1 Blended
Where Dubai Media City Amphitheatre
When May 1-2
Who Elvis Costello, Diana Krall, Aloe Blacc, Joss Stone, Xavier Rudd
Why An eclectic mix of jazz, soul and folk at this first-time festival.
Website www.blended.ae
2 Sandance
Where Atlantis The Palm, Dubai
When May 9
Who Pet Shop Boys, Arrested Development, Fatboy Slim, Scouting for Girls, Goldfish
Why The last Sandance of the season before the heat hits.
Website www.sandance.ae
3 Mawazine
Where Rabat, Morocco
When May 30-June 7
Who Robert Plant, Justin Timberlake, Nancy Ajram, Kadim Al Saher
Why A world music and pop festival featuring leading names from East and West.
Website www.festivalmawazine.ma
4 Bonnaroo Music and Arts Festival
Where Manchester, Tennessee
When June 12-15
Who Elton John, Kanye West, Lionel Richie, Vampire Weekend, Arctic Monkeys, The Flaming Lips, Wiz Khalifa, Lauryn Hill
Why A diverse line-up in one of America's great musical states.
Website www.bonnaroo.com
5 Glastonbury Festival
Where Somerset, England
When June 25-29
Who Arcade Fire, Kasabian, Jack White, Dolly Parton, Elbow, Robert Plant, Lana Del Ray, Skrillex, Pixies, Massive Attack, Blondie, Kelis, Interpol, MGMT Why The quintessential (and probably muddy) British festival experience.
Website www.glastonburyfestivals.co.uk
6 Festival International de Jazz de Montreal
Where Montreal, Canada
When June 26-July 6
Who Beck, Michael Bublé, Rufus Wainwright, Emmylou Harris, George Thorogood and the Destroyers, Diana Ross, Bobby McFerrin, Ry Cooder, Dweezil Zappa
Why The world's largest jazz festival has an eclectic – and epic – offering that you won't find elsewhere on the summer circuit.
Website www.montrealjazzfest.com
7 Roskilde Festival
Where Roskilde, Denmark
When June 29-July 6
Who The Rolling Stones, Arctic Monkeys, Damon Albarn, Drake, Stevie Wonder
Why One of Europe's largest and most respected music festivals.
Website www.roskilde-festival.dk
8 Ultra Europe
Where Split, Croatia
When July 11-13
Who Afrojack, Armin van Buuren, David Guetta, Tiësto
Why A three-day party in a stunning Adriatic setting.
Website www.ultraeurope.com
9 Benicassim
Where Benicassim, Spain
When July 17-20
Who Tinie Tempah, Katy B, Lily Allen, Paul Weller, M.I.A., Manic Street Preachers, The Charlatans
Why Sun, sea and sand, with an all-star line-up.
Website www.fiberfib.com
10 Lovebox
Where London, England
When July 18-19
Who A$ap Rocky, Chase & Status, Katy B, M.I.A., Nas, Soul II Soul
Why The best in dance and urban, including Nas playing classic hip-hop LP Illmatic.
Website www.loveboxfestival.com
11 Womad
Where Malmesbury, England
When July 24-27
Who Alice Russell, The Gloaming, Youssou N'Dour, Imed Alibi, Mahsa & Marjan Vahdat
Why A world music extravaganza that has spawned global spin-offs.
Website www.womad.co.uk
12 Splendour in the Grass
Where North Byron Bay Parklands, New South Wales, Australia
When July 25-27
Who OutKast, Lily Allen, Two Door Cinema Club, Interpol
Why A cool Australian festival where rock and hip-hop are heard in lush green surroundings.
Website www.splendourinthegrass.com
13 Fuji Rock Festival
Where Niigata, Japan
When July 25-27
Who Arcade Fire, Jack Johnson, Damon Albarn, Franz Ferdinand, Basement Jaxx, Manic Street Preachers, OutKast, Kelis, Lorde, Travis, Yoko Ono Plastic Ono Band
Why A global gathering of household names in the shadow of Mount Fuji.
Website www.fujirock-eng.com
14 Lollapalooza
Where Chicago, Illinois
When August 1-3
Who Eminem, OutKast, Kings of Leon, Arctic Monkeys, Skrillex, Interpol, Glen Hansard
Why A US festival big daddy with fittingly huge headliners.
Website www.lollapalooza.com
15 Way Out West
Where Gothenburg, Sweden
When August 7-9
Who OutKast, Queens of the Stone Age, The National, Neko Case
Why Right in the heart of Gothenburg city centre, with added nightclub-based elements.
Website www.wayoutwest.se
16 Creamfields
Where Halton, England
When August 22-24
Who Avicii, Deadmau5, Armin van Buuren
Why The original Creamfields continues to host clubland's biggest stars.
Website www.creamfields.com
17 Leeds and Reading festivals
Where Leeds and Reading, England
When August 22-24
Who Queens of the Stone Age, Arctic Monkeys, Vampire Weekend, Blink-182, Macklemore & Ryan Lewis
Why A gold mine of rock and indie-rock royalty across two sites.
