Music festival
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A music festival is a festival oriented towards music that is sometimes presented with a theme such as; musical genre, nationality or locality of musicians, or holiday. Many are held outdoors, and are often inclusive of other attractions such as food and merchandise vendors, performance art, and social activities. The Pythian games at Delphi included musical performances, and may be one of the earliest festivals known.[1] During the Middle Ages festivals were often held as competitions.
Major festivals
Many festivals are annual, or repeat at some other interval. Some, including many rock festivals, are held only once. Some festivals are organized as for-profit concerts and others are benefits for a specific cause.
According to the Guinness Book of World Records, Summerfest in Milwaukee, WI USA is the biggest music festival in the world. It is held annually on the lake shore in downtown Milwaukee. It is a 10 day event, and features 12 stages.[citation needed]
Europe's biggest music festival is the Donauinselfest in Vienna. Every year about 3 million people visit this open air event.
In India the dominant classical music forms are Hindustani & Canatic. The following music festivals are well known in South India.
- Carnatic Music Festival in Chennai.
- Saint Sri Thiagarajar Music Festival in Thiruvaiyaru, Tamil Nadu.
- Namasankeerthan Festival at Alangudi (Gurusthalam), near Kumbakonam in Tamail Nadu.
Significant Music Festivals
Notable music festivals include:
- Glastonbury Festival
- Roskilde Festival
- Bumbershoot
- Big Day Out
- New Zealand music festivals
- Nambassa
- Sweetwaters Music Festival
- Mountain Rock Music Festival
- English Music Festival
- Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival
- Hultsfred Festival Småland, Sweden
- Bonnaroo - 4-day camping, music, and arts festival held every June at a farm in Manchester, TN
- New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival
- Reading and Leeds Festivals
- South By Southwest
- Summerfest - 10-day music festival held every July on the lake shore of Milwaukee, WI USA.
- Lollapalooza - 3-day music festival held in early August in Chicago, IL
- MidPoint Music Festival - Four day international music festival and conference for emerging bands run entirely by volunteers in Cincinnati, OH
- Woodstock
- Ozzfest
- Rock am Ring
- Ruisrock
- Pinkpop
- Download Festival
- Vive Latino
- Global Gathering
- Hultsfred Festival
- Quart Festival
- Lowlands Festival
- Sziget