The best music festivals in the world
Once upon a time, a man in solitary confinement was asked by the staff of the same prison how it is that you are still not crazy, to which he replied: “I listened to music.” It is clear that after such an answer, he was probably not released, but what power this phenomenon has – music.
abroad
1.Canada, Montreal
International Jazz Festival, 29 June – 09 July 2016
This is an incredibly popular festival of jazz music, which for more than 30 years brings professionals and fans of this teaching together, and is listed in the Guinness Book of Records as the largest in the world. The old part of the city, located on the banks of the St. Lawrence River, which has preserved the color of France from the 17th-19th centuries, is sheltered for several days by a huge jazz web.
Once two young men Andre Menard and Alain Simard were looking for something to do in the summer and came up with a festival! On the day of the concert came only 12 thousand spectators, who were already tactfully trying to eat mosquitoes all evening, but no one left. The next year there were 3 days, and the audience is many times more. In the past, regulars of the festival were such masters as Ray Charles and Chuck Berry. This year, the stage will be visited by such participants as the Early Jazz Band, Eagle Rock Gospel Singers, Swing Tonique Band, West Trainz, Debauche, to name a few.
Being so grandiose, the Montreal festival continues to be very private, almost intimate. Concerts can be held not only in huge open areas, but also in cozy cafes and bars. The novelty and experimentation is another feature of the music that is not often performed in North America. And this festival is a unique combination consisting of magnificent music, beauty and originality of the local places. The city waits in winter and lives in summer.
2. France, Nice
Nice jazz festival, July 16-20, 2016
Another jazz festival that I can’t help mentioning. Good Jazz was first performed in 1948.
As then, today the festival is a balance between different styles of music, between overtures and classics.
More than 500 musicians are expected to perform this year, including Brigitte, Massive Attack, George Clintin, Con Brio and The London Community Gospel Choir. This musical event owes its popularity and originality to a non-standard organization: everything takes place simultaneously at three venues located on the Gallo-Roman arenas, installed in the middle of the olive fields, which gives the festival a special charm - a warm atmosphere and maximum freedom of movement.
3. Great Britain, Glastonbury
Glastonbury, 22-26 June 2016
Rock, electronic music, folk, hip-hop, reggae, ethnic music. Beck, Adel, Muse, Coldplay, ZZ Top, New Order, Disclosure, PJ Harvey. Foals, LCD Soundsystem, Madness, Stormzy. And today it's all in one place thanks to one simple farmer.
Glastonbury is always accompanied by rain and mud, which have become the hallmark of the festival. And the thing is that on the territory of the farm on which the festival takes place, two streams flow, together with precipitation, they give a cosmic amount of dirt. And the streams have the peculiarity of spilling, which adds a little more water to the fire! Therefore, the main companions during the musical session for all become rubber boots and raincoat, and a couple of sets of dry clothes.
Glastonbury is famous for its rock concerts, despite the fact that at one time the headliners of this project were Jay-Z, and songwriter Leonard Cohen, and Lady Gaga. Also at the festival, on three specially designated stages, you can see young theatergoers, circus performers, dancers, exhibitions of unknown artists, as Glastonbury aims to discover new talents, and not only in music.
After the mud baths, another symbol of the festival was its main stage Pyramid Stage.
A significant part of the proceeds from the festival are donated to charities, such as Greenpeace or WaterAid (for clean water for residents of African countries).
Interesting fact: in 2012, the festival had to be canceled, because for the Olympics in London needed toilet cabins, of which Glastonbury has more than 3 thousand! They were all rented out.
4. Scotland, Edinburgh
Edinburgh International Arts Festival, 5-29 August 2016
It takes place in the Scottish capital every year and lasts almost a month. It simultaneously presents theatrical, opera, dance and musical arts. It includes concerts of classical, orchestral, chamber and vocal music, theater performances, opera, dance shows, ballets. This international event was first organized in 1947 with the aim of reviving the humanitarian spirit of European art after World War II. And for good reason. Very quickly, it became one of the largest art festivals in Europe and later in the world.
From the very beginning, all the performances were divided into an official program and an “informal” part, the last of which appeared thanks to the theater troupes performing right on the streets of the city. Due to the scope of the informal part, it was given its name "Fringe" - a festival of experimental performing arts. Traditionally, it all begins, or at the same time as the main part. Unlike the official program, Fringe is a more liberal art show, sometimes reminiscent of street performances. This is a grand festive action, which from theaters and concert halls pours directly onto the streets of Edinburgh.
A very vivid episode in the sea of music and theatrical improvisation are the evening parades of military orchestras "Military Tattoo" from more than thirty countries of the world, demonstrating the honed craftsmanship. And don’t run early to catch the bus – the festival ends with a grand fireworks show in a park near Edinburgh Castle, the largest in Europe.
