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“Music is the universal language of mankind.” The quote rings true through time as music transcends barriers in the most beautiful way - and where better to experience this transcending effect than at a music festival? The International music festival circuit draws a line across which India has only just begun to toe, what with Magnetic Fields and Ziro Valley, and it’s time you went out and explored the real deal. With a gazillion (slightly exaggerated) festivals happening around the world it can get difficult to pick and choose which one is best suited to you, so we’ve saved you the time and compiled a list of super amazing underground festivals in Europe, covering all genres of music, festival destinations and activities. If you’re headed for the quintessential European summer, make sure to put one of these on your list of things to do!
I. Secret Solstice, Iceland
Taking place at the height of summer, Secret Solstice never sees the sun set. With performances from legends like Chaka Khan and local Icelandic performers Fox Train Safari and SSSÓL, this festival gives us the best mix of R&B, soul, rock and pop. The festival’s side events include; the Midnight Sun Boat party, The Lava Tunnel Party and Into The Glacier 2017. The tunnel, located in the Raufarholshellir lava tunnel system outside Reykjavík, will see performers such as Helgi Björnsson, Ása and Högni. Artists Snorri Helga, Foo Fighters, the Prodigy and Rick Ross will be performing at the Secret Solstice as well. If you’re looking to listen to beautiful music in beautiful places (who isn’t?) then this is the place to be.
When: 15-18 June, Reykjavik, Iceland
Cost: Standard pass £158, VIP pass £288. Get your ticketshere.
HG Loves - Into The Glacier 2017, the only party in the world inside a glacier! Come prepared with warm and preferably water resistant clothes and shoes to the event and get ready to party inside Europe’s second largest glacier with Anderson Paak, Blaz Roca and Baya on the 16th - 18th June. Tickets available here
Shout out to all the Jazz cats out there, this one’s for you! The world’s largest indoor jazz festival presents to you Erykah Badu, Emeli Sandé, Gladys Knight, Jamiroquai, Usher, The Roots, and many more! 3 days,14 stages and a cache of renowned and new performers to take you through the past, present and future of jazz music. There will also be music that share the same genes as jazz, such as blues, soul, funk, hip hop, world and pop.
When: Get ready, get down and get fly on July 7th - 9th at Rotterdam, Netherlands
Cost: Day pass £238 onwards. Get ticketshere.
HG Loves - The festival’s great history of hosting legendary artists such as Nat Adderley, Paul Anka, Steve Coleman, Miles Davis, Candy Dulfer, Ibrahim Ferrer, Ella Fitzgerald, Alicia Keys, Lionel Hampton, Al Jarreau, BB King since 1976. However the North Sea Jazz festival also provides a platform for new talent on the jazz scene.
Get ready to party at one of the most environmentally friendly festivals in the world. And party, we shall! To headliners like Lana Del Rey, Pixies and The xx alongside the likes of Ryan Adams, Julia Jacklin, BadBadNotGood, Migos, Mø and many more.
When: On 8-12 August, Oslo, Norway
Cost: Onwards of £242. Tickets available here.
HG Loves - That the festival is held at a park behind the Munch Museum and includes the University of Oslo Botanical Gardens. The botanical Gardens is home to both the Geological and Zoological museums allowing visitors to soak in the culture and beauty of Oslo city while enjoying one of the chillest music festivals.
IV. Træna, Norway
Hungering for a new music festival experience on an island? No, not the kind with sandy beaches and tropical weather. More like the kind with lush green mountains and caves. Traena is truly like no other; a municipality of 500 citizens get involved to give you a fantastic experience with music and culture. Artists include African Sunz, KUUK, Amanda Delara and Sushi x Kobe. You can satiate your hunger with gourmet food from the sea, feel the magic of the ocean, watch seagulls do their thing and feel the love as they watch you do your thing.
When: 6th-9th July at Husøy and Sanna
Cost: £143. You can get your tickets here.
HG Loves: That the festival is on islands in the Arctic circle, 33 miles off the coast of Norway, only accessible by boat! And that there are activities such as mountain climbing; during the festival you have the opportunity to climb the highest point of Sanna, the train station, which stretches 338 meters above sea level.
