European Festival Guide 2016

The very best of the summer season...

The festival season is, simply, one of the best times of the year.

It's an excuse to head to the great outdoors, for sure, and also to soak up some of the finest music around. The festival calendar seems to grow in length with each passing year, allowing new events to pop up with succinct and exciting new identities.

At home, a host of fresh independent ventures are adding renewed colour to the summer season, while cheap travel has allowed the festival calendar to become more international than ever.

Clash counts down 7 Of The Best to keep an eye out for.

We Love Green (June 4th – 5th)
We Love Green is one of the cleanest festivals around – and that's official. The Parisian event has won numerous awards for its green ethos, even extending to the toilets! Now stretching across two days, We Love Green presents an impeccable line up, one that draws on indie, dance, hip-hop and plenty more. There's a real Gallic flavour, for sure, but international talent such as LCD Soundsystem, PJ Harvey, Air, Diplo, James Blake, and Hudson Mohawke make this one to look out for.

Glastonbury (June 22nd – 26th)
Perhaps the mummy, daddy, auntie, and uncle of the British festival season, Glastonbury never quite loses its appeal. Sure, the crowds change, and the line up refreshes, but that essential Glastonbury ethos remains exactly the same. Muse, Adele, and Coldplay are headliners, but – as ever – there's something for everyone on Worthy Farm with Wolf Alice, Baaba Maal, Santigold, Norman Cook, Band Of Horses, and so much more making their way to that magical field in Somerset.

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Latitude (July 14th – 17th)
Latitude is now almost in its teens, but it remains a fresh-faced newcomer on the festival scene. The laid-back Suffolk event has a unique atmosphere, with fans able to move from stage to stage in a lake-side setting. As ever, the line up is hugely eclectic, dominated by the spectre of headliners such The Maccabees, The National, and New Order. M83 and CHVRCHES will perform, with Father John Misty set to bring his incredible stage presence to the Suffolk festival. It's more than just music, though – expect fantastic comedy, drama, and plenty of chilled out workshops to keep you entertained between your favourite acts.

Melt! (July 15th – 17th)
Germany's Melt! Festival is set in a dis-used quarry, perhaps the ultimate example of art rejuvenating falling industries. The dramatic setting isn't all that's note-worthy about Melt! However – one of Germany's most acclaimed, and sought after festivals, it seems to reach the parts that other line ups simply can't. Disclosure, CHVRCHES, Skepta, Two Door Cinema Club, Boys Noize, and more will take part, with Melt! Moving effortlessly from techno, house, and disco through to indie rock and heavier sounds. Perhaps Germany's most iconic setting, set alongside one of its most carefully curated bills.

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Oya Festival (August 9th – 13th)
Oya is one of Norway's most celebrated festivals, pitting a hand-picked line up against that celebrated Scandinavian welcome. Now bigger and better than ever, Oya is preparing to welcome sets from Bristol trip hop legends Massive Attack, PJ Harvey, Factory heroes New Order, Jamie xx, Eagles Of Death Metal, Foals, and more. As ever, Oya Nights takes fans out into Oslo's clubbing district, lining up a number of guest spots from in-demand DJs and surprise sets from seminal producers. At only a two hour flight away from London, you'd be foolish to turn down their invitation.

Way Out West (August 11th – 13th)
Way Out West is one of Sweden's real gems, with fans able to soak up incredible music within a stunning Scandinavian setting. Combining a huge day-time festival with some carefully curated night-time events, Way Out West truly has something for everything, ranging from hip-hop heads to dance kids, indie buffs to those who just want to chill out. Picks from the day-time bill include Stormzy and Anderson.Paak, with Julia Holter, Sleaford Mods, Section Boyz, The Internet, M83, and more taking part. Essential.

Bestival (September 8th – 11th)
Bestival stands apart for a number of reasons: firstly, it's at the end of the festival season, and second it's on the Isle of Wight. There's something about being on an island that seems to capture the imagination, and when you throw in the fancy dress theme Bestival is transformed into a weekend long phantasia. The Cure, Major Lazer, and Hot Chip stand at the top of the bill, with festival organiser Rob da Bank also teasing out performances from Katy B, Fatboy Slim, Years & Years, grime kingpin Skepta, Animal Collective, and more. A four day trip into the musical imagination – what more could you ask for?

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Find other festival highlights in the Zalando Festival Guide.

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