“It’s indie rock and roll for me,” sing the world’s least indie rock band, but we understand the sentiment coming from The Killers when it comes to this genre. Europe may be the world’s mecca for electronic music, but there’s a thriving indie rock festival scene here full of local talent, legacy acts, and DIY fests.
Primavera Sound Barcelona 2024
May 30-June 1, 2024
Barcelona, Spain
This Barcelona institution is a beacon for the entire spectrum of indie rock along with a smattering of entries from just about every other genre of music. Hundreds of bands fill the Parc El Forum along with one-of-a-kind intimate performances throughout the city. Add this music festival mecca to your bucket list immediately.
Featured Artists: 070 Shake, Amyl & The Sniffers, Charli XCX, Chelsea Wolfe, Deftones, Disclosure, Ethel Cain, Faye Webster, FKA Twigs, Justice, Lana Del Rey, Mannequin Pussy, Peggy Gou, Phoenix, PJ Harvey, The Blessed Madonna, The National, Vampire Weekend, Yo La Tengo
Vito Valentinetti/Primavera Sound
Primavera Sound Porto 2024
June 6-8, 2024
Porto, Portugal
The little sibling to Barcelona's mega-festival Primavera Sound, this Portuguese edition takes place the following weekend in the charming city of Porto. The recipe remains the same, with a staggering roster of indie rock talent. The grassy hillsides of Parque Central means that every seat is a prime location to watch the show.
Featured Artists: Amyl & The Sniffers, Ethel Cain, Justice, Lana Del Rey, Mannequin Pussy, PJ Harvey, The National
Photo Credit: Vito Valentinetti
OFF Festival 2024
August 2-4, 2024
Katowice, Poland
Still unspoiled by hordes of backpackers, Poland is a treat for travelers. And nothing makes that treat sweeter than the similarly unspoiled OFF Festival in Katowice which after ten years still keeps its lineup fresh and surprising.
Photo Credit: Vito Valentinetti
La Route Du Rock 2024
August 14-17, 2024
St Malo, France
This very hip, very cool, indie rock festival is one of the few in France that can boast a 25+ year history. The biannual event has featured Portishead, Disclosure, The XX, Blur, Pulp, Air, and Sonic Youth and has even spun off a winter edition.
Featured Artists: Air, José González, Kae Tempest, Slowdive, The Kills
Photo Credit: Vito Valentinetti
Melt! Festival 2024
July 11-13, 2024
Ferropolis, Germany
The Melt! Festival, surrounded by the calm waters of Lake Gremmin and the steely silence of the iron city, is filled with the musical noise of one of Germany's standout lineups. Camping is a must at this German festival, and the open-air museum of an abandoned coal factory marks this as a one-of-kin venue.
Featured Artists: Bonobo, Chase & Status, Helena Hauff, Honey Dijon, James Blake, Skepta
Best Kept Secret Festival 2024
June 7-9, 2024
Hilvarenbeek, Netherlands
One of the highlights of the Dutch festival season, the Best Kept Secret Festival brings a world-class lineup to the south of the Netherlands. The beautiful location boasts an incredible lake, plenty of camping options, and multiple stages to complete the weekend.
Featured Artists: Alice Phoebe Lou, Amyl & The Sniffers, Baxter Dury, Disclosure, Floating Points, Justice, Mannequin Pussy, Parcels, PJ Harvey, Slowdive, St. Paul and the Broken Bones, St. Vincent, Tamino, Viagra Boys, Vince Staples
Photo Credit: Samuel Swanson
Maifeld Derby 2024
May 31-June 2, 2024
Mannheim, Germany
Maifeld Derby is an intimate indie rock festival held at a horse racing track. The multiple stage festival features super close camping and vibe that will make you feel like family by the end of the festival. Set times and stages are set up so you spend less time walking and more time seeing incredible this awesomely curated lineup.
Featured Artists: Chelsea Wolfe, Slowdive
Photo Credit: Vito Valentinetti
Siren’s Call 2024
June 29, 2024
Luxembourg City, Luxembourg
Siren's Call is a one-day music festival that takes place sin the heart of Luxembourg City. Besides the indie rock lineup, there's also readings, an organic wine bar, dance performances, a design expo, and a kid's program.
Featured Artists: Bat For Lashes, Bombay Bicycle Club
Photo Credit: Vito Valentinetti
Pohoda Festival 2024
July 11-13, 2024
Trencin, Slovakia
Major festival line-up, boutique festival vibe, and the comfort of a garden party at your best friend’s place for a fraction of a regular ticket price. The annual Pohoda Festival takes place on the spacious grounds of an airport which means every seat is within site of the stage and castle topped mountains. Our editor-in-chief called this his favorite fest of the summer.
Featured Artists: Arlo Parks, Black Pumas, James Blake, Noname, Pendulum, Queens of the Stone Age, Royal Blood, Skepta
Sideways Festival 2024
June 13-15, 2024
Helsinki, Finland
Dive into the center of Helsinki in June to experience Sideways. Nearly 80 acts are presented featuring a lineup of the best national and international acts. This is a cozy boutique festival that should be on every indie rock aficionado's wishlist.
Featured Artists: Fontaines D.C., Jungle, Peggy Gou
Photo Credit: Vito Valentinetti
Beaches Brew Festival 2024
June 4-6, 2024
Ravenna, Italy
Beaches Brew is a super cool, super free, indie rock festival that takes place at the Ravenna Marina. Take the week off work and chill out by the sea while enjoying this wonderfully curated lineup along with a few local brews.
Photo Credit: Francesca Sara Cauli
Flow Festival 2024
August 9-11, 2024
Helsinki, Finland
The effortlessly hip Flow Festival is Helsinki's premier music festival of the summer. The tastefully curated lineup features everything from indie rock and folk to soul and jazz. The festival area is a truly unique place, containing 11 different venues including massive outdoor stages and cozy indoor spots.
Featured Artists: Denzel Curry, Jessie Ware, PJ Harvey
Photo Credit: Janita Autio
Ypsigrock Festival 2024
August 8-11, 2024
Castelbuono, Sicily
Situated in the absolutely breathtaking mountains of central Sicily, Ypsigrock is a hidden gem of a music a festival. The Castle of Castelbuono is the backdrop to a full weekend of indie rock. Show up early to claim a camping spot and partake in the welcome party.
Featured Artists: Explosions In The Sky, Kae Tempest
Down The Rabbit Hole 2024
July 5-7, 2024
Beuningen, Netherlands
Lose yourself at Down the Rabbit Hole. Set on the edge of a lake (yes, there is swimming) this indie rock bonanza in The Netherlands is one of MFW's favorite fests of the summer. All of the main stages are placed under massive circus tents so no need to worry about the famous rains of the region.
Featured Artists: Action Bronson, Aurora, Bombay Bicycle Club, Jessie Ware, Jungle, Kaytranada, Khruangbin, LCD Soundsystem, Michael Kiwanuka, Noname, The Gaslight Anthem, The National, The Vaccines, Ty Segall, Yard Act
Palmarosa Festival 2024
August 23-25, 2024
Montpellier, France
Palmarosa is a small indie rock festival held over three days in Montpellier, France.
Featured Artists: Phoenix, The Hives, The Kills, The Vaccines, Tom Odell
Wide Awake Festival 2024
May 25, 2024
London, UK
Celebrated for their unmissable line-ups of leftfield indie, post punk, electronica, techno, and jazz curated by a selection of the capital’s most essential promoters, Wide Awake pride themselves at highlighting some of the best established and up and coming artists in the world today.
Featured Artists: Ben UFO, Helena Hauff, King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard