“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 2020
Cancelled
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: Beck, Bicep, Big Freedia, Black Midi, BROCKHAMPTON, Caribou, Cigarettes After Sex, Dinosaur Jr., Disclosure, Honey Dijon, Iggy Pop, Kacey Musgraves, Kurt Vile, Lana Del Rey, Massive Attack, Nina Kraviz, Shame, The National, The Strokes, Tyler the Creator, Young Thug
Vito Valentinetti/Primavera Sound
NOS Primavera Sound 2020
Cancelled
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 watching the show.
Featured Artists: Beck, Black Midi, Cigarettes After Sex, Dinosaur Jr., FKA Twigs, Lana Del Rey, Rolling Blackouts Coastal Fever, Tyler the Creator
Best Kept Secret Festival 2020
Cancelled
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: Amyl & The Sniffers, Black Midi, Catfish and the Bottlemen, Massive Attack, Metronomy, Rolling Blackouts Coastal Fever, The National, The Strokes, Yellow Days
Photo Credit: Samuel Swanson
Sideways Festival 2020
Cancelled
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: Minna Hatinen
Siren’s Call 2020
Cancelled
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.
Check In Party 2020
Cancelled
Saint-Laurent, France
This DIY indie rock fest may be new to the scene, but its lineup is one of the more buzzworthy additions to the season. Taking place over three days in central France, Check In Party is an ideal way to close out the summer.
La Route Du Rock 2020
Cancelled
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.
Standon Calling 2020
Cancelled
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: Everything Everything, Holy Fuck, Hot Chip, Primal Scream
Standon Calling/Vito Valentinetti