Yep, Mass Camping and Facemelting Beats is Now a Universal Trend. Go Get 'Em.
Bonnaroo and Lollapalooza aren't the only summer music festivals on the planet. In fact, your favorite artists are hitting some unconventional stages all over the world in the coming weeks. These 10 events might be off some of your radars, but rest assured, there's no shortage of sweaty bodies, sunburn, dehydration, mosquitoes, bedlam, or A-list artists in attendance. If you love the glory of a festival but want something a little different, scroll through this list, and branch out!
[All Photos: Getty Images] Let's start with
#10 RockNess: June 8-10
#10 RockNess: June 8-10
Loch Ness, Scotland
Few festivals couple the biggest acts on the planet with famous folklore. RockNess takes place in gorgeous Loch Ness, Scotland, home to the mythical monster. Enjoy your Ed Sheeran and your Justice and the gorgeous tree-lined scenery, then use Instagram to put an end to this mystery once and for all.
Who To See: Mumford & Sons, Deadmau5, Friendly Fires, Lucy Rose
If you want to be surrounded by the world's best electronic music, but hate the idea of camping on a remote island somewhere, the Sonar Festival is for you! Located in and around Barcelona, the festival features concerts, carnival rides, art, and all the 80,000+ crowd bedlam you need. Plus the amazing Gaudi Museum is nearby.
Who To See: Amon Tobin, Flying Lotus, Simian Mobile Disco
As you'd expect from any event on a Norwegian island, the Hove Festival on Tromøy is beautiful, impeccably organized, and spotless. The environmentally-friendly event is the biggest festival in Norway, yet even headliner Snoop Dogg might have to take a ferry to get there.
Roskilde is one of the biggest music festivals in Europe, drawing about 80,000 people and iconic acts from every genre. But if big crowds and bedlam isn't for you, the quaint town of Roskilde also features an outstanding Viking Ship Museum!
Who To See:M.I.A., Bjork, PJ Harvey, Bomba Estereo
Optimus Alive! is relatively new compared to the rest of the festivals on this list, but The Cure and Radiohead are already headlining the Portugal fest -- a testament to organization and, well, "dinheiro." Yes, you will be disappointed to know that the name Optimus Alive! has nothing to do with Transformers, but rather the festival sponsor Optimus Telecomunicações. However, judging by the queue line above, a renegade battleground atmosphere still exists. And hopefully, so do robots.
This relatively new festival in South Korea is already picking up steam amongst locals who want to branch out from the long-standing staple Incheon Pentaport Rock Festival. Jisan is more off the beaten path, located on a ski resort in the backcountry. It's not for the faint of heart, but the lineup is tailor made for basically anyone who likes music in the slightest -- from big names to excellent Korean indie acts.
Who To See: James Blake, Radiohead, Apollo18, Boom Boom Satellites
Aside from a delightfully left-field lineup featuring Asia's biggest alterna-talent like Chatmonchy, alongside names like Justice and Gossip, the setting of the Fuji Rock Festival is undeniably stunning. Located high in the mountains of Naeba, Japan, Fuji Rock Festival offers scenic streamside hikes between the facemelting concerts.
Who To SeeBeach House, Best Coast, Arctic Monkeys, Chemical Brothers, Avett Brothers
If you like your music rock-slanted, and your splendor with a "u," Australia's Splendour in the Grass is calling your name. This year the festival is returning to its home base in Byron Bay after a two year hiatus in the decidedly less-sprawling town of Woodford. Eat some beans over a Bunson burner while local biggies like Hilltop Hoods and Bleeding Knees Club, and imports like Jack White and The Shins blare in the background.
Who To See:Ladyhawke, Metric, Azealia Banks, At The Drive-in
Pronounced O-shee-ah-ga, this Montreal festival takes place in a park in the middle of a cool city. There's no camping at this one unless you feel like getting arrested, but there are a lot of interesting acts playing Osheaga that you can't find at the other major festivals. See below.
Who knew Hungary was home to one of the biggest European music festivals? Well, Europeans did. Sziget, pronounced "see-get" meaning "island" is home to some of the A-listiest on this roundup, and...a 225 euro entry fee (with camping). If your feeling flush, it's the event of a lifetime. But, for cheaper times in Eastern Europe, check out its sister festival Félsziget Festival in....Transylvania.
Who To See: LMFAO, Anna Calvi, Crystal Fighters, Flux Pavilion
