Culture
The World’s Most Scenic Music Festivals
scenic festivals introCome for the bands, stay for the views – from idyllic Caribbean beaches to Moroccan gardens and serene Japanese mountain vistas, at these scenic music festivals, headlining acts play second fiddle to the spectacular venues hosting them. [Photo: Alessio Mesiano/Flickr]
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Culture
The World’s Most Scenic Music Festivals.
Wide Open SpaceWide Open Space, Ross River Resort (Central Australia) – “Middle of nowhere” is putting it mildly; this boutique festival takes place an hour from Alice Springs, a town that is itself 1,500 kilometres from the nearest major city. Make the journey, though, and you’ll be rewarded with nature unadulterated: the rocky East MacDonnell ranges, the dramatic N’dhala Gorge, and a night sky so brilliant you’ll forget you’re on planet Earth. Oh yeah, and then there’s the lineup of musical acts and performance artists…
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Culture
The World’s Most Scenic Music Festivals.
St LuciaSt Lucia Jazz And Arts Festival, St Lucia – It might be billed as a jazz event, but this festival’s perennially star-studded lineup includes artists from many different genres, most notably Caribbean musicians playing everything from zouk to reggae. Various landmarks across the island serve as concert venues, including sugarcane plantations, turquoise bays, ruins in the jungle, and the French colonial town of Soufrière.
2/14
Culture
The World’s Most Scenic Music Festivals.
Joshua Tree MusicJoshua Tree Music Festival, Bradley (California, USA) – Home to the peculiar tree that lends it its name, Joshua Tree National Park is also the location of California’s most down-to-earth desert festival. The event focuses on building a community atmosphere and introducing lesser-known local artists, and its breezy come-and-go policy allows visitors to explore the park’s spectacular landscapes.
3/14
Culture
The World’s Most Scenic Music Festivals.
Kala FestivalKala Festival, Dhërmi (Albania) – This relatively new boutique festival makes for an idyllic beach holiday and party break in one. With the pristine beaches of the Albanian Riviera as the backdrop, partygoers will not only rock out to performances at the beachside stages, but also enjoy boat trips and intimate dining experiences, as well as hiking in the unspoilt surroundings and chilling out on the white sand beaches. Festival tickets also include accommodation in the charming coastal village, so bonus points for that.
4/14
Culture
The World’s Most Scenic Music Festivals.
EurockéennesEurockéennes Festival, Belfort (France) – More than 100,000 festival-goers head to eastern France for this unique party on a peninsula. The non-profit, eco-friendly event features everything from a water sports arena to a beach and an environmental centre, plus enough head-banging beats emanating from the festival’s four stage areas to ripple the calm waters of Lac de Malsaucy.
5/14
Culture
The World’s Most Scenic Music Festivals.
Calvi on the RocksCalvi on the Rocks, Corsica (France) – Calvi’s mediaeval citadel was once an effective defence against invading militaries, but today it’s powerless against the hordes of fun- and sun-seeking partiers who arrive on its shores for four days of concerts by the Mediterranean Sea. Talents span the genres of pop, house, techno and indie, playing day and night in venues around town and on the beach. [Photo: d.fabre/Flickr]
6/14
Culture
The World’s Most Scenic Music Festivals.
TrænafestivalenTrænafestivalen, Træna (Norway) – Trænafestivalen has something for everyone; everyone who doesn’t mind taking a five-hour ferry to reach it, that is. Once there, they’ll find a diverse musical lineup, inventive venues (in caves, churches, the great outdoors) and a sun that never sets. The festival doesn’t get truly crowded, but should you seek solitude, there are plenty of quiet beaches to stroll and hills to roam here in Norway’s far north.
7/14
Culture
The World’s Most Scenic Music Festivals.
Fuji Rock Festival,Fuji Rock Festival, Mount Naeba (Japan) – This event has its lush mountain locale to thank for some of its sideline diversions, including natural hot springs, a forest boardwalk and a scenic gondola lift. And considering Japan’s reputation for keeping its streets litter-free, it’s not surprising that Fuji Rock has been hailed as the cleanest, ‘greenest’ festival in the world.
8/14
Culture
The World’s Most Scenic Music Festivals.
Cavendish Beach Music FestivalCavendish Beach Music Festival, Prince Edward Island (Canada) – At the peak of the summer season, the coastal town of Cavendish becomes a somewhat unlikely host to tens of thousands of country music fans. Though they might make the trip just to see some of Nashville’s top crooners take the stage, they’ll also enjoy the picturesque beaches and nature parks of Prince Edward Island.
9/14
Culture
The World’s Most Scenic Music Festivals.
G! Festival,G! Festival, Gøta (Faroe Islands) – The Faroe Islands are currently having a moment as one of the world’s top trend destinations, so how about experiencing the country’s fabled landscapes through one of its most famous events? Stages set between towering cliffs and serene bays will host performers from home and abroad, while Finnish tubs and saunas set up along the beach offer warmth for festival-goers after a dip in the chilly North Atlantic.
10/14
Culture
The World’s Most Scenic Music Festivals.
Wilderness FestivalWilderness Festival, Cornbury Park (England) – Summertime in the UK sees a host of festivals in fairytale settings, but for high-minded nature lovers, this is the one you don’t want to miss. Think: outdoor banquets, an open-air spa, foraging walks, morning guided runs, boating and swimming in the on-site lake, not to mention theatre performances, debates, dance workshops and croquet. And, of course, musical acts; this year, the Wilderness Orchestra will collaborate with film critic and musician Mark Kermode to deliver a score of soundtrack classics.
11/14
Culture
The World’s Most Scenic Music Festivals.
OASIS: Into The WildOASIS: Into The Wild, Marrakech (Morocco) – Step onto the dance floor surrounded by lush palm trees and azure pools for this year’s Oasis: Into Wild, held at luxury hotel The Source Marrakech. The lineup is TBD, but judging by previous editions, techno fans will not be disappointed; expect exclusive features from more than 30 international and local electronic music talents. The true magic of this three-day experience, however, lies in the additional amenities: vibrant Moroccan gastronomy, holistic wellness programmes, curated art and design experiences, and a historic tour of this culturally rich city.
12/14
Culture
The World’s Most Scenic Music Festivals.
Lake of Stars MusicLake of Stars Music + Arts Project, Lake Malawi (Malawi) – The palm-lined shores of Lake Malawi form the setting for this celebration of music from far and wide, showcasing Malawian talent alongside international acts while contributing to local flood relief efforts. Attend poetry readings, watch film screenings, take beach naps, go for a swim, then dance all night and watch the sun rise over the lake.
13/14
Culture
The World’s Most Scenic Music Festivals.
Envision FestivalEnvision Festival, Rancho La Merced (Costa Rica) – Rainforest? Check. Warm Pacific waters? Check. Eco-friendly and sustainable? Check and check. Though there’s a strong musical element, this transformative festival in the remote jungles of southern Costa Rica is also about unplugging from everyday life and finding yourself – whether it’s at a drum circle, yoga session, nature excursion, or simply under a palm tree on the beach. [Photo: mickeccross/Flickr]
14/14
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