Nine of the best music festivals in Europe, from NOS Alive in Portugal to Melt! in Germany
Chase away the gloom of the British weather by planning your getaway to see the biggest and best names in music – in some truly breathtaking locations
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Your support makes all the difference.If you’ve found yourself staring miserably out of your window at the British weather this week, you’re not alone.
Somehow that endless Game of Thrones winter has become a reality, and it feels as though we’ll never get out of it. But summer really isn’t too far away – and while we may have to put up with this wind and rain for a couple more weeks, we can still start to dream (and plan) for a week of music in the sun.
While UK festivals have stepped up their game this year, there’s still plenty to explore further abroad – whether it’s a weekend of techno in Germany, the best of Scandi pop in Norway, or an absolute heap of big names in Portugal and Barcelona.
Check out The Independent’s picks of the best music festivals in Europe this summer:
AMP Lost & Found
Where: Malta
When: 3-6 May
Website: https://lostandfoundfestival
Even if you can’t suddenly ditch work this week and head out to Annie Mac’s annual festival, you should keep it in mind for next year. The award-winning Radio 1 presenter and DJ has a knack for curating stellar lineups that include familiar faces but also her favourite picks of emerging new talent. If you managed to bag a ticket this year you can look forward to Diplo, Jamie xx, Four Tet, J Hus, The Black Madonna, Artwork, Ms Banks, Monki, Peggy Gou, Shy FX, Novelist and Clara Amfo.
Primavera Sound
Where: Barcelona, Spain
When: 30 May-1 June
Website: https://www.primaverasound.es/2
One of the biggest and most-hyped festivals of the year, Primavera is one of the rare European events where it feels as though everyone is waiting with baited breath for the lineup unveiling. This year didn’t disappoint, so music fans can enjoy acts as diverse as Arctic Monkeys, Hinds, The Internet, Oumou Sangare, Hinds, IDLES, John Talabot (disco set), Car Seat Headrest, Bjork, Beach House, Rex Orange County, Fever Ray, Yonaka and Vince Staples.
Love International
Where: Croatia
When: 27 June-4 July
Website: https://loveinternationalfestival.com/
Set in the Instagram-perfect surroundings of The Garden Resort – a natural amphitheatre which leads down to a pristine sand beach and clear waters, this jewel of a location is where you’ll find Love International. It’s a short walk from the gorgeous town of Tisno on the Adriatic coast which has plenty of restaurants, cafes and bars if you can tear yourself away from the party – which boasts a lineup including Floating Points, Four Tet, Horse Meat Disco, DJ Tennis, Bicep and Ben UFO.
NOS Alive
Where: Libson, Portugal
When: 12-14 July
Website: http://nosalive.com/en/lineup/
Arguably the European festival with the best lineup this year, NOS will host an eye-watering bunch of artists including Arctic Monkeys, Pearl Jam, Jack White, The National, Nine Inch Nails, Two Door Cinema Club, Franz Ferdinand, Perfume Genius, Bryan Ferry, Khalid, Sampha, Chvrches, Wolf Alice, Jain, Future Islands, Portugal. The Man and Rag’n’Bone Man.
Phew! That’s not even mentioning the fact that the festival is set on the docklands in Lisbon, one of the most beautiful cities in Europe, which has plenty to offer including markets, amazing restaurants, bars, clubs, beaches, galleries, museums and historical landmarks.
Melt!
Where: Germany
When: 13-15 July
Website: http://meltfestival.de/en/
Germany’s Melt! festival has never been one to shy away from the extreme. Its fittingly named Sleepless Floor is ninety hours of non-stop beats, while its industrial ex-mine backdrop – fit with a giant disused crane – is half brutalist, half beautiful (it’s moated by a glistening lake).
Add to that that this year it’s marking the biggest birthday of them all – the big two-one – and you’re sure to have a wild party on your fist-pumping hands. The line-up is as eclectic as usual, letting the more mainstream favourites The xx and Tyler, The Creator flow into a dark pool of bubbling techno (Nina Kraviz, Ben Klock). (Kyle MacNeill)
Øyafestivalen
Where: Oslo, Norway
When: 7-11 August
Website: http://oyafestivalen.no/en/
One of The Independent’s favourite festivals, Øya festival in Oslo, Norway puts on a fantastic event every year and even manages to outdo itself.
As well as being incredibly good to the environment (it’s one of the greenest festivals in Europe) plus super vegan and vegetarian friendly with a wealth of on-site places offering organic food options; Øya has booked Kendrick Lamar, Arctic Monkeys, Lykke Li and Cezinando to headline this year’s festival.
Lower down the lineup but no-less excellent, to name but a few, are Arcade Fire, Wolf Alice, J Hus, Charlotte Gainsbourg, Sleaford Mods, St Vincent, Patti Smith, Neneh Cherry and Grizzly Bear.
Sziget
Where: Budapest, Hungary
When: 8-15 August
Website: https://en.szigetfestival.com/
Most festivals in Europe could give any in the UK a run for their money when it comes to lineups, but the Budapest-based Sziget is one of the biggest around. This year fans can look forward to 2018 headline staples Arctic Monkeys and Kendrick Lamar, plus Lana Del Rey, Dua Lipa, Gorillaz, Kygo, Shawn Mendes, Stormzy, Parov Stelar, Bastille, Liam Gallagher and The War on Drugs.
Ypsigrock
Where: Sicily
When: 9-12 August
Website: http://www.ypsigrock.it/en/festival#ypsigrock
This little-know gem takes place at Castelbuono in stunning Sicily, and consistently manages to score one of the best small festival lineups every year – mostly because bands really want to play there.
This year’s lineup is as good if not better than ever, with a fantastic range of established names alongside some brilliant new acts. You’ve got one of our favourite new rock bands – Shame – from the UK, plus The Horrors, Jesus and Mary Chain, French electronic act Her, Youngr The Radio Dept. and Aurora, with more to be announced.
Pitchfork Paris
Where: Paris, France
When: 1-3 November
Website: https://pitchforkmusicfestival.fr/en/
Enjoy three days of great music in one of the greatest cities in the world. Held in the heart of the Grand Halle de la Villette in the 19th arrondissement since 2011, Pitchfork Paris also boasts some brilliant after parties in its neighbouring Trabendo club, plus live sets and DJ mixes at the Grand Halle until 6am on Saturday night. Bon Iver, Fever Ray, Chvrches, Blood Orange, Dream Wife, The Voidz and Mac DeMarco are all set to perform.
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