Sziget Newspaper 2017

THE OFFICIAL SZIGET NEWSPAPER 2017 #SZIGET25: A FLASHBACK AND LOOK FORWARD

HOTSPOTS AND TIPS AROUND SZIGET

With the 25th edition on the agenda this summer, we do not only proudly and nostalgically look back at the wonderful years that are behind us, but also give a sneak peek into all that’s still to come. From stories of the early years to a timeline of line-ups and an impression of what you can expect at #Sziget2017.

Sziget Festival takes place in one of the nicest cities of Europe: Budapest! Before, during and after the festival there is a lot to explore in the city: ruin bars, trendy restaurants, design stores, thermal baths, exciting nightlife including spa parties and much more. We give you a nice overview of must-sees and must-do’s in the Hungarian capital!

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25 YEARS DISCOVER EVERYTHING OF THE SZIGET FESTIVAL IN BUDAPEST

Winner artists’ Favourite festival awards Just as important as the festival visitors’ opinion, is the opinion of the artists! At the beginning of this year the winners of the European Festival Awards 2016 were announced. Sziget Festival received the highly eligible prize for Artists’ Favourite Festival of 2016! The organization of Sziget is proud to be able to offer such a great platform for artists who together with the visitors make this festival possible. Nothing better than the appreciation of the real experts, right?

NEWS

SZIGET BLOWS OUT 25 CANDLES visitors record Sziget 2016 Last year the Sziget Festival

After the record edition of 2016, Sziget Festival is getting ready for its

island in Budapest - also known as The Island of Freedom - to create

Main Stage performances of a.o.

P!nk, Major Lazer, Kasabian, Tom

The Pretty Reckless and more.

The Arena hosts various electronic

25th birthday! From a party with only Hungarian acts for around 43.000 visitors, Sziget has transformed into

an unforgettable festival experience for the nowadays tenfold audience.

The 25th edition of Sziget Festival

Odell, Billy Talent, Clean Bandit, Jamie Cullum, PJ Harvey, alt-J, Rudimental live, White Lies and

stars, including Steve Aoki, Nervo, Sunnery James & Ryan Marciano, Oliver Heldens, Maurice West and

one of the largest music festivals of Europe. Year after year artists from all over the world travel to Óbuda

will be celebrated with a wide variety of music genres; from pop to (indie) rock and from EDM to ska. At the

Dimitri Vegas & Like Mike can be seen. In the A38 tent you can enjoy acts of Flume, Interpol, Oh Wonder,

W&W. For the full up-to-date line up you can check the back of this newspaper.

attracted 496.000 visitors; an absolute record! The year before also marked a record, but then the festival received around 55.000 less visitors. The visitors of 2016 came from more than a hundred different countries and for the first time in Sziget’s history, all tickets were sold before the start of the festival. On the more than fifty stages there were shows from great names such as Rihanna, Muse and David Guetta.

During the week, Szitizens could not only enjoy spectacular music acts, but also various circus-, opera-, dance- and street theatre acts.

END SHOW #Sziget2017: Dimitri Vegas & Like Mike Like every year Sziget Festival will close its last night at the Main Stage with a thrilling end show. Imagine: fireworks, lasers, special effects, thousands of hands in the air and the world’s most popular DJs. This year the honour goes to the Belgian Dimitri Vegas & Like Mike! In 2015 they were crowned number 1 in the renowned DJ Mag Top 100. With the announced performance the duo follows the footsteps of Hardwell, who hosted the end show last year. The spectacular end show of the 25th edition of Sziget Festival takes place on August 15, 2017.

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The Island of Freedom The Sziget Festival is hosted on a beautiful green island located in the Danube, close to the centre of Budapest. The island is also known as ‘The Island of Freedom’, where the organization literally goes out of its way to give Szitizens the best possible feeling of freedom.

It’s even allowed to set up your tent next to the Main Stage!

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It lasts a week!

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…and even a week isn’t enough to discover everything that’s happening at Sziget Festival. As there are festivities 24/7 on approximately 50 different

Budapest The Sziget Festival takes place near the vibrant city centre of Budapest. Even if you camp on the island, you shouldn’t skip a trip to the city! Go for some sightseeing, enjoy the local Hungarian cuisine, explore the many trendy shops or party until sunrise in the great downtown pubs.

stages, there is always something fun going on somewhere. To survive the whole week, a quick getaway to one of Budapest’s famous spas is definitely recommended!

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25 years of Sziget an extra large and special party for its Szitizens. Don’t you want to be able to tell your kids and grandkids that you witnessed the 25th edition of Sziget?

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awards Sziget Festival is widely recognised as one of the best festivals in Europe.

During the past years the Hungarian festival has earned many prizes. This year Sziget was crowned Artists’ Favourite Festival of 2016 at the European Festival Awards - a recognition to be proud of!

NICE PRICES Why buy a ticket to a festival for 3 days when you can get a 7-Day Pass for Sziget for less? The price level in Hungary is lower than in the UK, which results in beer prices of less than £2 for 0.5L. Meals start at £2.50.

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Although not anywhere near a sea, you don’t need to miss the beach during your festival holiday! Located on the banks of the Danube, Sziget Beach will be the place to chill, tan and take a refreshing dip into the water. At the beach you’ll also find the Cökxpôn Chill Garden, with its soft pillows, bean bags and non-stop ambient music.

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sun Don’t forget to bring sunscreen, as Sziget takes place during one of the hottest weeks of the year. Due to the land climate the temperature often rises over 30ºC. Fortunately there is a lot of shade for those who will be camping, while in front of the Main Stage a sprinkler installation provides the necessary refreshment.

FOOD Apart from the usual food trucks with festival food (pizza, hot dogs, fast food etc.), you can enjoy various other cuisines. From Indian to Transylvanian, Italian, Greek, French, Mexican, Bavarian, Thai and, of course, Hungarian food. Also vegetarian and gluten free meals will be served.

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much to do Sziget offers much more than only music. The program includes theatre, dance, opera and many other art projects, from spectacular installations to gigantic objects and colourful visuals.

Nothing seems too crazy, everything is possible at Sziget. You definitely won’t get bored here, every minute of every day there is something special to experience!

NEWS

An extra reason to go in 2017: Sziget celebrates its 25th birthday this year!

Therefore the organization will try its very best to turn this year’s festival into

10 REASONS TO GO TO #SZIGET2017

4

beach

5-9 JULY 2017

#SOUND2017

LAKE BALATON

A-Z

A-Z

...AND MANY MORE

ARE YOU READY TO BEACH? BS_DJ_mag.indd 1

BALATONSOUND.COM | FACEBOOK.COM/BALATONSOUND 17/03/17 15:54

AFTER A SUCCESFUL 10TH EDITION IT’S NOW TIME FOR BALATON SOUND 2.0 Last year Balaton Sound welcomed a record amount of visitors! More than 157.000 festival fans enjoyed the sunlit 5-day beach party along Lake Balaton in Hungary.

Visitors came from 63 different countries, which also marked a record.

The 10th edition saw many highlights.

There were daily birthday parties with presents in the form of T-shirts that were handed out at the Main Stage.

Also more than 10.000 birthday selfies were taken and lots of ‘candles’ blown out during a gigantic confetti party on the last night. The 35-meters high Ferris wheel, The Balaton Eye, and the attractive boat parties at Lake Balaton that were introduced for the first time last year, turned out to be a great success as well.

