Music festivals have been taking the world by storm for decades. The first major festival was The Monterey Pop Festival, a three-day major rock festival that took place in 1967 and served as a template for many festivals that came after it, including Woodstock. Now, music festivals around the world host millions of visitors each year, and people come from all over the world to see some of the biggest names in the music industry.
1. Coachella
Often likened to a Woodstock revival, Coachella is the most famous music festival in the USA and signifies the beginning of the summer festival season. Along with a world-class line up including the likes of AC/DC, Drake and The Weeknd and an A-list guest list, Coachella also inspires its own style culture – primarily focused around flower headbands and body glitter. As a result it is no wonder that Coachella’s audience contains names such as Rihanna, Gigi Hadid and the Kardashians.
Coachella always sells out its 99,000 capacity per weekend,198,000 ticket total. In 2016, Coachella brought in hundreds of artists including Guns N’ Roses, LCD Soundsystem and Calvin Harris, who were the headliners, and also featured acts like Ice Cube, Zedd, A$AP Rocky, Sia, Major Lazer and more
Where Indio, California When Two weekends throughout April annually
Cost from US $300 Website https://live.coachella.com/
2. Tomorrowland
Tomorrowland is one of the biggest and most recognized music festivals in the world for electronic dance music, which has been sweeping the globe in the last decade getting bigger and bigger. Hundreds of electronic music DJ’s take the various artfully built stages at Tomorrowland.
For any EDM fans, Tomorrowland is a once in a lifetime festival with acts such as Alesso, Hardwell and Avicii to name but a few. It is not without reason that this non-stop party is held in such high regard throughout the world and is one of the largest and most popular music festivals worldwide.
Where Boom, Belgium When July 24 to 26, 2015
Cost from €235 Website https://www.tomorrowland.com
3. Exit
Exit is another world famous music festival and one of the most recognized. It has electronic, rock, metal, hip hop/rap, reggae and punk music. Exit has been organized every year since 2000 and takes place at the Petrovaradin Fortress. In 2016, Exit will be bringing in big artists like Wiz Khalifa, Ellie Goulding, David Guetta, Bastille, Nicky Romero and many more.
Where Novi Sad, Serbia When July 12 – 15, 2018
Despite being a relatively new festival, Lovebox has most certainly made its mark on the Electronic Dance Music festival scene. With acts such as Snoop Dogg and Flume performing in 2015, Lovebox is set to increase in popularity and status over the next few years. Alternative experiences available at Lovebox also add to its quirky nature and its appeal with experiences such as the roller disco and ping pong tables. As a day-time festival, Lovebox is also perfect for those not interested in the camping aspect of music festivals.
Where Victoria Park, London,UK When July annually
Cost from £60 Website http://loveboxfestival.com/
If you have an interest in rock music or the picturesque settings of a ski resort in the mountains of Japan, then Fuji Rock Festival will be right up your street. Unlike other festivals, Fuji Rock attracts a worldwide audience for not only its line up, but for the unique experience of the festival. It isn’t everyday that you have to get a cable car up a mountain to a festival site, after all. Cable cars aside, the line up is also a good reason to attend, with acts including Foo Fighters, Muse and Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds all performing there in the past year.
Where Naeba Ski Resort, Japan When May annually
Cost from ¥39,800 Website http://fujirock-eng.com/
10. Reading and Leeds
The British town of Reading and the city of Leeds may be hundreds of kilometres apart, but they share the Bank Holiday festival acts, making their combined reach perfect for British music-lovers. The bands play at both festivals over the weekend.
As one of the original rock festivals in the UK, Reading has played host to some of the most celebrated rock artists in history, including Nirvana, Pink Floyd, Metallica and The Rolling Stones. Over the years, Reading festival has expanded and diversified and now has an extensive number of EDM artists as well as a number of comedians. As a result Reading and Leeds are the broadest festivals in terms of audience, each boasting a friendly atmosphere. They are the perfect festivals for festival newbies.
Where Reading and Leeds, UK When August annually
Cost From £213 Website https://www.readingfestival.com
11.RedFest DXB
If you’re looking for a festival closer to home then RedFestDXB in Dubai, which critics have named as the best music festival in the Middle East, may sound more appealing. Despite being a smaller festival lasting only two days, RedFestDXB has seen many top performers like Iggy Azalea, Wilkinson and The Lumineers over the past two years. Furthermore, with this festival being a day-only festival there is also no need to camp, a prospect which makes RedFestDXB all the more appealing to many first-time festival-goers.
Where Dubai Media City Ampitheatre, Dubai When February annually
Cost Varies Website http://www.redfestdxb.com