A music festival is a whole new world, it is a place where time stops and everything wrong in the world means nothing just for a little bit. It's just you, your friends, the music, the warm feeling inside when the bass drops, when they reach the high note, or when your favourite performer is standing right there in arms reach.
Europe and the UK are home to some of the biggest and best music festivals in the world, some you may have heard of but some of those little ones, the ones that only the locals know can be the ones that provide that unique experience you've been looking for.
This list is my opinion, but I give you the top 10 (in no particular order) music festivals in Europe.
1. Sziget Music Festival (Budapest)
This seven day music festival in Budapest brings nearly 500,000 people onto the Sziget island. With still over 50,000 szitizens camping on the island this is a festival not to be missed. See performers such as Macklemore, Pink, Flume, Chainsmokers, George Ezra, Major Lazer, and loads more during the night time festivities and enjoy the many interactive art instillations and exhibits on this huge island during the day. You won't need to go anyone as there is plenty of food stalls including an ALDI and merch stand to spare. If you stay a little longer Budapest is home to some incredible views and also its world renowned spa parties. At only 299 euros for 7 days it is also known as being on the cheaper side. What is not to love?
2. Open'er (Poland)
This one is quite unknown to most Westerners but Open'er is quite the little festival. Located in Gdansk in Poland and boasting a headline this year of Foo Fighters, Lorde, The XX, Radiohead, Dua Lipa and many more it is one to put on the calendar. The locals are a huge fan of this one and being located on an abandoned airfield you can make some noise! So whether you are listening to the tunes or enjoying a silent disco in an air hanger or playing the local drinking game of flankie, this weekend festival will be over in no time. You know what they say time flies when you are having fun! Why not fly to Warsaw and check out the amazing history and architecture Poland has to offer.
3. Tomorrowland (Belgium)
If you love your EDM and dance music you will love Tomorrowland. The big names in these genres can be found here and tickets always sell out fast for this massive event. Quite often this festival will sell out in minutes and because of this, organisers have stretched Tomorrowland over two weekends. Recently acts such as Armin Van Buuren, Afrojack, David Guetta, Martin Garrix and Alesso have recently graced the one of a kind stage.
4. Glastonbury (UK)
Unfortunately for those wanting to go in 2018 Glastonbury will be taking a year off to regrow the grass (it's a thing). But for those who can go in the years to come it is certainly one to tick off the bucket list. Marvel at the sea of tents and the city of people that come to this town once a year to witness not only the UK's best but one of the worlds best music festivals. You'll often walk amongst the celebrities during the festival and see some of the biggest names on stage, with the likes of Ed Sheeran, Foo Fighters, Katy Perry, Stormzy, and many more.
5. Lolapalooza (Paris)
Lollapalooza Paris is the newest member of the iconic festival family, taking place in the French capital for the first time this July. 2017 boasted a stellar lineup of global superstars from a vast array of styles and genres – with The Weeknd, Red Hot Chili Peppers and DJ Snake among those topping the bill – the festival has something to offer to all manner of music fans. As with all of their festivals across the globe, the new Parisian edition will emulate the famous cities atmosphere incorporating a miniature Eiffel Tower.
6. Primavera Sound (Barcelona)
Primavera Sound is one of Europe's biggest indie and alternative music festivals. Held each year in Barcelona, the festival attracts the continent's hipsters due to its varied lineup of everything from alt-rock to underground house and techno. With a lineup topped by indie heroes Arcade Fire and The xx, RnB hot property Frank Ocean and Solange, as well as veteran rockers Slayer, electronic enigma Aphex Twin and the inimitable Grace Jones, the festival spans decades as well as genres. The festival strides to provide a platform to smaller, more underground names, making it one of the world's biggest influencers when it comes to the indie and alternative music scene.
7. Creamfields (UK)
Creamfields, the iconic UK dance music festival, showcases a lineup of superstar DJs and artists from the worlds of EDM, house, trance, D&B, grime and more every August bank holiday weekend in Daresbury. Curated by the legendary Cream brand – which shot to fame in the 90s thanks to its Liverpool club nights – as well as a number of other household brands and promoters, such as BBC Radio 1, Armada, Paradise and Hospitality, Creamfields has cemented itself as the place to be for dance fans. Alongside its on-point lineups, festival-goers can be assured of epic stage production, visuals, light shows and pyrotechnics which are now a key part of the festival
8. Ultra (Croatia)
Ultra Europe is Europe's infamous electronic music festival, attracting the biggest names in EDM, house and techno music to Split each summer. Held inside the city's historical Stadion Poljud, Ultra has become famed for its incredible, high-energy shows, filled with overwhelming production. As well as that, the festival also includes a number of beach and boat parties across the town, the surrounding islands, and on the lush Adriatic sea. The last edition included sets from the likes of David Guetta, Carl Cox and Axwell ^ Ingrosso.
9. Flow Festival (Finland)
Flow Festival is an alternative, multi-genre music festival in Helsinki. Taking place at the historic Suvilahti power plant, the festival features a uniquely stunning urban setting. Presenting over 150 national and international artists every year, Flow Festival's eclectic lineup of influential artists is one of the best in Europe. Not limited to music though, the festival curates an immersive experience with visual art installations, film screenings and talks to compliment its musical offerings.
10. Bestival (UK)
Bestival is one of the UK's most famous music festivals, popular for its hugely diverse lineups and warm embrace of creativity, which includes comedy, theatre, circus and art. Now set at Lulworth Castle after moving from the Isle of Wight, transforming the castle grounds into a haven of eccentricity and surrealism under a yearly theme. Previous themes have included The Future, with stages sculpted into spaceports and festival-goers donning fancy dress. And when it comes to the music, Bestival has it all. Spanning across rock, indie, house, techno, hip-hop, D&B, reggae, garage and more, Bestival's lineup quite literally has something for everyone. The last edition played host to The xx, A Tribe Called Quest, Pet Shop Boys and Andy C.
They often say music tells a story, that it transports you to a place you can only imagine. So go out there and tell your story and find that place where those dreams come true.