What makes Balaton Sound so special is that the festival not only takes place near the water, but also actually on the water. Last year there were 2000 square meters of venues and lounges built

on the lake, which of course invited people to cool off in the water every now and then. Unique for Lake Balaton is that up to 150 meters from the beach the water doesn’t come higher than your waist, which means you can literally dance in the lake. Therefore Balaton Sound offers the ultimate relaxing place and party spot in one.

the water, smashing boat parties and of course the best acts in the electro

and hiphop scene. While the shores of Lake Balaton look like a giant chill-zone by day, at night #Sound2017 turns into an enormous party terrain with performances of a.o. Hardwell, Dave Clarke, Headhunterz, Kungs, Kygo, Nicky Romero, Blasterjaxx, The Bloody Beetroots, Krewella, Timmy Trumpet

After 10 years Balaton Sound is ready for the next step: #Sound2017. The

and Robin Schulz.

festival will be restyled with as biggest

About Lake Balaton Since Hungary is landlocked, Lake

change a transformation of the Main Stage. What else we can expect is even more water fun with floating air beds and water sports activities, more than 30 party venues, various beach parties, lounges on and along

Balaton is often called the Hungarian Sea. It is the largest freshwater lake in Central Europe and is located in the Transdanubian region of Hungary. Many tourists from around the

world spend their summer holidays

Wine tasting in one of the vineyards

at Lake Balaton because of its lovely climate and beautiful scenery. The azure water combined with the

in the volcanic hills is also an ab-

picturesque landscapes surrounded by ancient fortresses and underwater cave galleries make for the ultimate holiday destination. The mountainous region of the northern shore is known both for its historic character and as a major wine region, while the flat southern shore is known for its resort towns. When you are in Zamárdi during Balaton Sound, you should definitely explore some of the surroundings. Of course you can go for various boat rides across the lake

solute must, as well as visiting the 2000 years old Héviz Spa - a popular hotspot for relaxation and mineral treatments. And of all the ancient fortresses the Balaton region is home to, the mighty Szigliget Fortress is our favourite. Towards winter season it usually gets more quiet at Lake Balaton. Except for last winter: for the first time since years the whole lake was completely frozen. Of course this attracted quite some curious visitors, resulting in a gathering of more than 3.000 people crossing the lake by foot!

or partake in any other kind of watersports, like SUP-ing and windsurfing.

#SOUND2017

Travelling Funfair

Go back in time with this fair of around a hundred years ago! Here you’ll find

More than music

retro games, magicians and other wonderful artists.

Street theatre

Every year there are spectacular street theatre acts on the program. Acrobats, mime artists, dancers, actors and musicians; during the week you definitely pass them on your way to the next concert. Most of the time they are even so great, that it’s no exception you arrive late to the concert you were initially dying to see.

#SZIGET2017

Wedding Chapel

Chess Tent

Love has no limits! Marry whomever you wish for a week, albeit your (sum-

Test your chess skills against the best chess players of Hungary or learn how

mer) love or just a random visitor. Nice one to tick off your bucket list!

to get better at this old-school board game.

Sports

Museum Quarter

Start your day with some fitness exercises in the Sports Zone or do the

In this part of the island various musea

vinyasa during a yoga class. Also you

from Hungary and other countries to-

can join one of the different sports tournaments.

gether with artists decorate a designated area, where you get to know more about their collections in an interactive way. Get inspired by the greatest art!

Sziget Cinema

Tired of dancing yet? Pay a visit to the Sziget Cinema, where you can enjoy (animation) movies from early in the afternoon until late in the evening.

Hungarikum Village

Here you can feel, taste, experience and learn to understand the Hungarian culture. For example, experts can teach you how to dance to traditional Hungarian folk music.

Art of Freedom

Wandering around Sziget Festival often feels like living in a fairy tale. Between the many stages with music, theatre and dance the island is decorated with all kinds of art projects, from spectacular (light) installations to colourful sculptures and breathtaking visuals. By means of an open tender, artists and those who feel creative get the chance to show their talents at the festival.

This way many visitors have already contributed to turning Sziget into a magical art world full of joy, happiness, friendship, love and parties.

Sziget offers so much more than music. Day and night there are many activities to enjoy on The Island of Freedom; there’s simply no time to get bored. Like to relax for a while, play games, get your hands dirty or just get amazed by all the beautiful art- and theatre forms you come across? Here’s what you can expect at #Sziget2017!

Cirque du Sziget

SZIGET BEACH

The Cirque du Sziget brings amazing circus productions to the island every year. In a giant circus tent you can

The ideal place to sunbath, chill and cool off when it’s hot - which happens a lot at Sziget Festival. Not only do you

see shows with renowned acts from around the world. Also outdoors you’ll come across various circus acts.

Sometimes you can even participate in

come here to rest, but also when you feel like getting active and participating in a pottery-, dance- or teambuilding-workshop.

an interactive show!

Ruin Pub Quarter

Luminarium

a unique environment, where you can chill and take the most beautiful pictures.

of ground in a way that makes you feel like you are in a real ruin pub.

NGO Island

Dive into the world of world’s most important questions! More than a hundred NGO’s are represented at The Island of Freedom, where dialogue is the language, openness and curiosity are the motives and game is the method. You can relax here, partake in discussions and learn while playing.

Magic Mirror

GameLandHub

A true game paradise! Gamers can do different kinds of video games here, but there are also plenty of board games available. Anderson fans play darts here and whoever is up for it can take part in poker tournaments. A designated area is meant for the Rubik’s Cube, that originates from Hungary.

The Magic Mirror is the hetero friendly gay tent of The Island of Freedom. In a region where this is still a taboo for many people, Sziget Festival tries to show that everybody should be able to feel free to be him- or herself; whether they’re straight, gay, bisexual or transgender. By day this venue hosts discussions and documentaries aimed at human rights, minorities and

Theatre & Dance Tent

migration. At night you’ll find the most fantastic variety shows here, after which you can dance until the early

Toplevel theatre shows and modern dance performances are displayed here

hours.

on a daily basis. An absolute must-visit in between your favourite concerts!

Before I Die

What are your dreams, plans, desires or wishes you would like to pursue before you die? This installation of artist Candy Chang offers the perfect occasion to share these with the world!

#SZIGET2017

The Luminarium is a classic feature at Sziget! These incredibly large inflatable objects with their colourful tunnels and domes look like a dream world.

The light and colours jointly create

The ‘ruin pubs’ that are so characteristic for Budapest also found their spot on the island! They take care of the creative decoration of their own piece

Ability Park

In this price-winning interactive adventure park you can test your skills and get to know how it is to live with a handicap. For example, test how well you can move in a wheelchair, or walk a route blindfolded. The objective of this park is to gain more knowledge of and compassion with people with a handicap.

blues pub

Those who love Blues will most likely become a regular visitor at this stage. “Goddamn right, we got the blues!”.

Colosseum

#SZIGET2017

The Colosseum, which is completely built of wooden pallets, is the ultimate stage for underground and progressive electronic music. You enter this unique location through the dog head and you probably don’t leave this cool place before sunrise.

campfire

The cosiest stage of Sziget Festival! The campfire is hosted by musicians that are chosen by you: visitors of Sziget. Check via the website how you can enroll!

MUSIC VENUES

europe stage

This venue shows acts from all around Europe. The stage is also known as the ultimate spot to get discovered as a newcomer. Some artists who

perform here, achieve an international celebrity status within a few years. How cool if you can tell your friends then that you’d seen those celebrities at the intimate Europe Stage once?

main stage

The largest stage at the Sziget Festival, where ten thousands of visitors watch concerts of the headliners of #Sziget2017 and other great stars. At the Main Stage you’ll find acts from various genres, but also some special parties, like in the previous years the Colour Party, Balloon Party, Flag Party and Bubble Party. Also the spectacular end show takes place at the Main Stage, that will be hosted this year by the DJ duo Dimitri Vegas & Like Mike.

light stage

tribute stage

The Tribute Stage shows some of the best cover bands of Hungary. The perfect place to sing along with the classics!

The Light Stage offers entertainment with performances of talented artists from all over Europe, but especially from Italy. The stage gets sponsored by Puglia Sounds, a music export agency from Italy. At this venue you’ll also find an Italian restaurant with a.o. vegetarian and glutenfree meals.

Cökxpôn Chill Garden

Non-stop chill area with chai tea, workshops and visuals where DJs play ambient music all day. Everywhere you look are soft pillows and bean bags.

Shoes are simply ‘not done’ here. The garden is covered by giant colourful canvases that provide the needed shade.

a38 stage

In this enormous red and white tent they know how to make a party!

Bringing you diverse styles, trendy and fresh music starting from the afternoon till sunrise. With a capacity of over 10.000 persons, this is the largest covered stage of the festival.

Afro-Latin-Reggae Village

world MUSIC stage

Here you’ll discover the most surprising music styles. Bands from all over the world give the greatest performances at this stage and make sure you’ll dance all day long! Whoever has been to Sziget before, knows what we mean…

arena

This huge tent is the electro party centre of the island! Famous DJs as well as upcoming talents get the chance to shine here. EDM, techno, minimal, trance and house fans: this is your place to be at night!

Hungarian Stage

A stage completely aimed at Hungarian music from diverse styles. Whoever loves to explore the Hungarian culture and party like a local, is at the right address here!

Classical & Jazz Stage

What’s in a name? This is the stage you’ve got to be when you love classical and jazz music. The acts at this stage are taken care of by both national and international artists.

