More about: Electric Castle

Nestled in the heart of Transylvania, the 15th century Bánffy Castle is the location for arguably one of Europe’s most unique festivals. A 5 day extravaganza of music spanning just about every genre you can think of, there’s something for everyone at Electric Castle.

Taking place on 19th-23rd July, 2023 marks the 9th iteration of this annual Carpathian knees up. In keeping with previous lineups, this year’s headliners are a diverse collection - whether you’re into old-school punk or modern pop, festival goers would be hard pushed to not find something up their street.  

Bringing his crowd-pleasing, sunshine pop to the Castle’s Main Stage, Brit award nominee George Ezra will set the tone for the weekend with singalong summer hits such as ‘Shotgun’ and ‘Budapest’. Having released his third album, Gold Rush Kid, in 2022, Ezra is stopping off in Romania as part of his mammoth world tour. Following Ezra to close Thursday’s show is American hip-hop artist Macklemore, who rose to internet fame in 2013 with producer Ryan Lewis for their iconic viral hit, ‘Thrift Shop’. As well as older fan favourites, the Grammy award-winning rapper and songwriter will also no doubt be showcasing material from his latest album BEN, released earlier this year. 

Friday promises a night of high-octane energy, courtesy of a double-header spearheaded by the inimitable Iggy Pop. Nicknamed ‘The Godfather of Punk’, he made his name in the 60s as frontman of one of the original rock’n’roll bands, The Stooges. Now over 50 years into his career, he shows no signs of letting up, and his famously dynamic live performance is certainly one not to be missed. From guitar hero to electro pioneers, a headline set from The Chemical Brothers will follow, offering punters the chance to experience their innovative big beat and spectacular visuals first-hand. With rave classics such as ‘Go!’ and ‘Hey Boy Hey Girl’, this is one to keep the party going long into the night. 

“The rules of the outside don’t count for three days and you just turn into this festival monster and have this most amazing, wild, weird experience” - Enter Shikari

On Saturday night, it’s the turn of Icelandic post-rockers Sigur Rós to take to the Main Stage - if anyone’s flagging by this point in the festival, it’s a good bet they’ll be revived by the atmospheric euphoria of the uplifting ‘Hoppípolla’. Having just announced their first album in a decade - as well as plans to tour with a huge 41-piece orchestra - this summer is one of celebration for Sigur Rós. Our final pick of the headliners comes in the form of Jamie XX, who’ll be rounding off proceedings on Saturday with his influential dance mixes and incredible light show. 

And if that’s not enough, there’s plenty on offer elsewhere for those who want to broaden their horizons beyond Electric Castle’s big names. Take Nova Twins or Peggy Gou, both of whom will be gracing the Hangar Stage - a haven for alternative live bands and cult dance acts. Over on the industrial, instantly recognisable Booha Stage, you’ll find artists ranging from Australian born DJ HAAi - whose bass-heavy sets have made her a favourite of the UK club scene - to trans-European grunge-pop outfit CIEL. 

An under the radar gem, the Hideout Stage has been expanded three times over the years to accommodate its ever-increasing popularity. This year, a definite lineup highlight is jazz and funk legend Gilles Peterson, famed for his carefully curated, wide-ranging mixes. Meanwhile, The Backyard Stage will play host to a wealth of world music, most notably housing Los Bitchos - a dynamic Spanish quartet whose upbeat energy is perhaps best summed up by the title of their 2022 debut album: Let The Festivities Begin! 

“This has been fucking incredible, thank you so much for being here! Thank you so much for singing along! We had a fucking amazing time”. - Architects

With a total of 11 stages dotted around the festival’s grounds, regular attendees will undertake the challenge to visit them all over the weekend; easier said than done, when some (like The Beach) are notoriously hidden away. Even the Electric Castle camping village has its own stage - Jap Jap, where tunes start from 12pm and encourage even the sleepiest of festival goers to get going for another day of dancing. 

And even if none of those take your fancy, the weekend has a wealth of activities on offer beyond the music, from art performances and immersive installations to comedy and fairground rides. Dubbed ‘one of Europe’s few truly 24-hour festivals’ and set against the stunning backdrop of Transylvania’s natural terrain, Electric Castle is set to be a festival experience unlike any other. 

Electric Castle 2023 takes place on 19th-23rd July at Bánffy Castle, Romania. Tickets are available now via electriccastle.ro.

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More about: Electric Castle