The Roskilde Festival is one of the largest in Europe. With 180 bands and roughly 100,000 participants, this festival began in 1971. In 2011, it will take place June 30 through July 3 in Roskilde, Denmark. Headline bands for 2011 include Iron Maiden and Kings of Leon.
The Fuji Rock Festival is held in Naeba, Japan. The festival lasts for three days and dates and performers for 2011 have yet to be announced. This festival typically boasts roughly 100,000 guests and is well known for its picturesque location. Stages are set in a mountain location with a gondola available to take concertgoers up for a panoramic view. Headliners for 2010 included Muse and Massive Attack.
The Big Day Out Festival is a traveling festival that hits cities within Australia and New Zealand. The concerts are focused on rock, pop and electronica. The 2011 event was held from January 21 through February 6, during Australia's summer. Featured bands for 2011 included M.I.A. and Iggy and the Stooges. Campgrounds are not available for concert goers.
The Lollapalooza Festival takes place in Santiago, Chile, April 2 and 3 and in Chicago, Illinois, August 5 through 7. The festival originally began in America and featured alternative music bands. In Chile during 2011, music will include hip-hop, rock, indie pop and electronic music. Headline bands play on five stages and include groups like The Killers and Kanye West.
The Sonar Festival takes place in Barcelona, Spain, June 16 to 18, 2011. The event began in 1993 and thousands continue to attend each year for a variety of musical styles. In 2010, the festival provided a satellite feed event in A Caruna, a province in northern Spain, for those who could not attend in person. Headline bands for 2011 include Underworld and Magnetic Man.
The Snowbombing Festival in Mayrhoten, Austria, combines athletics and music in a weeklong festival from April 4 to 9. Mayrhoten is a resort town ideal for skiers and snowboarders who also want to catch the music. Headline bands for 2011 include Jamie Woon and Fake Blood.
The INmusic Festival is held in Zagreb, Croatia, on a small island. This is the country's largest music festival. The festival features rock music and will have up to five stages with 40 bands. Arcade Fire is expected to appear. From June 21 to 22, guests can listen to music and camp or take the ferry back and forth from the island to the mainland.
The South by Southwest Music and Media Conference held in Austin, Texas, attracts music and film enthusiasts. From March 11 to 20, 2,000 bands play for close to 100,000 guests. Concerts occur in venues all over the city and attract industry professionals and music lovers. Many of the concerts are free.
The Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival will take place in Indio, California, from April 15 to 19, 2011. The event is considered the opener of the summer music festival season. Camping grounds are available. Bands have yet to be announced, but headline bands for 2010 included Gorillaz and Jay-Z.
The Bonnaroo Festival will take place in Manchester, Tennessee, on a 700-acre farm June 9 through 12, 2011. This year marks its 10th year. It is the top-grossing festival in North America and famous for its influence on rock 'n' roll. The bands for 2011 have yet to be announced, but bands appearing last year included the Dave Matthews Band and Jay-Z.