#SZIGET2017

#SZIGET2017

At this venue it always feels like you’ve entered a giant party! From African beats to Latin-American and Caribbean sounds; it’s simply impossible not to move here. Learn how to dance or drum from the experts, make your own jewelry and dance to the reggae and dancehall music from various DJs.

25 YEARS OF SZIGET

years OF sziget: how it started Youngsters who - for at least one

And symbolic; whoever crossed

minivan on a beautiful spring day. Musician, poet and man

week of the year - want nothing else than a paradise full of friends,

the bridge, found oneself in a new and peaceful world. Luckily Peter

of theatre and film Peter Sziámi Müller and concert

love and parties.

Müller was friends with the mayor of Budapest at the time, who

But where would they find a walhalla like that? On the one

supported their ideas for the festival and the location. And

organizing a festival of unprecedented size.

hand they were looking for an isolated location; quiet and tucked

so the very first Diáksziget (translated: student island)

Something they had never seen before and which

away enough not to disturb the surroundings. On the other hand

was born! What those first years looked like? Here

would bring together students from all

it shouldn’t either be too far from bustling city life. This all added

some beautiful memories of the great founders

up to Óbuda island, surrounded

and organizers

by green and the Danube in the east of the Hungarian capital

themselves!

organizer Károly Gerendai together fantasized about

over the world.

Balázs Szekfü

Budapest. In one word perfect!

Former joint owner:

“The most efficient way to start a festival like Sziget? With blind belief.

We did as if it was the world’s most natural thing that within a few months a hundred thousand people would be interested. At that time all we had was a vision. All of us believed that it would turn out fine, even Károly Gerendai whose wife was pregnant at the time.

She eventually gave birth to the child during the very first Sziget Festival.”

Kriszta Niklosz

Former Sziget ‘handyman’:

“In the beginning our office was like a shared dorm. Everyone did everything, it was a complete but cosy chaos.

Our communication infrastructure consisted of two lent computers and an old fax. We cooked in the kitchen of Balázs, we showered in his bathroom.

It had a lovely camp-like feeling.”

Tamás Kovács

Organizer of Sziget’s music programs between 1994 and 1998: “We worked 12 to 16 hours a day, no family, no cat, no social life.

We became friends with Károly and Peter. If I did not have a place to sleep, I could always stay in the office or at Károly’s or Peter’s apartment. We went out to restaurants and concerts together.

In the beginning, we also got the artists for the festival from within our own circle of friends.”

“We did as if it was the world’s most natural thing that within a few months a hundred thousand people would be interested.”

Kriszta Niklosz “The funniest part was that the outside world did not actually know what we were up to. We received several phone calls from mothers who wanted to send their fifteenyear-olds to this camp. They wanted to know how much it would cost and who the supervisors would be.”

Zsolt Gáspári

Former caterer, present leader of Sziget’s drink and liquor system since 1996: “In my college there was this band, The Arena. I invited them to be our stand-ins; we needed someone that would play if any of the rural artists arrived late. They told me that they would do anything for five liters of white wine spritzer. And so the band drank through the whole festival, and when I needed them, they were ready to perform. They played every day, sometimes more than once!”

“I remember well that we stood on top of the hill and fantasized about a Grand Stage at our feet, filled with people dancing to the rumbling music.”

Balázs Szekfü

Zsolt Gáspári

“I remember well that we stood on top of the hill and fantasized about a Grand

“We received a permit for my cousin’s truck. We thought it could come in handy. It turned out that ours was the only one. Some had minivans,

Stage at our feet, filled with people dancing to the rumbling music. But where would the acoustics come from? And how would we get electricity and water here? In the public utilities and the offices no one believed that our dream would ever come true. Even if we were

but they could only fit four barrels of beer max. When they saw our truck, they made us an offer that was impossible to refuse.”

convinced to the core that at least more than a thousand people would gather.”

Kata Borsa

Tibor Tóth

Former Sziget ‘handyman’, present program organizer:

Former Sziget ‘handyman’, present service development manager:

“If I remember correctly, in 1994 the ones working at the buffet stands did not have to pay rent. They only had to pay the technicians involved. One of the owners, instead of money, paid with a tub filled with marinated gyros meat. It was enough for the technician’s family until Christmas!”

“Once I was walking to the Boat House, and I saw a sign reading ‘Serbian meat with onions’. Before the stand a very long line spiraled on and on. I started talking with the guys operating the stand. As we drank more and more, they admitted: in reality this dish doesn’t even exist. But it worked!

From the next year on the festival was filled with stands all selling this very special ‘Serbian meat with onions’.”

25 YEARS OF SZIGET

It all started in a shaking

Károly Gerendai

Co-founder of Sziget:

“One day we received an offer from the management of Lady Gaga: 30.000 euros for this strange and awkward girl. Who the hell is she? When we were able to answer the question, the management told us her fee had already moved up to 60.000 euros.

We stepped back. Who did they think they were? One month later Lady Gaga was everywhere. We contacted her management a second time, only to hear that her price had increased to 100.000 euros. By the time we decided that we would take the offer, Lady Gaga was booked all through the year. The next year her performance fee surpassed the one million euros dream threshold…”

Matthew Braghini

Kata Borsa

Stage manager of ‘The Grand Stage’ between 1994 and 1998:

Former Sziget ‘handyman’, present program organizer:

“If I remember correctly, the first record in terms of visitors was connec-

“One of the technicians had lent a roadie his David Bowie CD many years before the beginning of Sziget.

Of course the technician had already given up hope of ever getting it back.

But when David Bowie arrived to

ted to The Prodigy. More than 56.000 people arrived that day in 1996 - an almost terrifying mass that we could only dream of until then!”

“one month later LADY gaga was everywhere!”

Sziget, the roadie signed the lost CD with Bowie himself and gave it back to its rightful owner. Such a beautiful story! Since then a saying is heard every now and then: patience is always rewarded, especially when a lost CD is

Károly Gerendai “The lead singer of Motörhead, Lemmy, once returned to the festival in the wee hours after his performance.

Without his boots, leather jacket and passport. He was not really stressed or anything, all he asked us was to send his passport to the hotel if we found it. With the help of loudspeakers everyone at Sziget knew what had happened; hilarious. Eventually someone stumbled across the document, so it was escorted by police to the airport where the band was about to board!”

involved.”

25 YEARS OF SZIGET

AND SOME LEGENDARY BACKSTAGE STORIES...

Tibor Gellért

Lead acoustical technician until 1999: “The foreign artists always come and finish their concerts on time.

Probably because they are more used to festivals of this size. The Hungarian bands are not so well acquainted with time and punctuality. If their concert was a hit, they would surely play two or more songs. Of course that messed up our complete schedule!”

“Without a sound check or anything they always just jumped off the plane right onto the stage to play for an unforgettable 90 minutes.”

Károly Gerendai “Iggy Pop is a peculiar man; one of a kind. In preparation of his shows he for instance always drank carrot juice. Once he had a fight backstage with Kosheen. The dispute was ended because Iggy Pop had to step on stage. But before his gig started, Iggy’s guitarist locked the door of Kosheen’s trailer and accidentally broke the key in the lock. To let the band out again, we had to call a complete brigade of locksmiths!”

Márk Bóna

Program organizer in 2004:

“To let the band out again, we had to call a complete brigade of locksmiths!”

“Some artists have the most curious wishes. For example, that their trailer should have a certain colour. Or that they only want tuna sandwiches with mayo, or a dozen pepperoni pizza’s (even if they are only with three). A

“Therapy? always surprised us with their concerts. Without a sound check or anything they always just jumped

specific kind of Champagne, soda or just tea. What’s also remarkable: 90% of the artists with a Rock & Roll lifestyle are vegetarians!”

off the plane right onto the stage to play for an unforgettable 90 minutes.

That is what festivals are supposed to be about!”

Matthew Braghini

25 YEARS OF SZIGET

AUGUST 9-16, 2017

BUDAPEST, HUNGARY

Download the Layar app on your iPhone or Android phone, scan this page and have a look at the line-up!

Or go to www.szigetfestival.com

- WWW.SZIGETFESTIVAL.COM -

1996 1995

Name: Sziget ‘95 Amount of visitors: 173.000

Name: Pepsi Sziget ‘96 Amount of visitors: 206.000 Key artists: Iggy Pop, Slash, Sonic Youth, The Levellers, The Prodigy, Therapy?, The Stone Roses Fun fact: Sziget reaches a higher level thanks to the first great names.

