Imagine if you had a private jet, your choice of tickets, and a completely free schedule for June, July, and August of this year. Well, we’ve waved our magic wand, and here’s our dream lineup of festivals for you this summer:
Bonnaroo, Tennessee June 11 – 14
We’d start festival season stateside and take in the Tennessee music, arts, and culture bonanza that is Bonnaroo. Of the 150 musical acts, we’ll be up front for My Morning Jacket, Robert Plant and the Sensational Space Shifters, Deadmau5, and Slayer. Free yoga classes and the Broo’ers microbrewery festival will certainly add to the laid-back vibe.
Firefly Festival, Delaware June 18 – 21
Escape to the country for the Firefly Festival in Dover, Delaware. We like the Hammock Hangout, the Brewery craft beer bar, the Market outdoor bazaar, and, of course, the music. This year’s headliners include the Killers, Kings of Leon, Morrissey, and Snoop Dogg.
Glastonbury, Somerset 24 -28 June
The original and still the best, Glastonbury hits the grand old age of 45 this year. Fatboy Slim has confirmed he’ll play for an incredible 15th time, joining acts like The Chemical Brothers, Super Furry Animals, and Hot Chip, as well as headliners Kanye West, The Who, and the Foo Fighters.
ATP Fest Iceland, July 2 – 4
Want to cool down this July? You won’t get cooler than this festival in Ásbrú, Keflavík. Don’t miss Iggy Pop, Belle and Sebastian, Public Enemy, Swans, Mudhoney, or Chelsea Wolfe.
Bilbao BBK, Spain, July 9 – July 11
Even if the music wasn’t fantastic, we’d go for the setting of Bilbao BBK, high in the mountains overlooking the city of Bilbao and some of the best surf in Europe. Hang around for Muse, Mumford & Sons, The Jesus & Mary Chain, and Disclosure.
Festival Internacional de Benicassim (FIB), Spain July 16-19
Stay in Spain and catch another great festival as well as the sunshine: FIB attracts 50,000 festivalgoers to Barcelona for four days in July. We’ll be making a beeline for M.I.A., Lily Allen, Of Montreal, and Ellie Goulding.
Lollapalooza, Chicago July 31- August 2
We’re back stateside for the end of July. The brainchild of Jane’s Addiction frontman Perry Farrell, Lollapalooza offers a something-to-please-everybody lineup, featuring Paul McCartney, Metallica, Florence & the Machine, and Sam Smith.
Wickerman, Scotland July 24 – 25
One of the U.K.’s best-loved indie fests, Wickerman greets its 13th year with 10 stages of talent., a cinema, circus, and funfair. The main spectacle is the burning of a massive 40-foot wickerman, with musical highlights including Example, Julian Cope, Jimmy Cliff, and Hector Bizerk.
Forgotten Fields, Tunbridge Wells, August 7 – 9
Something of a boutique affair, Forgotten Fields has a capacity of 4,000, so faces will soon become familiar over the weekend. The music choice is anything but limited, however, with Basement Jaxx, Super Furry Animals, De La Soul, Augustines and British Sea Power among the must-sees.
Summer Sonic Festival, Japan August 15-16
Performers love Japan, and when you see the fan frenzy they attract here, you’ll soon see why. Summer Sonic Festival takes place in Osaka and Tokyo in mid-August, marking the main event in the Japanese music fan’s calendar. The Prodigy, Pharrell Williams, and the Manic Street Preachers are among the standouts.
Reading & Leeds Festivals, U.K. 28-30 AUGUST
Let’s end your summer of festival fun on a high note: Reading and Leeds play host to some of the most enthusiastic crowds of the festival season, as fans prepare to leave the summer with a bang. Metallica, The Libertines, and Limp Bizkit are the headliners.