The big season of European rock and indie festivals kicks off

Italy's big summer of festivals is kicking off: one of the biggest is Rock in Roma, now in its 16th edition. And it is in sync with other European countries: among the first to start is the Primavera Sound in Barcelona and - to hear artists further north - the Northside in Aahrus, Denmark's second city.

On 9 July at the Ippodromo delle Capannelle the Offspring open Rock in Roma, the Capitoline event that continues until 18 July, born in 2009 and now in its 16th edition of great concerts. From the Californian punk-rock of the opening band, we will move on to arena folk-rock with Mumford & Sons (7 July at the Capannelle), rock/blues/soul with Ben Harper (29 June), melodic 80s rock with Europe (7 July at the Parco della Musica), radio pop-rock with OneRepublic (12 July), and a more provocative/industrial strand with Marilyn Manson (14 July). But also Negramaro (20 June) and Emma (2 July) who speak to a mainstream pop-rock audience; Mannarino (10 July) who intercepts the Roman/Mediterranean singer-songwriter; Caparezza (26 June) brings a theatrical and satirical rap-rock dimension; the two strong memories of Italian rock, Litfiba (16 July) and Bluvertigo (18 July). The rap/urban presences of Gemitaiz (18 June) and Luché (17 July) confirm that Rock in Roma is no longer a 'rock only' festival.

From 3 to 7 June, the Primavera Sound began as an indie/alternative festival, but over the years it has become a large international container where rock, pop, electronic, hip hop, urban, experimental, post-punk, dance and alternative songwriting coexist. Its identity is less 'pure mainstream' than that of other major festivals: it focuses on cult artists, important comebacks, new trends and transversal programming. The 2026 programme appears to be built on three axes: big historical and cult names, such as The Cure, Massive Attack, Gorillaz, My Bloody Valentine, Slowdive, Einstürzende Neubauten, Carl Cox. Contemporary pop and urban, such as Doja Cat, Addison Rae, Bad Gyal, PinkPantheress, Little Simz, MARINA, Ashnikko. Indie/alternative and experimental, such as Mac DeMarco, Father John Misty, Blood Orange, Alex G, Big Thief, Ethel Cain, TV Girl, Men I Trust, Water From Your Eyes, Oklou, Caroline.