Festivals blew up a long time ago. Hip hop festivals soon followed suit. And Europe has become one of the greatest places in the world for a rap mega-show.
So start planning your summer. Here are the top events in the Old Country:
Openair Frauenfeld
- Genre: Hip-hop
- Dates: 2nd Thursday – Saturday of July
- Location: Frauenfeld (Switzerland)
- Active years: 1985 – present
- Attendance: 135,000 – 175,000
Openair Frauenfeld is undoubtedly the largest hip-hop outdoor fest in Europe. For 32 years, it’s been rejoicing hearts of millions of hip-hop and r&b fans around the world.
When first created, the festival was called “Out in the Green Festival.” In 2007, its title was officially changed to “Openair Frauenfeld.” During its fascinating history, the festival has continually hosted various high-flying celebrities. Every year over 150,000 fans visit the festival.
Among the most astonishing and worldly-known headliners: Wiz Khalifa, Eminem, Kendrick Lamar, Jay-Z, Kanye West, Snoop Dogg, Macklemore, 50 Cent, A$AP Rocky, Cypress Hill, and J. Cole.
The festival is traditionally held in a beautiful field dubbed ‘Grosse Allmend’ (Frauenfeld), located in Thurgau. As a rule, most fans take a train to get to the festival.
In 2016, the lineup included 50 Cent, Macklemore & Ryan Lewis, Wiz Khalifa, Dodo, Action Bronson, Ghostface Killah, Major Lazer, Cunninlynguists, Leduc, Mick Jenkins, and Mobb Deep, amongst others.
Couleur Café
- Genres: Hip-hop, dance, funk, blues, soul
- Dates: End of June – early July
- Location: Brussels (Belgium)
- Active years: 1990 – present
- Attendance: 70,000 – 90,000
Couleur Café Festival is a spectacular annual modern music festival in Belgium. Since 1990, the best representatives of hip-hop, dance, funk, blues, and soul music have been gathering here at the end of June. At Couleur Café Festival, spectators might see worldwide stars, locally famous singers, and emerging artists.
Aside from great music, there’s a significant exposition of art, various dance workshops, young designers market, and food stands with bars from a wide-reaching diversity of cuisines from over 55 countries. Even if your preliminary aim is to enjoy your favorite music, you will not be able to miss the abundance of delicious street food.
In 2016, many noticeable singers visited the festival. Among them: Goran Bregovic, Trixie Whitley, Julian Marley, Chicos y Mendez, Woodie Smalls, Apollo Brown, Bomba Estereo, Ibeyi, Pat Thomas & Kwashibu Area Band, and many other.
Lovebox
- Genres: Hip-hop, dance, electronic
- Dates: Mid-July
- Location: Victoria Park (London, England)
- Active years: 2002 – present
- Attendance: 60,000
Groove Armada initially founded the Lovebox festival. And since 2002, London’s Victoria Park for two days has become a place where the best dance and hip-hop performers meet to give spectacular shows. While being on air in London, the festival as well hosts particular events in Dublin, Newcastle, and Ibiza.
Initially, Lovebox was a dance festival. However, it has transformed to a plenty of musical genres counting hip-hop, rock, indie, grime, and pop. Moreover, during the festival, you can watch fringe acts, circus performers, and cabaret.
In 2015, the festival’s headliners included M.I.A. and A$AP Rocky. In 2016, headliners included Major Lazer and LCD Soundsystem.
Paris Hip Hop Festival
- Genre: Hip-hop (Dances, Concerts, Graffiti, Cinema, Conferences)
- Dates: June – July
- Location: Various places in Paris
- Active years: 2005 – present
- Attendance: Over 140,000
The Paris Hip Hop Festival is an all-out rally of more than four hundred artists from all over the world. And it happens every summer, with a huge number of singers, musicians, and other performers jumping in. The mega-event also includes hip-hop dance classes, workshops, exhibitions, cinemas, unbelievable block parties and astonishing graffiti jams.
Though the claimed genre for the festival is hip-hop, this event unites many other performers for whom hip-hop is a true-life and creative philosophy.
Outlook Festival
- Genres: Hip-hop, reggae, techno, dubstep, garage, house
- Dates: August–September
- Location: Croatia (Fort Punta Christo, Pula)
- Active years: 2008 – present
- Attendance: 50,000 – 65,000
Outlook Festival is one of the most important fests in Europe. It is usually held outside Pula. The picturesque setting is called Fort Punta Christo. It’s an ancient Roman amphitheater built more than 2,200 years ago. And thanks to the festival, it has become an even more iconic location.
This event is unlike any other. Stages for musicians and their sound systems are built in numerous tunnels and on abandoned ruins. Many famous hip-hop stars visit the festival every year at the end of summer. Among the most prominent past festival stars: Congo Natty, Benga, Skream, Johnny Clarke, David Rodigan, Shy FX, Iration Steppas, Friction, Horace Andy, Dawn Penn, and P Money.
In 2016, Damian Marley, Stormzy, Andy C, Joey Bada$$, Noisia, Goldie, Congo Natty, and Lady Leshurr were among the acts.
A quick parting shot!
Please note that except for the Outlook Festival, all of these festivals are held in July. That’s ideal for listening to music, though make sure to start planning early.
Thanks for reading!