V. Best Kept Secret Festival, Hilvarenbeek, Netherlands
This festival has a strong line up with artist from indie rock to hip-hop and garage rock to electronic - if it’s cool, it is at the festival; Radiohead, Arcade fire, George Ezra, Section Boyz, The Kourtneys and many more! There will be loads to discover in a lineup with nearly 100 artists, bands and DJs. The music isn’t the only thing in abundance at the Best Kept Secret Festival, they also have different styles of camping that are available to festival-goers; The festival provides group tents, chalets, log cabins, camper & caravans, bungalows, tents (festitents and festipis - they are as cute as they sound) The festivals are held at a gorgeous forests, beaches, holiday parks and campsites with excellent food and beverages provided. They also have various side attractions like Tokyo Hill, an area recreated to look like a Japanese garden, with Japanese food and culture to partake in and The Casbah, “the darkest and hardest bar” at the festival- All come together to provide you with the perfect opportunity to listen to some great music and party.
When: From June 16-18.
Cost: Day tickets for £79 (Friday) £89 (Saturday & Sunday) Available here.
HG Loves: The Long Table Dinner; a traditional banquet setting in the most beautiful place in the festival, right by the water and just outside the festival crowds.
VI. Bilbao BBK Live, Spain
Home to the famous Guggenheim Museum, the city of Bilbao hosts the Bilbao BBK Live music festival every year. This year we see the likes of Justice, Depeche Mode, the 1975, the Killers and Phoenix. Bilbao BBK Live is situated moments from Cantabrian surfing hotspots Bakio, Sopelana and Mundaka, making this the ideal festival for some choice waves. The beautiful city has an active nightlife and a township with gorgeous restaurants.
When: Festival begins 6 to the 8 July, Bilbao, Spain
Cost: Tickets £101 onwards; available here.
HG Loves: The entire festival is cashless! An intelligent “cashless” wristband will be the way to pay as well as give you ticket access. You will be able to use the wristband to pay at bars, food counters and to purchase merchandise. No more worrying about whether or not you still have your wallet or bag. Practicality just got swanky, y’all.
VII. Field Maneuvers, London
If you’ve got a penchant for partying then this is the place for you! With a capacity of 700 people this festival may be small, but it is deadly and will get you movin to some great talents on the electronic music scene. Field Maneuvers offers a sweet lineup including one of the Freerotation’s residents, Move D and other heavyweight dancefloor DJs. There will be food trucks at the location to make sure you’re spoilt for choice. Hidden in a riverside 60 minutes outside of London, the secret countryside location ensures to give you the best spec sounds and lights.
When: From August 29 to 31
Get your tickets here.
HG Loves: That this festival knows how to keep a secret and maintains the authentic British rave spirit!
VIII. Freerotation Festival, Wales
Freerotation Festival is one of the coolest festivals EVER. Which is why tickets aren’t available for just anyone! The annual event takes place at Baskerville Hall in Wales. The festival go-ers here are small in numbers but boy are they loyal! Being a member of the festival is like being the coolest out of all the cool kids. Only members can invite 1 person per year, and the rest is done by a lottery. So cross your fingers and toes and pray to whatever superpower you believe in to get you that lottery ticket.. Or you could, you know, make friends with a member. Freerotation has an incredible lineup with residents like Move D, Ben UFO, Shackleton and many more.
When: From July 11 to 13.
Try and get a ticket (our fingers and toes are crossed for you too)
HG Loves: At Freerotation they sell gender specific tickets in order to keep the audience 50% male 50% female. Equality in the most appropriate form!
IX. Plötzlich Am Meer, Poland
Held on a terrain which is a few kilometers from Rogowo and is located on an adventurous airfield next to Kołobrzeg, the campsite will have direct access to the beach. This unique festival ground gives you access to a beach and a forest. Camping grounds are free so you can come and pitch your tent, caravan or whatever contraption you chose to live out of for the next 3 days. A perfect dream come true after the not so warm winter. Located by Poland’s seaside, this festival is like a Disney underwater community with an incredible Berlin underground lineup.
When: From August 29th to 31st
Tickets available here.
HG Loves: The amalgamation of the beach and forest festival, giving the music lovers the perfect environment to be by the sea and lose themselves in music.
