European Festival Awards winners announced

Europe’s top music festivals, artists and promoters of 2014 were revealed at the sixth annual European Festival Awards last night, which took place at Groningen’s De Oosterpoort in The Netherlands.

Presented in association with YOUROPE and Eurosonic Noorderslag, the European Festival Awards are described as the only pan-European body solely dedicated to recognising the contributions and achievements of the event organisers and performing artists that generate billions of Euros for local economies and brighten up the summer for tens of millions of festival-goers each year.

The winners were decided by a combination of public votes and the EFA jury – made up of journalists, booking agents, festival organisers – who had a 25 per cent say in the final outcome of the public voted categories. More than 1.2 million votes from festival fans all over the world were cast (a 100 per cent increase on last year’s figure) with festivals in more than 35 countries taking part.

Steve Jenner, co-founder and director of Festival Awards Ltd, which organises the Awards, said: “It’s inspiring to have a winners’ list that is so reflective of the cultural diversity and strength of passion, dedication, creativity and quality of delivery that underpins Europe’s incredible festival scene today. Despite the competition in an increasingly crowded market, and under some tough conditions in recent years, tonight saw Europe’s festival organisers gathering to celebrate as one industry.

"I think that’s a very special thing that can only strengthen the market and we are honoured to be the hosts of this event. Our thanks go out to all who took part in this year’s awards.”

THE WINNERS

Best Small Festival Festival – Tauron Nowa Muzyka (Poland)

Best Indoor Festival – I Love Techno (Belgium)

Green Operations Award in association with Yourope and The GO Group – Roskilde Festival and Stop Wasting Food (Denmark)

Best Newcomer Act – Stromae (Belgium)

Artists’ Favourite Festival – Primavera Sound (Spain)

Best New Festival – Down The Rabbit Hole (The Netherlands)

Anthem Of The Year – Arctic Monkeys – ‘R U Mine’

The Health & Safety Innovation Award in association with The YES Group and ICM&SS – MOJO/LOC Festivals (The Netherlands)

Best Medium-Sized Festival in association with Eventbrite – Sea Dance Festival (Montenegro)

Promoter Of The Year – Live Nation (Belgium)

Best Line-Up – Glastonbury Festival (United Kingdom)

Best Headliner – Arctic Monkeys (United Kingdom)

Best Major Festival in association with PlugGo – Sziget Festival (Hungary)

The Lifetime Achievement Award – Melvin Benn (United Kingdom)

The Award for Excellence And Passion in association with Yourope – Rikke Øxner (Denmark)

For more information visit: eu.festivalawards.com

Picture credit: Mohai Balazs