Summer Festivals - Part 2
BY BURAK ŞAHİN (IR/IV)
burak_s@ug.bilkent.edu.tr
I'd like to continue my suggestions with festivals in Scandinavian countries. They have more or less the same bands, and they might be a little bit more expensive than other European festivals. Moreover, the weather is usually colder than in Mediterranean countries, but visiting the Scandinavian area in combination with a festival could still be a good holiday. In particular, Sweden offers a chance that shouldn't be missed: listening to Blur at Way Out West.
Here they are:
Way Out West
Country: Sweden
City: Gothenburg
Dates: August 9-11, 2012
Ticket Price: 215 euros (includes camping)
Lineup: Blur, The Black Keys, Refused, Bon Iver, Florence + The Machine, Hot Chip, Feist, Frank Ocean, Miike Snow, First Aid Kit, Thurston Moore, Wilco, St. Vincent, Azealia Banks, A$ap Rocky, The Field, The War On Drugs, Mazzy Star, Django Django and more
Why?: Way Out West is like one of the last chances to watch Blur live. Damon Albarn has stated that Blur has no future and the band will play its last shows during the summer. In addition, I would consider Miike Snow, Django Django and The War On Drugs good reasons to visit Sweden.
Website: http://www.wayoutwest.se/
Roskilde 
Country: Denmark
City: Roskilde
Dates: July 5-8, 2012
Ticket Price: 245 euros (includes camping)
Lineup: Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band, The Cure, Bjork, Bon Iver, Niki & The Dove, Refused, Friendly Fires, tUnE-yArDs, The Roots, Wiz Khalifa, AraabMuzik and more.
Why?: Roskilde has 8 stages, and offering diversity is a priority for this festival. While you'll have a chance to listen to Bon Iver, well-known hip-hop artists/bands such as Wiz Khalifa and AraabMuzik are also on the program. Plus, if you're interested in Nordic music, July 4 is warm-up day, for Nordic bands only, before the grand opening.
Website: http://roskilde-festival.dk/
The Øya Festival
Country: Norway
City: Oslo
Dates: August 7-11, 2012
Ticket Price: 270 euros (includes camping)
Lineup: The Stone Roses, Bjork, Florence + The Machine, The Black Keys, Odd Future, Refused, A$AP Rocky, Feist, Carpe Diem, The War On Drugs, Bon Iver, Mazzy Star, Azealia Banks, St. Vincent, SBTRKT, Ane Brun, Yelawolf and more.
Why?: The Scandinavian festivals have more or less have the same lineups, as you can see, but you can turn this one into a tour of Norway. The festival site, Medieval Park, isn't that far away from the center of Oslo. If you've never been to Norway before, the Øya Festival could be a good reason to go.
Website: http://oyafestivalen.com/