7 International Rock & Metal Music Festivals To Attend in 2018
26th February 2018What compares to being in the middle of a pulsating crowd of sweaty, passionate music lovers, all going crazy to the electric sounds and energy of rock Gods at a festival? That’s right, nothing. Among a long list of fantastic music festivals taking place around the world in 2018, here are a few Olimpus suggests heading to. And if you happen to have a year off and a few thousand saved, you might just make it to all of them.
Australia
1. Download (Melbourne – March 24)
Yes, for the first time ever, UK-founded Download festival is landing itself Down Under! Nu metal legends Korn, twenty years after releasing breakthrough album ‘Follow the Leader’ will be gracing the lucky crowd with their contagious energy. Other bands, namely Limp Bizkit, Arch Enemy, Mastodon and – for the punk lovers – NOFX, will also be performing. So if you happen to have planned a trip to Melbourne around that time, make sure to fit this one in!
North America
2. Rock On The Range (Ohio, USA – May 18-20th)
One of USA’s first major hard rock festivals and still very much alive and kicking thanks to its consistently top line ups, this year’s Rock On The Range will be headlined by Alice in Chains – performing live for the first time since 2016, as well as Avenged Sevenfold and progressive metal band Tool. Other big names featured are Godsmack, Stone Temple Pilots, A Perfect Circle and Stone Sour.
Europe
3. Rock Am Ring (Germany – June 1-3rd)
A household name among rock lovers, this three-day event takes place at a race track. This June, it will be topped by the likes of rock and metal Gods Stone Sour, A Perfect Circle and Thirty Seconds to Mars.
4. Download festival (UK – June 8-10th)
Download has become metallers’ go-to festival in the UK, with its epic line-ups of heavy bands. This year will be no exception, with the line up announced so far including huge names as Avenged Sevenfold, Guns ‘N’ Roses, Rise Against, Ozzy Osbourne, and Meshuggah. Boasting 6 stages other than the main stage, each dedicated to a particular style or act.
5. Copenhell (Copenhagen – June 21-23rd)
Fancy a trip to the North? Copenhell is Denmark’s biggest rock/metal festival, bang in the middle of Copenhagen. Thus, due to its location and unlike many other festivals, guests may choose to stay at the accommodation of their choice rather than be limited to camping sites. This year, get to see Alice in chains, Deftones and Ozzy Osbourne himself. Other than the bands themselves, the entertainment and parties are worth a visit alone.
6. Rock Werchter (Belgium – July 5-8th)
One of Europe’s most popular festivals which has received The Arthur Award for best festival in the world at the International Live Music Conference (ILMC). Spread over four days, three stages and can host 88,000 guests daily. Huge names like Pearl Jam and Queens of the stone age are among those that have been confirmed so far.
Asia
7. Fuji rock festival (Japan – July 27-31st )
Is attending a metal festival held at a ski resort on your bucket list? It should be. This three-day event held just outside Tokyo, features 200 local as well as international artists, making it the largest outdoor festival held in Japan. Set in a scenic location with the stunning Naeba mountains as a backdrop, this festival is one of a kind. And for those festivalgoers who aren’t too keen on camping, you can opt to stay at one of the traditional Japanese inns nearby.
With a huge range of other festivals being held in South America and South Africa for which the dates and line ups have not yet been announced, rock and metal lovers and truly spoilt for choice. So whether you choose to attend one or go all out festival-hopping around the world, just remember to be quick with the tix!
If you can’t make it to any this year but would like to take up a musical instrument or shop for equipment, pop by at Olimpus, Malta’s best music shop.
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