Summer Festivals in the Alps
So, maybe you missed out on Glastonbury this year? Or enjoyed it so much that can't get enough of festivals this summer?
There are loads of music festivals dotted around the French Alps that are well worth checking out; they are often cheaper than the more well-known UK events but still feature some big-name acts. This year you can catch Arcade Fire, BB King, Kasbian, The Chemical Brothers, Morcheeba, Asian Dub Foundation, Scissor Sisters, Carl Barat, PJ Harvey and more...
The festivals are usually much smaller than their UK counterparts as well, so you get closer to the stages and have to queue less for toilets/bars/parking/etc. And although we can't guarantee it, the weather is usually much nicer too!
Montreux Jazz Festival 1-16 July
This weekend saw the start of the Montreux Jazz Festival; a 16 day extravaganza of diverse and eclectic acts. Although the emphasis is on jazz music, there is a massive range of gigs to go and see embracing everything from Latino sensation Ricky Martin, to hip-hop pioneer Afrika Bambaataa with plenty of big names and obscure acts throw in for good measure. The festival takes place along the banks of Lake Geneva and there are plenty of free gigs, as well as street theatre, market stalls, food stands, etc. There are even musical boat trips on the lake, New Orleans Jazz Trains and special concerts in nearby palaces. Even if you don't want to pay for concert tickets it is well worth a wander round, just to enjoy the atmosphere.
Musiques en Stock is a much smaller affair, taking place in the normally sedate rural town of Cluses. However, as well as a mix of local French bands there is also the opportunity to catch Asian Dub Foundation and Carl Barat (formerly of The Libertines). Best of all, the festival is completely FREE! A chilled out atmosphere and a small venue make it one of the more friendly events.
Musilac is a fast-growing event that seems to attract bigger names each year, whilst still featuring the lesser-known but often more interesting acts that make it memorable. This year they have Ben Harper, Eels, Kasabian, Mogwai, Morcheeba, Nouvele Vague, PJ Harvey, Santana, Scissor Sisters, The Chemical Brothers, The Ting Tings and much more for your musical delectation. Despite having quite an impressive line-up, Musilac still feels like a small friendly affair with a beautiful location by the lake at Aix-Les-Bains.
If you don't mind travelling a bit further afield the Paleo Festival just over the border in Switzerland is well worth a trip. Jack Johnson, Portishead, The Strokes, James Blunt, Robert Plant and Mika are just some of the confirmed acts as well as another chance to catch The Chemical Brothers and PJ Harvey.
Another little jaunt over the border will get you to Gampel, a small town just past Sion and only a 1 hour drive from the border at Le Chatelard. This little-known Open Air Gampel festival runs for 4 days and features The Dropkick Murphys, Gomez, Skunk Anansie, Tricky, The Chemical Brothers (again!) and loads more UK and European bands. Gampel is known for its partying and fun carnival atmosphere.
