Winter is not a reason to refuse music festivals, especially since many of them take place at ski resorts, where you can ride the slopes during the day and listen to DJs and artists from all over the world at night. We will tell you about the best music festivals this winter: in medieval cities of Europe and in Alpine resorts, on the beaches of Thailand and on the islands of Australia.
1. Rise at the resort of Les Deux Alpes, France
When: December 16–23
The Rise electronic music festival takes place in one of the largest Alpine resorts, Les Deux Alpes, 70 kilometers from Grenoble. The festival was first held in 2013. Its founders said they wanted to dispel the stereotype that après ski in the Alps consists of karaoke and gigs in British pubs. For the eight days of the festival, indoor arenas will be installed near the main routes, where techno, garage, drum and bass will play, and after sunset and until 3 am, Craig David, Wilkinson, Bicep, The Craig Charles will play at venues and clubs Funk & Soul Club, Monki and several dozen more musicians.
2. Eurosonic Noorderslag in Groningen, the Netherlands
When: January 17–20
This festival has been held since 1986 in Groningen, a cheerful college town in the north of the Netherlands, with canals, a famous museum of modern art and 16th-century architecture. The first three days, 90 musicians of different styles from 20 European countries play at 18 venues, and the last, fourth day, is reserved for Dutch musicians. Simultaneously with the concerts, the festival hosts conferences with famous artists. Festival headliners: Kytes, Saint Electrics, Sonar, Housewives, Equals, Ana Curcin, Iguana Death Cult.
3. SEMF (Stuttgart Electronic Music Festival) in Stuttgart, Germany
When: December 16
SEMF is one of Europe’s largest indoor festivals. The ongoing 12-hour rave will take place across four venues in the huge Messe Stuttgart exhibition center. This year the festival celebrates its tenth anniversary, and the organizers promise to organize a grandiose light show on this occasion. About 30 artists from Germany and other Western European countries will perform. Festival headliners: Sven Vath, Solomun, Nina Kraviz, Chris Liebing, Len Faki.
4. Trans Musicales in Rennes, France
When: December 6–10
Trans Musicales will take place in Rennes, the capital of the Brittany region in northwestern France. Young and not yet very well-known artists from all over the world perform at 5 venues at the Parc Expo Rennes exhibition center. In 1991, the then unknown Nirvana played here, and in 1993, Björk. The venues will play house, hip-hop, pop, techno, trance, pop-punk and glam rock. Festival participants: Altin Gun, Diron Animal, El Leopardo, Kosmo Pilot, Tample and about 70 other groups.
5. Mona Foma in Hobart, Tasmania, Australia
When: January 12–22
Mona Foma is one of the most unusual music festivals. It is held on different floors of the huge private museum of old and new art, owned by millionaire David Welsh. During the festival, performances and conferences on the role of contemporary art will be held simultaneously with concerts by musicians from all over the world and all styles: classical music performed by a symphony orchestra and black metal, folk and hip-hop, jazz and gospel. Festival headliners: Godspeed you! Black Emperor, Femina, Moor Mother, Brian Jackson, Nina Simone, Emel Mathlouthi.
Photo : Annika Berglund
6. Where’s the music in Norrkoping, Sweden
When: February 9–10
This young Scandinavian music festival takes place in the ancient town of Norrkoping, near Stockholm. About 100 young bands will play indie rock, pop, rap and metal at ten venues for two days. From 10 am to 3 pm there will be conferences with musicians and producers from Sweden, England and the USA. Festival headliners: Magnus Carlson, Hovl, Tommy Cash, It’s for us, Erik Lundin.
7. Wonderfruit in Pattaya, Thailand
When: December 14–17
The Wonderfruit music, art and street food festival will be held in Pattaya for the fourth time. R&B, hip-hop, indie rock, electronics and Thai folk will be heard from three stages. Artists, designers, architects and sculptors from all over the world will erect about 80 art objects on the festival grounds. Next to the stages, a huge “Feast Hall” will be built from bamboo, where there will be 3 restaurants and 18 eateries. Festival headliners: Richie Hawtin, Be Svendsen, Craig Richards, Umami, Eduardo Castillo, Pauli Pocket, Midas 104, Bobby.
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