If world is a flower, Music is the fragrance. Music unites and stands as a symbol of peace. It is the only element that has conquered the world without fighting. World and its people hail music, and we do it too. We cannot imagine living without music. Once in a while we all need doses of music and these music festivals are just perfect blend of holidays, vacation, music, and travel. All you need to do is pack your bags and give your soul a trip of a lifetime. We have created a list of best Music festivals across the world that you should not miss.
Donauinselfest –
It’s the German name for Danube Island Festival. It is all free open air music festival taking place at Donauinsel in Vienna, Austria.
The venue is an island in the middle of Danube River. With over than 3 million of visitors Donauinselfest remains to be the biggest music festival across the world.
The first ever edition of the festival dates back to 1983, when a local politician started one day party to promote Donauinsel island..It is hosted every year in the month of June. There are a total of 11 open air stages and 16 tented areas in the island, and festival witnesses over than 200 musical acts.
The festival also organizes ‘Rock the Island Contest’ to bring up the talented Austrian musician newcomers. The venue during festival is clubbed with food stalls serving continental cuisines from all across the world. Donauinselfest is a must visit and you can take your family along too.
Mawazine –
Mawazine also known as ‘Rhythm of the Worlds’ is hosted in city of Rabat in Morocco of African sub-continent. The first edition of the festival dates back to 2001, and since then it’s been rolling on with more popularity.
With more than 2.5 million visitors it is the biggest African musical festival. Initially the festival featured music of the world, and later on shifted to more mainstream music.
It features more than 90 acts on 7 stages. It happens around May every year.
In past the festival had performances by who is who of music industry such as Chris Brown, Pitbull, Christina Aguilera, Bruno Mars, Justin Timberlake, Rihanna, Kayne West, David Guetta and many more you can count on. It also showcases African artists such as Amadou& Mariam, and Tinariwen.In a nutshell, this is a destination for a true international musical experience.
Summerfest –
Summerfest or also popularly known as ‘People’s Party’ is USA’s largest music festival. It is hosted in 75 acre Henry Maier Festival Park along the lakefront in city of Milwaukee, of Wisconsin state.
The first edition of the festival dates back to 1968, and was started by the then Mayor who was inspired by Oktoberfest Munich. The festival lasts for 11 days. It starts last Wednesday of June and runs till early July, every year.
The venue is made up of 11 stages, and features close to 800 acts and 1000 performances. The number visitors range from 800,000 to 900,000 every year. The tickets to the festival are as low as 20$.
In past the festival had performances by Bob Dylan, Def Leppard, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Pink, Ed Sheeran, and many more. It is a dream American experience come true, and must visit if this year you want to beat the heat.
Pol’and’Rock Festival –
Pol’and’Rock Festival formerly known as Woodstock Festival Poland is a free rock music festival. It is hosted in Kostrzynnad Odra, Poland. The motto of the festival is ‘Love, friendship, and music’.
Every year it pays tribute to rock, pop, metal, and folk through world class music performances. The first ever edition of the festival dates back to 1995.. Number visitors to the festival have been close to 700,000 making it humungous.
It takes place every August each year. It has two stages that features performances delivered by over 30 bands each year. Since its inception many local Polish bands have used this festival as a platform to deliver performances and garner fans.
International bands like Papa Roach and The Prodigyhave also given performances in past. Though the event showcases rock and metal, but in recent years electronic music has been new entrant.
Rock in Rio –
Rock in Rio is a recurring musical festival originating from Rio de Janeiro. The first ever edition of the festival dates back to 1985 and since then it has evolved into a media favorite festival. Man behind the inception of the festival is Brazilian entrepreneur Roberto Medina.
Seven editions of the festival were held at Rio de Janeiro, eight in Lisbon, three in Madrid, and one in Las Vegas. Rock in Rio also aims to transform the planet with music and entertainment. Amazonia Live is one of its social projects and under it 75 million trees have been donated to Amazon till date.
It occurs every two years (2017, 2019 ..). Number of visitors to the festival count up to 700,000.
The festival have had performances by the artists you have ever loved such as Queen, AC DC, Guns N Roses, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Iron Maiden, Elton John, Metallica, Shakira, Coldplay, System of a Down, Beyonce, Justin Timberlake, Bon Jovi, Bruce Springsteen, Katy Perry, Maroon 5, Aerosmith, Britney Spears, Foo Fighters, Tiesto, John Mayer, Miley Cyrus, David Guetta, Ed Sheeran, Linkin Park, Bruno Mars, Taylor Swift, and more you won’t be able to resist.
