Insider's Guide: Top 9 Music Venues at Sziget Festival “The Island of Freedom” in Budapest

  • 5 Jun 2024 3:46 PM
Insider's Guide: Top 9 Music Venues at Sziget Festival “The Island of Freedom” in Budapest
This year the biggest names playing here in Hungary include Halsey, Liam Gallagher, Janelle Monáe, Martin Garrix, Fred again.., Sam Smith, Skrillex, and Stormzy. As headliners they all get to play on the mega Main Stage, but there are plenty of other venue options showcasing every genre of music under the sun.

So this guide shines a spotlight on all the musical spaces worth knowing about at the 30th edition of Sziget Budapest, including the Colosseum, dropYard, The Buzz, and Global Village.

BTW for a fast heads-up about the top 15 gigs this year just see this quick read:
Festival Guide: Top 15 Concerts @ Sziget Budapest - “The Island of Freedom”

1. Main Stage

The center of the island’s action, it’s the largest stage with the biggest sound system, so you can’t really miss it!

This year between 7 to 12 August each day the Main Stage will host the most popular concerts of the festival, attracting tens of thousands of international 'Szitizens' - as they're known on the island.

Here you can see acts of all genres make monumental performances – stars love playing here on the massive Main Stage, and most perform accordingly. Additionally, all of Sziget’s special events, such as color parties, are hosted at the Main Stage.


2. Revolut Stage

The big red tent formerly known as FreedDome has turned into a special stage with partner Revolut providing a new inner design and even more incredible acts than before.

From the biggest international stars to local favourites and upcoming bands, you'll find it all here, whether you're into electronic, pop or any genre.

If you want to see top international acts after the headliners play Main Stage then this is the place to go, Revolut Stage is open until 4am every day. Big names playing here this year include Aurora, Crystal Fighters, Editors, Fontaines D.C. and Four Tet.


3. BOLT Party Arena

This huge tent is electro central of the Island, featuring EDM, techno, minimal, trance, and house all night long! These days it’s one of the primary bases of Sziget Festival showcasing fresh young talent as well as iconic DJs and unique live formations.

Be prepared to party ‘till dawn, every night, along with acts like Deaf Jules, Denes Toth, Dom Dolla, D-Sturb, Dublic, DubVision, DV8, and many more - they’re just the ones beginning with D!




4. Colosseum

Here’s where to party at one of the most unique locations on the island if you love electronic music. Enter through the ‘dog-head’ and enjoy the vibe in this modern Colosseum built entirely from pallets.

The main music theme is underground and progressive electronic music, one of the key headliners this year is Sven Väth, and other top acts include Charlie Sparks, Chloé Caillet, Clara Cuvé, Dyen, Ellen Allien , Enzo Siragusa, Eris Drew & Octo Octa, Ferrari Rot.


5. The Buzz

Here you can see a diverse lineup of emerging bands from around the world, each are carefully selected to have the potential to become a future headliner.

A few of the acts on here this year are Artemas (UK), badfocus (CZ), Bratri (CZ), Chéri (F), Co Lee (H), Cut_ (NL), Dead Poet Society (US), Elefánt (H), Freakin Disco (H), Future Static (AUS), God Is An Astronaut (IRL).


6. dropYard

Here you can begin your day with a break-yoga session, or later check out a showdown of break dancers from around the world, then as twilight descends dropYard transforms into a hub of urban culture, full of hip-hop beats and dynamic performances.

The line-up here includes international names like  Gray (UK), Joe Unknown (UK), Kojaque (IRL), Kristof7s (H), Kybba (NL), L'Entourloop (F), Lil Frakk (H), M.O.M. (A), Middle School (BE), Otoy (UA), Ótvar Pestis (H), P Money (UK).


7. Global Village

Enjoy a rich variety of world music unfold before your eyes. From the haunting melodies of Eastern Europe to the rhythmic beats of South America, and from the mystical tunes of Asia to the pulsating rhythms of Africa, immerse yourself into a village full of cultures and sounds.

Engage in music workshops during the day, connect with fellow world music lovers, and dance the night away in harmony under the stars. At the Global Village area music is the universal language that unites us all.

International acts to look out for here this year are Bobo & Behaja (Madgascar), Bukahara (D), Dhoad (IND), DJ Mukambo (B), Djmawi Africa (ALG), Eléonore Fourniau (F), Ensamble B11 (VEN), Eskorzo (E), Flavia Coelho (BR), Folkatomik (I), KillaBeatMaker (COL), Shagan (BG), Sidi Wacho (F), Siti & The Band (Zanzibar).


8. Pop Tribute Stage

No explanation necessary for this one really... Finally, you will have the chance to hear your favourite songs by the likes of ABBA, Rage Against The Machine and Tina Turner performed live at Sziget! Pop in to see what’s on and have a sing-along to make unforgettable memories – or maybe memories you will want to forget!


9. Magic Mirror

Ladies, Gentlemen and Everybody-In-Between, get ready for a festival community experience of a lifetime, again! Magic Mirror has been spreading love and joy on the island for over two decades.

The diverse and dynamic program is not limited to music as it's designed to "help you lose yourself in the moment, explore your inner-self, and get to know everything you never dared to ask about the world of the L, the G, the B, the T and all the other letters in relation with Queer" say the Sziget team.

From captivating panel discussions and workshops to hilarious stand-up comedy, dance performances and of course concerts, Magic Mirror has it all - and all that in English too!

Acts on the line-up here this year include Bernie Dieter's Club Kabarett (D/UK), Color Fusion Ball (Kiki House of Bandita x DQH x Dragvolution), Dana Montana (UA), Danny Beard and Their Band (UK), Dirty Cash (H) w/ Dasco (D), Drags of Anarchy (NL), EUROfansCLUB (Int'l), Lady Joker (NL), Mius feat. RAF (H/PL), Muovipussi - Noise Juice (FIN), Pandora Nox (A), Yotam Peled (D), Dave Thompson (UK).


To see the full Sziget Festival line-up just follow this link:
https://szigetfestival.com/en/programs


For ticket info including VIP upgrades see:
https://szigetfestival.com/en/tickets

Sziget Festival Address:
1033 Budapest, Május 9.Park

More:
https://szigetfestival.com/en

Related links

Festival Guide: Top 15 Concerts @ Sziget Budapest - the “Island of Freedom” - Part 1

Festival Guide: Top 15 Concerts @ Sziget Budapest - “Island of Freedom” - Part 2

Foreigners from 100 Countries Expected at Sziget Festival in Budapest - Tighter Inspections this Year

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