Top rock festivals in the world

Every year there are thousands of concerts, festivals and shows put on by artists trying to get their music out to the masses. To try and make even a small percentage of these shows would be humanly impossible, but luckily for us, their are dedicated groups of people who are willing to spend the time and effort into putting on music festivals on a grand scale. Here are some of top rock music festivals (in no particular order) in the world along with a bit of information on each.

Roskilde Festival

Perhaps one of the oldest and most celebrated rock music festivals in the world, the festival began in 1971 and is held in Roskilde, Denmark. Last year more than 170 bands attracted more than 80,000 fans. (http://goscandinavia.about.com/od/annualeventstraditions/qt/roskildefestivl.htm) Featured artists include The Smashing Pumpkins, Guns N' Roses, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Oasis, and Nine Inch Nails. Every year on Saturday, the festival features the "Roskilde Naked Run", with the winner receiving tickets to next years festival . Roskilde usually runs for a week and is held in summer at the beginning of July.

Rockstar Mayhem Festival

Beginning in 2008, Rockstar Mayhem Festival may bring some of the loudest, hardest rock bands to cities all across the US. The first festival featured artists such as Slipknot and Disturbed, while this years lineup headlines with Marliyn Manson, Slayer and Killswitch Engage. The festival runs from July to August.

Rock on the Range

Bringing rock bands together for one weekend every year, Rock on the Range sets up its stages in Columbus, Ohio. The festivals motto, "Where rock lives," holds true, with bands such as Stone Temple Pilots, Alice in Chains, Kid Rock and Hinder performing on stage. With ticket sales growing every year, Rock on the Range will bring an additional tour date for Canadian residents to rock their faces off.

Reading Festival

Taking it's name from the location of the festival, Reading, England, the Reading Festival takes place every year during the last weekend in August. Rock bands from all genres have made appearances, and this year is no excpetion with groups such as Kings of Leon, Eagles of Death Metal and Deftones to play on stage. One of the more memorable moments came in 1992 when Nirvana frontman Kurt Cobain was brought onstage in a wheelchair, hinting at rumors of his addiction to drugs and declining health. (http://www.readingfestival.com/home/index.aspx)

Ozzfest

Possibly one of the most famous hard rock and metal festivals in the world, Ozzfest is run by ex-Black Sabbath member Ozzy Osbourne. Beginning in 1996, the festival grew in popularity as it went from a weekend festival to a traveling tour. Some highlights include bands such as Tool, Velvet Revolover, and System of a Dowm. However, the festival has shown signs of slowing in the last couple years, in 2008 the festival was only a one-day show, and Ozzy has said that it will not run in 2009, as he is working on a new studio album. Plans are already in the making for a 2010 tour. (http://www.ozzfest.com/)

Lollapalooza

Started in the early 1990's by Jane's Addictions frontman Perry Farrel, Lolloapalooza originally was a touring festival featuring on rock bands such as Soundgarden and Rage Against the Machine. However it was relaunched in 2005 as weekend festival taking place in Grant Park, Chicago and has been reworked to include a wider variety of musical acts, with Kanye West and the Hold Steady taking the stages.

Projekt Revolution

Debuting in 2002, Projekt Revolution does not occur every year, it depends on the availability of the events' organizers, Linkin Park. When the event does take place, however, it debuts a solid foundation of rock and hip-hop artists from around the world. The aim of this festival is to infuse the best of two worlds, rock and hip-hop, into one musical entity. Featured performers include Chris Cornell, Snoop Dogg, Jay-Z, and Korn and has now expanded its tour dates to include cities in Europe.