“Praesent imperdiet nunc et sem dignissim elementum. Donec lobortis congue
fringilla. Donec consequat ornare sodales.Nunc posuere
mattis mi, ut facilisis ligula accumsan vel. In consectetur accumsan diam, eget
porttitor justo luctus id.
Praesent imperdiet nunc et sem dignissim elementum. Donec lobortis congue
fringilla. Donec consequat ornare sodales.Nunc posuere
mattis mi, ut facilisis ligula accumsan vel. In consectetur accumsan diam, eget
porttitor justo luctus id."
13
accommodate the more than 250,000 people attending the festival. Three years later, the festival came back in 2004 in Portugal, a move to spread “Rock in Rio” to Europe. The festival has occurred in Lisbon every two years since, returning to Rio in 2011 and 2013 as well.
The Lisbon edition of the festival not only runs on the big name acts it draws to the capital of Portugal — Justin Timberlake is headlining this year — but it also focuses on social responsibility and world betterment. In 2008, the festival merged fashion with music too, featuring the work of designers in various shows. It’s also taken on a sustainability agenda as well. In 2012, the festival introduced “Rock Street in Portugal,” street dancing became a focus, and each day of the festival ended with jam sessions. More than 350,000 people attended the festival that year. Lisbon builds its own “City of Rock” in the Parque da Bela Vista, about 20 minutes outside of the heart of Lisbon.
In 2015, a commute to see Rock in Rio will become much shorter. Festival founder Robert Medina recently announced that Rock in Rio will take place in Las Vegas in May 2015. Medina told USA TODAY that MGM resorts are constructing Vegas’ version of the “City of Rock,” a permanent venue that will house the festival every two years and feature an amusement park variety of attractions along with five stages. By coming to Las Vegas, the question becomes: Does “Rock in Rio” maintain it’s unique, cultural structure as it transcends Brazil’s borders? Medina believes that Rock in Rio in Vegas will “increase tourism from Brazil to Vegas,” hopefully creating a unique cultural experience on the lineup of American music festivals.
Primavera
Sound
Barcelona — May 29-31
Though the promo line-up video for Primavera Sound was filmed in Detroit this year, the festival on the waterfront of Barcelona evokes a completely different environment. The festival takes place in the Parc del Fòrum, a modern architectural wonder that mixes concrete buildings and sculptures with the Mediterranean waterfront. This year, the predominantly rock-music focused festival reaches out to Electronic Music as well.
Primavera Sound operates not only as a festival, but as a larger music promoter. The group tours other bands around Spain each year, and hosts an indoor festival in the fall called Primavera Club in different venues throughout Spain. When the Primavera Sound festival occurs, so does PrimaveraPro, an event described by Primavera Sound as an “international meeting aimed at the music industry.” This year marks the start of Primavera Sound awarding a music professional The Primavera Award. Christof Ellinghaus of the City Slang record label receives the first award. Ellinghaus and his label have helped to launch the careers of bands like The Flaming Lips and Arcade Fire.
optimus
Primavera
Porto, Portugal —
June 5-7
Similar to Rock in Rio and Lolla, Primavera Sound extended to the western coast of Porto, Portugal in 2012 with optimus Primavera Porto. The fest is only in its third year, and you’ve probably heard of this port city as a stop for wine lovers rather than as a music destination. But the city is now known for much more, including a new night-life and creative scene. The festival adds to the growth of Porto, and it already has attracted big artists. The New York Times regards Porto — the second-largest city in the country — as a site of a “blossoming creative scene” for art and music with “stunning concert space.” UNESCO declared Porto a World Heritage Humanity space, and the space echoes the vibrant culture and architectural magic of Barcelona.
7) NorthSide
Aarhaus, Denmark — June 13-15
Another festival spinoff similar to Lolla Chile, Rock in Rio leaves Brazil and comes to Portugal every two years. Born out of a political revolution, the festival started in Brazil in 1985 when the country
Continued >