1997

Name: Pepsi Sziget ‘97 Amount of visitors: 260.000 Key artists: David Bowie, Chumbawamba, dEUS, Faith No More, Foo Fighters, Motörhead, New Model Army,

Key artists: Clawfinger, Jeff Healey, John Cale, Stranglers Fun fact: It’s the first year that one realizes the festival is no longer

Rollins Band, Cardigans, Toy Dolls Fun fact: The year that the new populist mayor fights against

only meant for students.

the free nature of this festival, but the visitor numbers only keep growing.

1994

1998

Name: Diáksziget-Eurowoodstock ‘94 Amount of visitors: 143.000

Name: Pepsi Sziget ‘98 Amount of visitors: 268.000

Key artists: Blood, Sweat & Tears, Byrds, Eric Burdon, Grandmothers of Invention (Frank Zappa’s band), Jefferson

Key artists: Boney M, Chumbawamba, Coolio, Goldie, Green Day, Mory Kanté, Paradise Lost, Patti Smith, Rammstein, Therapy?,

Starship, Jethro Tull, Ten Years After Fun fact: 25 years after Woodstock ‘69, Sziget recreates the

Shane MacGowan and the Popes Fun fact: The first returning artists are a fact!

real Woodstock feeling.

1993

1999

25 YEARS OF SZIGET

Name: Diáksziget (Student Sziget) ‘93 Amount of visitors: 43.000

Name: Pepsi Sziget ‘99 Amount of visitors: 297.000

Key artists: Only Hungarian artists Fun fact: The very first edition!

Key artists: Apocalyptica, Asian Dub Foundation, Baaba Maal, Brand New Heavies, Faithless, Guano Apes, Kool and the Gang, Paradise Lost, Rachid Taha, Suede Fun fact: The alternative outsider festival enjoys more and more fame in all layers of the society.

2000 Name: Pepsi Sziget 2000

Amount of visitors: 324.000 Key artists: Apollo 440, Baaba Maal, Chumbawamba, Bad Religion, Bloodhound Gang, Clawfinger, Die Ärzte, Guano Apes, HIM, Lou Reed, Oasis, Therapy?, Suzanne Vega

2001

Fun fact: The World Music Stage gets launched.

Name: Pepsi Sziget 2001 Amount of visitors: 361.000 Key artists: Ash, Jimmy Bosch, Eagle Eye Cherry, Faithless, Freestylers, Guano Apes, HIM, Ignite, Khaled, Moonspell, Morcheeba, Nightwish, Noir Desir, Omara Portuondo, Placebo, Värttinä, Run DMC

2002

Fun fact: For the first time the LGBT community is represented via the introduction of the Magic Mirror.

Name: Sziget Festival 2002 Amount of visitors: 355.000 Key artists: Amorphis, Die Toten Hosen, HIM, Iggy Pop, Jovanotti, Kosheen, Mory Kanté, Muse, Natacha Atlas, Nightwish, Pulp, Stereo MCs, The 69 Eyes, The Cure, The Gathering, The Klezmatics, Mission, Tito and Tarantula, Transglobal Underground Fun fact: Sziget becomes independent of Pepsi and turns into the largest multicultural event of the region.

2003

2004

Amount of visitors: 361.000 Key artists: Asian Dub Fundation, Apocalyptica, Buena Vista Social Club, DJ Rush, Dreadzone, Fun Lovin’ Criminals, Goran

Amount of visitors: 369.000 Key artists: Pet Shop Boys, Amorphis, Basement Jaxx, Children

Name: Sziget Festival 2003

Bregovic, Lamb, Los de Abajo, Massive Attack, Moloko, Morcheeba, Napalm Death, Patti Smith, Seeed, Shaggy, Slayer Fun fact: The most international party until then with over 100 international artists, an Australian street theatre, a circus from Guinea and an Israeli dance company.

Name: Sziget Festival 2004

of Bodom, Faithless, Freestylers, Fun Lovin’ Criminals, Paul Oakenfold, Scissor Sisters, Sugababes, Bloodhound Gang, Gathering, Rasmus, Tito and Tarantula Fun fact: Sziget welcomes the three millionth visitor since the beginning of the festival.

2014

Name: Sziget Festival 2014 Amount of visitors: 415.000 Key artists: Queens of the Stone Age, Stromae, Calvin Harris, Skrillex, Madness, Lily Allen, Outkast, Deadmau5, Imagine Dragons, Bastille, Macklemore & Ryan Lewis, The Kooks, Blink-182, Korn, The Prodigy, Leningrad, Placebo, La Roux, Anti-Flag Fun fact: For the second time Sziget Festival receives the award for ‘Best Major Festival’ at the European Festival Awards.

2013

2015

2016

ne, Martin Garrix, Ellie Goulding, Kings of Leon, Kasabian,

woord, Rihanna, Jake Bugg, Manu Chao, Afrojack,

Limp Bizkit, The Script, Major Lazer, Alt-J, Asaf Avidan,

Opgezwolle, Boys Noize, Sigur Rós, David Guetta,

Blasterjaxx, The Ting Tings, Passenger, Selah Sue, Jett Rebel, Typhoon, Kensington Fun fact: The Russian feminist punk rock band Pussy Riot

Sia, M83, Kaiser Chiefs, Hardwell, Kodaline, John Newman, The Lumineers Fun fact: This year marks the absolute record

is also present at the festival; not for a performance but for

number of visitors in the history of Sziget!

Name: Sziget Festival 2015 Amount of visitors: 441.000 Key artists: Robbie Williams, Avicii, Florence + the Machi-

Name: Sziget Festival 2016 Amount of visitors: 496.000 Key artists: Muse, The Chemical Brothers, Die Ant-

a special talk show.

Name: Sziget Festival 2013 Amount of visitors: 362.000 Key artists: Blur, Skunk Anansie, Mika, Ska-P, Empire Of The Sun, Netsky, Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds, Bad Religion, Biffy Clyro, Enter Shikari, Die Ärzte, Editors, Franz Ferdinand, Leningrad, Parov Stelar Band, Tame Impala, Dizzee Rascal, David Guetta Fun fact: The first end show is a fact, with David Guetta!

2011

LMFAO, dEUS, Caro Emerald, Kraak & Smaak, The Ting

Key artists: Prince, Pulp, Interpol, Kasabian, Chemical Brothers, Skunk Anansie, Dizzee Rascal, The Prodigy, Kate Nash, Kaiser

Name: Sziget Festival 2012 Amount of visitors: 379.000 Key artists: The Stone Roses, Paolo Nutini, Korn, Axwell, Tings, Boef En De Gelogeerde Aap, Amsterdam Klezmer Band, Crystal Fighters, The Horrors, Axwell, Steve Aoki Fun fact: First-time use of YouTube Live, so thousands of people who stayed at home can also enjoy the concerts.

Name: Sziget Festival 2011 Amount of visitors: 385.000

Chiefs, Gogol Bordello, Trentemøller, Manic Street Preachers, White Lies, Marina & The Diamonds, Judas Priest, Motörhead Fun fact: Sziget welcomes the biggest star in the history of the festival: Prince! Also the Sziget-Budapest Citypass gets introduced this year.

Name: Sziget Festival 2005 Amount of visitors: 385.000 Key artists: Basement Jaxx, Buena Vista Social Club, Franz Ferdinand, Good Charlotte, Ko-Dn, Natalie Imbruglia, Nick Cave, Paul van Dyk, Juliette Lewis, Sean Paul, Underworld Fun fact: Sean Paul, who plays water polo himself, would love to meet the Hungarian water polo team, but unfortunately they are in Serbia at the time for the world championships!

2006

Name: Sziget Festival 2006 Amount of visitors: 385.000 Key artists: Radiohead, Cradle of Filth, Fear Factory, Franz Ferdinand, Gogol Bordello, Iggy and the Stooges, Jovanotti, Leningrad, Living Colour, Ministry, Natacha Atlas, Placebo, Robert Plant, Scissor Sisters, Sick of It All, The Prodigy, Therapy?, Rasmus Fun fact: The cultural acts are on fire this year! As many as 42 national and international dance and theatre productions give a spectacular performance.

Name: Sziget Festival 2010 Amount of visitors: 382.000 Key artists: Muse, Iron Maiden, Faithless, Amparo Sanchez, Bad Religion, Calvin Harris, Children of Bodom, Danko Jones, DJ Shadow, Fear Factory, Gotan Project, Hives, Kasabian, Madness, Papa Roach, Paradise Lost, Ska-P, Skindred, Thirty Seconds to Mars Fun fact: Media like The Guardian and The Telegraph praise Sziget Festival for its one-of-a-kind atmosphere and professional organization.

