The Journal
Stories, guides, and roundups from the festival world.
72 Festivals Died in the UK Last Year. What's Killing Them?
In 2024, 72 UK festivals were cancelled or closed — double the previous year. Over 200 have disappeared since 2019. We investigate what's actually driving the collapse.
Underground vs. Mainstream: How Techno Split in Two and Why the Underground Is Winning
Tomorrowland draws 400,000 people. Unsound Krakow draws a few thousand into dark rooms with no phones. These are two different religions that share a drum machine.
From a Dairy Farm to 200,000 People: How Glastonbury Became the World's Most Important Music Event
Michael Eavis charged one pound and gave away free milk. Fifty-five years later, Glastonbury is a city-sized festival that's raised millions for charity and defined British culture.
The $549 Ticket Problem: Why Festival Prices Broke and Who's Getting Rich
Coachella tickets cost $50 in 1999. Now they're $549 before fees. We follow the money through artist fees, insurance spikes, and the Live Nation machine to find out where your money actually goes.
Going Alone: What Actually Happens When You Show Up to a Festival Solo
Not a tips listicle. A real look at what solo festival attendance is actually like — the anxiety, the freedom, and the science behind why strangers bond faster at festivals than almost anywhere else.
Best Music Festivals in Spain and Portugal 2026
12 festivals across Spain and Portugal worth building a trip around — from Primavera's stacked lineups to Boom's biennial psytrance pilgrimage.
Best Techno Festivals in Europe 2026
10 European techno festivals that actually deliver — from Dekmantel's Amsterdam warehouses to Time Warp's marathon sessions in Mannheim.
What to Actually Wear to a Music Festival in 2026
Festival outfit advice from someone who's ruined enough shoes to know better — what works, what doesn't, and what you'll regret.
Best Beach Music Festivals in the World
Eight festivals where the ocean is part of the stage — from Tortuga's Fort Lauderdale sand to Boom's Portuguese lakeside.
Best Boutique Music Festivals in the World
Eight intimate festivals where the curation matters more than the crowd size — from Dekmantel's warehouse techno to Meredith's Australian bushland.
Best Camping Music Festivals in the World
Eight festivals where the campground is half the experience — from Glastonbury's fields to Fuji Rock's mountain forests.
Best Electronic Music Festivals in the World
The definitive list of electronic music festivals worth traveling for — from Tomorrowland's fantasy stages to Dekmantel's warehouse techno.
Best Fall Music Festivals in the USA 2026
The best American music festivals from September through November — when the heat breaks, the lineups sharpen, and the crowds thin out.
Best Hip-Hop Festivals in the USA
The American festivals where hip-hop is the headline, not the token booking — from Rolling Loud's stadium scale to Camp Flog Gnaw's curated vision.
Best Jazz Festivals in the World
Six jazz festivals that have shaped the genre — from Newport's 1954 origins to Montreal's Guinness-record-holding summer program.
Best Music Festivals in Australia 2026
From Splendour's Byron Bay hinterland to Meredith's bushland amphitheater, these are the Australian festivals worth planning around.
Best Music Festivals in California 2026
From Coachella's desert spectacle to Stern Grove's free Sunday concerts, these are the California music festivals worth planning around in 2026.
Best Music Festivals in Florida 2026
From Rolling Loud's hip-hop takeover to Tortuga's beachfront country sets, these are the Florida festivals worth planning around in 2026.
Best Music Festivals in Germany 2026
From Rock am Ring's motorsport complex to Fusion's anarchic utopia, these are the German festivals worth crossing borders for in 2026.
Best Music Festivals in Texas 2026
From SXSW's citywide takeover to Austin City Limits' Zilker Park weekends, these are the Texas music festivals that define the state's scene.
Best Music Festivals in the UK 2026
From Glastonbury's 900 acres to Green Man's intimate Welsh hills, these are the UK festivals worth booking in 2026.
Best Rock Music Festivals in the World
Ten rock festivals that define the genre's live culture — from Download's metal heritage to Primavera's indie credibility.
Best Summer Music Festivals in Europe 2026
Nine European summer festivals that justify the flight — from Glastonbury's legacy to Pohoda's quiet brilliance in Slovakia.
Best Summer Music Festivals in the USA 2026
Ten American summer festivals from Summerfest's marathon scale to Electric Forest's woodland immersion — the events that define festival season stateside.
Coachella vs Bonnaroo: Which Festival Should You Choose?
A detailed comparison of America's two iconic multi-genre festivals — Coachella's desert spectacle and Bonnaroo's Tennessee community.
Glastonbury Festival: The Complete Guide
Everything you need to know about attending Glastonbury — tickets, camping, stages, and what makes Worthy Farm unlike anything else.
How to Plan a Festival Trip on a Budget
A practical guide to cutting festival costs without cutting the experience — from early-bird tickets to campsite cooking.
Tomorrowland vs EDC: Which Electronic Festival Should You Choose?
A detailed comparison of the world's two biggest electronic music festivals — Tomorrowland's Belgian fantasy and EDC's Las Vegas neon.
What to Pack for a Music Festival: The Complete List
A no-nonsense packing list for camping and day festivals — what you actually need, what to skip, and lessons from veteran festival-goers.
World's Biggest Music Festivals by Attendance
The 12 largest music festivals on Earth ranked by attendance — from Summerfest's 800,000 to Burning Man's 80,000.
Your First Music Festival: A Complete Guide
Everything a first-time festival-goer needs to know — from choosing the right festival to surviving day three.
The Music Festival Survival Guide: 25 Things Nobody Tells You
Hard-won festival advice from too many sunburns and not enough sleep — 25 tips that actually matter.
Best Music Festivals in the World 2026
The 15 best music festivals on the planet in 2026 — picked for lineups, production, and the moments you can't get anywhere else.