VOLT celebrates its 20th edition in 2012 and this gives the possibility to include some great acts in the program. Grammy winner Skrillex, Snow Patrol, Iggy & The Stooges, Lostprophets, Hadouken!, Katy B, Chase & Status, Enter Shikari and Mac Miller were already confirmed earlier and the list of international stars got even longer with the two current additions.
Simple Plan had a top position on the festival’s wishmachine list (voted by fans), no wonder the VOLT programmers did everything they could in the last few weeks to bring them here. The followers of the Canadian rock band are true fanatics also in Hungary, even operating an informative fansite, following every step of their heroes. In fact 28 June, the day of the VOLT gig, was planned as a rest day for the band between the Swedish and Czech show of their European tour, but they just couldn’t resist the huge demand from Hungary, so a private jet will bring them to Sopron – just in time for a great party.
On the next day the main stage will host Scandinavia’s most characteristic e-music production. Röyksopp are known and truly acknowledged for the refined and inward atmosphere of their electro-pop tunes, but they are also no strangers to the higher bpm ranges of dance. The combo of Svein Berge and Torbjørn Brundtland already reached great success with singles like Happy Up Here, Eple, Remind Me, or The Girl and the Robot. Pleased to meet them in Sopron.
The CEE focus has 3 main attractions on this year’s Sziget: the well known Roma Tent, celebrating its 10th anniversary this year, and new venues like the Europe Stage and the Central Eastern European Travelling Funfair.
Lineup
Pop-Rock Main Stage
Already announced names for the Pop-Rock Main Stage include Pulp, Kasabian, The Chemical Brothers, Amy Winehouse, Dizzee Rascal, Interpol, Rise Against, Good Charlotte, Smash Mouth, Gogol Bordello, Flogging Molly, Maccabees and so much more. The newest list of confirmations is also a strong selection. It will surely please fans of quality guitar music, as they get to see Great Britain’s trendiest indie band White Lies. Other new additions to the line-up include La Roux – nominated for nearly all prestigious awards – and Manic Street Preachers presenting their 2010 album – Postcards From A Young Man – and hopefully giving us a taste of their new LP, scheduled for this November. Few people would think that members of a hardcore punk band also have modest and sensitive sides, but that’s exactly the case with Mariachi El Bronx, formed from the members of the uncompromising Californian punk band The Bronx. New-Zealand’s exciting musical export item, Batucada Sound Machine will be here as well, while fans can also meet up with one of the most important aspirants of the future soul-generation, Ben l’Onlce Soul.
World Music Main Stage
Some of the names already announced for the World Music Main Stage are AfroCubism, Gotan Project, Goran Bregovic Wedding And Funeral Band, Ojos de Brujo and Rotfront. Besides them, Oi Va Voi is also happy to return to Sziget, while psychedelic rock-country-blues band Cowboy Junkies will play in Hungary for the first time. The line-up will include Sly & Robbie feat. Jr. Reid and Slovenian Magnifico and Shtetl Superstars – only gaining popularity this year, but strong contenders to become one of the big shots of the decade. LaBrassBanda appeared three years ago in Munich and the leather-pants combo immediately made the Bavarian beer festival atmosphere their trademark. Ska Cubano is already considered to be a frequent player of prestigious world music festivals, so it is almost needless to say that they must visit Sziget, too. And we shouldn’t forget about world class Hungarian acts: Csík Zenekar, Lajkó Félix and Muzsikás will once again present their unique shows in front of a passionate world music fanbase.
Rock-Metal Main Stage
A great new open-air venue is ready to welcome fans of harder genres. Rock-Metal Main Stage will be, among many others, a home to legends like Judas Priest and Motörhead, but also Within Temptation, Deftones, Lostprophets and Sonata Arctica will make those heads bang in the moshpit. More to come soon.
A38-Wan2 Stage
It has already been announced that Christal Castle, Peter Bjorn and John, Marina and the Diamonds and Hurts will play at A38-Wan2 Stage. Among the new names a strong British presence is evident: Bomb The Bass, Kode9, Digital Mystikz and Gaslamp Killer will give their best for Sziget fans. Suicidal Tendencies and Xiu Xiu will be representatives of the United States and there are also three Dutch artists in the line-up: De Jeugd van Tegenwoordig, DeWolff and Kees van Hondt. Besides them A38-Wan2 Stage will be happy to host Mitch & Mitch (PL), Selah Sue (B), Terry Poison (ISR) and Buraka Som Systema Live (P), too.
Party Arena
Some of the names performing at Party Arena have already been announced: The Bloody Beetroots Death Crew 77 and Kid Cudi will definitely come to do a set. New additions include Trentemoller and Zombie Nation and finally there are also news on the late evening acts. 2manydjs led by the Dawaele brothers is planning to give all fans a spectacular and crazy night at Party Arena. The coolest trance-collective of Great Britain, Above & Beyond will not only focus on their classic tracks, but will also make you dance like crazy with their new album Group Therapy, to be released in June. The most popular and versatile techno-musician of Spain, Cristian Varela will be here and the oustanding dj, producer and remixer Dubfire will also arrive to this year’s Sziget in the company of Carlo Lio. Another guest of the Party Arena will be Richie Hawtin, one of the most outstanding features of the minimal techno scene, living in Berlin for a long time. And Technasia will play again for party faces open for a special and exotic techno experience.
Europe Stage
Europe Stage is fresh and open-air, a venue where bands from several European countries present their skills. These bands are all extremely popular in their home countries, but still waiting for an international breakthrough. Now they have the chance to prove in front of an enthusiastic Sziget crowd. The already confirmed Europe Stage line-up includes Go Back To The Zoo from Holland, Triggerfinger and Wallace Vanborn from Belgium, Verdena from Italy, Söhne Mannheims from Germany, Ismo Alanko & Teho from Finland, For a Minor Reflection from Iceland, Elvis Jackson from Slovenia, Puding Pani Elvisovej from Slovakia, Skyline from the Czech Republic, Gravity Co. from Bulgaria, Francis International Airport from Austria, and The Mono Jacks from Romania.
Ticket information
Sziget Festival early bird weekly tickets (including camping) are available for 170 Euros till 30 April and if you are not the camper type, you can buy a non-camping weekly for 140 Euros. The prices will go up 30 Euros each after the early bird period is over, so it does make sense to think ahead. Daily tickets will be available from May for 45 Euros.
Beware of ticket fraud! In the past few weeks, dozens of fake tickets have appeared on the festival market. Serial numbers of counterfeit tickets have been banned, so these are invalid. Sziget Festival puts great efforts into the extension of its official ticketing network, so check the list of our distribution partners on our website and be sure you only deal with them.
