Well deserving festivals were rewarded for their hard work.
The eighth annual European Festival Awards was a celebration of the effort festival organisers and suppliers have put in over the past year. The event was held on the 11th of January and was also a part of the opening night for Europe’s music festival Eurosonic Noorderslag in the Netherlands. It featured performances by upcoming stars Roosevelt and James TW followed by a gala dinner.
(Credits: Europe Festival Awards)
The winners were selected by an addition of a combination of votes by a jury of industrial heads as well as the common public. The music festival was a great way for various festival promoters and organisers to chat about the last year as well as network with others.
A new award called ‘The Brand Activation Award’ was added to the usual 15 award list and over a hundred entries. The event also acknowledged the contribution made by various festivals promoting health & safety, sustainability and more. The Lifetime Achievement Award was awarded to the late international booking manager of Sziget Festival, Mr. Daniel Panaitescu, who was killed accidentally in a car crash back in July 2016.
Take a look at all the winners of the night:
Best Small Festival – Snowbombing (Austria)
Best Line-Up – Primavera Sound (Spain)
The Brand Activation Award – UCLL AND ENECO for the Smart Energy Grid at Pukkelpop (Sweden)
Agent of the Year – Natasha Bent
Best Indoor Festival – Reeperbahn Festival (Germany)
Best New Festival – Mad Cool Festival (Spain)
Artists’ Favourite Festival – Sziget Festival (Hungary)
The YES Group Health & Safety Innovation Award – Southside Festival (Germany)
Best Medium-Sized Festival – Paleo Festival Nyon (Switzerland)
The Green Operations Award – Shambala Festival (UK)
Headliner of the Year – Muse
Newcomer of the Year – Dua Lipa
Promoter of the Year – Alter Art Poland (Poland)
Best Major Festival – Rock Werchter (Belgium)
Award for Excellence and Passion – Christof Huber
Lifetime Achievement Award – Daniel Panaitescu [Posthumous]