Destinations for music fans: Romania festivals in 2019
The seasons of festivals is about to begin and Romania is not short on options. From the “world capital of night and magic” to events held in remote locations but featuring top-notch lineups and stunning surroundings, music fans can discover a variety of destinations across the country. We have selected some of them below.
Cluj-Napoca hosts not only the country’s largest film festival but also some of the most important music ones. Untold, held this year from August 1 to August 4, has been selling tickets and passes even before announcing the lineup, such is its reputation. Some of the artists who will perform at this year’s edition include Bastille, David Guetta, Dimitri Vegas & Like Mike, James Arthur, Martin Garrix, Oscar and The Wolf, Timmy Trumpet, Boris Brejcha, Loco Dice, Solomun, Tale of Us, Andy C, Camo & Krooked Live, Chase & Status DJ Set, Borgore, Pendulum DJ Set B2B Friction, Rusko, and Sub Focus B2B Wilkinson.
Held close to Cluj-Napoca, in the commune of Bonțida, Electric Castle is another bright spot among the local music events. Combining music, technology and alternative arts, the event also gathers funds for the restoration of the Banffy Castle, on the domain of which it takes place. This year, it takes place from July 17 to July 21, and the lineup includes Limp Bizkit, Florence + The Machine, US rock band Thirty Seconds to Mars and UK rock band Bring Me The Horizon, among other artists.
The open-air Jazz in the Park brings a variety of international and local artists to perform in the city’s Central Park and other venues, making for a relaxed event, mixing music with other activities. This year, it will be held between July 4 and July 7.
Also outdoors, Music Outdoor Experience (MOX) is holding its eighth edition this year, between July 11 and July 14 at Coada Lacului Drăgan, Valea Drăganului, Cluj, about an hour’s drive from Cluj-Napoca. For each ticket purchased for the event, which has MC Xander and Silent Strike in its lineup, ten trees are planted in Valea Drăganului, in a new forest.
The sun-soaked coast of Constanța is home to several festivals during the summer season. The organizers of Untold have started here a festival called Neversea, set to take place between July 4 and 7 this year. The festival gathers a mix of EDM, electronic, and pop music artists and this year’s lineup includes G-Eazy, Jessie J, Steve Aoki, Rudimental DJ, Jamie Jones, Tale of Us, Andy C, Wilkinson DJ Set, Flux Pavilion, Chinese Man, and Sub Focus DJ Set.
In Mamaia, Sunwaves is a festival for techno & electronic music lovers. It takes place twice a year and the first run is scheduled for April 25 to May 1. The lineup includes Loco Dice, Seth Troxler, The Martinez Brothers, Nastia, Ricardo Villalobos, and Marco Carola, among others.
South of Constanța, the Tuzla beach hosts Dakini, a festival aimed at an audience pursuing “a life of spiritual elevation through music, dance and yoga.” This year, it is scheduled to take place between June 27 and July 1, and so far the lineup includes Aes Dana, Ajja, Avalon, Brando Lupi, CloZee, Deep Forest & Gaudi, Eat Static, Istvan Sky, Luigi Tozzi, Maayan Nidam, Marcus Henriksson, Sonic Species, and Tribali.
Combining music and visual arts, Afterhills takes place close to Iași, in northeastern Romania. This year’s edition is scheduled for August 23 to August 25. At previous editions, over 75,000 people gathered to party at the event. Special shuttles take those interested from Iași to the location of the festival, and a camping area is also available.
Gărâna Jazz Festival has been one of the top music events in the country for more than twenty tears. It is held in the village of Gărâna, in the beautiful area of the Semenic Nature Park, and offers not only a line-up of prominent international musicians but also the opportunity for a relaxing break in nature. Among the names announced for this year’s edition, set to take place between July 11 and July 14, is Norwegian jazz saxophonist Jan Garbarek.
