Summer 2013 Music Festivals

Summertime means music festival season in the Czech and Slovak Republics. Ska on the river, noise pop in a converted brewery, rockabilly at the airport—this year’s fests have something for everyone. Our round-up of the best includes important updates on Prague festivals affected by the flood. Read on and visualize yourself soaking up the summer sun and exciting atmosphere that these events are famed for.

The longest running world-music festival in the Czech republic renowned for it’s adventurous and innovative musical line-up. This year sees African rhythms and folk fusion from MLM, Hasna El Becharia who effortlessly combines ritual poetry with traditional Algerian music and dancing, African hip-hop from King Ayisoba, and Guinean kora harp player Mory Kanté. Non-musical attractions include: tearoom café bar, grilled meat and fish, wine tasting, African refreshment, Govinda cuisine for vegetarians, ethnocatering, music shops with records, books, and magazines! (Also relocated from Štvanice Island to Ladronka Park.)

Prague’s free festival returns for more outdoor action! This year has a whole slew of exciting and interesting events for the whole family. The free-fest takes place on the banks of Prague’s Vltava River drawing not only high numbers of visitors but also a high number of musicians, performers, and vendors. The festival, now in its 9th year continues to grow and expand, this year’s action, due to take place on Střelecký, Kampa, and Dětský, and partly on Žofín and Janáček’s waterfront has been relocated to Ladronka. Check the festival website for further details

The multi-genre fest celebrates its 19th birthday with an eclectic line-up. RFP draws visitors from all over Europe to enjoy the great music on offer in the spacious Festival Park setting. This year’s rock-fest promises performances from Queens of The Stone Age, The Klaxons, Bloc Party, Papa Roach and Gogol Bordello, Parov Stellar Band and 30 Seconds to Mars to name a few. A safe and friendly festival suitable for children and even for non-music lovers with all manner of non-musical attractions to entertain. A nice sized festival with a great atmosphere! 

The Czech Republic’s third-largest city flings open its doors to host the 12th Colours of Ostrava Festival! Colours has been going from strong to stronger, each year being an improvement on the last. Every year Colours compile an interesting line up of familiar artists and artists you really should be familiar with! The festival offers over 150 bands, DJs, films, workshops, and theatre performances all set in breathtaking Dolní Vítkovice, the site of Ostrava’s former blast furnaces, mines, and ironworks. This year Colours have invited jazz-pop, singer song-writer Jamie Cullum, the multi-talented Damien Rice, dream poppers The XX, contemporary electronic artist Bonobo, ex- video-director-turned-composer Woodkid, and Swedish duo The Knife plus a whole lot more. Check the festival’s regularly updated website to keep up news on this truly exciting musical and cultural event. 

Mighty Sounds takes place near the city of Tabor. The Čápův dvůr airport will host three days of the best in ska, punk rock, reggae, rockabilly, dancehall, rock’n’roll, and more. This year’s line-up is looking good already with alternative punk from the UK’s The Computers, Punk Rock from Cali natives Swingin’ Utters, and hardcore from the US outfit 7 Seconds performing alongside a huge number of bands from around the world. A rowdy yet upbeat event uniting fans of ska, rock’n’roll and related genres.    

UK rockers Skunk Anansie headline Open Air Fest. The well-established band fronted by the ever-charasmatic lead singer Skin have set the bar for quality at the 2013 Open Air Fest. Czech stalwarts Tata Bojs, Mandrage, and funk-filled Monkey Business are also on the bill for what’s shaping up to be another great festival from the Open Air team! The festival organizers have been running the festival with an environmental focus, a focus which has earned them the Greener Festival award. Get your tickets now for some good clean (green) summer fun.

Hip Hop Kemp, now in its 12th successful year is one of the largest festivals of urban music and culture in Europe. This year the party is set to be better than ever, with an exciting line-up of performers spanning from coast to coast, genre to sub-genre, and from hip-hop veterans to new-school chart-toppers. Where else would you get to see big names from the US such as Kendrick Lemar, Shabazz Palaces, El-P, and the newly crowned Trap-prince, Baauer, alongside veterans such as KRS-1, Souls of Mischief, and the UK’s Rodney P & Skitz. A solid line-up providing ample entertainment over the two days. A must for any hip-hop head!

Your picks for must-see bands and fests? Share ’em.