Every year the race to purchase Glastonbury tickets leaves thousands of music enthusiasts frantically bashing the refresh key on their laptop to no avail. This year, the world’s largest greenfield festival sold out in a mere 30 minutes and the resale date saw only a small fraction of tickets returned to the market.
If you’re one of the many people that has been left empty handed, it’s not too late to save your summer- there is life (and really good music) beyond the muddy fields of Somerset. We’ve handpicked five European festivals that are sure to be worth your while. Don’t worry, your flower crown will see the light of day.
Open’er
Location: Gdynia, Poland
Dates: June 29 – July 2
Price for 4 day ticket: 549 PLN (Approximately 98 GBP)
Poland’s largest open-air festival takes place on an old military base in Gdynia, just a stone’s throw away from the sunny beaches of Sopot. For four days the 75-hectares of space are transformed into a massive festival village, containing numerous stages, a camping area and various exhibition sites. Open’er boasts an extensive lineup of musical performances, along with a satisfying selection of visual art installations from Warsaw’s Museum of Modern Art.
Last year headliners at Open’er included the likes of Drake, Mumford and Sons and The Libertines, who played alongside up-and-coming festival favorites such as Major Lazer and Father John Misty. This year crowds will be graced with performances by Florence + The Machine, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Pharrell Williams, Tame Impala and more! If you’re looking to take a break from the shows and have a bit more wiggle room, head over to the old military hangar where they’ll be playing drum and bass tunes.
If you’re still not convinced, let’s talk figures. With 4-day tickets costing just under 100 pounds, Open’er is the perfect opportunity for you to catch your favorite musicians live, soak up a bit of sun and explore a foreign country, all without breaking the bank. While camping at Open’er is said to be well organized and will cost you a mere 20 PLN (3.50 GBP), for those of you not prepared to brave the tent there’s tons of affordable, alternative accommodation available close to Gdynia. Check out the seaside hotels of Sopot, or opt for an Airbnb in the vibrant city center of Gdansk.
For the full lineup, tickets and more information, visit the Open’er website.