5. Germany, Waken
Wacken Open Air, August 4-6, 2016
Any metalworker's dream.
The heavy music festival has been held since 1990 in Wacken, Germany, near Hamburg. Tickets for the festival are always issued in limited quantities - 60-75 thousand pieces and interestingly, they are immediately named, which excludes some speculative actions.
Non-stop at once on several stages from 11 am to 3 am breaks the consciousness of a happy viewer heavy rock. The first day is usually warm-up, the rest are concerts. Frequent and beloved guests on Wacken Open Air - Apocalyptica, Arch Enemy, Behemoth, Children of Bodom.
Today, every self-respecting band considers it an honor to perform on the stages of the German metal marathon, so they often prepare spectacular shows, and sometimes presentations of new songs and even albums. To the attention of fans of all kinds of paraphernalia - either take a decent amount of cash, or do not come close to this place, to MetalMarket, for your own safety.
Wacken, like most open-air festivals, does not please with a variety of food, only fast food, but you can cook yourself at will: it will be much cheaper than local cuisine. Amenities and places under the tent in the best traditions of Europe.
In early August, the nights in Wacken are cold and it can rain during the day. Another place to take boots and warm clothes.
Axel Rudi Pell, Blind Guardian, Borknagar, Callejon, Dragonforce, Legion Of The Damned, Ministry, Orden Ogan, Steel Panther, Therion.
As usual, the next Wacken Open Air will be faster, heavier, louder, saturated. Despite the fact that Waken is a mastodon in metal, he is very friendly and friendly to new, unknown young talents.
6. BULGARIA, Kavarna
Cavarna Rock Fest, 1-3 July 2016
Once this festival was called “Caliacra Rock Fest”, but more recently it is known as “Cavarna Rock Fest”, after the name of the venue. The process of his evolution as usual is worthy of stories: from a one-day event with three bands, he came to a three-day musical giant, which featured such bearded monsters of rock and heavy scenes as Motorhead and Manowar. The latter, by the way, played here the longest set and the longest concert in its history - five hours.
Since then, Motley Crew, Scorpions, Blind Guardian, Alice Cooper, Kreator, Lake of Tears, Kamelot, Deep Purple, Europe have attended the largest rock festival in the country.
Who would have thought that Bulgarians would be connoisseurs of such music, and even what: the walls of houses are decorated with giant masterpieces with portraits of rock stars. In Kavarna Park there is a monument in honor of Ronnie James Dio. Kavarna still deserves to be called the rock capital of Bulgaria. But people who show such an interest in the musical trend have someone to take an example from. By an incredible coincidence, the initiator of this event Kavarna owes its mayor Tsongko Tsonev. It is said that the Bulgarians call it affectionately “maral”, from the combination of the words mayor and metal, characterizing the hobbies and demonstrating the charisma of this man who, in his spare time, waters the roads of Bulgaria and Kovyrny on a motorcycle. How not to vote for a mayor like that?
7. BELGIA, WARCHTER
Rock Werchter June 30 - July 3, 2016
The iconic Belgian festival will be 42 years old in 2016. The owner of a rich history and famous lists of line-ups takes place near the city of Leuven, which is 30 km from Brussels. Musical kaleidoscope consists not only of rock and roll and metal bands, but also pop music. Unexpectedly, right? However, this, as it turned out, is a very common practice, which shows how well fans of different musical trends can spend time together. In addition, it is a way to attract different categories of listeners to the event. According to tradition, every year the composition of the speakers becomes more stellar, and the public has no chance to rest: the festival works on the principle of two stages - only one ended the performance, the other begins to function.
Ellie Goulding, Paul Mccartney, Rammstein, The Offspring, Iggy Pop, Florence.
8. Finland
It often seems that in this country in every second house lives a big guy with long hair and probably a beard, who has a drum set in the garage, and in combination with the neighbor they form a Finnish metal gang. Truly a music camp.
But in fact, this is not the case - in addition to heavy melodies, there are opera festivals and a chamber music festival, performances of teams of various directions.
Summer music festivals are a unique culture of Finland. After all, during the warm season every weekend there are dozens of open airs across the country. And what is important, you can see famous performers here for quite democratic prices. Here is just a small, but impressive part: Ruisrock, Tuska, Raumanmeren Juhannus, Ilosaarirock, Provinssirock.
Tuska Open Air, July 1-3, 2016
It is an international metal festival, where not only Finnish bands perform, but also famous "heavy" teams from different countries. In what other country of the world will heavy metal rattle in the central metropolitan park, next to the parliament and the railway station? This one!
