We are in a recession, but thousands of Irish people will travel to music festivals in warmer climates this summer. Irish festival goers often claim that they are being ripped off - ticket prices are usually higher here than in other parts of Europe, as is the price of beer and food. So, this year or next, pack your sunglasses, swap your wellies for flip flops and head off to one of the many music festivals that are on offer around the world.
Glastonbury, Somerset, England
24-28 June (£180)
Considered the 'Daddy' of the modern festival, Glastonbury started back in 1970 when farmer Michael Eavis first held a free, two-day festival on his farm. Even a reputation for being a mud bath does not put people off one of the biggest music festivals in the world. This year 137,000 are expected to attend, with over 700 acts performing. Headliners include Bruce Springsteen, Blur, Neil Young, Nick Cave, The Prodigy and Franz Ferdinand. The festival also features cabaret, comedy, theatre and circus acts.
Exit, Novi Sad, Serbia
9-12 July (€36-42 per day)
Started in 2000 by three university students as a protest against former Serbian president Slobodan Milosevic, this electro/indie-focused festival is held in a fortress in Serbia's second city. Camp in the beautiful surroundings of an 18th century castle near the Danube or hire an apartment for cheap. Exit was named Europe's best festival in 2007 and over 200,000 people attended last year. This year Exit celebrates its 10th anniversary; headlining are Moby, Kraftwerk, The Prodigy, Arctic Monkeys and Carl Cox.
Roskilde, Denmark
2-5 July (€239)
One of the biggest music festivals in Europe, Roskilde was created in 1971 by two high school students.
The festival is now organised by the Roskilde Foundation, which runs the festival as a non-profit organisation for the support of humanitarian and cultural projects. Roskilde boasts a 17,000-capacity tent, a daily newspaper and a 24-hour live radio station. The festival also hosts an annual 'Naked Run', where the first naked person to cross the finish line wins a free ticket to next year's festival. Eighty-thousand people are expected at this year's festival, where Pet Shop Boys, Coldplay, Nine Inch Nails and Oasis will headline.
Sonar, Barcelona, Spain
18-20 June (€144)
Sonar is one of Europe's best electronic and arts festivals, which takes place in Barcelona. You get to enjoy the best in electronic music over the course of three days and three nights in one of the most culturally rich cities in Europe, while also having access to wonderful weather, amazing architecture, a lovely beach and great shopping. This year it's headlined by Orbital, who've reformed for their 20th anniversary. Other big names include Grace Jones, Crystal Castles and dan le sac vs Scroobius Pip.
Rock al Parque, Bogota, Colombia
23-29 June (free)
Launched in 1995, Rock al Parque has become the biggest festival in Latin America. Last year over 300,000 people packed into Simon Bolivar Park to hear Bloc Party, Black Rebel Motorcycle Club and Carcass. This free event is funded by Colombia's culture secretary and for its 15th anniversary will feature over 60 groups on three different stages. In the days leading up to the event local bands compete against each other to get on the bill and festival organisers host a panel discussions on music production and the recording industry.
Bestival, Isle of Wight, England
11-13 September (£140)
Bestival was created in 2004 by BBC Radio 1 DJ Rob da Bank. The trendy boutique festival takes place in a country park on the Isle of Wight and is the best way to end the summer festival season. Not only is Bestival smaller, it's also considered to be quite alternative and diverse, supporting social and environmental causes. Every year Bestival has a themed fancy dress competition, the theme this year being 'Outer Space'. In 2005 Bestival attempted to break the World Record for the most people in fancy dress at any one time. Seventeen thousand or so Bestival-goers will see Massive Attack, Kraftwerk, Elbow and MGMT this year. The only drawback? Bestival follows the weekend after our own Electric Picnic, which might be a bit much for even the hardiest of festival goers.
Fiberfib, Benicassim, Spain
16-19 July (€170)
Festival Internacional de Benicassim (FIB) takes place in a popular Spanish tourist town of Benicassim in-between Barcelona and Valencia and is extremely popular with British music fans for the sunshine, close proximity to the beach and lineup. Beaches are about 20 minutes walk from the campsite and temperatures can reach up to 40 degrees Celsius, so it can be impossible to get any sleep under the canvas after the music stops at 8am. The done thing is to enjoy the gigs through the night and then spend the day at the beach for a snooze and a swim. On the last night the beach plays host to a huge beach party which many consider to be the best night of the festival. Headliners this year include Kings of Leon, Franz Ferdinand, Paul Weller and Lily Allen.
Way Out West, Gothenburg, Sweden
14-15 August (€122)
The festival in Sweden's second city takes place in a 137- hectare park which is home to two outdoor stages and an indoor stage. Way Out West also hosts a number of club nights and gigs around the city during the festival. Gothenburg is a green, seaside city with a student population of 60,000. This year's lineup includes Antony & the Johnsons, Arctic Monkeys, Basement Jaxx and Vampire Weekend.
Deirdre Mullins