25TH EDITION: #SZIGET2017 2005

2010

2009

Name: Sziget Festival 2009 Amount of visitors: 390.000 Key artists: The Prodigy, Offspring, Faith No More, IAMX, Paul Oakenfold, Coldcut, Fatboy Slim, Lily Allen, Tricky, Placebo, Buena Vista Social Club, White Lies, Armin van Buuren, Al Di Meola, Manic Street Preachers, Pendulum, Bloc Party, Klaxons Fun fact: The Prodigy has its third concert at Sziget and after this one still multiple are to follow!

2008

Name: Sziget Festival 2008 Amount of visitors: 385.000

2007

Key artists: Alanis Morisette, Babyshambles, Die Ärzte, Flogging Molly, Iron Maiden, Jamiroquai, Justice, Kaiser Chiefs, Mademoiselle K, R.E.M., Róisín Murphy, Serj Tankian, Sex Pistols, The Killers, MGMT Fun fact: The 5+2-days structure is introduced.

Name: Sziget 2007

Amount of visitors: 371.000 Key artists: Cezária Évora, Eagles of Death Metal, Faithless, Gogol Bordello, Laurent Garnier, Madness, Manu Chao, Nine Inch Nails, Pink, Rachid Taha, Razorlight, Salif Keita, The Chemical Brothers, The Good, the Bad and the Queen, The Hives, The Killers Fun fact: Two Guinness Book of Records top scores are made: 14.902 couples kissing in front of the Grand Stage and longest running concert ever.

25 YEARS OF SZIGET

2012

“

It is great to play at one of the biggest festivals in Europe. At the Main Stage! It is wonderful. This is one of the biggest gigs for us this year.

“

One of my best memories is from my first Sziget Festival in 2012, when we camped near the Hungary stage. Every morning they had a sound check and it was always like a banging tune; THE most amazing way to wake up. Tapping my toes and a smile on my face - just that.

25 YEARS OF SZIGET

– Andre Persaud - visitor

“

Only good memories of the festival. This is one of the festivals we really wanted to come back to. To our booking agent we said ‘Sziget, we have to go back there.’ It was amazing. It was one of the highlights of the year.

– Alexander Kapranos (singer Franz Ferdinand), 2006

– Lauri Ylönen (singer The Rasmus), 2004

“

Good food.

Beautiful women.

Yes!

“

- Dan Reynolds (singer Imagine Dragons), 2014

What the fuck just happened? Oh my god. This show is perfect. So fucking sick. Sick crowd, sick production, sick stage, sick fireworks…

Everything was sick!

“

- MARTIN GARRIX, 2015

The first time I went to Sziget with my friends from Liverpool, we met a group from Glasgow, Scotland, among which the greatest girl I had ever seen. Later on she even became my girlfriend and today we are still together. All thanks to Sziget!

“

Together with my mum I celebrated two very special birthdays at Sziget: in 2010 my 21st and in 2015 my mother’s 50th. Both times we went, a massive storm erupted as the final act played. Such a coincidence! It was magical: dancing

- Thomas Clegg, visitor

in the rain whilst enjoying our favourite cocktail buckets.

“

- Laurena Kennedy - visitor

The Colour Party at Sziget 2016 was definitely one of my favourite experiences at Sziget!

– Bianca Walsh - visitor

“

When the grey of the nine-to-five world sets in, I lean back in time to all those Main Stage countdowns, beer in the water on the sundown beach, the floor stomping Hungarian Village, the cool air in the Luminarium, the free ice-cream the cute bar girl gave me, the joy on others’ faces, the food, the shoes, the trees and breeze... There are so many things, physical and spiritual, that Sziget is, that it’s far easier to say what Sziget is not. Forgettable.

- WeZ Nolan - visitor

“

“

It truly feels like Paradise City. Sziget is a 21st-century rarity: a festival that - by way of its eclectic bill, its beautiful

IT IS GOOD TO BE BACK IN BUDAPEST. SUCK ON THIS! – DAVID BOWIE, 1997

location and a crowd that isn’t cynical about the pleasures of sharing music and art with others - reminds you of the original ideals of the pre-corporate festival.

- The Guardian

“

I cannot wait to come back. We will see you next time.

“

– Macklemore, 2014

– Anti-flag, 2014

“

There’s too much I loved about my first Sziget in 2015!

From going there alone to taking selfies with friends I’d just made, to taking the water out of my tent in the middle of the night after it rained while I was at the concerts, to kissing a Brazilian guy hopelessly and spontaneously in love, to finding colourful confetti in my bag six months after Sziget and wishing to have the chance to go back again... I’m sure everyone experiences these things on a regular basis at the festival, but it’s the madness that I recall and makes my heart truly homesick.

“

– Alexandra Constantinescu - visitor

Sziget is for EVERYONE, even for a single mom like me who takes her kids to the festival. We all have an amazing time, whether it’s at the art zone, funfair or the amazing gigs.

Sziget is a welcoming place who accepts everyone with the sense of freedom and love. My kids have grown up going to Sziget and I wouldn’t have it any other way.

- Susan Mansfield - visitor

“

ALWAYS NICE, ALWAYS BEAUTIFUL AND ALWAYS PERFECT. IT’S FANTASTIC, GREAT. ONE OF THE MOST EXTRAORDINARY FESTIVALS THERE IS. – Triggerfinger, 2014

25 YEARS OF SZIGET

Definitely unique.

This is the third time we’ve done it and I hope we’ll be able to do it any other year. It is a special thing. This doesn’t happen really anywhere else in the world.

BUDAPEST

BEST OF BUDAPEST

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LATE NIGHT BITE

DINING FAVOURITES

Many ruin pubs have good (bio)food till late night. Check Oktogon for the regular non stop fast food restaurants, but our favourites are:

1 2 3

Non Stop Palacsinta Sweet and savoury pancakes, next to the HÉV Sziget train.

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Seraj Big Turkish self-service restaurant. Fast, clean and good.

NICE LITTLE SHOPS

Menza Hungarian 70’s interior, good food and wine, great terrace. Tip: order the onion roastbeef.

Kiosk Club annex restaurant in a beautiful building at a top location. Good food, big terrace.

best burgers, go and check it yourself.

4 5

Pesti Burger & Bar Genius gourmet burgers for friendly prices.

Pesti Diszno Check out this bistro for the excellent Hungarian mangalica pork burger.

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Vintage Garden Friendly staff, light and cosy, and has a nice courtyard.

Derynye Classic French style restaurant with live piano and small terrace.

Zeller Nice little cellar restaurant serving food and wine from their own farm at Lake Balaton.

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VITAL VITAMINS

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Healthy hotspots for fresh juices

SWEET AND STREET FOOD

8 9

10 11

Kürtőskalács Sweet yeast dough, wrapped around a cone–shaped baking spit, baked above charcoal cinders while lubricated with melted butter and rolled in walnut, cocos or cinnamon.

Hold utca Csarnok Quality lángos and a lot of other good street food in a hidden, 19th century markethall.

ICE CREAM

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Mazel Tov

BUDGET EATERIES

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Ecseri Piac Take bus 54 or 55 from Boraros tér to Central Europe’s biggest flea market and find everything you never knew you wanted to have. The flea market is best on Saturday before noon.

Market Halls Each district has its own market hall. The beautiful Central Market Hall is located near the green bridge.

Home brewing and distilling is legal in Hungary, and thus, extremely popular. The best spots to taste exciting beers:

Jelen Bar/kitchen with good beers, wines and palinkas and often live (jazz) music.

Castro Popular and cosy eatery with Balkan dishes.

Around the centre you can find many big malls (Kalman square, Keleti Station, etc), but Westend, next to Nyugati Station is easiest to reach.

MULTICULTURAL BOHEMIAN PUB

32 Jedermann

22 23

Durham Low priced restaurant with magnificent roof terrace.

Jedermann Picturesque eatery with a small garden and live music.

Brody Studio’s The Guardian called Brody Studio’s the coolest place in Central Europe. A place where artists, writers, Hollywood actors and other visitors come to eat, drink and listen to music or presentations. For Brody Studio’s you need to have a membercard to get in.

35 36

Gelarto Rosa

Éleszto Favourite spot for hipsters, many local beers (including coffee and plum beer) on a great location with courtyard, cellar and really good food bar.