Tuska is held on the outskirts of Helsinki on the first weekend of July. Children of Bodom festival guests will be joined this time by Behemoth, Nervosa, Ghost, Katatonia and so on.
Ruisrock, July 8-10, 2016
This is a music festival for every taste. The venue is a picturesque place on the small island of Ruissalo, Turku.
9. Latvia, Riga, Lutsavsala
Kubana, 11-14 August 2016
Until last year, this musical monster lived in the Krasnodar region. Due to the current situation and the refusal of Kalinigrad to host guests, Kuban had to look for a new home. And she found it in Latvia. The differences will be appreciated by those who have visited the same festival in two countries. But no matter what, it will still be a sea of drive and good mood. And also the sea, a real sea with sandy beaches.
For four days, domestic and European stars will perform in front of the audience. Guano Apes, Cockroaches!, Bricks, Enter Shikari, Nofs The Subways, Brutto & Lyapis, Vakhtang Kikabidze, Vopli Vidoplyasova, Garbage, Maxim, Molotov, etc. will appear on the stage. It is nice that the visit to this event by such guests as Vakhtang Kikabidze, Yuri Antonov or Mikhail Boyarsky in recent years have found a response in the hearts of the public. In addition to the music program, the organizers of the festival promise to present an extensive entertainment program and autograph sessions with some musicians.
Russian festivals
1.Tula region, D.Bunyrevo
Wild Mint, 24 - 26 June 2016
At the ninth international conference... No, not in Geneva, but in Bunyrevo - Wild Mint will be held for the ninth time. Alexinsky fields will please as usual, ethnic music, folk, rock and jazz supplications: 5’Nizza, Alai Oli, Theodor Bastard, Splin, IOWA, Misfortunate Case, The Wanton Bishops, Fedor Chistyakov, Vasya Vasin and Blues Doctors, Jukebox Trio. The program of the three-day festival will consist of continuous concerts, performances of street theaters and fire shows, an open-air cinema. You can even try your hand at mastering the hung.
2. Tver region, big envied
Invasion, 8 - 10 July 2016
Created in 1999. the author's project "Our radio" festival Invasion pleases to this day. This is the largest forum of Russian rock music in Russia and the CIS countries as a whole. The concerts are broadcast on satellite channels, gathering even more spectators, thereby confirming the status of the most anticipated, attended and large-scale festival in the country.
List of participants 2016: Alexander Pushnoy, Alice, GilZa, Gleb Samoilov and The Matrixx, Knyazz, Bricks, Leningrad, S.P.O.R.T., Animal jazz. Spleen, Chaif, Bravo and B-2 and... and just come!
3. St. Petersburg, Yelaginsky Island
Stereoleto, 2–3 July 2016
Stereoleto is the first independent music festival in Russia. This year, there are dozens of musical groups playing music of different genres and trends. Traditionally, a special stage will be installed at the event, where young Russian artists who are still looking for their listener will perform. Stereoleto headliners are Sigur Rós from Ireland, 5’nizza and Crystal Castles. And also: Knife for Frau Müller, JoyCut, Repetitor, Messer Chups, Parks Squares and Alleys, Bruno Grife and many others. It should be noted that the park, which will host the summer music gathering, has existed since 1932. In the park there are numerous museums, costume balls are held, there is an opportunity for active recreation, entertainment for every taste, if you suddenly get a little tired of music, although how is it possible?
4. Yekaterinburg, along Lenin
Ural Music Night June 24, 2016 Everything Has a Sunset, Only the Night Ends in Dawn
On the night of June 24-25, Ural Music Night will once again turn the center of Yekaterinburg into a large music platform. Dozens of places and establishments located along Lenin Avenue will become a haven for many performers who bring the beautiful music to the masses!
A night of exploding and absorbing music, plus free! Just cruising between the venues and enjoy: a variety of directions and styles – classics and rock and roll, cloud rap and ambient, bard song and psychedelic pop, lounge, blues and jazz. Within the framework of the event, interesting programs for devoted listeners are planned at many venues. For example, Traveler’s Coffee will host an exhibition of Apple’s evolutionary steps, prepared by the organizers of this music venue.
Like last year, the night of music will end with a large gala concert on October Square, and the sun will again rise to the song of the Bremen musicians with the already established and universally recognized performer Vadim Samoilov to the accompaniment of the orchestra.
The list is pretty heavy for someone. It so happened that the most popular are the loudest and weighty concerts. As for styles – there is no point in choosing what is better, preferences are formed somehow by themselves. Enjoy your favorite music!
See you at the festivals!
Text by Karina Crocus