The 14th edition of the European Festival Awards, held in Groningen, Netherlands, alongside the Eurosonic Noorderslag (ESNS) music festival and industry convention, celebrated the continent’s best festivals of 2024. Over 300,000 votes were cast across 13 categories, representing festivals from over 30 European nations. Poland’s Open’er Festival claimed the prestigious Best Major Festival award, a significant achievement considering the stiff competition from other prominent European festivals. Open’er, held at the Kosakowo Airport in Gdynia, attracted over 130,000 attendees in 2024 with a diverse lineup including Dua Lipa, Foo Fighters, Doja Cat, and Hozier. The festival’s promoter, Nikolai Ziolkowski, expressed his surprise and delight at winning the award, emphasizing its significance within continental Europe.
Departing from the usual dominance of pop, electronic, and rock festivals, the Best Medium-Sized Festival award went to the Montreux Jazz Festival in Switzerland. Located on the shores of Lake Geneva, Montreux has been a haven for music enthusiasts since 1967. While initially focused solely on jazz, the festival has broadened its scope over the years, showcasing a diverse range of artists, from Jon Batiste to Duran Duran, maintaining its commitment to high-quality programming. The Best Small Festival award was presented to Belgium’s Gladiolen Festival. Established in 2000, Gladiolen is renowned for featuring emerging Belgian talent and for offering a free street festival to the local community of Olen.
While the Czech Republic’s Colours of Ostrava didn’t secure the Best Major Festival award, its creative manager and programmer, Filip Košťálek, received the New Kid on the Block award. Košťálek, who has been with the festival since 2015 and assumed his current role in 2022, was recognized for his contributions. Anna Brewers from Wasserman Music was named Agent of the Year, although her colleague, Alex Hardee, accepted the award on her behalf due to a flight cancellation. He emphasized that the award rightfully belonged to Brewers, who was delighted with the recognition.
The Green Operations Award, fittingly, was bestowed upon We Love Green, a French festival known for its commitment to environmental responsibility. In the realm of social activism, Serbia’s EXIT Festival won the Take A Stand Award. Having previously won Best Major Festival in 2013 and 2017, EXIT has a long history of social engagement, originating from the student democracy movement in the Balkans in 2000. The Event Safety Award was presented to Timișoara – Capital of Culture (Romania), recognizing their dedication to ensuring a safe and secure festival environment.
Further awards included the Brand Activation Award, won by Lowlands with IKEA (Netherlands), for their innovative collaboration. The coveted Line-Up of the Year went to Hellfest (France), recognizing its impressive roster of artists. The Promoter of the Year award was given to Gadget Entertainment Group (Switzerland), acknowledging their exceptional contributions to the festival landscape. American artist Benson Boone was named Newcomer of the Year, highlighting his rising prominence in the music scene.
The Lifetime Achievement Award was presented to Juhani Merimaa, recognizing his long-standing dedication and significant contributions to the festival industry. Finally, the Award for Excellence and Passion was given to Vlad Yaremchuk & Music Saves Ukraine, highlighting their remarkable work and commitment. The European Festival Awards showcased the diversity and vibrancy of the European festival scene, celebrating the achievements of festivals and individuals across a wide range of categories. From major events drawing massive crowds to smaller festivals fostering local talent, the awards highlighted the crucial role festivals play in cultural exchange and entertainment.
The European Festival Awards serve not only as a celebration of the past year’s successes but also as a platform for recognizing emerging talent and promoting best practices within the festival industry. The emphasis on categories like Green Operations and Take a Stand reflects the evolving priorities of the festival community, highlighting the importance of sustainability and social responsibility. The recognition of individuals like Filip Košťálek and Anna Brewers signifies the importance of fresh perspectives and dedicated professionals in shaping the future of festivals.
The diversity of the winning festivals, spanning various genres and sizes, showcases the richness of the European cultural landscape. From the jazz-infused atmosphere of Montreux to the rock-heavy lineup of Hellfest, the awards celebrate the multifaceted nature of the festival experience. The recognition of Open’er Festival, with its diverse and internationally renowned lineup, highlights the growing prominence of festivals in Central and Eastern Europe.
The European Festival Awards also serve as an important networking opportunity for professionals within the music and festival industries. The event brings together promoters, agents, artists, and other stakeholders, fostering collaboration and exchange of ideas. The awards ceremony, held in conjunction with ESNS, further amplifies the impact of the event, creating a vibrant hub for the music industry.
The awards not only celebrate the artistic and entertainment value of festivals but also acknowledge their economic and social impact. Festivals contribute significantly to local economies, generate employment opportunities, and foster a sense of community. The Take a Stand award, in particular, underscores the role of festivals as platforms for social activism and positive change.
The Lifetime Achievement Award and the Award for Excellence and Passion recognize individuals who have made significant contributions to the festival landscape throughout their careers. These awards highlight the dedication and vision of those who have shaped the industry and inspired future generations of festival organizers and artists. The European Festival Awards provide a valuable platform for recognizing and celebrating the remarkable achievements within the European festival industry, showcasing the diversity, creativity, and social impact of these events.
