In today's contemporary times, music festivals are held on every continent, except Antarctica. These numerous festivals that take place across the globe each year, are illustrations of cultural identity, in the host country, and in the collection of foreign artists participating in them. The entire circuit is a sort of flow chart for the influence of modern music, and how it is valued, and celebrated all around the world. Music Festivals are artistic works. The festival as a whole is a form of expression, produced by the host culture that celebrates music, art, community, and intercultural influence. Major music festivals, on every continent, expose unique cultural traits, while implementing the influence of artists of all backgrounds, to culminate in a multi-faceted, large-scale, artistic expression.
Festival au Desert is a three-day music festival in Mali, Africa. The gathering is initiated by traditional Touareg festivities, and influenced by traditions of neighboring African cultures. While major artists have been featured in prior festivals, the musical focus tends to concentrate on native performers. The event is often praised for its remote, down to earth atmosphere. It is often seen as a place where art exists in its purest form, "It's one of the few honest things I have been part of in a long, long time. It's amazing to play out in the sand. There are no doors, no gates and no money. It reminded me of why I sang in the first place. It's not commercialized."
- Robert Plant (Rolling Stone/March 6, 2003)"
[...] This provides a unique, and large, stage for acts that wouldn't otherwise gain such an opportunity. To attend such a festival would be unlike any other. Critically it is an extremely difficult festival for travelers to attend, because of remoteness. The location also makes for a serious lack of plumbing, food, and electrical sources. While the soul, and concept of the festival is not lost in these setbacks, it does keep the attendance down, and will prevent it from reaching the notoriety of larger festivals, such as Glastonbury. [...]
[...] Culturally this is a great thing for Japan, and Asia as a continent, in its involvement in global music sharing. While having well known local artists, the festival also brings in big names, from foreign cultures, and various influences. As many of these artists spend their year touring the United States, and Europe this event provides an opportunity to bring the live experience to a place that is not normally privy to the experience. The large numbers produced, and the impressive lineup, the world is now privy to a strong musical following in Japan. [...]
[...] Last year there was an estimated one hundred and thirty five thousand people in attendance, and headlining acts included Stevie Wonder, and the Gorillaz. event has evolved from a fairly primitive affair with rudimentary facilities and an attendance of only 2000 to a highly organized occasion, complete with roads laid specially for the three days, cash points, retail outlets, proper restaurants and flush lavatories for the convenience of the thousands of Hippies, music fans and performers.”(Exrefer) This year's lineup features U2, Beyonce, Paul Simon, BB King, and many more. [...]
[...] Throughout the years the festival has had an eclectic collection of performers, with the Red Hot Chili Peppers performing at the first one, to Thom Yorke, and MGMT last year. The festival provides attractive features on all fronts. The location is on a ski resort, in the beautiful Niigata, Japan. There is the option of camping, and commuting from several, close-by, lodgings. The lineup has variety, and brings in the world's best in a variety of musical genres. The crowd is large, guaranteeing a wide range of personalities, and social scenes. [...]
[...] The locations are all said to be incredible, and since the festival is usually at a stop for just one night, issues such as lodging, and food are less of an issue. While a traveling festival is completely unique to most, it is an interesting concept, as it adds a completely new dynamic to the wide-scale nature of festivals. This event brings great music to all regions of Australia, and some of New Zealand, in a collection that is incomparable. [...]
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