Europe’s Best Music Festivals in 2017. Part II

YPSIGROCK FESTIVAL. Palermo, Sicily, Italy

Dates: August 10-13 Entrance Price: 39 euros a night/79 for 3 days

When you combine storied Sicilian mountains, the Mediterranean coast, and indie-rock, you get none-other than the Ypsigrock Festival. Situated at the foothills of the Madonie Mountains and 20 minutes from the north coast, this award-winning festival is the perfect mix of city charm and outdoor adventure alongside a stellar lineup.

During the three-day festival, you’ll dance to more than 30 international and Italian artists –Beach House, Car Seat Headrest, Bry, Digitalism and more — in stages across the historical Sicilian town of Castelbuono. Your backdrop is cobbled streets and ancient buildings under a bright sky and surrounded by delicious foods and world-renowned wines. Sound like your kind of place? Ours too. This might be one of the most ideal locations for a summer festival, ever. 

LA ROUTE DU ROCK FESTIVAL. St Malo, Brittany, France

Dates: August 17-20 Entrance Price: 45 euros per day/95 for 3 days

How do you feel about a sandy beach stage during the day, and dancing under the stars and a castle stage by night? Yeah, we already have FOMO, too. Tucked in the seaside city of St. Malo on Brittany’s Emerald Coast, La Route Du Rock supplies these spectacular backdrops for festival goers year after year.

This festival has become well known in the European festival circuit for its incredible venues, exciting atmosphere and solid lineup. This year you can expect to see sets from PJ Harvey, Interpol, The Jesus And Mary Chain, Mac DeMarco, Ty Segall as well as promising up-and-coming bands you’ll probably be singing along to in a few months.

TØNDER FESTIVAL. Tønder, Denmark

Dates: August 24-27 Entrance Price: 200 euro

With more than 40 years experience under their belt, the folks putting together one of Europe’s hottest Folk festivals definitely know what they’re doing. In fact, their well-defined profile, electric atmosphere and loyal following have lead the Tønder Festival to become an institution for folk, roots, country and trad lovers around the world.

What sets this festival apart is it’s dedication to a tangible experience of the artist’s handmade music by bringing the musicians and audience close together. Plus, if you’ve ever wanted to visit this Nordic country, August is a pretty great time to explore all Denmark has to offer.

PITCHFORK MUSIC FESTIVAL. Paris, France

Dates: November 2-4 Entrance Price: 40 euro a day/90 euro for 3 days

It’s not like you need an excuse to visit Paris, but if you did, the world-renowned Pitchfork Festival would be a pretty good one. Essentially, it’s three days of hopping around the Bastille neighborhood listening to an unrivaled lineup of international indie and folk bands — does it really get much better than that?

This year you’ll hear sets from The Nationals, Jungle, Cigarettes After Sex, This Is The Kit and many more who have yet to be announced. Pitchfork is one of the hottest festivals in Europe with a truly unique feel and experience. If you’re looking to check off a bucket-list-worthy festival this year, Pitchfork is probably it.

BANKITO FESTIVAL. Bank, Nograd, Hungary

Dates: July 12-15 Entrance Price: 25 euro a day

Progressive, contemporary and ever-changing, Bankito Festival surprises and amazes their festival-goers year after year. For three days you can expect to see fresh, up-and-coming bands across six stages as well as join talks about this years theme: Anti-Corruption. All you have to do is bring your fun, open, music-loving self to enjoy the beats and gorgeous countryside.

Once you finish listening to the lineup that includes Ufallo Steez, Bohemian Betyars, Zagar and more, you can head into the big city. Budapest, and all this stunning metropolis has to offer, is well within reach.

MUNDAKA FESTIVAL. Mundaka, Bizkaia, Spain

Dates: July 28-30 Entrance Price: 45 euro per day/65 for 3 days

Located on a breathtaking Basque, Spanish, cliffside, the Mundaka Festival combines some of the best views this country has to offer alongside a great international lineup and cultural events.

Over the three days, you’ll dance and sing along to artists like Mando Diao, Dark DJ, and Ocean Colour Scene amongst others. Then, when you’re not weaving in and out between stages, you can eat like a foodie at their gastronomic tents which explore the region’s unique foods. You can’t really go wrong with good food and good music, and when you throw in a venue like this, the Mundaka Festival easily becomes a dream destination.

BELLADRUM TARTAN HEAR FESTIVAL. Belladrum Estate, Inverness, Scotland

Dates: August 3-5 Entrance Price: £82.00 per day/£142.00 for the weekend

Scotland’s Belladrum Tartan Heart Festival is an international music festival nestled in the world-famous Highlands. Just imagine dancing to music by Franz Ferdinand, The Pretenders, KT Tunstall, Birdie and more with that incredible backdrop. This festival is truly a family affair, and definitely a great excuse to get everyone together for a vacation to Scotland.

