On this road trip from Cologne to Glastonbury Festival, follow the traces of Rock, Pop, and Indie legends. Enjoy some days off in between on sunny beaches, historical places, and truly mythical spots.

Explore hidden music gems when on tour. Discover music stories beyond the common sightseeing spots. Where history of Rock is revealed and brought to life again.

Today’s Rock and Metal festivals have their origin in the Jazz festivals held in North America in the 1950s. In the early 60s, it was the Newport Festival, Rhode Island, that added a folk component to its line-up. When the 1965 Newport Folk Festival decided to let the Paul Butterfield Blues Band play and to back up Bob Dylan, it meant that, from this very day, more and more electric artists appeared in the festival context.

The roots of all Rock festival probably lie in the early days of the San Francisco scene in the mid-60s. One of the first major festivals was the Monterey Pop Festival in 1967, but it was definitely not until the Woodstock Music and Art Fair, held in Bethel, New York, in 1969, that became the renowned cradle of all later festivals. Like Woodstock, many of the following festivals were financial disasters. The Rolling Stones’ unfortunate show in Livermore, California, in the same year, where several people were beaten up and one person even died, did not improve the festival reputation at all. Of the post-Woodstock festivals, the Atlanta Pop Festival held in 1969 and 1970 was perhaps the most important in Rock history.

In the years to follow, Rock festivals weren’t numerous around the world except for the ones promoter Bill Graham came up with: a successful recurring event concept named Day on the Green. Its bills were downright epic, featuring such Rock 'n' Roll Hall of Fame acts as Metallica, Pink Floyd, Black Sabbath, The Grateful Dead, and The Who. Between 1973 and 1992, there more than 60 concerts were held in Oakland, California. 1991 marked the year when festivals underwent a revival, as Farrell’s touring Lollapalooza event endeavoured to bring underground music up the stage by combining large- and small-stage performances. Perry Farrell was leader of Alternative band Jane’s Addiction. Chicago based Lollapalooza line-up represented artists from Punk, Ska, and similar, although the headlining spot was generally reserved for an Alternative or Hard Rock band that had already achieved some mainstream success. Today, Lollapalooza is also touring abroad with sister festivals in greater cities such as Berlin, Germany.

Woodstock has also been brought to life again by inspiring a pair of anniversary concerts in 1994 and 1999, but neither was comparable to the generation-defining event of 1969 even if the 1999 version was attended by more than 200,000 people. But one thing became evident: that fans all over the world are willing to travel great distances to experience Rock music in a festival setting.

It was in October 1999, when another huge festival took stage: Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival debuted in Indio, California. Gathering dozens of artists, boasting multiple main stages, and proving that destination festivals can indeed be a financial success. Today, a broad variety of Rock festivals around the world are proof of the fans’ willingness to travel to see their favourite bands - from Rock am Ring and Download Festival to Wacken Open Air or Roskilde Festival, Rock Werchter, Fuji Rock Festival, Hellfest Open Air, and Sziget Festival.

Glastonbury Festival is a huge five-day festival of contemporary performing arts, annually attended by around 175,000 people. The first festival took place back in 1970. In addition to modern music, the festival hosts dance and comedy sessions, lectures, movie screenings, along theatre, circus & cabaret performances. Glastonbury Festival is deeply inspired by the ethos of the hippie and counterculture movement, attended by all kinds of people, of all ages, nationalities, lifestyles, faiths, and musical taste.