Summer is rolling in, and with it the festival season has arrived. Met somebody on an internet dating site and want to take them to an event they'll never forget? One of the top ten world music festivals might be just the ticket.
1. Summerfest, Milwalkee, U.S.
This summer music festival started up in the middle of the 1970's, and runs during eleven days each year from the end of June to the beginning of July (it always includes the Fourth of July holiday, as well). And it's called "The Big Gig" for a reason. Featuring more than 700 bands on eleven different stages, this music festival has a Guinness World's Record for being the largest music festival in the world.
2. Bestival, Isle of Wight, U.K.
This festival runs during September 11-13 (for the year 2009), and is a very young and trendy festival. Featuring of-the-moment artists and a very hip crowd, this one isn't only about the music. Not to be missed is the yearly costume (or fancy dress) competition, with its own theme every year, in which 30,000 people take part. So plan your costume ahead of time!
3. Primavera Sound, Barcelona, Spain.
As I live in Barcelona and love Primavera Sound, I'm biased: this one's got to show up on my list. This festival takes place in May or June and features a wonderful range of artists, from classic rockers like Neil Young, to headliner hit bands, to fun indie artists you've never heard of. This is a great one for real music lovers.
4. Roskilde, Denmark.
This is a rock n' roll festival that started up in 1970, and runs in early July. And if you really love the big names in music like Coldplay or Bob Dylan this is the festival to visit. Not only is the music incredible, Roskilde is also the place for a little annual voyeurism... each year, there's a "Nude Run," a naked race in which the first nude person to finish gets to attend next year's festival for free.
5. Lollapalooza, Chicago, U.S.
In early August, this festival is one of the most famous in the United States. Begun at the beginning of the grunge movement in 1991, this festival has been recently revived. This year, over 200,000 people are expected to attend to watch some big 90s bands like Tool and the Beastie Boys.
6. Donauinselfest, Vienna, Austria.
This festival takes place every year in June, and is widely considered to be the biggest and most important music festival in Europe (and as a bonus, it's free). A huge variety of different bands perform, and almost as importantly, there's a huge and wonderful variety of foods there, as well. One thing the Donauinselfest is famous for is a huge quantity of international food kiosks, with Thai, Italian, Mexican, Turkish, Vietnamese, Greek, you name it. For food lovers as well as music lovers.
7. Glastonbury, Somerset, England.
Taking place in late June, the two-day Glastonbury festival has been around since 1970. The most important music festival in England, this is the place to go to hear some of the best music in the world. The type of music is as varied as the type of people; there's an artist at Glastonbury for every musical taste. As a bonus, some of the money that's made goes each year to charity.
8. Bonnaroo Festival, Tennessee, U.S.
Now, the American South knows how to do music and food right. This festival, which takes place each year in mid-June, has been named by Rolling Stone as the best festival of 2008. It features huge headline artists of every genre, as well as stand up comedy and late-night clubbing. 3 days of 24-hour fun.
9. Fuju Rock, Naeba, Japan.
Named after Mount Fuji in Japan, this festival is an amazing combination of nature retreat and music festival. Surrounded by mountains, creeks, and woods, at Fuji Rock you can both party and unwind. A wonderful combination. But the music is wonderful, too, headlining great alternative rock bands that you'd pay to see without all the nice scenery.
10. Woodstock, Cape Town, South Africa.
For about 10 years, South Africa has been home to the new (and somewhat less crazy) Woodstock festival. Not only does this festival feature wonderful music from around the world (including plenty of hip hop), it also features paintball, shopping, and all sorts of other activities. There's no end of things to do.
