In this section, find useful information about the festivals you are heading for on this road trip. Try our recommendations for what to do before and after Rock am Ring and Download.
On your way in between, also check out the city guides below to get our best tips for accomodation, day activities as well as bars and restaurants. Why not experience a gig in one of the other live venues on this subTOUR?
Rock am Ring is a rock music festival held annually in Germany. Combined with its sister festival Rock im Park, figures are some of the biggest in the world in terms of attendance. Every year, Rock am Ring is bringing the best in world’s Rock and Metal genre to Germany. Over the years, headliners includes big names such as Oasis, Metallica, Green Day, and Black Sabbath.
Download Festival is a Rock with about 80,000 visitors, held annually at Donington Park. It is the most popular British Rock and Heavy Metal festival and has hosted some of the genres' biggest names, including Black Sabbath, Slipknot, Metallica, Iron Maiden, Motörhead, Aerosmith, AC/DC, Kiss, Judas Priest, and Guns N' Roses. Normally, Donington Park is a motorsport circuit.
Within a beautiful facade, cultural meeting place Vooruit in Belgian city of Ghent is host to live gigs from Indie and Alternative to Rock, Punk, and Metal. There is a major Belgian underground Rock scene so the event calendar is fully packed.
Kinky Star is an alternative music hotspot and bar in Ghent, notorious for its Irish coffees. Also homeport to a record label of the same name.
Elpee isn’t as accessible as many other pubs and venues due to its heavy music. Definitely worth a visit for any Metal fan around Ghent.
The Edwardian building has been hosting live music for decades now. O2 Academy Oxford hosted some impressive live performances in the past such as Editors, Foals, Elbow, Stereophonics, Ozzy Osbourne, Babyshambles, and Royal Blood. A Radiohead show even went on to become the video for their debut single Creep. Other highlight performances include Supergrass, Coldplay, Kings of Leon, Robert Plant, The Killers, The Strokes, and Muse.
One of Oxford's leading independent live music venue: The Bullingdon showcases local as well as national and international touring acts along DJs. Topped with a great cocktail bar.
Lanxess Arena is the biggest venue in the city of Cologne when it comes to the major names in music business. Numerous big players from Rock and Pop have graced this stage in recent years.
Industrial exterior and interior make the special atmosphere of Cologne's E-Werk. Live music for an audience of up to 2.000 people - ranging from Rock and Pop genre up to Metal and Punk.
This small and intimate venue in the Belgian city of Ghent is all about Metal and Rock music. If your are in town and into the heavier tunes, check out their fine event calendar offering live music as well as party club nights.
The historical city of Aachen, close to the border to Belgium and the Netherlands is also called Aix-la-Chapelle in French. It developed from a Roman settlement to the preferred medieval imperial residence of Charlemagne and was the place where 31 Holy Roman Emperors were crowned as Kings of the Germans.
Ghent is located in the Flemish part of Belgium, with a medieval architecture that is remarkably well preserved and restored. The historical city features beautiful riversides to stroll along.
Bruges is one of the most well-preserved medieval towns in Europe featuring notable architecture. The historic centre of the Belgian city has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2000.
Canterbury is UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Kent city lies on the River Stour and is home to a beautiful cathedral. Still today, the impressive building is focus of pilgrimage and seat of the Archbishop of Canterbury who is primate of the Church of England.
The city of Oxford is globally known as home of the University of Oxford, which is the oldest university in the English-speaking world. Numerous historical university and college buildings boast with marvellous architecture. Everything surrounded by green parks and lush nature walks.
Birmingham is not only birthplace of once entirely new music genres such as Heavy Metal or New Romantic, but also home for globally renowned bands like Black Sabbath or Duran Duran. Brum also offers a really vibrant live music scene.
Stratford-upon-Avon situated on the River Avon is a welcoming market town with more than 800 years of history. It is worldwide known as the birthplace of English playwright and poet William Shakespeare.
