I recently posted about the upcoming Sumol Summer Fest, which will take place in Ericeira at the end of June. Sure, I joked a bit about not knowing any of the acts, but it was all in good fun and the fest promises to be a blast on the beach.
However – if you’re after a big UK style festival, but without all the mud and football hooligans hired as security guards, you might want try the Optimus Alive festival this summer in Oeiras, Portugal. That’s right: warm weather, beaches, cheaper food and drink and some bands you might like. What’s more, it’s just a short drive or bus ride to Ericeira if you want to catch the best waves Europe has to offer.
Optimus Alive Oeiras ‘12 is being billed as the ‘Greatest arts and music festival’. Dunno what the arts part is but some of the bands include the newly reformed Stone Roses, The Cure (newly reformed, resurrected, still huffing and puffing along, I don’t know…), Radiohead (geniuses, according to many people with thick, black glasses) and (wow) even Mazzy Star. Remember Mazzy Star? Sure they droned on a bit, but they were really good!
photo by Man Alive! (Flickr CC)
From UK Festival Guides:
To those that are new to the festival, Optimus Alive first launched in 2007 and traditionally features varied line-ups that give equal attention to stadium filling international headline live acts and DJs, alternative independent acts and home-grown Portuguese talent. With this year’s line-up set to total 90 acts, the five-stage, 55,000 capacity festival is rapidly becoming a force to be reckoned with on the international circuit; a statement that is enforced by NME who have cited it as one of the “best festivals outside the UK”. Previous artists to have played include Pearl Jam, Beastie Boys, Smashing Pumpkins, Bob Dylan, Neil Young, Rage Against the Machine, Metallica, Coldplay and Blondie alongside legendary electronic acts and DJs such as The Chemical Brothers, The Prodigy, Deadmau5 and Simian Mobile Disco to name but a few.
Check out the Optimus Alive Oeiras ‘12 website for more info.
