THE ALTERNATIVE/INDY ONES

Roskilde (2nd – 5th July), 1,785 Danish dollars
Roskilde, Denmark

What better place than Denmark to appreciate a fine selection of contemporary music? From legends to the relatively unknown, the choice of styles and performers put on year after year by Roskilde is nothing short of mind blowing. This year is no different, with a line up that allows everything from getting involved with the mosh pits delivered by Faith No More and Slipknot, to the soulful sounds of Grace Jones, or electro pop appreciation at the hands of the Pet Shop Boys! Safety and security is strict at Roskilde, after a number of festival goers were tragically crushed to death as the crowds became unmanageable nine years ago, so crowd surfers need not apply.

Headlining: Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds, Coldplay, Faith No More, Nine Inch Nails, Oasis, Pet Shop Boys, Slipknot, Kanye West, Grace Jones, Madness, Wolves In The Throne Room, The Mars Volta.

Weekend tickets available from 1785 Danish dollars, www.roskilde-festival.dk

Download (12th – 14th June), £135
Donnington Park, Derby

No festival has got behind the revival of nu-metal more wholeheartedly than Download, and this year’s no exception. Expect a great deal of Newt from Hollyoaks lookalikes. However, this is the festival for metal nostalgics – and Anvil are playing, which should be enough of a pull for anyone.

Headlining: Faith No More, Korn, Limp Bizkit, Slipknot, Marilyn Manson, Pendulum, Def Leppard, Whitesnake, ZZ Top, Motley Crue, The Prodigy, Trivium.

Weekend tickets available from £135, www.downloadfestival.co.uk

Benicassim (16th – 19th July), £155
Valencia, Spain

Benicassim’s full line up hasn’t been announced yet, but as it takes place in Spain’s beautiful Valencia, it’s worth buying your ticket anyway, and The Kings of Leon are headlining – so what could go wrong? Amazing surroundings paired with the potential of an exotic Spanish summer love interest spell a big ‘yes please’ for Benny. Four day tickets include free access to the official festival campsite, although many choose to book into the nearby hotels to make a real holiday out of it... Although, where’s the fun in that?!

Headlining: Oasis, Elbow, Kings of Leon, The Killers, Franz Ferdinand, The Horrors, Peaches, Maximo Park.

Weekend tickets available from £155, www.fiberfib.com

Primavera Sound Festival (28th – 30th May), 155 Euros
Parc Del Forum, Barcelona

Another Spanish festival, this time set in the centre of Barcelona – meaning that your trip involves not only some serious musical appreciation but a serious dose of cultural in-taking, if you so wish. The Ramblas in the day, dancing to an incredible line-up in the evening – we’re so jealous of people attending this festival we could cry. Beware though: camping and accommodation aren’t provided at all, and drinks inside the venue are incredibly pricey – best get your best vodka smuggling techniques down now.

Headlining: Neil Young, My Bloody Valentine, Sonic Youth, Aphex Twin, Bloc Party, Jarvis Cocker, Yo La Tengo, The Jayhawks, Spiritualized, Michael Nyman, Throwing Muses, Saint Etienne, The Jesus Lizard, Ghostface Killah, The New Year, Phoenix, Shellac, Joe Henry, Art Brut, A Certain Ratio, Liars, Squarepusher, Herman Dune, The Vaselines, Spectrum, Deerhunter, Sunn O)))

Weekend tickets available from 155 Euros, www.primaverasound.com