From Punchestown and Glastonbury to obscurer spots in Iceland and Scotland, Tony Clayton-Learounds up the best music festivals across the globe for 2009
Scotland
CELTIC CONNECTIONS
Glasgow, until February 1st, www.celticconnections.com.
What it isNow in its 16th year, this folk-roots festival is arguably Europe's best example of casting the net far and wide to include as many well-known national and international names as possible. Coincides with the Homecoming Scotland event, inspired by the 250th birthday celebrations of Robert Burns.
Who's playingKate Rusby, Rodney Crowell, Dr John, Julie Fowlis, Karine Polwart, Martha Wainwright, Judy Collins, Richard Thompson and Mariza, among many others.
Who goes thereA mix of casual and committed folk, roots and world-music fans.
Comfort factorGlasgow has hotel accommodation to suit all budgets.
How to get thereAer Lingus (www.aerlingus.com) and Ryanair (www.ryanair.com) fly daily to Glasgow.
TicketsFrom £10.50. Some concerts are free.
LOOPALLU
Ullapool, September 18th and 19th. www.loopallu.co.uk.
What it isThe so-called Best Little Fest in the West (and, yes, its name is its location spelled backwards), now in its fifth year, is fast becoming one of the best word-of-mouth music festivals in the UK. Located in a picturesque fishing village on the shores of Loch Broom, in northwest Scotland, this isn't as much boutique as cult.
Who's playingNo word yet on guests for 2009, but last year's line-up included Echo the Bunnymen, King Creosote, The Rascals and Frightened Rabbit.
Who goes thereSomeone in search of something a little bit different.
Comfort factorA mix of tents, BB and hotel accommodation, depending on your sense of adventure and budget.
How to get thereThe closest airport is Inverness (although there are no direct flights to Inverness from Dublin). Or go by ferry and train (01-7031884).
TicketsFrom £55 (about €60).
US
SOUTH BY SOUTHWEST
Austin, March 18th-22nd. www.sxsw.com.
What it isNow more than 20 years old, what started off as essentially a music-industry conference has turned into a must-see showcase of well over 1,000 music acts; some hope to be discovered, others just want to play white-of-the-eye gigs in small venues.
Who's playingActs announced so far include These Arms Are Snakes, St Vincent, Beach House, Human Highway, White Lies and Anni Rossi.
Who goes thereMedia and industry types, as well as all-round music lovers.
Comfort factorAustin and surrounds have hotels, motels and BBs by the triple dozen.
How to get thereAer Lingus (www.aerlingus.com) flies to Austin via its partner United Airlines.
TicketsA Platinum Badge allows access to gigs, trade shows and VIP lounges; it costs about $1,000 (about €750). A Music Badge (less access but all gigs) costs about $600 (about €450).
COACHELLA
Indio, California, April 17th-19th. www.coachella.com.
What it isHeld at the sun-drenched Empire Polo Field in Indio, this is an event for music lovers and sun worshippers alike. It features an adventurous blend of established and soon-to-be- famous acts, and not for nothing has the festival been described as the most significant annual pop event in the US. Its speciality is getting until-hell-freezes-over acts to make up and re-form.
Who's playingNo line-up details at present.
Who goes thereCollegiate types, music-industry folk.
Comfort factorCamp on site or stay in a lodge. The area also has plenty of hotels and motels.
How to get thereCoachella is close to Palm Springs and so easily accessible from Los Angeles, San Francisco, San Diego and Las Vegas. Aer Lingus (www.aerlingus.com) flies to San Francisco and,with JetBlue and United Airlines, Los Angeles, San Diego and Las Vegas.
TicketsThree days from $260 (about €200), single day $90 (about €70).
WOMYN’S MUSIC FESTIVAL
Michigan, August 4th-9th. www.michfest.com.
What it isHeld in 250 hectares of northern-Michigan forest every August since 1976, this feminist music festival (also known as Wombfest) aims for an environment where women can celebrate being females in a male-free zone. Has been described by at least one female musician as Lilith Fair's scary big sister.