BOUT DU MONDE FESTIVAL. Crozon Peninsula, Britanny, France

Dates: August 4-6 Entrance Price: 35 euro a day

On the stunning rugged cliffs of Britanny, you might feel like you’re at the edge of the earth. But when you attend the Bout du Monde, it’s like the world is at your fingertips.

This international festival brings together more than 60-thousand people who are there to relish in the beats and sounds of more than 35 artists from over 20 countries. The lineup includes artists like Alsarah And TheNubatones, BCUC, Bombino, Gregory Porter, New York Salsa Allstars and many more. If you’re into international music and you’re looking for a cultural adventure, Bout du Monde is for you.

BOOMTOWN FAIR FESTIVAL. Winchester, Hampshire, UK

Dates: August 10-13 Entrance Price: £195

Boomtown is one of the UK’s most innovative independent festivals with both massive stages and intimate street venues across the entire city. Boomtown is known for their attention to detail, year after year offering their 60-thousand festival-goers incredible lineups and impeccably designed stages.

At this year’s international festival you’ll sing along to over 120 artists ranging from folk to soul, funk, reggae and even dub and drum and bass. Amongst those you can catch sets from Cypress Hill, The Specials and MIA. Sick, right? If you’re looking for a diverse, international festival — Boomtown is for you.

FLOW FESTIVAL. Helsinki, Finland

Dates: August 11-13 Entrance Price: 99 euro for one day/149 euro for 2 days

Since 2004 Helsinki’s Flow Festival has blossomed from a ’boutique’ event to an internationally acclaimed festival. Last year the 3-day event was totally sold out — reaching its 75-thousand person capacity with a lineup of old-school legends and trendy newcomers.

This year you can expect to sing and dance to artists like Frank Ocean, Lana Del Ray, The XX, Aphex Twin, Ryan Adams and so many more. Are you drooling yet? If not, you should be. To make this festival even better they’ve added a gastronomic element, bringing in some incredible local and gourmet eats. When you’re finally all danced out and fattened up you can wander into Helsinki’s city center to walk it off and explore one of Europe’s greatest cities. Does it get much better than this? Probably not.

LE GUESS WHO FESTIVAL. Utrecht, The Netherlands

Dates: November 9-12 Entrance Price: 110 euro for a 4-day pass

Le Guess Who is an international music festival celebrating, exploring and inducing collaboration between global artists. During this four-day festival in the picturesque Dutch city of Utrecht, you will sing and dance to artists on large stages, in theaters, churches, galleries and warehouses. As you take a global tour of the world music scene, you’ll also explore all this enchanting city has to offer.

2017’s Le Guess Who will feature artists ranging from jazz to drone composers. The lineup is aimed at introducing the thousands of guests to types of music, art and culture they might not already know, and includes a lineup of Pharoah Sanders, James Holden and the Animal Spirits, Perfume Genius, Moor Mother and so many more.  If you’re in search of a truly global, unique experience and want to visit a city largely known as a best-kept-secret of Europe, Le Guess Who is for you.

SOUTHERN SOUL FESTIVAL. Ulcinj, Montenegro

Dates: June 29-July 3 Entrance Price: 30 euro per day

Montenegro’s Southern Soul Festival is world-famous for its cosmopolitan spirit mixed with the planets finest Jazz, Funk, Soul, House and Afrobeat. And, as if these beats won’t already hypnotize you, their coastal venue will captivate and mesmerize you.

This year the wide-ranging lineup consists of iconic artists like Amp Fidler, John Gomez, Shuriken, Volcov and many more. This event is known to showcase artists who shine and define their scene — so, if this is your stuff, you don’t want to miss this festival. Plus, you get to explore the incredible country of Montenegro, and that’s not so bad either.

So, which festival are you excited for?

From steep Spanish cliffsides to the hills of Bohemia, France, Slovakia, Chezchia, England and beyond — these are the best concerts in Europe in 2017. Whether you’re into heavy metal, rock, smooth jazz, classical, or an international mix — there was at least one festival here that got added to your bucket list.

What makes each and every one of these concerts special goes beyond the music and the stunning locations. Yes, they all have stellar lineups and international fame, but they also have loyal followings. Behind each and every one of these festivals are music fans, lovers, buffs and aficionados who relish in the sound of live music. Without their continued support, none of these festivals would be what they are today.

So, are you going to be part of the story this year? Leave a comment and let us know!