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  1. News

Music Festivals 2014: Best for backpackers

By MusicRadar Team
published 22 April 2014

Find out the best holiday destinations to see music at this year way

Intro
Hit the road
(Image credit: © Tim Mosenfelder/Corbis)

Intro

Part of the fun of festivals is always the anticipation of getting there, and arriving at the site to see a city full of lights appear over the horizon.

This is doubly exciting, of course, if you've travelled hundreds of miles to get to your musical destination. Here we'll be looking at some of the more exotic festivals out there - the ones that are worth hopping on a plane, train or boat to get to...

Page 1 of 9
Page 1 of 9
Iceland Airwaves
5-9 November, Iceland
(Image credit: © Mario Anzuoni/Reuters/Corbis)

Iceland Airwaves

Headliners: The Flaming Lips, Unknown Mortal Orchestra, Pins

Location: Various venues, Reykjavik, Iceland

Best reason to go: Reykjavik is a magical little city, and you'll have a great time hopping between its venues to catch a range of new talent and established heroes.

Other line-up highlights: Futuregrapher, Snorri Helgason, more TBA

Tickets: Approx €119

Official site

Page 2 of 9
Page 2 of 9
Isle of Wight Festival
12-15 June, Isle of Wight
(Image credit: © Paul R. Giunta/Corbis)

Isle of Wight Festival

Headliners: Red Hot Chilli Peppers, Calvin Harris, Kings of Leon, Biffy Clyro

Location: Seaclose Park, Isle of Wight

Best reason for going: Since starting in 1968 with Jefferson Airplane headlining, this is one Isle that keeps on rocking. You'll find diverse acts, a kids' zone, a forested area and bathing tubs.

Other line-up highlights: Peace, Suede, Katy B

Tickets: Adult weekend passes are £290

Official site

Page 3 of 9
Page 3 of 9
Main Square
3-6 July, France
(Image credit: © Jan-Henrik Wiebe/Demotix/Corbis)

Main Square

Headliners: David Guetta, The Black Keys, MGMT, Iron Maiden

Location: Arras, Pas-de-Calais, France

Best reason for going: A diverse but strong bill under guaranteed sunny skies.

Other line-up highlights: Skrillex, Alice in Chains, Foals

Tickets: Tickets are €49-€59 per day, camping for four nights is €25 on top

Official site

Page 4 of 9
Page 4 of 9
Bonnaroo
12-15 June, USA
(Image credit: © Samantha Shrader ./Retna Ltd./Corbis)

Bonnaroo

Headliners: Elton John, Kanye West, Jack White

Location: Great Stage Park, Manchester, Tennessee, USA

Best reason to go: Jack White's back with a new album this year, and this could be one of the first live opportunities to hear the thing.

Other line-up highlights: Lionel Richie, Vampire Weekend, Arctic Monkeys, Flaming Lips, Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds, Damon Albarn

Tickets: General admission sold out, but VIP tickets (pairs only) are $85.90 per pair

Official site

Page 5 of 9
Page 5 of 9
PinkPop
7-9 June, Netherlands
(Image credit: © MARCEL VAN HOORN/epa/Corbis)

PinkPop

Headliners: Rolling Stones, Metallica, Robert Plant, Arcade Fire, Arctic Monkeys

Location: Landgraaf, Netherlands

Best reason to go: The greatest rock and roll band of all time. Need we say more?

Other line-up highlights:John Mayer, Editors, Avenged Sevenfold, Biffy Clyro

Tickets: Weekend tickets sold out, single day tickets €90

Official site

Page 6 of 9
Page 6 of 9
Pohoda Festival
10-12 July, Slovakia
(Image credit: © Andrew Benge/The Hell Gate/Corbis)

Pohoda Festival

Headliners: Kraftwerk, Tricky, Suede, Goldfrapp

Location: Trenčín Airport, Slovakia

Best reason to go: If you missed Kraftwerk's festival sets last year, this could be your last chance to see the electro legends.

Other line-up highlights: Mogwai, Tame Impala, Azealia Banks

Tickets: There's a range of presale options starting at €49, while on-site tickets are €119

Official site

Page 7 of 9
Page 7 of 9
Optimus Alive
10-12 July, Portugal
(Image credit: © Arlindo Camacho/Demotix/Corbis)

Optimus Alive

Headliners: Arctic Monkeys, The Black Keys, MGMT

Location: Passeio Marítimo de Algés, Portugal

Best reason to go: See the biggest alternative acts around under guaranteed sunny skies.

Other line-up highlights: Bastille, Interpol, Elbow, Foster The People, Imagine Dragons

Tickets: Three days including camping is £104

Official site

Page 8 of 9
Page 8 of 9
Primavera Sound
29-31 May, Spain
(Image credit: © Nathalie Paco/Demotix/Corbis)

Primavera Sound

Headliners: Pixies, Arcade Fire, Queens of the Stone Age, Nine Inch Nails, Television

Location: Parc del Fòrum, Barcelona, Spain

Best reason to go: A blockbuster line-up of radical music heroes. In the sun!

Other line-up highlights: The National, Godspeed You! Black Emperor, Haim

Tickets: Weekend tickets from €204.75

Official site

Page 9 of 9
Page 9 of 9
MusicRadar Team
MusicRadar Team
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