After two years of cancellations, large-scale music festivals around the world are returning in full force as Covid mitigation measures continue to relax. Luckily, in contrast with last year’s events, most festival organizers no longer need proof of vaccination or a negative Covid test for admission.
If you’ve been itching to pack up your basic necessities and go on an international trip to attend a music festival abroad, or maybe even take a roadtrip to a less remote one, our list of the coolest music festivals to attend this summer is sure to appeal to all sorts of music lovers.
1. All Points East – London, UK – 19 to 28 August 2022
One of the most tempting reasons Brits can opt for a staycation in 2022 is definitely all the exciting music festivals taking place in the UK this summer season. One of them is All Points East, East London’s annual spectacle, which will return to Victoria Park over several weekends in August with an all-star lineup. Gorillaz and Idles will kick off the festival on August 19, while The Chemical Brothers and Kraftwerk will perform the next day. A slew of other major bands and artists will follow, including Tame Impala, The National, Disclosure, James Blake, and the legendary Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds.
2. Pitchfork – Chicago, USA – 15 to 17 July 2022
If you’re wondering where all of the hip alternative acts will be this summer, Pitchfork Festival is the place to go. Billed as the most trusted voice in music, Pitchfork clearly has a taste for outstanding artists, judging by this year’s lineup which includes The National, Mitski, and The Roots headlining the three-day festival. These will be followed by a bevy of brilliant bands like Japanese Breakfast, Earl Sweatshirt, Tierra Whack, Amber Mark, and more.
3. MEO Sudoeste – Zambujeira do Mar, Portugal – 2 to 6 August
MEO Sudoeste is a Portuguese dance and pop music event held each summer in the lovely southern coastal town of Zambujeira do Mar. The festival’s extensive schedule spans five days and includes EDM, house, hip-hop, pop and more. A star-studded lineup will be headlining this event, including Major Lazer, Steve Aoki and CKay. If you’re a social media influencer, you will be happy to learn that MEO Sudoeste’s seaside location allows festival-goers to relax on the beach or take a swim in the waves between performances, so consider looking into a travel marketing agency to maintain your social media activity while having the best possible festival experience that you can share with your following.
4. Electric Zoo – New York, NY, USA – 2 to 4 September 2022
Feel the bass, literally, at Electric Zoo. New York City’s longest-running electronic music festival was started in 2009, and it has held worldwide editions in Mexico City, Tokyo, Shanghai, and Sao Paulo. This year’s edition in September will feature Diplo, Porter Robinson, and Subtronics in their 3-day program, all set on Randall’s Island Park’s green fields.
5. Sziget – Budapest, Hungary – 10 to 15 August 2022
Sziget, a massive and spectacular music festival taking place every year in the center of Budapest, transforms the Hungarian Obuda Island into a refuge of multi-genre music acts each summer. This year’s lineup includes Justin Bieber, Dua Lipa, Calvin Harris, and Arctic Monkeys. With such a diverse range of pop, rock, and independent talent on offer, it’s easy to see why Sziget has been one of Europe’s most popular music festivals for over three decades.
6. Outlook Origins – Tisno, Croatia – 28 July to 2 August 2022
Who wouldn’t want to take a trip to Croatia’s sunny seaside and take part in a magnificent bass music festival at the same time? The Outlook Origins Festival’s stage settings are wild, with urban and bass rhythms spewing noises around a breathtaking cliff-top stronghold by the sea in Sibenik before moving on to Tisno’s gorgeous Garden Resort for the main festival and five days of incredible partying. The lineup includes Channel One, Madam X, Conducta and more.
