Live music and backpacking makes an unrivalled combination for many festival lovers, the idea of experiencing new countries and cultures as well as seeing their favourite artists live is the ultimate travelling experience. Grab your sun cream, take out your holiday insurance, find the perfect tent and jet off to some of the best music festivals the world has to offer.
Glastonbury – June 2011
Glastonbury festival is the longest running festival in the UK, since beginning in the early 1970s it has kept to its hippie and free festival roots. Hundreds of thousands of people flock to the fields of Worthy Farm between the two small Somerset villages of Pilton and Pylle around 6 miles away from the town of Glastonbury, the land of which has many spiritual traditions and legends and is a New Age site of interest. The festival is on from 24 – 26th June 2011 and tickets sell out almost immediately after release, acts this year on the famous pyramid stage included U2, Coldplay, Beyonce and Morrisey.
Benecassism – July 2011
The Benecassism festival is held in Spain for 4 days from 14th – 17th July 2011 ideal for enjoying the ever present summer Spanish sun. Some of the acts at Spain’s biggest music festival include Arcade Fire, Arctic Monkeys, The Strokes and Tinie Tempah. If the vast array of talent on offer on the stages wasn’t enough, the festival is situated on the East coast of Spain meaning both Valencia and Barcelona are within easy distance. After enjoying the live music, visitors can head to two of Spain’s greatest cities to enjoy the culture, food and famous sights on offer.
Bestival – Isle of Wight – September 2011
This four day festival held in a leafy park in the Isle of Wight plays host to acts such as Noah and the Whale, Paloma Faith, Pendulum and The Cure. Along with the 15 stages of live music, Bestival also offers its guests fun tents, including a dressing up tent, The Big Love inflatable church, fireworks, DJs, and with a kids area the festival is family friendly too. After festival goers have experienced the great things on offer at Bestival, the Isle of Wight has plenty of stunning landscapes and coastlines to explore on this gem of an island just off the South coast of the UK.
Coachella – April 2012
Set in the grounds of the Empire Polo Club in Indio California, Coachella offers 3 days of alternative rock, indie and electronic music as well as features of contemporary art. From 2012 the festival will be held over 2 weekends due to high demand on 13th – 15th April and 20th – 22nd April. Acts at the 2011 festival included Kings of Leon, Arcade Fire, Kanye West and the Strokes. Being situated in California, Coachella is never short of celebrity attendees and if you go you could be partying alongside the likes of Katy Perry, Vanessa Hudgens and Ashley Green.
Snowbombing – April 2012
Held in the Austrian resort of Mayrhorfen, Snowbombing is a week long winter sports and dance music festival inspired by the popular après-ski traditions of the Austrian skiing resorts. Visitors can spend their days on their slops and their nights enjoying sets by The Prodigy, Fatboy Slim and Chase and Status. The event is also known for giving its attendees an alternative to flying to get there with The Snowbombing Road Trip, not a race but a leisurely drive from the UK, with designated stops en route and an arrival procession in Mayrhorfen which declares the event open. The next Snowbombing event takes place from April 9th to April 14th 2012.
Choose your favorite event, grab your backpack and visit music festivals around the world!
