Europe's top summer music festivals
Patti Smith, Pharrell Williams and Blur are among the acts set to perform at music festivals across Europe this summer. Here are seven events not to miss.
Isle of Wight Festival - June 11-14 on the Isle of Wight, UK
Founded in the late 60s, the Isle of Wight Festival is sometimes referred to as Europe's answer to Woodstock, since its early editions featured American counterculture icons such as Jimi Hendrix, The Who, The Doors and Joan Baez. Forty years later, the event draws some of the leading names in international pop and rock to the small island just off the coast of Portsmouth. Blur, The Black Keys, The Prodigy, Groove Armada and Pharrell Williams are among the acts lined up for the 2015 edition.
Primavera Sound - May 28-30 in Barcelona, Spain
Barcelona is a top destination for European concert fans, and Primavera Sound is among the main reasons. Founded in 2001, the event has grown steadily into a major festival. The line-up this year, as usual, will turn the spotlight on indie acts. The Strokes, The Black Keys, Patti Smith and Afrobeat-king Tony Allen are set to perform.
Rock in Roma - June 14 - September 6 in Rome, Italy
As one might expect from a festival that lasts four months, Rock in Roma includes a wide variety of different acts and genres, despite the focus on rock. For the 2015 edition, the line-up ranges from the popular Muse, Stromae, Lenny Kravitz and Robbie Williams to lesser known artists such as Jeff Mills and the New York-based indie band Interpol.
Sónar - June 18-20 in Barcelona, Spain
Another major festival held in the Spanish city, Sónar is positioned as more avant-garde and arty than Primavera Sound. This year, electronic music fans can look forward to dancing to The Chemical Brothers, FKA Twigs and Laurent Garnier, among others.
Glastonbury - June 24-28 in Pilton, UK
A product of the same era as the Isle of Wight Festival, Glastonbury was founded shortly after Jimi Hendrix's death. The Kinks performed at its first edition, where the price of admission was just £1. Already sold out, the 2015 edition will feature some of the biggest stars of the international music scene, including Kanye West, The Who, Pharrell Williams, Marie J. Blige, Azealia Banks and The Chemical Brothers.
Roskilde Festival - June 27-July 4 in Roskilde, Denmark
This Danish festival is organized by a non-profit organization, the Roskilde Foundation, which supports humanitarian and cultural causes. This year, the charity event has an impressive line-up that includes Paul McCartney, Disclosure, Kendrick Lamar, Pharrell Williams, Muse and Florence and the Machine, among others.