Jonas Beer brewer Jonas is located in the remarkable building Bálna (whale) and has a great diversity of beers and wonderful terrace along the Danube.

SUBLIME COCKTAILS

37 38

Boutique Friendly place, somewhat hidden from the crowd, excellent cocktails and an ‘exclusive club’ atmosphere.

Pharma A cocktail bar that looks like a pharmacy! Even the bartenders approach the cocktails like pure alchemy.

44

Lodz Travel back in time for a good cup of coffee and live piano in this classic environment at the first floor of the bookshop, a former casino.

Fekete Small spot for coffee lovers with small terrace in courtyard.

In the summer Hungarians mix light white and rosé wines with soda (fröccs).

Hungary is a country of great quality wines. Modern wine bars are therefore very popular in Budapest and a real recommendation.

39

Doblo Quality wines and nice Jewish bites, sometimes accompanied by live music.

Kadarka Over thirty wines available by the glass! Good atmosphere and delicious bites.

Trap Exit Games Lock yourself up in one of Europe’s oldest escape rooms.

Escape Room Budapest Three different exit games on one spot.

COOL OUTDOOR HANG-OUTS

45

46 47

48

Hold Udvar Drink (or eat) on Margit Island, close to the big fountain.

Parties at night.

Champs Relaxed open-air bar near the fountain at Margit island where often sports get broadcast.

Fishermen’s Bastion Although located at a very touristy spot, with beautiful weather this is one of the best places to sit, enjoying a cool beer, a gentle breeze and a panoramic, magical view over the Danube.

Gozsdu Udvar Three courtyards with many great bars and restaurants.

48

FINE WINES

40

Gelarto Rosa Not only the best ice cream in the city, but also beautifully served in the shape of flowers and perfectly located opposite the basilica.

42

Élesztő

SHOPPING MALLS

31

41

43

SHOPPING MALLS

Brody Studio’s

Lodz

ESCAPE ROOMS

Some come to Budapest because of the low prices, but we prefer good quality for reasonable prices. Check out the excellent cocktails of Budapest’s world class master shakers.

Most Bar/kitchen with garden and often live music.

Rétes Vár Hungarian strüdel, filled with fruit, cabbage or curd.

Karaván Gathering of food trucks, offering falafel, burgers, tacos and the Hungarian favourite: lángos.

Horror Barbie Looking for a new, somewhat extreme coupe? Horror Barbie is known for the creation of daring and extravagant haircuts, which instantly make you festival proof!

BP Base streetwear and much of the internationally popular clothing brand BP. Szputnik Vintage clothes, shoes and accessories.

From the classic 19th century coffee houses to the modern coffee bars.

Gozsdu Udvar

49 50 51

MORE SPOTS ON THE NEXT PAGE

Liszt tér Nice pedestrian square with high trees and plenty of terraces.

Deák tér Locals and tourists gather at this square in the early evening, bringing guitars, drinks and snacks. Great vibe!

Krudy utca-Raday utca Less known area with a lot of small restaurants, bars and terraces.

>>>

BUDAPEST

30

SUPER STEAK Prime Longing for red meat? This is the place, from Hungarian grey cattle to South American prime beef.

34

Tisza Hungarian retro sneaker brand from the 70s.

BEAUTIFUL MARKETS

Mazel Tov Modern Israelian dishes in nicely designed roofed courtyard.

Pesti Diszno

6

Rozsavolgyi Price winning bonbons in a cute little shop.

Tisza

Kiosk

They all claim to have the

25

33

COFFEE FREAKS

Barbershop Budapest Master hairdresser Andrew Gallei and his three sons run this hipster favourite barbershop, famous for wellstyled beards.

BEER BARS

Montenegroi Top quality Balkan snacks, home-made bread and great meat.

BEST BURGERS

24

BARBERS

Rhododendron Beautiful design store with many prints and gadgets from their own art collective.

PICKNICK SPOTS

52

53

Kiraly Park Cute peaceful little park (former palace garden) near Central Market Hall.

Citadel A nice park with an amazing view over the city. Close to Central Market Hall.

59 60 61

Citadel

54 55

Buda Castle Many nice green spots at the Palace Gardens and under the castle wall.

62

Margit Park Former harem is now a beautiful park with swimming pool and big fountain.

63

PARTY IN THE CITY

56

BUDAPEST

57 58

Larm Small club, mostly techno, with good sound system and no dB limits. Located in the Fogashaz ruin bar.

Hello Baby Very popular party place near Oktogon.

64

THE FAMOUS RUIN BARS You certainly shouldn’t skip the famous ruin bars of Budapest. These pubs are located in the remains of beautiful old buildings often well hidden in the Jewish district.

BRKLN Three stories in a former transformator house with luxury bistro, quality wines and signature cocktails.

House, hiphop and r&b.

Doboz Dance your shoes off in this great party place, with several dance floors and chill out rooms.

Instant Party ruin pub. A labyrinth of bars, rooms and cellars with many small parties going on at the same time.

Free entrance.

5Kert Restaurant annex club for happy parties in cool courtyard.

Akvarium Parties and live concerts in the most diverse club in town.

Multiple concert rooms under Deak square in the heart of the city.

A38 One of the best concert halls of the city, located in an impressing ship on the Danube. Including a restaurant in the hold and bars on the upper decks.

70

Pótkulcs An old and small, hard to find ruin pub with a nice garden, cheap meals and often live music.

Corvin Teto Wonderful roof terrace overlooking the city.

The parties at the top floor often last till early morning.

SWIMMING AND BATHING

Budapest is built on thermal wells. Warning: don’t make the mistake of going to the spa in the afternoon. During Sziget, the baths are very busy and queues can be huge. Bathing is better in the early morning or the evening anyway.

Szimpla Kert

65 66 67 68

Szimpla Kert The most famous ruin pub.

Szimpla is large, busy and cosy. Its success has attracted many new spots offering drinks and food in the area.

Anker’t A great place near the Opera with stripped walls, a good cocktail bar and a nice dance floor.

71

Lukacs Best water in the city and fantastic sun terraces, but the building is in need for renovation.

Lukacs

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Csendes Small and relaxed, but still a great place.

Szechenyi

72 A38

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Szechenyi Biggest spa of Europe!

A beautiful spa palace located in the City Park, with in- and outdoor pools.

Fogashaz More like a party ruin pub, just like Instant (see ‘Party in the City).

Teszla Professional club with mainly techno and bass music.

Budapest and the Danube (2015) by Stefan Bleekrode Fascinated by cities and architecture, Stefan Bleekrode (1986, Eindhoven) draws, from memory, in pen and ink the cities he visited. No detail gets lost; from small specialties like street furnishings and storefronts to large bridges and skyscrapers.

Everything gets covered in the drawings in order to create the complete picture. Every place Stefan likes he draws, sometimes only in one piece, but mostly he produces multiple pieces around the same theme. In that sense Budapest takes up a special place; since his first visit in 2007, Stefan has made twelve drawings and several paintings of this unique city.

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Rudas Best baths and nice rooftop bath with panorama view on the Danube.

75

Gellert Most famous bath with astonishing art deco and an antique wave pool in the gardens.

Palatinus Great open-air swimming pool with slides and thermal baths, located on the Margit island.

money The Hungarian valuta is the Forint.

At the moment, the exchange rate is that you get 360 Forint for 1 Pound.

The easiest and cheapest way to withdraw money is via an ATM. Of course this depends on how your bank works with foreign currencies.

Therefore we advise you to contact your bank to discuss what would be most desirable for you.

Design STORES The last two years design stores are extremely upcoming. The most interesting shops exclusively work with local artists, which contributes to the diversity. Most are located in a curve around Astoria.

Here a few of our favourite design hotspots:

CITYPASS: YOURMET KEY TO THE VERVOER OVCITY IN BOEDAPEST

Although you get a long way by foot in Budapest, for that lovely spa or that specific ruin bar it is of course more convenient to travel by public transport.

With the Sziget-Budapest Citypass you can make unlimited use of the public transport network in Budapest during Sziget.

The public transport in the Hungarian capital is well developed. Buses, trams and metros frequently ride from 04:45 AM until 11:15 PM. The small HEV train (between the festival grounds and the city centre) and the most important tram line in the centre even ride all day and night. Also there are various night buses that drive you through the city in the late

hours. The ancient metro line 1 is the oldest of the entire European mainland; a ride with this metro already makes up for a great bucketlist experience!

