Are you looking for some of the best music festivals in Europe this summer? Why not head to Barcelona, Madrid, Malaga, Bilbao, Valencia, or one of the other countless destinations that will host summer festivals in Spain? Here we have selected the best of the best and we're counting the days until each amazing event.
May
What: Territorios Sevilla
Where: Centro Andaluz de Arte Contemporáneo - Monasterio de la Cartuja, Seville, Seville
When: May 23rd - 24th
Price: 25 €
No matter what kind of music you like Territorios Sevilla is sure to have something for you. On May 23rd and 24th artists of diverse genres will play at this festival. This includes well-known Spanish hip-hop artist Mala Rodriguez (above), 80s star Loquillo, Catalonian indie pop band Love of Lesbian, and many more including Sven Väth, Anna Calvi, Manel, Ska-P, The Jon Spencer Blues Explosion, and Lori Meyers.
What: Primavera Sound
Where: Parc del Forum, Barcelona, Catalonia
When: May 28th - 31st
Price: Festival pass - from 190 €
Primavera Sound is one of the best music festivals this summer in Spain. For over 10 years the Barcelona festival's line-ups have been filled with famous names. This year there will be over 200 artists from all over the world, including Arcade Fire, Queens of the Stone Age, The Pixies, Nine Inch Nails, Kendrik Lamar, Neutral Milk Hotel, The National, Disclosure, Metronomy, and Foals.
June
What: Tres Sesenta Festival
Where: La Ciudadela, Pamplona, Navarra
When: June 5th - 7th
Price: Three-day pass - from 45 €
The Tres Sesenta Festival is for lovers of Spanish rock. During this three day festival in Pamplona (yes, the town famous for the Running of the Bulls) you'll be able to enjoy the rock ballads of Depedro and Zoe, hear the latest tracks by Amaral, as well as see Andres Calamarro, member of Spanish rock band Los Rodríguez. Alongside Tres Sesenta, another festival is organized for the month of July: PortAmérica is a merging of music and ideas, accompanied by even more rock.
What: Mallorca Rocks and Ibiza Rocks
Where: Majorca; San Antonio, Ibiza, Balearic Islands
When: June 3rd - September 16th
Price: Individual concert ticket - from 35 €
The Balearic Islands will be filled with concerts and parties for almost the entire summer. Ed Sheeran, Bastille, Clean Bandit, Haim, John Newman, Lily Allen, The Kooks, Rudimental and many, many others with play at Mallorca Rocks and Ibiza Rocks. Check out the official websites to get your concert tickets and tickets for additional events. If you need more convincing, check out the best beaches of Mallorca where you can soak up the sun between concerts.
What : Azkena Rock
Where: Mendizabal, Vitoria Gasteiz, Basque Country
When: June 20th - 21st
Price: Two-day pass - from 74 €
June in the Basque Country promises to be wild, especially for rock lovers. If you love the Scorpions or Blondie you can't miss Azkena Rock in Vitoria. Other groups playing this year include The Strypes, Violent Femmes, Wolfmother, Joe Bonamassa, Deap Vally, and Kadavar. The festival, this year celebrating its 11th edition, boasts past performances by stars such as Bob Dylan, Chris Isaak, Kiss, The Smashing Pumpkins, Ozzy Osbourne, Lynyrd Skynyrd and Queens of the Stone Age.
What: MulaFest 2014
Where: IFEMA, Feria de Madrid, Madrid
When: June 26th - 29th
Price : 20 - 30 €
Mulafest isn't just a festival, it's four days filled with street culture, urban art, tattoos, extreme sports and breakdancing. This is where sports fans, artists, and other enthusiasts play 24 hours a day on an artificial island with an area of 2000m2 in Madrid! From motorcycles to the beach, to restaurants and bars, this event is definitely worth attending. All you need is your ticket and your bathing suit!
July
What: Bilbao BBK Live
Where: Park Kobetamendi, Bilbao, Basque Country
When: July 10th - 12th
Price: Three-day pass - for 111 €
In our opinion Bilbao BBK is one of the best festivals of the summer, especially for lovers of indie and rock. Why? Because the likes of Franz Ferdinand, Crystal Fighters, John Newman, The Prodigy, Foster the People, The Black Keys, The Lumineers, Band of Horses will be there. And to add to the fantastic line-up, Bilbao is famous for its amazing food - you have to try pintxos!
What: 101 Sun Festival
Where: Estadio de Atletismo Ciudad de Málaga, Málaga, Málaga
When: July 11th - 13th
Price: Two-day pass - from 49 €
The 101 Sun Festival will impress indie rock lovers and it's the only event of its kind in southern Andalusia. The first edition promises to be great with performances by Franz Ferdinand, Amaral, Black Rebel Motorcycle Club, Crystal Fighters, Kill The Hipsters, and Lori Meyers. We've had our tickets for months and can't wait, see you there!
