Reporting live (what’s ‘live’ nowadays anyway, err thing be streamed) from five festivals that took place last weekend (July 17th – July 19th), to celebrate the weekend of all weekends in Europe.
An apparent festival trend in Europe focuses on two things: a holistic and balanced experience, and the breathtaking scenery of the location. This last weekend, these five lakeside and countryside festivals explored a “mix of energy and relaxation, showcasing well-known DJ’s as well as unknown and local acts.”
Only photos can do justice to some of these weird and wonderful music festivals. Be sure to steer away from flashy set designs and lighting, in place of penciling in these gems for next year to enjoy a weekend of culture and music.
1) Sea You Festival (Germany)
See You Festival took place on Friday the 18th of July until Sunday the 20th of July. Set in Freiburg, Germany, the festival boasts an outrageous lakeside scenery of the Tunisee. Top picks from the lineup include Richie Hawtin, Nina Kraviz, DJ Koze, Robin, Schulz, Pillowtalk, Loco Dice, Oliver Koletzki & Fran, Lexer, Andhim, Luciano, Oliver Schories and Moonbootica.
Expect a chilled out atmosphere with the dirtiest hard hitting European beats. Step away from Tomorrowland and into the countryside with this pick.
2. Vinjerock Festival (Norway)
Vinjerock is not a dance festival but a rock festival (here das like saying…Voldemort); highlighting not the line-up but the experience. Located 1060 meters above sea level, at Eidsbugarden (*self imploding auto correct in 3..2..*) in the Jotunheimen area in southern Norway.
In all honesty, the only recognizable act this year was “Datarock” in the lineup. Between names difficult to pronounce phonetically and well, not really liking rock all that much, it was the unreal photography that drew me in. The festival offers activities as varied as guided hikes, climbing, fishing trips and kayaking courses beside music acts blending local talent. Information online is not only limited, but the little information there is, is not in English. A true “YOLO, I’m in Southern Europe so I’m going to book a flight up north to Norway because I can,” moment.
Let the images of commando crowd surfers (see below: dang I hope he washes his neck real good), paddle boarding with canines, lake diving, snowy mountain climbing and yoga… do the convincing:
3. G! Festival (Norway)
Half-way between Norway and Iceland are the North Atlantic’s Faroe Island. Right in the centre of the tiny village of Syðrugøta in the Faroe Islands, G! Festival is held from July 17th-19th. The village has a population of 400 people but nearly a fifth of the country’s population of 48,000, parties on the village during the festival.
The line-up boasts local bands that are said to be outragouesly talented. WIRED.co.uk said “if you’re bored with the same old bands playing the same old places, and you’re in the mood to try something dramatically different,” elaborating that they found G! festival “authentic and weird. Almost secret. Yet welcoming, friendly and open. Like the Faroes.” It’s pretty cray!
4. Melt! Festival (Germany)
Melt! finds it’s three day home from Friday July the 18th – Sunday July the 20th in Grafenhainichen (okay my auto correct officially hates me) in Germany. A contrasting scenery of over-sized flowers, beach and a display of industrial machinery.
Top picks from the line-up include AME, BAAUER, Breach, Boyz Noize, Brodinski, Chet Faker, Darkside, Dusky, Four Tet, Fritz Kalkbrenner, Gesaffelstein, HAIM, Guy Gerber, Jagwar Ma, Kiesza, KOLSCH, Little Dragon, Mano Le Tough, Maya Jane Cole, Moderat, Milky chance, Sohn, Pretty Lights, SBTRKT, Say Lou Lou, Seth Troxler, Tensake, Tiga and Tourist.
The main stage pumps from 3pm to 7 am, solving any mysteries as to how they fit that elaborate line-up in. It was voted the Best Medium-Sized Festival 2013 gong at the European Festival Awards. Nuff’ said.
5. Dour Festival (Belgium)
Dour took place last weekend from Thursday 17th of July – Sunday 20th of July, and is held in the municipality of Dour in Belgium since it’s creation in 1989.Expect 3600 people in 4 days over 6 stages, listening to 200 bands and DJ’s.
The uber cool line-up includes everyone from Bonobo, The Klaxons, Gramatik, Moodymann, Mr. Carmack, STWO, Bakermat, RL Grime, Gordon City to Nas and Tyler the Creater…and that’s only a fraction of the line-up!
Below is live footage from a recent banging track, “Girls” by Slow Magic.
Disclaimer: Credit and thank you to the festival facebook pages for unknowingly lending me thier footage. Check them out for more photgraphy and booking details for next year.
Melt! Facebook page
Dour Facebook Page
G! Facebook Page
Sea You Facebook Page
Vinjerock Facebook Page
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