From the festival the HEV train takes you to the Margit Bridge or Batthyány Tér in 15 minutes. Here you can change to trams 4-6 (also at night) or metro 2 (only by day). An alternative route can be travelled by the Sziget Ferry!

This boat takes you from the festival grounds, along with a beautiful view on the Danube, to the city centre. Also this service is free for Sziget-Budapest Citypass holders.

Rhododendron A famous concept in Budapest!

Here you’ll find original prints, design toys, jewelry, vintage posters, pictures and other items from local designers.

Magma Magma offers luxury items like sculptures and ceramics, but also bags, prints and paintings from Hungarian artists and designers.

TAXI Another way to get into the centre of Budapest is by taxi. It’s a bit more expensive, but it’s also comfortable. Because other taxi companies usually charge more for their rides, we advise you to only use the official taxis that are waiting in front of the festival grounds. A ride to the city centre should cost you about £ 8,-.

Luggage As with every festival, leaving valuable items in your tent is not a good idea. Of course you should leave most of your valuables at home, but for those things you

dOblo goes (W)underground Doblo, located in the popular Jewish district, is also known as the best wine bar of Budapest. In the middle of the city’s party scene, between the ruin bars, bistro’s and craft beer cafés, Doblo offers a regular spot for people who love Hungarian wines, live jazz, folk music or Jewish instrumental klezmer and - above all - a good atmosphere.

When we are having a glass of wine at Doblo, owner David Popovits explains us that Budapest has become so popular internationally, that expansion is inevitable. Also, he thinks it is time for a new concept. He takes us along and opens a door that leads to the cellars underneath the wine bar. “Look!” He points at the high ceilings and bricked doors on three sides of the basement. “Below all

19th century houses there are these cellars, often also underneath the streets. So in theory, with the help of a wrecking ball, you could make an underground path from one side of the city to the other!” In theory?

David appears to have big plans. In the cellars underneath Doblo he is now working on a new club with a piano bar, kitchen, poker room and wine cellar for tastings. And that’s only the

beginning! There are plans for private spas, that are meant for relaxation during the day and for exclusive parties at night, and many more creative concepts; all stylish, exclusive and connected underground. After the success of the ruin bars, Budapest seems ready for a new adventure: the Wunderground!

really need we recommend you to store them in a locker. The lockers at Sziget Festival are guarded with cameras 24/7. We advise you to pre-book a locker in time, since usually all lockers are already taken once the festival has started. In addition to lockers there is a left luggage store at Sziget, where bags, suitcases and other larger items can be stored safely.

BUDAPEST

The Citypass has become an essential part of the Sziget Experience.

With the Citypass you have - for a certain period - unlimited access to the public transport of Budapest, including trams, metros, buses, HEV, cogwheel and the special Sziget Ferries. Next to that, the Citypass enables you to use the Sziget shuttle buses between the airport and the festival for free. Also it gives you discount on a.o. spas and swimming pools. More information about the Sziget-Budapest Citypass you can find at www.szigetfestival.com.

PUBLIC TRANSPORT IN BUDAPEST

Printa The trendy store Printa is located in the Jewish district and has its own print set, where bags, clothes, posters and other items can be printed and sold from a collective of designers.

BUDAPEST

The Island of Freedom / Obudai Sziget Sziget (Hungarian for island) Festival takes place on Ă“buda island. This giant park full of trees and hiking trails is located in the Danube, north of the better known Margit island and across the Ă“buda district. With its 108 hectares, being 2.750 meters long and 500 meters wide, the island forms a green (and during winter time often white) oasis of peace in the middle of busy Budapest. Both locals and tourists are to be found here regularly for a nice walk in nature. During one week in August the island turns into The Island of Freedom; a fairy tale full of music, art, culture and love!

YOUR STAY DURING SZIGET

camp at the festival...

For the ultimate Sziget experience you should

tents, wooden houses, caravans, mattresses

camp at the festival. Camping during Sziget

and blankets are available for rent. With a 5- and

Festival is nothing like camping at other fes-

7-Day Pass or at least two following day tickets

tivals. The festival camping is literally located

you can camp on the island for free. Should you

between the stages, like you’re sleeping in a

wish a bit more luxury, you can choose one of

fairy tale! Because the island looks mostly like

the upgrade campings. From the Alternativa

a park, there are enough trees to provide shade.

to the Siësta Camping: there is something for

The showers produce hot water, there are real

everyone. At the VIP Camping you’ll even find

toilets available (not only dixies) and you can

a swimming pool! But for sure the nicest thing

store your luggage safely and worryless in one

about staying on the island is your company:

of the lockers. For those who like to travel light:

enthusiastic Szitizens from all around the world.

OR ENJOY MORE COMFORT AND STAY IN THE CITY?

£

*

**

***

£

0 min.

0 min.

DBC Hostel

£

35 min.

15 min.

City Hostel Pest

£

40 min.

15 min.

Hotel Fortuna

££

50 min.

30 min.

Hotel Benczur

££

40 min.

20 min.

Atlantic hotel

££

45 min.

25 min.

Hilton Budapest

£££

35 min.

20 min.

spas and visit one of the funky ruin bars. The festival is easy to reach from

Aquincum hotel

£££

10 min.

8 min.

Budapest. Below you’ll find some accommodations in various price categories:

*Price category **Distance to Sziget by public transport ***Distance to Sziget by car

For those who prefer to stay in a comfortable bed during Sziget Festival, Budapest offers many nice accommodations. Not only you get to enjoy more luxury that way, but also the beauty of Budapest. Go for breakfast at a cosy terrace in the city centre, stroll along the Danube, charge yourself in the classic

dbc hostel

city hostel pest

Hotel Fortuna**

Hotel Benczur***

Looking for a cheap accommodation at a fine location? Then DBC Hostel is the best choice! The

Pest side is the best side! Book a three-person room at the renowned Ráday Utca full of cafés,

Hotel Fortuna is located in a renovated building in

This hotel is located in the quiet embassy district, near city park Városliget, where you’ll find ter-

hostel is located at the edge of the city centre and

bars and restaurants (and close to the Danube!).

a neat neighbourhood near the modern football stadium of Budapest. There are many cheap student bars close by.

atlantic hotel***

hilton budapest*****

Aquincum Hotel*****

MORE INFORMATION?

The Atlantic Hotel receives festival fans in the city centre of Budapest. In this 3-star hotel you’ll

Listed in the top 10 of “Best view of the world”!

Staying at this luxurious hotel looking out on the Danube makes you feel like a king.

The 5-star Aquincum Hotel is located at the shore

At en.festival.travel/sziget you will find all

of the Danube on Buda’s side, looking over Margit

information and details regarding accommodation

Island. Relax to the max at the wellness of this beautiful hotel.

we are offering. Specific wishes? Contact us at en.festival.travel/contact.

only steps away from the bustling neighbourhood District 7.

definitely get your rest after a long festival night!

races, musea, the zoo and the famous Széchényi spa.

STAY

Sziget campings

BEFORE & AFTER SZIGET

All aboard for Sziget’s Cruisin’ Boat Parties For everyone who likes to go off the island for a while and explore

sun tanning on a sunbed and various entertainment acts. It would therefore

Budapest during Sziget, the Cruisin’ Boat Party has been introduced for

not surprise us if you would like to go for this once-in-a-lifetime experience

the first time! This unique party on the water in an elegant recreational

during #Sziget25! If you sign up for this exclusive sightseeing tour, you

boat offers Szitizens the ultimate sightseeing tour. From chilling in a beanbag with the majestic Parliament

can get picked up by transfers that take you from the entrance of Sziget Festival to the harbour and back. The

building in the background to partying

Cruisin’ Boat Party costs £ 20,- and

on the electronic music aboard while the bridges and ancient buildings pass you by along the Danube. You

for the transfer you pay £ 3,50. Every afternoon during the Sziget week a boat will depart, between 9 and 15

can also enjoy bites and craft beers aboard, as well as the needed hours of

August 2017.

“

THERE AIN’T NO PARTY LIke a budapest bath party!

SPARTY TIME! Something you certainly shouldn’t skip during your stay in Budapest is one of the famous bath parties.

In the summer months the largest classic spa of Budapest, Szechenyi, organizes almost weekly summer-night spa parties - also known as sparties.

