Songs of Summer: The Allude Festival Guide
Festival or holiday? Why not combine both! After all, most events take place near great cities and in such stunning surroundings that it's worth hanging on for a few more days. The Allude team has summarized some favorites in this guide:
SONAR FESTIVAL
WHAT DO I HAVE TO KNOW? The Sonar Festival has been a magnet for experimental sounds and electro artists since 1994. The Barcelona exhibition center serves as a stage and in the evening the entire city beach is transformed into a beach party. No wonder that this vida loca also attracts over 100,000 people for its 25th anniversary.
PERFECT FOR anyone who wants to dance three days and nights through.
HEADLINERS: The crème de la crème of the DJs of the moment like Modeselektor from Berlin and producers like LCD Soundsystem from New York, who combine disco with punk - and the virtual band Gorillaz.
DATES: 14.6.-16.6.2018
WHAT ELSE CAN I DO? In the middle of Barcelona, the question arises: What can't I do there? So definitely stay longer, after all the Catalan capital is bursting with lifestyle highlights such as the concept store by interior designer Jaime Beriestain. Perfect for stylish souvenirs.
RESTAURANT: Raw preparation, vegan food and ecological ingredients are among the major food trends of recent years - and the " Petit Bread " combines all three in light-flooded rooms. Plus: The cold-pressed juices are the ideal detox course after a three-day festival.
HOTEL: The central " Soho House ", located in a building from the 18th century, is actually only accessible to members, but whoever spends the night there automatically becomes a "member": This brings enormous advantages for regeneration: indoor pool, yoga studio and that Excellent "Barcelona Signature Treatment."
ROSKILDE FESTIVAL
WHAT DO I HAVE TO KNOW? When a couple of Danish students, together with a Copenhagen music agent, founded the Rosikilde Festival near Copenhagen in 1971, they had no idea that it would develop into one of the biggest music events in Europe. The Stones have performed here, as have Pharrell Williams, Paul McCartney and the Red Hot Chili Peppers. The special feature: the festival is still organized exclusively by volunteers working on a voluntary basis and all proceeds are donated.
PERFECT FOR do-gooders and hit fans.
HEADLINERS: To make it short – all the big names in the industry. Eminem, Bruno Mars, David Bryne, Interpol, Massive Attack and Nine Inch Nails play across seven stages organized by genre.
DATES: 30.6 – 7.7 2018
WHAT ELSE CAN I DO? Roskilde is a lovely little town, but Copenhagen is less than 30 kilometers away. just sayin' . For street styles or Scandinavian interior inspiration, this city remains unsurpassed. Fine living finds can be discovered, for example, in the Hay House or at DANSK Made for Rooms .
HOTEL: The Hotel Sanders bar is named after the stage curtain of the Royal Theater thanks to its owner. Alexander Kopin was the first dancer of the local ballet company for a long time. He is also successful in his second career, because his hotel is considered the new hot spot in Copenhagen: no wonder, as elegant, cozy and stylish as it is there.
RESTAURANT: You are fascinated by the experimental Scandinavian cuisine, but have you already been to Noma? Then off to the Geranium ! The constantly changing menu includes bites on pine needles or sheep's butter and promises nothing less than "a tour of the universe".
MS DOCKVILLE
WHAT DO I HAVE TO KNOW? In the eyes of the locals, the southern side of the Elbe in Hamburg is actually the "wrong" one. But even Hanseatic residents are happy to admit that the MS Dockville has done a lot to upgrade districts like Wilhelmsburg. For eleven years, there has been a smooth transition between art and music, right on the water, which is now firmly anchored in the cultural program of the metropolis.
PERFECT FOR hipsters and anyone who wants to become one.
HEADLINER: What is played is what is heard in chic old buildings in large German cities - Oli Schulz, for example, but also indie bands like First Aid Kids or Alt-J.
DATES: 17.8.-19.8.2018
WHAT ELSE CAN I DO? Anyone who wants to explore Hamburg away from the festival grounds should ideally do so on and by the water in summer. Sail across the Elbe on a ferry – this is how you see the Elbphilharmonie from a whole new perspective – enjoy an Aperol in the “ Strandperle ” while your feet are in the sand, or experience the Alster and its tributaries by stand-up paddling .
HOTEL: Sir Nikolai is not only characterized by its location between the old town and HafenCity, the elegant ambience is also a pleasant alternative to camping around the festival. By the way: The hotel offers exciting workshops and tours.
RESTAURANT: The Neni restaurant, which belongs to the 25hours Hotel, is also located in Hafencity and is highly recommended. Soul food from the Levantine cuisine is served here, such as aubergines caramelized in ginger or kebabs in a luxury version. Excellent highballs await later in the Boilerman Bar next door!
