Between August 7 and 12, Sziget Festival celebrated its 30th edition in the iconic Budapest location. With about 50 venues scattered across the island of Óbuda, the festival hosted more than 1,000 acts, including some of the hottest international artists such as Fred Again…, Skrillex, Martin Garrix but also Stormzy, Sam Smith, Halsey, RAYE, Janelle Monáe, Tom Odell, Fontaines D.C., Kylie and performances by Overmono, Victoria, Amémé, Nia Archives, Four Tet.
The strong Italian presence was also reinforced by the live performance of the acclaimed Liberato, who blew up the Revolut Stage!
“We wanted to close our first 30 years with a spectacular, vibrant and colorful festival to everyone’s satisfaction, and based on the feedback, it looks like we succeeded,” said Tamás Kádár, the festival director.
In these 30 years, Sziget Festival (check our 2023 media coverage) and its audience have created an international community known around the world as the Island of Freedom. Year after year, the festival becomes a little paradise of love, tolerance and freedom. Sziget citizens from more than 100 countries take part in cultural exploration through the extensive programming, which in addition to music offers a range of multi-genre styles: theater, comedy, art, panel discussions, art workshops and more.
“More than 30 years ago, we had a dream: a place where we could be together for a week, where everyone could experience the personal freedom, the atmosphere, the ‘flow’ that a vibrant festival can provide, where different styles, programs and cultures could coexist. Sziget quickly became a symbol. An ideal world where you leave behind the worries of everyday life when you enter it,” said Tamás Kádár. Last year Sziget took a big step forward in improving the guest experience, and this year the festival has continued that trend.
Memorable moments are countless, but to name a few: the return of the Grand Street Theatre, featuring the French company Cie Gratte Ciel to celebrate the Paris Olympics, Martin Garrix‘s surprise appearance at the Bolt Party Arena!
— Watch our interviews with MEROW and NUZB from STMPD RCRDS roster!
Skrillex, who after his breathtaking show on the Main Stage joins Four Tet on the Revolut Stage; then the Sziget Beach Chill Zone’s morning Tai Chi sessions; Sam Smith’s words after the Mainstage concert: “I’ve wanted to come here since I was a kid, and as I walked around the city today, I realized that what I want to say is: thank you for hosting me here.”
Once again this year there were many artists from Italy and they met with great success. Undoubtedly the large number of Italian visitors contributes to the strong turnout but for some time now more and more foreigners have been coming. A mention for the Lightstage that in 6 days between 12:30 and 4 a.m., hosted 26 live projects and a lot of DJs that gave fantastic nights with great participation.
On Sunday, August 11, we had a very interesting “Press walk” with Jozsef Kardos, program manager of the festival who exposed us to some of the most important areas and activities of the festival.
Lightstage for 2024 was able to count on the contribution of the SIAE through the Per Chi Crea Call for Entries that awarded the New Sounds From Italy project. Thanks to these funds we hosted 7 bands of great prospect but already known to the public in our country anyway: Laila Al Habash, Giuse The Lizia, Elasi, Wism, Guatemala, 43.nine and Popa. We would also like to take this opportunity to thank Puglia Sounds and Teatro Pubblico Pugliese, whose contributions enabled the performances of LELAND DID IT and Carlo Chicco, a journalist and historic DJ in the Italian Indie scene.
On the last day of the festival, Victoria de Angelis of Mäneskin offered a techno set really full of energy!
It was then Fred Again... who closed the mainstage of the 30th edition of the festival with a very heartfelt and spectacular show, ending with fireworks during his ID “Piece Of Me” produced with Joy Anonymous!
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Sziget Festival will return between August 6 and 11, 2025. Revolut’s Super Early Bird tickets that started on August 15 are already sold out! In this special flash sale, the 6-Day Passes available at 249 euros as well as the U21 tickets, for Szitizens under 21, at 199 euros, have sold out.
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From 2017-2023 A&R, Marketing and International Manager at EGO Music (www.egomusic.net).