The recently established Eufonia is a chamber music festival that aims to become a top classical music event in the region of Banat and help revitalize the interest in this music genre. It also plans to add to the cultural map cities in the region such as Lugoj, Sannicolau Mare, Buzias, Faget or Jimbolia, alongside the pole that is Timișoara. This year’s edition is scheduled for September 16 – 30.
Held on the premises of the Banat Village Museum, Revolution is a self-described eclectic festival, showcasing a variety of genres. Some of the names present at the festival in the past included Rudimental, Sigala and Dubfire.
Fans of 80s and 90s music have the Diskoteka Festival to enjoy, between May 31 and June 2. The lineup includes Modern Talking, Ace of Base, CC Catch, Alphaville, Sandra, Nana, Haddaway and East 17.
Known for its well preserved citadel town and a medieval-themed festival, Sighișoara is getting ready to host this year the second edition of the electronic music festival Dava. The festival takes place on the premises of a former glass factory and the lineup includes so far Nick Warren, Fatima Hajji, Mahony, Nusha, Spektre, Alex Sharp, and more. The event takes place between August 30 and August 31.
Close by, Sibiu hosts a top-notch theater festival, but also a jazz festival with a long tradition. This year’s edition is scheduled for May 16 – May 19, in the city’s Small Square.
In Covsna country, in the beautiful surroundings of Bătanii Mari, Waha Festival targets “all free spirits and open minds” for an event that “aims to be more than a party, but an expression of existence.” This year, the festival is held between July 11 and July 15. As at previous editions, kids have a dedicated area, in addition to an exhibition area and chill space.
The picturesque village of Smida, in the Apuseni Nature Park, hosts the open-air Smida Jazz Festival, set to take place this year between August 15 and August 17. Besides the jazz concerts, the public can attend public reading sessions, tours of the surroundings, boat rides on the Beliș- Fântânele lake, or yoga sessions.
The electronic, pop and alternative music festival Awake is held on the domain of the Teleki Castle in Gornești, in Mureș county. The festival is meant to be an “immersive, four day summer escape,” bringing together music, arts and entertainment. The 2019 edition is set for August 15 – August 18, and the lineup so far includes Netsky, JP Cooper, Pussy Riot, Triggerfinger, De Staat, and AJ Tracey.
Every year, Rockstad Extreme Fest turns the town of Râșnov into the rock capital of Romania. The event is held this year between August 1 and August 4, at the foothills of the Râșnov Fortress. The lineup includes Onslaught, Accept, Crystal Lake, Sworn Enemy, Soilwork, Dimmu Borgir, Bloodbath, Clawfinger, 1349, Mortem, Bölzer, Mgła, Candlemass, Paradise Lost, Hypocrisy, Asphyx, Unearth, Adept, Schammasch, and Ektomorf.
The capital Bucharest has its share of top musical events, across a variety of genres. Among the upcoming ones, music fans can choose from Rokolectiv, held between April 18 and April 20, and having Jasss, Randomer, Nene H. among the first confirmed names; the Bucharest Jazz Festival, taking place between July 1 and July 7 and offering a host of open-air concerts in downtown Bucharest; the world music festival Balkanik, usually held at the beginning of fall; the George Enescu Festival, bringing the world’s top classical music performers and orchestra to the capital between August 31 and September 22, and the chamber music festival SoNoRo, held in other cities in Romania as well, in November.
Some festivals take place close to Bucharest. The long-standing Summer Well is held at the Știrbey domain, in Buftea, between August 10 and August 11. This year’s lineup includes The National, The 1975, Maribou State, Pale Waves, and Black Honey & Tender. A new addition this year is Fall in Love, which will take place between August 31 and September 1 at Mogosoia Palace. Several international and local names have been announced for the event, including Liam Gallagher, Disclosure DJ set, Kaiser Chiefs, Kovacs, and Romanian artists Suie Paparude, The Mono Jacks, Jurjak and Firma.
(Opening photo: Electric Castle Main Stage by Andivanca/ Wikipedia)
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