Ten Great Festivals…
With the festival season now upon us, we thought we’d take a look at ten great outdoor music events, both here in Blighty, and on foreign shores…
COACHELLA
CALIFORNIA, USA
The US, predictably, boasts some great festivals - SXSW, CMJ, Bonnaroo and Lollapalooza to name but a few. But Coachella is the one. Set in the Californian desert each spring, the three-day event draws in 50,000 punters each day wins, hands down. Blistering hot in the day, freezing at night, it the unique setting always attracts a stellar cast.
PRIMAVERA SOUND FESTIVAL
BARCELONA, SPAIN
Criticised for a lack of camping facilities but it makes up for it with a seaside location and a consistently great bill that often features bands who go on to become global sensations. Bon Iver, Vampire Weekend, and Bat for Lashes have all graced its stage.
ROSKILDE FESTIVAL
ROSKILDE, DENMARK
Along with our own Glastonbury, this is one of the most legendary festivals on the European circuit. Started by two Danish high school kids in 1971, its been always hosted the best bands around but was marred by tragedy in 2000 when nine people died during a crush while Pearl Jam were playing.
SUMMER SONIC
CHIBA & OSAKA, JAPAN
Started in 2000 and continued to build its reputation thanks to its top bills that always feature the coolest and best of rock, punk and hip hop. The Flaming Lips, The Temper Trap, The Ting Tings and The Big Pink have all played, as have Beyonce, Elvis Costello, Lady Gaga, Limp Bizkit, and Linkin Park.
QUILMES ROCK/PEPSI MUSIC FESTIVAL
BUENOS AIRES, ARGENTINA
Who needs Rock in Rio when you’ve got this…or these, rather? Began in 2002 with a strong list of international acts, then Pepsi tried to take over sponsorship in 2005. In 2009 both Quilmes Rock and Pepsi Music existed as two separate festivals, the former in April, and the latter in late October-early November but they are both held in the same venues however — Ferro Stadium and River Plate Stadium. Last year both had awesome line-ups - Quilmes had Radiohead, Kraftwerk, and KISS, while Pepsi Music had The Prodigy, Living Color, Faith No More.
GLASTONBURY, SOMERSET, ENGLAND
It might not be quite as authentic and boho as it once was, but Michael Eavis has done a good job of moving with the times and balancing the corporate with the essence of a true festival. It always rains, it’s always muddy, it’s like a small city in its own right and everyone wants to play it. Part of the global musical tapestry.
LATITUDE, SUFFOLK, ENGLAND
The thinking mans festival, or so it likes to believe, and one popular with families, too. Always hosts a hip selection of acts as well as all sorts of other arty bits and bobs. This year's line-up includes Florence + the Machine and Grizzly Bear.
GREENMAN, BRECON BEACONS, WALES
Another one that sees its reputation continue to flourish – which seems to irritate the faithful who have been attending since it started as a 300-guest gathering in 2003. Set in beautiful surroundings it boasts an incredible natural amphitheatre…and very clean toilets! Previous acts include Robert Plant and Jarvis Cocker.
READING, BERKSHIRE, ENGLAND
Now also incorporating a second site in Leeds, the legendary Reading Festival is a bastion of the rock establishment. Nirvana staged their comeback here, the Stone Roses finally died here. It’s loud, proud and frequently soaked in urine thanks to the flying piss-filled pint pots that have become a Reading tradition.
BESTIVAL, ISLE OF WHITE, ENGLAND
The more authentic of the Isle of White’s two major musical attractions. It might not get the huge names of its more corporate neighbour but then it doesn’t want to. Festival aficionados think it is the best festival, full stop thanks to its eclectic line-ups. Punters can even get married in the inflatable church!
Andy Williams announces Glastonbury 2010 performance
US singer Andy Williams will be 82 years old when he takes the stage at next year’s Glastonbury festival; the BBC reports that Williams announced his upcoming performance during the Cheltenham Literature Festival when giving a speech about his recent autobiography.
Snow Patrol sign up for V Fest after Oasis cancel
After Liam Gallagher came down with viral laryngitis, Oasis had no choice but to cancel their upcoming gig at this year’s V festival.
Oasis did make it to a scheduled performance at the leg of the festival in Staffordshire, but afterward were forced to pull out of their headlining slot for last night’s V festival gig in Essex. Snow Patrol signed on to fill in for the band.
Bruce Springsteen Breaks Time Limit, Costs Organizers £3,000
The Times Online reports that festival organizer Michael Eavis had to cough up £3,000 when Bruce Springsteen’s performance at Glastonbury music festival surpassed the 12.30am curfew by nine minutes.
Heading to a music festival? Don’t forget to insure your valuables
People heading to music festivals this summer are being advised to make sure that their insurance policy covers them for any items lost or stolen while at outdoor events.
Every year there are numerous thefts of expensive items at music festivals. While some insurance policies cover you for attending these events, others do not. Items such as, Ipods, mobile phones and sat navigation systems are all at risk.
Demand to Reinstate Rise Festival
One thousand names have been signed to a petition and presented to the London Assembly in opposition of the cancellation of a major music festival, though Finsbury Park mayor cancelled the event in order to conserve funds, the BBC reports.
Ailing economy shuts down eco-festival
The recession is taking no prisoners – not even music festivals that hoped to have a positive effect on the environment. The Outsider Festival is being shut down before it has even begun, and organizers are blaming the recession for the forced cancellation.
Faith No More to Reform at Download 09
Faith No More, the notorious US alternative metal band, are reforming after famously calling it a day in April 1998, and will headlin this years Download Festival at Donnington Park in the summer. Although it has not yet been confirmed that they will be playing any new music at the live festivals, it has been rumoured that new material will emerge in 2010 with a new album from all the original band members.
Blur To Headline T
According to NME Blur, the best britpop band of the 90s, are going to be headlining T Festival in Scotland this summer
Glastonbury 2009 Sold Out Five Months Before Festival
Glastonbury 2009 has already sold out according to the festival’s organisers. None of the headline acts have yet to be announced for the event which will take place in June.