For those planning a summer trip — a list of the brightest music festivals of the next three months.
Azamat Nurmagambetov, Astana, traveler, founder of @nomadcenter
Summer is the perfect time for music festivals, when cities and countries come alive with the sounds of the most popular artists. This year, there are plenty of exciting events expected to attract music fans from all over the world. From Barcelona to Berlin, this article will show you the best summer music festivals of 2024, with unforgettable performances by your favorite artists and a unique atmosphere.
Primavera Sound Barcelona
When: May 29-June 2
Where: Barcelona, Spain
Headliners: Pulp, Vampire Weekend, Lana del Rey, The National, Troye Sivan, SZA, PJ Harvey, FKA Twigs.
The annual Primavera Sound Festival will kick off the summer season in Europe in grand fashion. The National, Lana del Rey and SZA will take the stage on the first, second and third day respectively. The audience will also enjoy performances by Charli XCX, Troye Sivan and Kim Petras.
Open'er
When: July 3-6
Where: Gdynia, Poland
Headliners: Foo Fighters, Dua Lipa, Doja Cat, 21 Savage, Sam Smith
The Baltic Sea coast will host the biggest Polish festival Open'er, known for its stellar line-ups and affordable prices. The festival has repeatedly won awards for the best major festival in Europe. This year guests will be treated to performances by Foo Fighters, Dua Lipa, 21 Savage and Sam Smith.
Rock Werchter
When: July 4-7
Where: Werchter, Belgium
Headliners: Lenny Kravitz, PJ Harvey, Måneskin, Sum 41, Tom Odell, Snow Patrol, Dua Lipa, Avril Lavigne, Nothing But Thieves, The Blaze, Foo Fighters, Royal Blood, Idles, Brutus, Michael Kiwanuka.
Rock Werchter, one of the oldest festivals in Europe, has been running since 1975 and has been named best festival five times by the European Festival Awards. Although the festival is based on rock music, it features performers from various genres to satisfy the tastes of all visitors.
Tomorrowland
When: July 19-21, July 26-28
Where: Boom, Belgium
Headliners: Swedish House Mafia, David Guetta, REZZMAU5, Amelie Lens, Alesso, Hardwell, Tiësto
The two-weekend Tomorrowland festival is an iconic event for electronic music fans. Known for its impressive installations and light shows, the festival delights EDM fans every year. This year's headliners include Swedish House Mafia, David Guetta, Tiësto and more.
Sziget
When: August 7-12
Where: Budapest, Hungary
Headliners: Fred Again..., Halsey, Liam Gallagher, Skrillex, Martin Garrix, Sam Smith
The Sziget Festival, which takes place on the island of Óbuda, has been attracting thousands of spectators for over 30 years. “Freedom Island” turns into the center of the music festival for a few days. This year's headliners include Fred Again..., Martin Garrix, Sam Smith, Halsey, Liam Gallagher, Skrillex and Janelle Monáe. Last year's festival was attended by over 420,000 people, and this year's attendance is expected to be even higher.
Rock en Seine
When: August 21-25
Where: Paris, France
Headliners: Lana Del Rey, Måneskin, Massive Attack, PJ Harvey, The Offspring, The Smile
The three-day open-air festival Rock en Seine takes place in a large park near Paris. Despite its name, the festival includes not only rock music, but also performers from various genres. This year the main headliner will be Lana Del Rey, and she will be accompanied by Måneskin and other artists.
Lollapalooza Berlin
When: September 7-8
Where: Berlin, Germany
Headliners: Sam Smith, Martin Garrix, The Chainsmokers, Niall Horan, Louis Tomlinson
American music and arts festival Lollapalooza has found its place in Berlin. It is known for its impressive roster of performers and diverse entertainment areas. This year's headliners include Sam Smith, Martin Garrix, The Chainsmokers, Niall Horan and Louis Tomlinson.
Summerfest
When: June 20-July 6
Where: Milwaukee, USA
Headliners: Maroon 5, Kane Brown with Kameron Marlowe & Nightly, Goo Goo Dolls, Illenium
Summerfest is a massive music festival that takes place in the heart of Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Its founder, former Milwaukee Mayor Henry W. Meyer, was inspired by a visit to Oktoberfest in Munich and decided to create something similar in his city. The name Summerfest reflects his idea — a large celebration of music, culture and community held under bright summer skies.
The festival is held annually at Henry Maier Festival Park and has become a centerpiece of music and culture since its inception in 1968. In addition to musical performances, the festival is known for its many food vendors, interactive entertainment, art exhibits and a huge Ferris wheel.
Pol'and'Rock Festival
When: August 1-3
Where: Czaplinek, Poland
Headliners: The Warning, Electric Callboy, MEUTE, Guano Apes, Enej, Paktofonika, Sick of It All, Modestep, Motionless in White, Flogging Molly, Mery Spolsky, Less Than Jake.
The festival has been held annually since 1995 and is named after the famous Woodstock Festival. The organizers call Polish Woodstock “Europe's largest outdoor festival”. Its motto is “Love, Friendship and Music”.
The festival is organized by the Big Band of Festive Relief, a charitable foundation founded by Jerzy Ovsiak. Every year about 30 musical groups perform at the festival, and concerts take place on two stages. In addition, many other events are held.
Lollapalooza Chicago
When: August 1-4
Where: Chicago, USA
Headliners: SZA, Blink-182, Tyler, the Creator, The Killers
Lollapalooza is an annual international music festival held in Chicago, USA. It features alternative, heavy metal, hip-hop and punk rock bands, as well as dance and comedy shows. The festival also includes artisan workshops and provides a platform for non-profit organizations and political groups. By early 2024, the festival is being held in eight global venues. In addition to Chicago, Lollapalooza also takes place in Berlin, São Paulo, Buenos Aires, Santiago, Stockholm, Paris and Mumbai.
