Hungary’s Balaton Sound takes place on Lake Balaton’s Zamardi beach, 100 kms from Budapest. Artists on the bill include Fatboy Slim, Massive Attack, the B-52’s, Mylo and Koop. Camping is free and there’s also local hotels and guest houses, although these get booked well in advance – if all else fails you can always kip on the beach.
http://www.myspace.com/balatonsound
Les Eurockeennes has been going since 1989 and takes place in the east of France close to the border with Switzerland. The location is surrounded by hills and lakes with one of the 5 stages being a beach. Taking place the first weekend of July it boasts 70 shows featuring Sharon Jones and the Dap Kings, Calvin Harris, Massive Attack and Tunng. French artists include Sebastian Tellier, The Do and Camille.
From France to Switzerland for the 42nd Montreux Jazz Festival. Located on the shores of Lake Geneva, the festival has all manner of music on offer in addition to jazz–Babyshambles, Adele, Angelique Kidjo, Billy Cobham, Hercules and Love Affair, Chaka Khan and Herbie Hancock. As I mentioned in last weeks Global Gig Guide, MIA has cancelled her tour due to ill health and as a result Santogold will be taking her place at the Montreux festival.
And lastly to Finland for – Ilosaarirock – the name comes from its location on Ilosaari island which literally translated means Fun Island! This years line up include Lapko, local band Stella, Common, Pepe Deluxe and Mogwai – and one of the stages is on an ice rink! How cool is that ? :)