Splendour in the Grass
Australia's favourite festival, Splendour in the Grass, sees North Byron Parklands at Yelgun flood with festival goers, There is far more going on than music and with a Tipi Forest, a global village and a comedy club, the annual event attracts people in their thousands.
Location: Naeba Ski Resort, Yuzawa-cho, Niigata Pref.
Dates: July 21 - 23
Genres: Rock music, Pop music, Indie rock, Heavy metal
Line up: The x , Queens of the Stone Age, LCD Soundsystem
Website: splendourinthegrass.com/
Fuji Rock
Fuji Rock is Japan's biggest rock festival, featuring more than 200 artists, both Japanese and international. The annual event is called Fuji Rock Festival as it was originally held at the base of Mount Fuji but has now moved to a ski resort. People from all over the world attend.
Location: Naeba Ski Resort, Yuzawa-cho, Niigata Pref.
Dates: July 28 - 30
Genres: Rock music, Pop music, Indie rock, Heavy metal
Line up: Gorillaz, the xx, Aphex twin, BJÖRK, Lorde
Website: fujirock-eng.com/index.html
United by Tomorrowland
The world's biggest EDM festival attracts fans from all over the world to Belgium and tickets sell out within minutes. Launched in 2005, the festival takes place over two weekends. This year promises to be extra special, as the festival is going to be connected live with events in eight other countries. Dubai hosts its event on July 29 at Festival Arena, then there is Germany, Israel, Lebanon, Malta, South Korea, Spain and Taiwan who will be hooked up with the main stage and have synchronised special effects.
Location: Broom, Belgium
Dates: July 21 – 30
Genres: EDM
Line up: Martin Garrix, Afrojack, Armin van Buuren
Website: www.tomorrowland.com/global/
Burning Man
An annual event, the Burning Man festival has become renowned for being a place for the socially conscious, creative and community spirited to flock to. Held in the Black Rock Desert in Nevada, Las Vegas, a temporary city is built, with a huge effigy burnt on the Saturday evening. You need to bring everything you want to use with you and people often bring enough for other people, encouraging the spirit of giving.
Location: Black Rock City, Nevada
Dates: August 27 – September 4
Genres: Rock music, Pop music, Indie rock, Heavy metal, hip-hop, RnB
Lineup: Nico Stojan, Madmotormiquel, Unders, Amine K, KMLN, Jake the Rapper
Website: https://burningman.org/
Bestival
This English family-friendly summer festival will move locations this year, and be celebrated in the lush country of Lulworth Estate in Dorset. The festival, which began in 2004, has been held at Robin Hill on the Isle of Wight. Well-known for its fancy-dress themed days, the festival attracts huge crowds.
Location: Dorset, England
Dates: September 7-10
Genres: Rock music, Pop music, Indie rock, Heavy metal
Lineup: The xx, Jamie T, Dizzee Rascal, Laura Mvula, Pet Shop Boys
Website: www.bestival.net
Rock in Rio
Since its beginnings in 1985, Rock in Rio has grown into one of the world's largest music festivals. The early editions were based in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, but it later moved locations including Lisbon, Madrid and Las Vegas.
Location: Barra Olympic Park, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Dates: September 15-24
Genres: Rock music, Pop music, Indie rock, Heavy metal
Lineup: Lady Gaga, Maroon 5, Justin Timberlake, Aerosmith, Bon Jovi, Guns N' Roses, Red Hot Chili Peppers and The Who.
Website: rockinrio.com
The ones you’ve missed that should be on your diary next year
Mawazine
Africa's biggest music festival, Mawazine, has been in operation for 16 years. The festival, which pulls in huge names year after year, is a government initiative to promote Morocco as a tolerant destination. As well as international stars, the festival also promotes Moroccan and regional talent. Recent years have seen attendance swell to more than two million people.
Location: Rabat, Morocco
Dates: May 2018
Genres: Rock music, Pop music, Indie rock, Heavy metal, hip-hop, RnB
Website: https://www.everfest.com/e/festival-mawazine-rabat-
Glastonbury
Glastonbury has become synonymous with muddy fields full of revellers braving the weather to celebrate the UK's most famous festival. Tickets to the five-day festival sell out within minutes, and the event has gained a firm foothold in British Culture.
Dates: June 2018
Genres: Rock music, Pop music, Indie rock, Heavy metal
Line up: Radiohead, Foo Fighters, Ed Sheeran, Major Lazer and many more
Website: www.glastonburyfestivals.co.uk/
Exit Festival
This multi-genre festival, which began in 2001 as student movement campaigning for democracy and freedom in Serbia and the Balkans, has grown into one of Europe's musical giants. Held at the Petrovaradin Fortress in the city of Novi Sad, this event attracts music fans from around the globe.
Location: Novi Sad, Serbia
Dates: July 2018
Genres: Rock music, Pop music, Indie rock, Heavy metal, hip-hop, RnB
Website: www.exitfest.org/en
