DUBAI: After two-years of COVID-related cancellations, stay music is again with a bang. Right here’s the place music lovers ought to journey to over the summer season.
Glastonbury
The place: Somerset, England
When: June 22-26
What: Fifty-two years on from its debut (though it didn’t change into an annual occasion till the Eighties), Glastonbury stays one of many greatest attracts on the worldwide competition circuit — not only for the 200,000 or so individuals who attend, however for the artists themselves. The competition retains a powerful hyperlink to its hippie-era roots and attendees can typically be as entertaining because the onstage actions. This yr is a first-rate instance of the large internet the competition casts, overlaying a dizzying array of genres and generations, with over 3,000 performers throughout 12 phases. Paul McCartney will change into the competition’s oldest-ever headliner, whereas Billie Eilish will change into its youngest. Kendrick Lamar is the opposite main-stage headline act.
Different must-see acts: Sam Fender, Lorde, Robert Plant & Alison Krauss, Haim, Diana Ross, Elbow, Wolf Alice, Herbie Hancock, Megan Thee Stallion, St. Vincent, Idles, Foals, Pet Store Boys.
Roskilde
The place: Roskilde, Denmark
When: June 25 – July 2
What: Scandinavia’s largest competition has many similarities to Glastonbury; it debuted only a yr later and shares most of the identical ideological roots, promising “music, arts, activism, camps and freedom” — a remit it takes critically. It’s additionally a multi-genre occasion with artists that enchantment to an enormous age vary with an emphasis on indie/various acts however fortunately contains mainstream pop artists too. It does supply a extra various worldwide lineup than many US or UK festivals too, like Brazilian pop icon Anitta this yr. Though it formally runs for eight days, the large names carry out during the last 4 nights. Headliners are US rap star Submit Malone; UK pop diva Dua Lipa; former Odd Future luminary Tyler, The Creator; and arguably probably the most influential rock band of the 2000s, The Strokes.
Different must-see acts: Robert Plant & Alison Krauss, Megan Thee Stallion, St. Vincent, Haim, Biffy Clyro, Arlo Parks, Chvrches.
Mad Cool Pageant
The place: Madrid
When: July 6-10
What: This sprawling five-day competition within the Spanish capital just about ensures a killer lineup yearly. It doesn’t typically ebook pure mainstream-pop acts, as an alternative specializing in rock and electronica, with a heavy emphasis on various acts that carry out lengthy into the evening. Headliners this yr are Metallica, Think about Dragons, Muse, Kings of Leon, and Jack White and there are some old-school throwbacks to whet the urge for food of older indie followers, together with the seminal Boston band Pixies. Away from the primary stage, there’s “The Loop” that includes a number of the greatest digital music producers and hip-hop acts on this planet, together with 4 Tet, Nina Kraviz, Flume, and SFDK.
Different must-see acts: Twenty-One Pilots, Placebo, The Killers, Stormzy, Queens of the Stone Age, Florence + The Machine, Nathy Peluso, Sam Fender, Royal Blood, Leon Bridges, Phoebe Bridgers, Deftones, Chvrches, Yungblud, Wolf Alice, Editors, Two Door Cinema Membership.
Extremely Europe
The place: Break up, Croatia
When: July 8-10
What: One for EDM lovers, this glitzy three-day out of doors competition with a number of venues is an offshoot of Miami’s Extremely Music Pageant that started in 2013 and attracts tens of 1000’s of revelers to the attractive metropolis on the Adriatic Sea. Headliners this yr embody Armin Van Buuren, DJ Snake, Martin Garrix, Steve Aoki, Tiësto, Richie Hawtin, Nina Kraviz, Marshmello, Above & Past, and extra.
Different must-see acts: Joseph Capriati, Marco Carola, Hardwell, Amelie Lens, Alesso, Vini Vici, Frank Walker.
Baalbeck Worldwide Pageant
The place: Baalbeck, Lebanon
When: July
What: The summer season months would possibly shut down occasions within the Gulf, however you’ll be able to nonetheless get your music repair within the area, because of this long-running (the primary occasion passed off in 1955) competition in Lebanon’s Beqaa Valley, the place artists get to carry out within the beautiful surrounds of an historical Roman Acropolis and the viewers is handled to an eclectic mixture of classical, dance, theater, opera, jazz, modern-day world music and a few nice indie acts from the Arab world. Few particulars have been launched by the organizers for this yr’s occasion, other than the tagline: “We Are Alive.” We do know that Arabic pop-rock outfit Adonis and flamenco guitarist José Quevedo Bolita will carry out.
Pitchfork
The place: Chicago
When: July 15-17
What: That is the competition you’ll want to go to if you wish to impress your fellow viewers members at one of many different big-name festivals in two years’ time, whenever you’ll have the ability to say, “Oh yeah. I noticed them earlier than they have been well-known.” Other than big-name headliners and a few old-school icons, the competition options a number of the greatest up-and-coming expertise within the various music scene, from throughout virtually all genres. This yr’s headliners are The Nationwide, Mitski, and The Roots.
Different must-see acts: Spiritualized, Japanese Breakfast, Parquet Courts, Low, Noname, Earl Sweatshirt, Toro y Moi, BadBadNotGood, Lucy Dacus, Cate Le Bon.
Rolling Loud Miami
The place: Miami, Florida
When: July 22-24
What: There are 4 Rolling Loud festivals this summer season: Toronto, New York, Portugal and Miami. The latter is the choose of the bunch. Rolling Loud payments itself because the “world’s largest hip-hop competition,” so for those who’re searching for a wild mixture of genres, this isn’t the occasion for you. Should you’re a rap fan, although, with headliners Ye (or no matter Kanye’s calling himself by late July), Future and Kendrick Lamar and a powerful supporting solid, this has all the pieces you want for an ideal weekend.
Different must-see acts: Lil Child, Playboy Carti, Lil Uzi Vert, Gucci Mane, 2 Chainz, Kodak Black, Ski Masks the Droop God
Lollapalooza
The place: Grant Park, Chicago
When: July 28-31
What: Based in 1991 by Jane’s Habit frontman Perry Farrell as a touring competition primarily geared in the direction of alt-rock followers, Lollapalooza is now held yearly over 4 days in Chicago and has broadened its remit to incorporate electronica, hip-hop, soul, and pop, along with its guitar-driven origins. This yr’s headliners are Metallica, Dua Lipa, J. Cole and Inexperienced Day. Jane’s Habit can even make an look.
Different must-see acts: Lil Child, Jazmine Sullivan, Manchester Orchestra, Machine Gun Kelly, Glass Animals, Kygo, Doja Cat, Charlie XCX, Tove Lo, Sam Fender
Primavera Sound LA
The place: Los Angeles
When: September 16-18
What: Primavera Sound originated in Barcelona and has constructed a popularity for reserving stellar lineups of trending acts and established stars throughout a variety of genres, with a give attention to range and gender equality. This will probably be its first US model (plans to launch Stateside in 2020 have been stymied by you-know-what) and it appears to be like each bit as sensible as its Spanish parent-festival. Headliners are Arctic Monkeys, Lorde and 9 Inch Nails.
Different must-see acts: Clairo, Stereolab, Faye Webster, Shygirl, Kim Gordon, Drain Gang, Low, King Krule, Jeff Mills