What: FIB Benicassim
Where: El Recinto de Conciertos, Benicassim, Valencia
When: July 17th - 20th
Price: Four-day pass - from 153 €
If you love British rock, but prefer the warm Valencian sun to rainy England you absolutely can't miss FIB Benicassim. Kasabian, Lily Allen, Ellie Goulding, M.I.A., Kodaline, Tom Odell are only a few of the names that you will see at this four day festival. And there's no better combination than sea, beach, music and camping.
What: Monegros Desert Festival
Where: Fraga, Aragon
When: July 19th
Price: From 65 €
Ever been to a festival in a desert? Check out the Monegros Desert Festival, one of the largest and most famous techno, hip-hop, drum and bass festivals in Europe. More than 40 thousand people are expected to take part in the 20 hour long party at this year's 20th edition. The line-up includes Skrillex, Boys Noize, Carl Cox and Steve Aoki, while more artists to be announced soon.
What: Starlite Marbella
Where: La Cantera, Marbella, Málaga
When: July 23rd - August 23rd
Price: Dependent on the artist, cheapest ticket is for The Beach Boys - 44 €
Marbella, one of the most luxurious cities in Europe, has offered well-known artists at the Starlite Festival year after year. This year's line-up includes The Beach Boys, Pet Shop Boys, Julio Iglesias, Kool and The Gang, and Gloria Gaynor in an intimate, exclusive atmosphere. Furthermore, organizers have just announced that Ricky Martin will perform on July 25th. The music will be accompanied by gastronomic events, fashion shows, and exhibitions in La Cantera, the only club in the world inside a natural quarry. Additionally, Starlite devotes one night of the festival each year to celebrating philanthropy at the Starlite Gala, hosted by Antonio Banderas. This year, the biggest charity event in Spain will be held on August 9th.
What: Heineken Jazzaldia
Where: San Sebastian, Basque Country
When: July 23rd - 27th
Price: Festival pass - about 55 €
The Heineken Jazzaldia is a huge event that brings together jazz enthusiasts from far and wide every year. More than 25 groups will play on 11 stages located throughout the center of San Sebastian. Some stages are even on the beach! This year is the 49th edition and in all previous years San Sebastian has been visited by thousands for the occasion. No wonder, who doesn't want to combine an incredible city with great food and fantastic music?
What: Low Festival
Where: Ciudad Deportiva Guillermo Amor, Benidorm, Valencia
When: July 25th - 27th
Price: Festival pass - from 61 €
The beach, vacationing, friends, fun and music. This should be the slogan for the Low Festival in Benidorm, where you will find even more Spanish indie rock. There will be tons of green space where you can relax, swimming pools to cool off, and an amazing atmosphere at this festival. We've heard awesome reviews and encourage you to attend.
What: Santander Music Festival 2014
Where: La Campa de la Magdalena , Santander , Cantabria
When: July 31st - August 2nd
Price: Two-day ticket - € 40
Did you miss out on any of your favourite artists so far this summer? No fear, tons of great bands will be at the Santander Music Festival. So far, Love of Lesbian, Ivan Ferreiro, Sidonie, Sexy Sadie are confirmed attendees, and organizers promise that we can expect many more artists from the pop-rock, electro and independent scenes. Besides, La Campa de la Magdalena (above) is a wonderful place for this type of festival.
What: Arenal Sound
Where: El Arenal Beach , Burriana , Valencia
When: July 31st - August 3rd
Price: Festival pass - from 58.50 €
Placebo, Biffy Clyro, Azealia Banks, Die Antwoord, Bastille, Love of Lesbian, Ivan Ferreiro and many other performers will appear this summer at the Arenal Sound beach-front music festival in Burri, Spain. 35 degrees, bikinis, and your favourite music... and when it really starts heating up you can always cool off in the sea a few meters away. Sounds amazing, right?
August
What: DreamBeach Villaricos
Where: Beach Villaricos, Cuevas de Almanzora, Almeria
When: August 8th - 9th
Price: Two-day pass - from 60.50 €
Here we have another beach-front music festival, this time for electronic music in Almeria, Andalusia. Attending are more than 50 well-known names, including none other than Snoop Dogg and Armin van Buuren. Almeria is known for its beautiful beaches, excellent climate and delicious tapas. If you love electro, Dream Beach Villaricos is the festival for you.
September
What: Gibraltar Music Festival
Where: Victoria Stadium, Gibraltar
When: September 6th
Price: From 69 €
One of the last festivals on our list extends the summer into September at the Gibraltar Music Festival in "un-hispanic" Gibraltar. This year on stage at Victoria Stadium we are looking forward to famous headliners including The Script, James Arthur, John Newman, Rodger Hodgson, and many more. If you decide to attend don't forget to bring your ID card or passport for the border crossing!
What: DCode
Where: Campus of the University Complutense, Madrid
When: September 13th
Price: Pass - about 55 €
Did you find cheap tickets to Madrid for September? Take advantage of exploring Spanish rock in a student atmosphere on the campus of La Complutense, one of the most famous universities in Spain. At DCode you'll be able to enjoy Bombay Bicycle Club, Russian Red, Vetusta Morla, and Jake Bugg, among others. We're looking forward to it!