From Tomorrowland to Minecraft, here’s how students can attend festivals (virtually) this summer

09 Jun 2020

virtual music festivals 4 — DJ Balou performs at his window during an concert for their neighbours in a courtyard in Dortmund, western Germany. Source: Ina Fassbender/AFP

Electronic music festival Tomorrowland was supposed to take place in Belgium this year, featuring acts such as Helena Hauff and Afrojack.

With most countries still on lockdowns, most festivals were cancelled. Then along came the idea of a virtual music experience, spanning across two days in July and accessible via laptops, smartphones, and tablets.

Tomorrowland’s Digital Festival “Around The World” will take place on July 25 to July 26. Tickets are available from June 18.

“For us, it’s a bit reinventing the festival experience, but we truly believe that we can bring the spirit of Tomorrowland and entertainment at the highest level to people and homes around the globe,” said the co-founder of Tomorrowland, Michiel Beers.

Of course, this is just one of many virtual music festivals happening this summer. You can see what else is on below:

The Empire State Youth Orchestra (EYSO)

Guests of Zeitgeist Hotel listen from their rooms to singers Monika Medek and Dagmar Dekanovsky and the Camerata Carnutum Orchestra, during a window concert (Fensterkonzert) in Vienna. Source: Joe Klamar/AFP

Do you miss being at the centre of a classical concert?

If so, The Empire State Youth Orchestra (EYSO) will fill your student halls with harmonious melodies from June 11 through to June 13.

The orchestra engages more than 600 youth from across New York’s Capital Region and Western New England to create incredible musical experiences.

By tuning into this virtual musical experience, you’ll witness performances from 2020 concerto winners, and tributes to frontline workers and the ESYO 2020 senior class.

Plus, this virtual musical festival features a full circle layout, a 360-degree virtual reality video mode, and is accessible on Facebook Watch and YouTube.

Electric Blockaloo by Minecraft

Will Minecraft take over virtual music festivals too? Source: Charley Galley Getty Images North America/ AFP

If you thought that Minecraft just meddled in the video game sector, think again!

This summer, Minecraft will host a virtual music festival that’s produced by Rave Family Clun named “Electric Blockaloo” from June 25 to June 28.

The lineup includes All Day I Dream, Anjunablocks, Boogie T’s Drama Club, Circus Records, Claptone the Masquerade and Diplo Presents: Higher Ground.

To attend Electric Blockaloo, you need to get on an artist’s guest list via a link that artists will share.

With this code, you’ll be able to get into the Rave Family club, pay the cover fee and get access to artist-curated Minecraft servers, exclusive streams and special releases.

Electric Blockaloo will also be available on both Java and Bedrock versions of Minecraft.

Wireless Connect Festival

Avoiding crowds? Try virtual music festivals instead. Source: Florian David/AFP

Upset that Wireless Festival isn’t going ahead in London this year? You’ll be happy to know that Wireless Connect will be taking its place.

That’s right, a three-day live and virtual festival is still accessible to you at home from July 3 to July 5.

No acts are on the lineup yet, but you can tune into Wireless Connect for free by downloading the MelodyVR app or via Wireless Festival’s Facebook page.

So why not avoid crowds this year and connect to live music at home through your Wi-Fi?

Virtually Shrewsbury Folk Festival

Enjoy folk music from afar. Source: Arun Sankar/AFP

Are you a fan of folk music? If so, sign up for the “Virtually Shrewsbury Folk Festival”

This virtual musical experience will take place on Aug. 29 to Aug. 30, and it will be two days of music, dance, workshops and other festival-related fun to keep you going until the “real” thing in August 2021.

Virtually Shrewsbury Folk Festival’s Director Sandra Surtees said, “Although we can’t be together, we hope that people will enjoy recreating their festival at home by joining in our virtual activities including workshops, dances or listening to their favourite artists.”

And although your study break may not turn out exactly how you envisioned it to be, this festival will help you to fill that musical void with live, talented folk bands.