There is no denying that Rock in Rio is most star studded music festival amongst all of em. Chances are if you visit it, you will sure listen to your favorite singer live.
Coachella –
Arguably the most famous Music festival in the World..Coachella Music Festival is held annually at Empire Polo Club in Indio California located in Inland Empire’s Coachella Valley in Colorado Desert.
The first ever edition of the festival dates back to 1999..It falls during the month of April each year, on two consecutive weekends. Total numbers of attendees sum up to 250,000 each year, with revenues towering over 100 million $.
The names of stages are Coachella Stage, Outdoor Theatre, Gobi Tent, Mojave Tent, Sahara Tent, Oasis Dome, Yuma stage, and Sonora stage.The musical experiences in the festival are built around rock, indie, hip hop, and electronic music. The venue also has an on-site camping facility.
Coachella is overly famous for roping in the top names of music industry for performances. The recent ones were Beyonce, Eminem, Lady Gaga, Kendrick Lamar, and more of whom you all probably have a poster of. Coachella also becomes a spot for fashion with celebrity attendees.
Tomorrowland –
It is the name that makes headlines and doesn’t miss the masses. Tomorrowland is an electronic dance music festival held every year in the City of Boom, Belgium.
The first ever edition of the festival was held in 2005, and since then it is been growing each year in popularity and impact.The numbers of attendees were at 400,000 in 2018. The festival is stretched over span of two weekends.
The festival falls in the month of July. Each year the festival comes up with new theme, few of last ones were ‘The Story of Planaxis’, ‘AmicorumSpectaculum’, and ‘The Elixir of Life’. The motto of festival is ‘Live Today, Love Tomorrow, and Unite Forever’. Tickets for the festival sells like hot cakes.
Over the years it has become the Mecca for electronic music fans. The festival also hosts a campsite DreamVille which is worth the experience. Past performers of the festival include Armin Van Buren, David Guetta, Paul van Dyk, Moby, Swedish House Mafia, Tiesto, Afrojack, Hardwell, Skrillex, Dimitri Vegas & Like Mike, Steve Angello, and many more that will strike a chord without a word. If you love electro, this is must visit.
UMF: Ultra Music Festival –
UMF is one of the oldest music festivals of USA for electronic music. The first ever edition of this festival took place in 1999. It takes place every year at end of March, in Downtown Miami at Bayfront Park.
It started with one day format, but has evolved into a three day fest. Every year it attracts more than 150,000 visitors making it a huge affair. The venue is home to seven stages that play music round the clock during festival. Over the years, Ultra Music Festival has spread across the globe to various locations, but Miami remains to attract the best gathering and host best performances.
The festival tries to put up shows by all leading DJ’s and EDM artists. Past performers at the festival include Black Eyed Peas, The Prodigy, Tiesto, Swedish House Mafia, Armin Van Buren, David Guetta, Calvin Harris, Snoop Dogg, Afrojack, Hardwell, Skrillex, The Chainsmokers, Empire of the sun, andSteve Aoki.
Getting the goosebumps, we got it too. Recently UMF has replaced its tickets with non-removable, non-transferable wristbands, sounds cool then give in your hands this year.
Glastonbury Festival–
Glastonbury Festival is the largest music festival of England. The first ever edition of the festival took place in 1970 just after the death of legendary rock star Jimi Hendrix. Since then it is held annually except for fallow years (year when festival takes break, 2018 was one).
The festival lasts for 5 days. The festival falls on last weekend of June. It is hosted near Pilton, Somerset, England. The venue for the festival is Worthy Farm which lies in between small villages of Pilton and Pylle.The numbers of visitors to the festival exceed 175,000.
Apart from music the festival also hosts theatre performances, circus acts, cabaret and other arts.Glastonbury has something to offer to everyone, with 60 and more stages in the venue.
The festival symbolizes contemporary arts. For accommodation the festival also has on site camping facility, but you need to bring in your own tent. The experience is fantastic, and you get to meet new people on common grounds!
Last edition had headliners by Radiohead, Foo Fighters, and Ed Sheeran. Past performers of the event include Katy Perry, Muse, Adele, Coldplay, Kanye West, The Chemical Brothers, Metallica and many more artists that make this festival worth the visit.
