“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 2023
June 1-3, 2023
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: Alex G, Baby Keem, Bad Religion, Black Midi, Bleachers, Blur, Built To Spill, Calvin Harris, Christine And The Queens, Death Grips, Depeche Mode, Ezra Furman, FKA Twigs, Four Tet, Halsey, Japanese Breakfast, Kendrick Lamar, My Morning Jacket, Pet Shop Boys, Pusha T, Rosalía, Skrillex, St. Vincent, Swans, The Comet is Coming, The Voidz, The War on Drugs, Turnstile, Yung Lean, Yves Tumor
Vito Valentinetti/Primavera Sound
Primavera Sound Porto 2023
June 7-10, 2023
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: Bad Religion, Bleachers, Blur, Built To Spill, FKA Twigs, Japanese Breakfast, Kendrick Lamar, My Morning Jacket, Pet Shop Boys, Pusha T, St. Vincent, The Comet is Coming
Photo Credit: Vito Valentinetti
OFF Festival 2023
August 4-6, 2023
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.
Featured Artists: TV Girl
Photo Credit: Vito Valentinetti
La Route Du Rock 2023
August 16-19, 2023
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: Jamie XX, M83, The Black Angels, Viagra Boys, Yo La Tengo
Photo Credit: Vito Valentinetti
Melt! Festival 2023
June 8-11, 2023
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: beabadoobee, Bicep, Boys Noize, The Blessed Madonna
Best Kept Secret Festival 2023
June 9-11, 2023
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: Alex G, Aphex Twin, Christine And The Queens, Interpol, Japanese Breakfast, Kurt Vile & The Violators, Peach Pit, The 1975, The Chemical Brothers, The Comet is Coming, The Voidz, Two Door Cinema Club, Unknown Mortal Orchestra
Photo Credit: Samuel Swanson
Maifeld Derby 2023
June 16-18, 2023
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: Death Grips, Interpol, M83, Phoenix, Viagra Boys, Warpaint
Photo Credit: Vito Valentinetti
Siren’s Call 2023
June 24, 2023
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: Japanese Breakfast, Phoenix
Photo Credit: Vito Valentinetti
Pohoda Festival 2023
July 6-8, 2023
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: Amelie Lens, Jamie XX, Shame, Sofi Tukker, Viagra Boys, Wet Leg
Pointu Festival 2023
July 7-9, 2023
Six-Fours-la-Plage, France
This chilled out indie rock experience takes place on an island just off the coast of southern France.
Featured Artists: IDLES, Kurt Vile & The Violators, Viagra Boys
Bluedot Festival 2023
July 20-23, 2023
Jodrell Bank, UK
Leave the festival fantasy world behind and embark on the Bluedot experience. The award-winning Bluedot is an 'intergalactic festival of music, science, arts, culture and the exploration of space.' Taking place on the grounds of a deep space observatory, the festival combines an out-of-this-world lineup with a pioneering program of live science, experiments, and expert talks.
Featured Artists: Annie Mac, Django Django, Grace Jones, Pavement, Roisin Murphy
Photo Credit: Bluedot
Sideways Festival 2023
June 8-10, 2023
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.
Photo Credit: Vito Valentinetti
Beaches Brew Festival 2023
June 5-8, 2023
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 2023
August 11-13, 2023
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: 070 Shake, Amyl & The Sniffers, FKA Twigs
Photo Credit: Janita Autio
Ypsigrock Festival 2023
August 10-13, 2023
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: Slowdive, The Comet is Coming
Standon Calling 2023
July 20-23, 2023
Standon, UK
Each summer, Standon Calling tells a new story, bringing their garden party to life with a themed world that has included monsters, the circus, and legends of the lost sees. Across four fun-filled days, you’ll hear music from the acts you love and the very best in emerging talent. Savor incredible food, dance until the early hours, enjoy an abundance of family activities, lounge by the pool, luxuriate in a hot tub, or relax with a massage.
Featured Artists: Bloc Party, Katy B, Kt Tunstall, The Human League
Standon Calling/Vito Valentinetti
Down The Rabbit Hole 2023
June 30-July 2, 2023
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: 070 Shake, IDLES, Jacob Collier, Phoenix, slowthai, Stromae