Festival Fever Rising

 

 

Primavera Sound, possibly the best European festival of the summer is on the horizon.  Ireland's premier music festival and one that brings the season to a close, Electric picnic, is just 100 days away.  This means it is time to pull the wellies and whatever remains of last years tent out of the attic.  It signals the arrival of festival fever, a time of year music lovers crave.  Living outdoors, going to see your     favourite bands playing in the same field and drinking day and night with friends, experiences that live long in the memory.

 

I have compiled a list of what I deem to be 5 must-see European festivals for alternative music fans in 2013.

Primavera Sound

 

Barcelona, Spain (May 22-26)

I will start off with this weekends festival (and the one I would cut off my pinkies to go to).  It caters for alternative music purists, always providing a stellar line-up of international artists.  It normally has the best in underground music and exciting movements from the US such as the garage rock contingent the past few years. 

WHO - Deerhunter, Fuck Buttons, Goat, My Bloody Valentine, Shellac, Savages, Swans, The Breeders, The Jesus and Mary Chain, Thee Oh Sees, White Fence.

Price - Full festival tickets started at 145 Euro, are still on sale at La Botiga del Primavera Sound on C/ del Ases, 1(Barcelona) at the price of 250€.

 

 

All Tomorrow's Parties

Keflavík, Iceland (June 28-29)

Named after the Velvet Underground song, just like the band itself ATP - run events often reach a standard unmatched by other rock 'n' roll proprietors.  Their aim when starting out was to offer a more intimate alternative to larger festivals.  The organisation aided in the selection of bands for Primavera in recent years.  Respected musicians are asked to curate events, they delve into their record collections and invite musicians, consistently creating special line-ups that would otherwise never come together.

Who - Nick Cave And The Bad Seeds, the Fall, Deerhoof, Thee Oh Sees, Dead Skeletons 

Price - Weekend non-camping 16,900 ISK (£95)

 

 

 Glastonbury

 

Worthy Farm, Pilton, England (June 26 - 30)

 





The ultimate festival in many people's eyes, it has earned its place in festival folklore.  It has been influenced by hippie ethics from the beginning and this movement is still celebrated there today.  The weather has played a role over the years and when many of us think of Glastonbury we think of the images of people covered in mud, as their tents float past them.  But more than anything it is remembered and respected for impressive performances by the biggest acts in the world, among them The Kinks, David Bowie, The Who, Pixies, Bob Dylan, Lou Reed, Johnny Cash, The Smiths, The Cure, Oasis and in more recent times The White Stripes and Arctic Monkeys.  In essence it has showcased rock icons for the past 40 years.

 

 

Who - The Rolling Stones, Portishead, Arctic Monkeys, Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds, Public Image Limited, Fuck Buttons, Django Django,

 

Price - Standard Ticket: £205

 

 

Festival Beauregard  

Normandy, France - (July 5th - 7th)

 

I have decided to include this festival for the combination of an idyllic setting along with a respectable line-up.  Any line-up including Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds and The Jon Spencer Blues Explosion is worth the fee alone, especially when taking the reasonable ticket price into consideration.

 

 

 

Who - The Jon Spencer Blues Explosion, Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds, The Smashing Pumpkins, The Hives.

 

Price - 95 Euros for 3 days,

115 Euros for 3 days +camping

 

 

 

 

 

 

Electric Picnic

Stradbally, Ireland - (August 30 - September 1)

 

It has become known as Ireland's version of Glastonbury.  Always has an eclectic line-up of rock, folk and arts and is based in the Irish countryside.  Every aspect of the festival experience is given attention.  The whole site is turned into an art project for the weekend with different themes taking shape as you travel through your surroundings.  The Salty Dog Stage (a boat made into a stage) is always worth catching at the end of the night for some after-hours entertainment.

And as opposed to the normal greasy fast food festival fare you'd expect at most festivals, EP provides a high standard of food to keep it's punters nourished and energised throughout the weekend. From experience it tends to have a good, family-friendly atmosphere with a good mix of ages in attendance.

Who -  My Bloody Valentine, Arctic Monkeys, Bjork, David Byrne & St Vincent, Black Rebel Motorcycle Club, Johnny Marr, The Strypes, Savages,

Price - Weekend camping from €189.50 (£162)

 

 

 

 

 LET'S HOPE WE AVOID THIS TYPE OF SCENARIO, BUT WHATEVER THE WEATHER TRY TO MAKE THE MOST OF IT. 

 

 

 

AND FOR GOODNESS SAKE, DON'T LET IT GET IN THE WAY OF FESTIVAL FASHION WHATEVER YE DO!

 

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