MONTREUX JAZZ FESTIVAL
WHAT DO I HAVE TO KNOW? Founded in 1967, the Lake Geneva festival has a glorious history, having hosted legends such as Aretha Franklin, Miles Davis and Nina Simone. If jazz isn't your thing, don't worry: rock and pop music are also represented. And with the festival running for two weeks, there is plenty of opportunity to enjoy the program without stress.
PERFECT FOR everyone who doesn't feel like the festival combo of tent site mud and techno beats.
HEADLINERS: Where to start? In the field of jazz, the Brazilian doyen Gilberto Gil is doing the honors this year, as well as the genre innovator Jamie Cullum and the soul musician Aloe Blacc. Charlotte Gainsbourg stops by, as do the siblings Julia and Angus Stone, whose indie music hits soft tones.
DATES: 29.6.-14.7.2018
WHAT ELSE CAN I DO? It is not for nothing that Montreux is called the "Swiss Riveria", the protection of the high mountains ensures a mild climate almost all year round. A walk along the promenade, which turns into a sea of flowers in spring, is a must. At the southernmost tip of the boardwalk is the Château de Chillon, the city's landmark.
HOTEL: Located in the north of the city, the Villa Kruger Bed & Breakfast offers great privacy. The owners of the stately villa, which is surrounded by a huge garden that leads directly to the lake shore, rent only three rooms. The furnishings are sumptuously kitschy with a charming wink.
RESTAURANT: Matching the famous festival, there is the "Montreux Jazz Café" in the light-flooded rooms of the Fairmont Hotel . The atmosphere is as elegant as one always imagined the jazz era. If you want to stop for lunch before the concerts, this is the place for you.
ISLE OF WIGHT FESTIVAL
WHAT DO I HAVE TO KNOW? The bad news is the queen of European festivals, Glastonbury, is canceled this year. The good news: There are plenty of other places in Britain to jam in wellies and craft beer in hand on soggy Flora. The Isle of Wight Festival has the most beautiful view, as the sea stretches not far from the stages.
PERFECT FOR fans of British music and fresh sea breezes.
HEADLINERS: A "Best of Brit Rock" plays here with acts like Kasabian, Hurts, Van Morrison, Liam Gallagher or The Wombats. New and established voices of a still powerful genre.
DATES: 21.6.-24.6.2018
WHAT ELSE CAN I DO? Breathe in the sea air! The Isle of Wight is famous for its fabulous beaches. Compton Bay and Brook are perfect starting points for a hike along the cliffs, while Shanklin, Sandown and Ventnor have received multiple awards and invite you to relax in the sun with their fine sand.
HOTEL: Although there are numerous hotels on the island, one should not miss the opportunity to rent one of the delightful cottages . The seclusion and the sound of the waves are a welcome contrast to the hustle and bustle of the festival. " Fort Victoria " offers luxury cottages in the Conservation Area, right on the west coast.
RESTAURANT: We have been fascinated by modern English cuisine since Jamie Oliver. The small, fine Lockslane Contemporary Bistro in the fishing village of Bambridge sees itself in this tradition. How about salmon marinated in black tea with fennel, orange and coriander?
INMUSIC FESTIVAL
WHAT DO I HAVE TO KNOW? As the Sziget in Budapest has been proving for years, Eastern Europe is becoming a real hotspot in the festival calendar. The INmusic Festival in the Croatian capital Zagreb is even smaller and is taking place for the twelfth time this year. The location with the catchy name "Island of Youth" is located in the middle of Lake Jarun.
PERFECT FOR trendsetters.
HEADLINERS: INmusic boasts perhaps one of the season's most interesting lineup mixes, thanks to performers like up-and-coming singer St. Vincent and stars like Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds, grunge band Alice in Chains and new waver David Byrne.
DATES: 25.06.-27.06.2018
WHAT ELSE CAN YOU DO? Zagreb is a city full of cultural highlights. Among all the museums, galleries and sightseeing tips, one in particular stands out: the " Museum of Broken Relationships ". The idea came to the founders when they themselves were standing in front of the memorabilia of their time as a couple. Without further ado, they turned them into exhibits with explanatory texts.
HOTEL: The owner of the hotel " President Pantovcak " is an architect himself and accordingly placed great value on the design of his "baby". Above all, the decoration was chosen with great attention to detail: Modern Croatian works of art hang on the walls, antique Buddha statues adorn the chests of drawers and even the desk in the reception is over 500 years old.
RESTAURANT: In the traditional Vinodol restaurant, Mediterranean cuisine with an Eastern European twist is served in an impressive brick vault. Tip: The lamb, which almost melts in your mouth, and the hazelnut storks with "addictive" potential.
Photos: Andrew Ruiz via Unsplash.com