Szechenyi is located in the big green City Park and consists of about eighteen medicinal and natural thermal baths and ten saunas and steam rooms, where visitors can also enjoy a relaxing afternoon in the middle of Budapest. The weekly bath parties take place on Saturdays from 10:30 PM until 03:00 AM. Next to the ‘general’ sparties, in August around Sziget, Szechenyi offers the Cinetrip Pool Party that is even bigger and more spectacular. Don’t forget to bring your flip flops, swimsuit and a towel. You can buy tickets in- or excluding drinks. Tickets are available via www.spartybooking.com from £ 43,-.

This is including a locker where you can store your stuff.

Dancing until sunrise in Budapest Park band that performs during the Sziget

Are you already in Budapest before the start of the festival to acclimatize

square meters and opened its doors in 2012, for concerts, exhibitions, parties,

and explore the city? Or can’t you get enough of it after the festival? Then we

dance shows and acts from various art disciplines. The terrain is located on

month, on August 4, is the Hungarian trash pop band Amorf Ördögök. The events in Budapest Park usually start

advise you to pay a visit to the largest open-air club of the Hungarian capital, Budapest Park. This multicultural

the edge of the centre along the Danube, next to the Palace of Arts and the

around 6:00 PM and continue until sunrise. The provisional agenda can be

Rákóczi Bridge. The program for this summer isn’t complete yet, but one

found at www.budapestpark.hu.

open-air venue has a surface of 11.000

The ultimate way to kick off Sziget Festival? At the Sziget Warm-Up Party of course! Nowadays this party, that has grown into a special

many other festivals, concerts and exhibitions, the A38 is known as one of the most popular venues of Hungary. It’s therefore incredibly

tradition during the past years, has become an essential part of

cool that this club will host the Sziget Warm-Up Party again this

Budapest. On the evening before the opening day of Sziget you start your festival holiday in a spectacular way at the A38. This club is located in a former Ukrainian cargo ship with two upper decks, a

year. The line-up of the Warm-Up Party mostly consists of Dutch artists, but the visitors come from various countries in Europe, like the UK, Belgium, Germany, Hungary and Italy. During the coming

big concert hall and a great restaurant. For the observant Szitizen: since the opening in 2003 the A38 has its very own stage at Sziget Festival; the A38 tent! Thanks to its connection to Sziget, but also its

2017 edition we will sway to the water of the Danube and the live performances of a.o. Chef’Special and Bazzookas. In the late hours the party breaks out with various DJs.

BEFORE & AFTER SZIGET

SZIGET WARM-UP PARTY august 8 / SHIP A38 / CHEF’SPECIAL, BAZZOOKAS & MORE

After-Sziget treatment in the spas of Budapest Budapest is the spa capital of the world. There are more than ten spas in the city which all have their own qualities. Most spas are open from early in the morning (6:00 AM) till late in the evening.

Tickets cost max. £ 13,-. You can decide yourself how and how long you want to bathe, but the process is as follows: Relax and enjoy the water and ambiance, move every 5-15 minutes from the least warm bath to a warmer bath, follow up with a visit to a steam room and/ or sauna and close off with a cold bath. Repeat this order during one to three hours. We recommend the following spas: 1. Széchényi: Largest spa of Europe in a majestic building with many in- and outdoor baths.

2. Rudas: Turkish bath with

BEFORE & AFTER SZIGET

fabulous water and modern wing with outdoor pool at a roof terrace overlooking the Danube.

3. Gellert: Beautiful spa in Jugendstil with both in- and outdoor baths.

4. Lukács: A bit smaller and less known, but with great water. Also has in- and outdoor pools and lovely sun terraces.

5. Dandar: Simple spa with inand outdoor baths in a residential area. Architectonically not so special, but it is nice and cheap (max. £ 7,-).

SZIGET RETREAT: RECHARGE IN NATURE Sziget can be a real battlefield, a rollercoaster of experiences. Some go home directly after the festival, others stay a few days longer to explore the city. Another group chooses to visit Sziget Retreat: a special happening with like-minded people in a unique village in the hills of the Hungarian Carpathians, at one hour driving from Budapest.

The village, Bedepuszta, is a by Dutchmen renovated village in the middle of nowhere that is used for events and as a working place for various kinds of artists. During Sziget Retreat the village welcomes tired Szitizens and offers not only overwhelming nature, but also entertainment and relaxation.

Centrally located in the village you’ll find the Yonder Bar, the best rural bar of Hungary, open from early in the afternoon till late at night. The village also has a pavilion, swimming pool and gamehouse. Food will be taken care of by the Hungarian legend Sajt, who can perform miracles above open

fire. All meals (breakfast, lunch and dinner) are included in the price. Next to parties in the bar there will be some performances on Thursday August 17, but not too many, because the experience shows: Sziget Retreat is mostly about relaxation.

B MY LAKE: LIVING LA VIDA LOCAL Haven’t partied enough during Sziget? A week after The Island of Freedom, in the Hungarian Zamárdi along Lake Balaton, the B My Lake Festival takes place. For many a welcome closing of Sziget, although the term afterparty is a huge understatement.

With only five editions, B My Lake is pretty young, however the festival has

already received a European Festival Award for “Best New Festival”!

During four days and nights in August Lake Balaton turns into a techno, house, dubstep and drum & bass paradise. Especially Hungarians go to this festival, for a ‘staycation’ in their own country. So whoever is in for an

authentic party between the locals, is at the right address at B My Lake. On seven stages more than 100 national and international acts play under the Hungarian sun. Done dancing for a while? Take a dip into the cooling turquoise lake or find a relaxing lounge spot in the shade with your friends.

Long live the festival summer!

B My Lake 2017 takes place from August 23-26 and is easy to reach from Budapest. From the Déli station direct trains depart to Balatonvilágos, a station at 200 meters distance from the main entrance of the festival.

Curious of the line up so far? Check everything about B my Lake at the webpage en.festival.travel/b-my-lake.

On August 16 direct buses will depart from Sziget to Bedepuszta and return to Nyugati station on August 18. You can find more information about Sziget Retreat on the website en.festival.travel/sziget-retreat.

4 steps for a complete trip to Sziget 1. Ticket 7-Day Pass

5-Day Pass

DAY TICKET

Experience Sziget Festival to the max and buy a 7-Day Pass.

Unlimited access to the island, including free access to the

Enjoy the Sziget adventure in five days and get access to the island and regular camping from August 11-16.

Ideal when you want to visit Sziget 1 or 2 days during a Budapest city trip! Exclusively for sale at the official Sziget

From €299 (£261) From €275 (£240) From €65 (£56)

regular camping.

website: www.szigetfestival.com.

2. Travel COSTS VARY The fastest way of travelling! Book a flight to Budapest or divert to nearby airpots of Vienna, Bratislava, Prague or Belgrade. In our blog we summarized the best options: en.festival.travel/blog/alternative-cheap-flights-budapest.

CAR

PARKING FROM €45 (£39) Go for a road trip with your friends! During the festival you can park your car safely at one of Sziget’s guarded parkings.

sziget express

FROM €180 (£156) Your festival adventure starts at departure. Travel with the festival train from The Netherlands to Budapest. A truly unique experience!

3. STAY basic camping upgrades

ho(s)tels

FREE

FROM €79 (£69)

FROM €15 (£13)*

Find your perfect camping spot! Free in combination with a

Camping fan, but looking for a bit more luxury? In combina-

Prefer a real bed instead of a mat? In Budapest you’ll find many

5- or 7-Day Pass or at least two subsequent day tickets.

tion with a 5- or 7-Day Pass or at least two subsequent day tickets and a camping upgrade ticket, you can camp at an isolated camping area with some more facilities.

options. From the affordable DBC Hostel to the luxurious Aquincum Hotel. The festival is easy to reach by public transport.

*per person per night

4. extra services CITYPASS 2/13 DAYS

camping PRODUCTS

LOCKERS FROM €16 (£14)

With a Sziget-Budapest Citypass you make unlimited use of the public transport in Budapest and get discount at various spas and other city highlights.

Prefer to travel light but camp on the festival grounds?

Among others, pre-pitched tents, mattresses and blankets can be rented.

Store your valuables safely in a locker. Available at the centrally located Sziget City Centre and the upgraded campings.

All prices in this newspaper are subject to change.

4 STEPS TO SZIGET

FLIGHTS

AUGUST 9-16, 2017

BUDAPEST, HUNGARY

Download the Layar app on your iPhone or Android phone, scan this page and have a look at the line up!

Or go to www.szigetfestival.com

- WWW.SZIGETFESTIVAL.COM -