June Isn’t Just About Portuguese Festivals, Pensioners and Sardines. It’s Also Festival Season for Rock Fans.
June is the time of year when some of the biggest names in rock music make their way to Europe’s westernmost edge. Artists who rarely venture this far west are suddenly within easy reach. Here are the two standout festivals of the month.

Primavera Sound Porto is one of those rare festivals people attend not for a single headliner, but for the overall experience: a vast park by the ocean, plenty of space to move around, and a carefully curated lineup that ignores the usual divide between mainstream and underground music. The festival takes place in Parque da Cidade, Porto’s city park, which stretches all the way to the Atlantic coast.

The biggest names drawing crowds this year include:

Gorillaz
Arguably the festival’s most universally appealing headliner. Part rock, part hip-hop, part electronic music, and always a major visual spectacle. When Gorillaz appear on a festival lineup, it is often reason enough to book a ticket immediately, as the next chance to see them in Europe may not come anytime soon.

Massive Attack
For many attendees, this is the festival’s main event. The Bristol pioneers of trip-hop perform infrequently, and their live shows have evolved into immersive audiovisual experiences. If you enjoy nighttime cityscapes, cinema and music with an apocalyptic edge, this is the performance to catch.

The xx
One of the most anticipated reunion acts of recent years. Their set at Primavera Barcelona has already been described by many critics and fans as one of the festival’s highlights.

IDLES
For those looking for genuine rock-and-roll chaos. The British post-punk band is renowned for its explosive energy and routinely attracts some of the most passionate crowds on the festival circuit.

Peggy Gou
One of the most influential electronic artists of the past few years. For dance music fans, her set could easily become the weekend’s defining moment.

Other acts not to miss:
Big Thief — one of the finest indie bands of their generation.
Slowdive — shoegaze legends.
KNEECAP — the most talked-about Irish hip-hop act of recent years.
Ethel Cain — one of the most compelling emerging artists on the alternative scene.

If you enjoy music that goes beyond standard radio playlists and like the idea of spending a summer weekend by the Atlantic, this is one of Europe’s strongest festival lineups this year.

By the end of June, attention will shift to Rock in Rio Lisboa, taking place on June 20, 21, 27 and 28 at Parque Tejo in Lisbon. One of Europe’s largest music festivals, it has long outgrown its rock-only origins and now features artists from across the musical spectrum.

For rock and alternative music fans, June 21 will be the key date. The lineup that day includes Linkin Park, Kaiser Chiefs, The Pretty Reckless, Cypress Hill, Hoobastank, P.O.D. and Sepultura. It is a relatively rare opportunity to see several generations of rock and alternative music represented on the same bill — from bands that defined the sound of the early 2000s to acts that continue to command major audiences today.

The rest of the festival offers a much broader musical mix. Confirmed performers include Katy Perry, Rod Stewart, Cyndi Lauper, Joss Stone and 4 Non Blondes. As a result, Rock in Rio is likely to appeal not only to rock fans but also to anyone who enjoys large-scale festivals with a diverse lineup.

The good news is that seeing world-class artists this summer does not require a trip abroad. In June, Portugal itself becomes one of Europe’s premier festival destinations.