boasts the best line-ups of any of these festivals.
Big names: Call Super, Shanti Celeste, Craig Richards.
Sziget
Where: Budapest, Hungary
When: 10-15 August
Hungary’s Sziget is one of the most important, if not the most important, festival in Europe, bringing together talented musicians in one place every year to create an unforgettable six-day experience. This year's line-up is traditionally stellar. The headliners include megastars: Billie Eilish, David Guetta, Lorde, Macklemore, Florence + the Machine, Imagine Dragons and Mumford & Sons.
In addition to the undisputed titans of the music scene, you will not be left indifferent to the less loud but no less interesting acts that will be performing live at Sziget: Foals, Jamie xx, M83, Moderat, Viagra Boys, Nothing But Thieves.