Glastonbury Alternative?

Blisterman

So, my friends and I have missed out on Glastonbury tickets and are looking for somewhere similar to go to. Can be anywhere in Europe really.

We're looking for somewhere with a similar vibe. ie Eclectic, different mix of artists and genres, reasonably big, not too lively, not too relaxed.

Good selection of drinks, and/or the ability to bring your own drinks into the stages area is a bonus. I'm sick of festivals where paper cups of watery lager are your only option.

Any suggestions?

ghostdancer

haven't been, but Sziget and Roskilde would be 2 of the biggest ones that would be close to Glastonbury.

Wrongway1985

Try Belgium maybe very good organization at their fests, These 2 are probably the most popular Rock Werchter in July, Pukkelpop in August. Almost everyone speaks english so dont worry about that and the beer is very good. Hopefully the line-ups could be to you/your friends tastes

http://www.rockwerchter.be/nl/line-up/overzicht

http://www.pukkelpop.be/en/line-up/all-acts/

Toast

Electric Picnic used to be as close as I've come to something similar in vibe to Glastonbury and that includes Sziget, Roskilde, and Rock Werchter. Never been to Pukkelpop. I dunno if I could recommend EP this year though after all the messing they've been at.

In my experience the European festivals mentioned and their ilk are all very much arena, beer, tonnes of sponsors etc. They're better run than their Irish equivalents but none come close for matching the size and variety of Glastonbury but if I had to chose Roskilde was by far the best when I went.

You might be better with one of the more boutique English festivals like End of the Road, Latitude or Bestival though I've not been to any to verify what their like you'll at least find the cider bus from Glastonbury there as far as I know which is at least half the Glastonbury experience.

sweetie

primavera but its sold out i think

LeftBlank

Bestival is good though on a much smaller scale than Glastonbury. It has some good non-music stuff too and is very chilled out.

Just Like Heaven

Bestival is great if you want eclectic.

nocoverart

Wouldn't say It's a Glastonbury alternative, but Melt in Germany sure seems an interesting festival that I'd personally love to experience.
http://www.meltfestival.de/en/artists-a-z.html

Exit Festival in Serbia is another one that always stood out to me, it also has a open air dance arena that can hold up to 25, 000 people that runs through the night.
http://www.exitfest.org/sr/lineup/lineup-2013

melekalikimaka

Latitude in Suffolk, been going last 5 years, serious chill out place, reasonably decent line up, bit soft at the mo but will get a few more acts to mix it up soon going by previous years. One of the best festivals in the UK

nipps

creamfields! might b bit 2 narrow genre wise for ya tho

http://www.creamfields.com/

8-10

fewtinsoffroth wrote: »

Bestival is great if you want eclectic.

Great line-up this year too. Better than Roskilde's which is very underwhelming

SteelyDanJalapeno

Pukkelpop has a great line up compared to the rest of them at the moment

TopBombing

Went to Benicassim last year and going back again this year.

Great buzz around it and an ideal way of combining a festival with a summer holiday.

Lounge around by a pool or the beach all day, then enjoy the music and festival all night. Then wake up and do it all again the next day!!

Oleg Luzhny

I would definitely agree with Wrongway1985 on Rock Werchter. I haven't been, but I think it has everything that you're looking for. If I could go to any European festival this summer, I would pick either Glastonbury or Rock Werchter. And one advantage that Rock Werchter has over Glastonbury is that it's a four day festival.

http://www.rockwerchter.be/en

Inkyhead

I'm in the same position as the OP (tried/failed in the Glasto resale) and I've been researching the various European festivals.

Rock Werchter has a great lineup but from what I've heard it has a very chilled atmosphere, a little too chilled. Would prefer a little bit of madness (along with lineup/sunshine)!

For me it's come down to a choice of 4:
EXIT
Benicassim
Dour
Pukkelpop

nocoverart

The diversity of the Dour Festival line-up is amazing!

http://www.festivalsearcher.com/festivals.aspx?festival_id=dour_festival

Inkyhead

It's fantastic, innit! And it's meant to be serious craic.

Pukkelpop lineup is equally class (if a little mainstream). Only issue for me with Pukkelpop is that it's on in mid-August and I plan on hitting the Picnic as well.

Rex Manning

how about http://www.glastonbudget.org/band_type/tribute/ - foo fighters, u2, kings of leon, rage against the machine, artic monkeys

all for the princely sum of £72

Blisterman

Thanks for the advice everyone.
We've decided Rock Wercher is our best option, so booked tickets. Can't wait for this now!

WoollyRedHat

Blisterman wrote: »

Thanks for the advice everyone.
We've decided Rock Wercher is our best option, so booked tickets. Can't wait for this now!

Somebody who has decisive friends, that don't ooh-ah for weeks on end, you're lucky.

Inkyhead

Blisterman wrote: »

Thanks for the advice everyone.
We've decided Rock Wercher is our best option, so booked tickets. Can't wait for this now!

Enjoy! Let us know how it goes!

bigbudda

I've decided on Open'er festival in Poland.... Anyone been before?!

nocoverart

bigbudda wrote: »

I've decided on Open'er festival in Poland.... Anyone been before?!

Never been to Open'er but It's one of the big ones on the continent, and supposed to be very good. Personally if I was lucky enough to be going to a Festival in Poland this Summer - it would have to be OFF Festival. Smaller with a more diverse line-up.


http://www.festivalsearcher.com/festivals.aspx?festival_id=off_festival

breenbry

bigbudda wrote: »

I've decided on Open'er festival in Poland.... Anyone been before?!

Yes have been before. Good lineup and cheap but not very well laid out. Also they have designated alcohol areas so you cant view a gig and have a drink!

Good Review here http://www.festivaltips.net/heineken-opener-festival-2013/