Who's playingThe line-up so far includes Amy Ray (of Indigo Girls), Girl in a Coma, Doria Roberts, Melissa Ferrick and Issa (which features Jane Siberry).
Who goes thereA broad range of women, likely with staunch feminist principles.
Comfort factorCampsites dot the area, as do RV parks.
How to get thereAer Lingus (www.aerlingus.com) flies to Chicago. American Airlines (www.americanairlines.ie) connects to Grand Rapids Airport, in Michigan.
TicketsSix-day tickets start at about $400 (about €300); single day tickets start at about $65 (about €50).
Iceland
I NEVER WENT SOUTH
Ísafjörður, April (exact dates to be confirmed). www.aldrei.is, or e-mail rokksjori@aldrei.is.
What it isA relative newcomer – although it celebrates its sixth year in 2009, it's hardly on the circuit – I Never Went South (or Aldrei Fór Ég Suður, to give it its native title) is staged in a tin barn across two days in the coastal fishing town of Ísafjörður, in the island's Westfjords region. A reaction to the tendency of Icelandic musicians to play only in Reykjavik, the event is organised by native singer-songwriter Mugison.
Who's playingNo line-up details at present, but a regular staple is a performance by the town's working men's choir.
Who goes thereFor anyone bored witless by the likes of T in the Park, franchises, Oxegen, noodle bars, Reading, beer tents, Glastonbury and people in pink cowboy hats.
Comfort factorIt's freezing in Iceland at this time of year; don't say you weren't warned.
How to get thereIcelandair (www.icelandair.co.uk) flies to Reykjavik from Dublin, Cork, Shannon and Belfast via London Heathrow. Air Iceland (www.airiceland.is) connects to Ísafjörður from the capital's domestic airport.
TicketsThis is a free event.
England
GLASTONBURY
Somerset, June 24th-28th. www.glastonburyfestivals.co.uk.
What it isGlasto is the daddy of open-air summer festivals. More than 350 hectares of farmland in deepest Somerset is laid open for well over 100,000 revellers. It has become a pilgrimage, and much of the entertainment value has little to do with the music blaring out from the headline acts.
Who's playingNo definite news at time of going to print.
Who goes thereA mixture of die-hard festival music fans and those who want to see what all the fuss is about.
Comfort factorYou can rough it in a tent (for the authentic experience, apparently) or check into a nearby BB or hotel. The urban comfort zones of Bristol and Bath are within reach if you're not into sleeping under the stars.
How to get thereRyanair (www.ryanair.com) flies to Bristol, from where you can take a bus or coach.
TicketsFrom £175 (about €200).
Ireland
OXEGEN
Punchestown, Co Kildare, July 10th-12th. www.oxegen.ie.
Love it or loathe it, you can’t deny that this staple of the open-air music-festival calendar has improved year on year. The line-up is always impressive, and the event is such a rite of passage for Irish teenagers that it seems silly to tut at their mostly harmless larks.
Who's playingNo line-up details at present.
Who goes thereMasses of teenagers and people in their early- to mid-20s.
Comfort factorYou can have comfort if you want it by booking (early, mind) into one of the many local hotels or BBs. Some of the site camping areas are fine, too; others remind one of the final scenes of zombie movies. Book accommodation early on www.discoverireland.ie.
TicketsFrom €224.50.
ELECTRIC PICNIC
Stradbally, Co Laois, September 4th-6th. www.electricpicnic.ie.
What it isOne of the most enjoyable festival experiences on the circuit, Electric Picnic ranges from smartly chosen acts to side events that embrace theatre, literature and politics. Simply fabulous.
Who's playingNo line-up details at present.
Who goes thereAnyone who loves being exposed to popular culture in a comfortable, safe environment.
Comfort factorYou can choose from well-equipped campsites, luxury campsites and Winnebago-type parks. Athy and Portlaoise are close by for those who like more solid comforts.
TicketsFrom €199.