The Ultimate Music Festivals Quiz


By: Staff

4 Min Quiz

Image: refer to hsw

About This Quiz

Thousands of people flock to music festivals every year. Each festival has its own character and flair, but they all have one thing in common: music. If you are a fan of music festivals, have a go at this quiz and see what you know about a few of the most popular music festivals in the world.

In what year did the Woodstock music festival take place?

Woodstock took place in 1969 and was a pivotal moment in the history of music festivals.


When was the earliest music festival on record?

There is evidence of music festivals as early as the Pythian games in the sixth century B.C., where they had music and singing mixed in with the athletic events.


How do music festivals keep the line-up of bands fresh?

Music festivals have music going continuously for a period of days. This allows for known bands and for new bands to have their chance in the spotlight. To keep the line-up fresh the organizers usually limit the number of times a band is allowed to play during the festival.


How long does the South by Southwest music festival go for?

The South by Southwest (SXSW) music festival runs for four days and hosts around 1,000 bands across the city of Austin, Texas. It is one of the largest music festivals in the U.S.


How much money were they expecting SXSW to bring to the city of Austin in 2008?

SXSW is a major boost for the economy of Austin. In 2008 it was expected to bring in $110 million. With tickets costing up to $700, this is not a surprise!


Which other festival in Austin runs at the same time as SXSW?

A film festival and an interactive festival are held simultaneously but separately to SXSW.


Which popular Web site was launched at SXSW?

Web entrepreneurs have taken a huge interest in the interactive festival and Twitter was actually launched at SXSW in 2007.


Where is the Montreux Jazz Festival held?

The Montreux Jazz Festival is held on the banks of Lake Geneva, Switzerland, in early July.


Where did the Montreux Jazz Festival get its name from?

The Montreux Jazz Festival was first held in the Montreux Casino. The Casino burnt down in 1971 but was rebuilt in 1975. However, the festival out-grew the small casino after a large music expansion in the 1980s and the festival was relocated to the local convention center.


How long does the Montreux Jazz Festival run for?

The festival runs for 16 days and, although it is open to all types of music, it focuses on jazz, blues and reggae.


Who was the first singer to come up with the concept of a benefit music festival?

George Harrison started the benefit music festival trend in 1971 when he did a concert for UNICEF, where all proceeds went to help East Pakistanis who were forced out of their homes by war.


What sort of musician does the Sasquatch! Music Festival focus on?

Sasquatch! was started in 2002 and features indie, experimental and alternative rock music with a focus on singer-songwriters and a stage dedicated to performers from the Pacific Northwest.


Next to which river is the Sasquatch! Music Festival held?

Sasquatch is held in George, Washington, by the Columbia River during the last week in May.


On what sort of grounds is the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival held?

Horses usually roam the polo grounds which temporarily become the home of the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival.


Why was the time of the festival moved from October to April?

October was too hot in the desert of Indio, California, so the festival was moved to April, which is much more bearable.


Why is Coachella known as somewhat of a cupid?

Bands including Jane's Addiction and Iggy Pop and The Stooges have reunited at Coachella, giving it the reputation of a cupid.


What is Coachella known for?

Continuous live music and a strong and varied line up, including alternative rock, hip-hop and electronic music are characteristics of Coachella.


Stagecoach follows Coachella at the Empire Polo Club. What sort of festival is Stagecoach?

If you feel like a different genre of music after Coachella, you may want to stick around for the Stagecoach country music festival.


Where is the Glastonbury Festival of Contemporary Performing Arts held?

Pilton, England is the home of the Glastonbury Festival of Contemporary Performing Arts, which showcases a variety of music styles including rock, dance, folk and punk. The event uses more than 80 stages on more than 900 acres of land.


Which organization provides volunteers for the Glastonbury Festival of Contemporary Performing Arts?

Most of the festival staff are volunteers provided by OXFAM, which receives a nice donation from the festival profits in return.


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