The Dutch giant looks ready to compete with the very best with a stellar line up for 2019’s edition.
With British festival prices soaring to new heights, it’s becoming increasingly popular amongst Brits to take the plunge and enjoy one of the many European festivals dotted across our great continent. With often perfect weather, cheaper tickets and expansive line-ups, it’s no surprise that European festivals have become the go-to place for both a holiday and a tailored festival experience.
One of the highlights on the European festival calendar, Lowlands Festival (also known as A Campingflight To Lowlands Paradise) is an accessible hour drive or train journey from the bustling streets of Amsterdam. Promising to be a true backbreaker’s Garden of Eden with an extensive programme of over 250 acts including the best in film, theatre, comedy, visual arts literature and science, the Dutch festival is always a hotly-anticipated event.
Taking place on 16th-18th August at Wallabi Holland in Biddinghuizen, the 2019 edition looks to be Holland’s biggest and most adventurous cultural outdoor event yet, whilst maintaining an intimate vibe and friendly atmosphere amongst its thousands of festival-goers. The 27th edition of the festival contains some of the biggest and best names currently in the music business spanning a vast array of genres, making it a festival suitable for all.
The Kevin Parker-fronted Tame Impala leads the lengthy list of names performing at the 2019 festival. With a new album on the way and the promise of perfect summer weather, their set could be a defining moment of the summer. Back with an arena sound of their own, Twenty One Pilots’ latest record ‘Trench’ announced the duo as festival-headlining material, whilst New York rapper A$AP Rocky, Cincinnati rock pioneers The National and Manchester icons New Order also top the bill.
Anderson. Paak & The Free Nationals will premiere tracks from their latest record ‘Ventura,’ whilst Billie Eilish’s set at the festival already looks to be one of the most anticipated moments of the weekend. The 17-year old singer-songwriter’s debut record has taken the global music charts by storm, showcasing Eilish as one of pop’s most in-demand stars. Pop and R&B fans can also enjoy the likes of young British talents Anne-Marie and Jorja Smith, whilst IAMDDB will provide a unique blend of trap and R&B throughout her set.
Rock fans will rejoice with the news that Brighton-based duo Royal Blood are making a return to the festival circuit in 2019. With two scintillating thoroughbred albums, fans will no doubt be hoping to hear new music. Elsewhere on the line-up, indie rock stalwarts Franz Ferdinand and The Vaccines will provide reliably energetic sets, whilst music icon Johnny Marr will also grace the Dutch festival.
Moving down the line-up, it’s impossible not to be impressed by the level of talent that organisers have booked for the 2019 festival and a few names noticeably stand out as acts not to be missed. British music pioneers The Streets, led by the iconoclastic Mike Skinner, make a long-awaited return to the festival scene, whilst The Good, The Bad & The Queen will provide the opportunity to see the ever-busy Damon Albarn engaging in one of his many music projects. London collective Jungle and Berlin-based outfit Parcels will provide blissed out dance music oozing with funk and soul, whilst IDLES and Slaves will provide a hefty slice of politically charged punk.
Elsewhere on the bill Dermot Kennedy’s soaring vocals will contrast James Blake’s sparse, ethereal blend of electronic music. The folk-infused Bear’s Den bring their third album to Lowlands whilst Loyle Carner’s second release ‘Not Waving, But Drowning’ will be perfect against the warm August backdrop. The enigmatic Frank Turner brings backing band The Sleeping Souls with him for a display of raw, folk-oriented punk, whilst Australian-based Julia Jacklin, Norwegian rising stars boy pablo and the delicate voice of girl in red will provide intimate moments of respite for what looks set to be a busy weekend.
For those in need of dancing, have no fear. Italian legend and the ‘father of disco’ Giorgio Morodor will grace the 2019 festival whilst electronic heavyweights Jon Hopkins and Paul Kalkbrenner also play. More big names in the dance world come from the likes of Denis Sulta, Hunee, Mall Grab, Modeselektor and Ross from Friends, whilst Ziggy Marley provides a reggae-infused experience fit for all to enjoy. A favourite for the locals, and for anyone wanting a genuinely fun time, Dutch-Kiwi band My Baby have performed scintillating sets at the likes of Glastonbury and Isle of Wight festival in recent years, so be sure to catch them if you have time.
The festival’s heavyweight headliners, trailblazers, impressive instillations, and grand list of performers will be spread across no less than twelve stages, with a cinema and theatre among them. Instead of the muddy fields and all-too-memorable toilet facilities that British festivals consistently offer, Lowlands offer a wellness village with saunas, hot tubs, sports facilities, dozens of restaurants from around the world, a large market, its own currency, a local radio station, daily newspaper and seven luxury campsites with flushable toilets, hot showers and dressing tables, making your festival experience one of ultimate comfort and luxury.
It takes skill to craft a line-up with the depth and talent that will appear at Lowlands Festival this year. With easy links to the hub of Amsterdam, why not book your summer getaway at one of Europe’s leading music festivals.
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