It’s that time of year again where not only are your eyes streaming from hay fever, but from the pain of the expensive British festivals you know you can’t really afford. To further intensify the pain, while you’re sobbing into your pint telling yourself it’s okay, after all, you can always watch it on TV, right? Everyone around you is bragging about how much they’re looking forward to lying in festival fields, with unhealthy amounts of cider in the ‘blazing’ British sun.
Believe it or not, you can rain on their parade by doing the same (and lie in the sun, instead of the harsh reality of a muddy puddle) for fractions of the price and have a holiday at the same time. The newly re-united Libertines are the latest to join the listings of the European festival’s alongside this years Glastonbury headliners, Kasabian, at this years 4 day Benicàssim festival for a much cheaper cost.
Beniàssim festival is amongst one of many who have booked impressive line-ups including the likes of last years Glastonbury headliners Arctic Monkeys and the Rolling Stones, Queens of the Stone Age, The Black keys, Biffy Clyro, Kings of Leon, Foals, Pixies and more. Start your hunt for that passport, here’s some of the best Europe has to offer that are still on sale.
Roskilde Festival, Denmark
Roskilde is the largest music and culture festival in Northern Europe. The festival was created by two high school students and a promoter and is now run by a non-profitable charity that has an aim to support and develop the areas music and culture.
Since it’s creation in 1971, the festival has attracted the likes of The Smiths, Nirvana, The Cure and Oasis as headliners.
The festival lasts for eight days, but with four days of music whose line up includes The Rolling Stones, Arctic Monkeys, Damon Albarn, Kasabian, Stevie Wonder, Haim and Bastille.
When: 25th June – 6th July 2014
Price: £207 for the full eight-day ticket that includes access to the campsite form the 29th June.
Rockwerchter Festival, Belgium
Rockwerchter is one of the five biggest annual rock festivals in Europe. The festival has operated since 1974 and has since won the best festival in the world award five times at the International Live Music Conference. Since 1974 the festival has attracted headliners such as Talking Heads, Iggy Pop, Smashing Pumpkins, Radiohead and Muse.
Unfortunately this years festival sold out at the beginning of April, but you can sign up to a waiting list scheme and gain tickets from those who have previously purchased and can no longer make the festival. The festival lasts for four days and spreads a variety of artists across three stages. This years line-up includes Metallica, Arctic Monkeys, Paolo Nutini, The 1975, The Black Keys, Pixies, Kings of Leon, Foals and Babyshambles.
When: 3rd – 6th July 2014
Price: Tickets cost £166 and a £14.40 camping ticket in advance, or £20.30 upon arrival.
The Festival International de Benicàssim, Benicàssim (Spain)
The first ‘FIB’ festival took place in 1995 and has since been dedicated to the rock, pop and electronic genres. The festivals location thrives on good weather and is also notable for being within close proximity of several beaches, which has proven popular over the years as the festival has continued to grow. FIB has previously championed Oasis, The Stone Roses, Blur, The Killers, Iggy & the Stooges and The Strokes.
The festival lasts for four days however you are able to camp there for a eight days in the blistering sun. This years line up includes the newly reformed Libertines (one of their two announced dates so far) alongside Paul Weller, Kasabian, Jake Bugg, Tame Impala, Paolo Nutini and more.
When: 17th – 20th July 2014
Price: Tickets cost £149 for the four-day event and eight day camping.
Open’er Festival, Gdynia (Poland)
Open’er’s story began with a one-day event in 2002 with headliners The Chemical Brothers. Ever since the festival has continued to thrive and in 2010 it won Best Major Festival at the European Festival Awards for the second year running. Open’er has featured important artists over the previous years from The White Stripes, Snoop Dogg, Kanye West, Arctic Monkeys, Blur, Muse and Prince.
Open’er Festival is a four-day event and this year showcases artists such as Foals, Interpol, Jack White, Pearl Jam, The Horrors and MGMT.
When: 2nd – 5th July 2014
Price: Tickets to the festival cost £122, which includes camping, or £106 if you plan to find other accommodation
Rock En Seine Festival, Paris.
Rock En Seine festival first began in 2003 and has since been known to showcase some of the best bands within the rock and alternative genre. The chosen venue is the Domaine National de Saint-Cloud, the Château de Saint-Cloud’s park – a historical place at the gates of Paris. Since it’s creation, the festival has had artists such as Pixies, Queens of the Stone Age, Foo Fighters, R.E.M, and Morrissey.
The three-day event’s line-up includes Arctic Monkeys, Lana Del Rey, The Hives, Blondie, Queens of the Stone Age and Jake Bugg.
When: 22nd – 24th August.
Price: Tickets cost £96.40 plus an extra camping costs depending on the size pitch you require.
Gemma Brookes
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