Music festivals tend to bring out the child in all of us: throw our arms in the air, stamp our feet, and move our bodies anyway we like in utter abandonment. Like a child, it's a way to express ourselves, responding to the mystical pull of the beat of a tune while releasing feel-good brain waves and any inhibitions we may have. Dancing to music is an explosive emotional release that brings happiness to most people and has been a part of human culture since the beginning of time. It speaks of freedom, community, and happy souls.
And the wild party of international music festivals not to be missed continues:
Montreux Jazz Festival (July - Switzerland)
A sonic wonderland nestled in the stunning Swiss Alps by Lake Geneva; the Montreux Jazz Festival has been entertaining crowds for over five decades. It began as a jazz festival but has morphed into a mixed bag of genres, from blues and soul to rock, funk, and pop to electronic music, while retaining its jazz roots. Music luminaries such as David Bowie, Prince, and Nina Simone have all belted out tunes amidst this breathtaking scenery. Chocolate wafts in the air, and cafes buzz as the palm trees whisper in a gentle breeze along the lakeside promenade. It's a dynamic space of good vibes and rhythms where you can meander from an open-air stage to an intimate club within moments. Smooth saxophone solos or thumping drumbeats, every year is exciting and fresh. Sip local Swiss wine on a terrace overlooking the lake as a soulful jazz tune drifts in the air or catch a sunset concert with the Alps lit up in a glowing orange color as a backdrop—the scenery is mindblowing. Pig out on raclette or fresh lake fish, gorge on Swiss chocolates or mouth-watering cheeses; your taste buds will be doing their own dancing.
Lollapalooza (August - USA)
The ultimate mash-up of music and city vibes, Lollapalooza is held in Chicago's Grant Park in the heart of the city and features a mix of hip-hop, rock, and electronic music. Chicago, known as The Windy City, is a breeze to navigate, whether using the 'L' train or a ride-share service to explore its neighborhoods. Don't miss out on the local vibe found in nearby Wicker Park or Lincoln Park, or explore the shops, street art, and eclectic cafes that are Instagram eye-candy. Your taste buds will get a workout munching on deep-dish pizza, gourmet hot dogs, or get on your bike and head to one of the incredible bakeries and ice cream shops for something sweet. Lollapalooza is where you can chill out to emerging or already famous artists in a line-up that will have you gob-smacked.
Burning Man (August/September - USA)
A celebration and one-of-a-kind event focusing on radical self-expression and art, Burning Man is not a traditional music festival. Held in the empty plains of Black Rock City in the Nevada Desert, it’s a mind-bending art-infused adventure that will send shivers up your spine in exhilaration. From sound camps and performances, art installations and interactive experiences, Burning Man is when everyday life rules do not apply. Kicking off with the burning of a giant wooden effigy symbolizing the letting go of the old and welcoming new beginnings. It's a fiery start, featuring incredible art installations, wild costumes, dance parties, and spontaneous performances, all centered in a sprawling, temporary city built by the participants. An open-air museum set in a giant sandbox, this is desert camping at its most basic with no WiFi, no ATMs, and no corporate sponsors. Akin to a commune of like-minded creative souls dancing in the dust, making new friendships, and letting loose with the inner creative you. At the end of the crazy days, the entire makeshift city is set alight in a communal ritual of being a part of something extraordinary.
Rock in Rio (September - Brazil)
Magic and madness, Brazil's famous Rock in Rio Festival is one of the largest held in the world. It happens every two years in Rio de Janeiro, when over 100,000 people get together to celebrate music and the chance to see the likes of Foo Fighters and Queen strut their stuff on stage. This festival has been rocking the city streets since 1985. The air is heavy with the wafting aroma of churrasco, beachfront bars hum with people chatting while sipping caipirinhas, and the streets come alive to impromptu souls doing the samba. It's an eclectic mix of chaos and charm that brings the festival alive. Gigantic stages, whimsical art installations, and quirky food stalls dishing up everything from gourmet burgers to acarajé (traditional street food made from mashed black-eyed peas, onion, salt, and deep-fried). The music celebrates all genres featuring chart-topping pop stars and legendary rock bands–Coldplay, Lady Gaga, and Queen, to name a few. From big names to local talent, with rhythms of samba, funk, and MPB (Brazilian Popular Music), it's non-stop entertainment that embraces diverse music. There's a whole world of entertainment to explore. There are daredevil stages featuring acrobats and dancers, immersive art installations, and even a dedicated 'Rock Street' that's a mini city of music-themed bars and shops. Families dance together, friends sing at the top of their lungs, and strangers become friends in the shared love of music.
Tomorrowland (October - Belgium)
Iconic for its jaw-dropping stage designs and epic light shows, Tomorrowland is an electronic dance music festival that shimmers with neon pulses in the small town of Boom, Belgium. Imagine a vibrant space of music and magic where you can lose yourself in a never-ending kaleidoscope of sound and color. Drawing people from around the world, this is the chance to see top EDM DJs such as David Guetta, Hardwell, and Armin van Buuren, to name a few. Most people fly to Brussels, then hop on a shuttle (more like a party bus) to get to the tiny village of Boom. The stages are masterful sculptural artworks of giant structures that resemble something out of a sci-fi fairytale. For each stage, there is a famous DJ spinning tunes that make it impossible to keep your feet from moving. This is the ultimate chance to embrace your inner child by wearing whimsical costumes, glittering accessories, and having impromptu dance-offs in the middle of the crowd when you can stuff your face with chocolate-drizzled waffles, mayo-drenched crispy fries, and down it all with a local craft beer.
Gail Palethorpe, a self proclaimed Australian gypsy, is a freelance writer, photographer and eternal traveller. Check out her website Gail Palethorpe Photography and her Shutterstock profile.
