Though Shorter, Sziget Draws More Festival-Goers

This year's festival also broke the record for daily number of visitors - more than 65,000 - on three days. The most visitors in a single day - 70,000 -- came on Saturday, many of them to see headliners R.E.M.

 

In addition to a great musical lineup and a rich programme of ancillary events, this year's Sziget Festival was also helped by better weather than last year, when rain dampened festival-goers' spirits.

 

There was no shortage of big-name stars on this year's lineup, though Carl Cox called off his show for family reasons and Pendulum was unable to play because their equipment vehicle crashed on the way to Budapest. The musicians who did arrive with their instruments not only performed, but also partook in the festival's offerings, some with great gusto, such as Adam Green. R.E.M., too, came with the intention of discovering Budapest's nightlife, and discover they did. Mademoiselle K, who took the main stage on Saturday, made a list of acts she intended to see at the Sziget, and Jamiroquai, stayed an extra day to take in the sites of Budapest.

 

Festival-goers also had a better time, and not just because of the acts. Fewer injuries were reported, and fewer people were treated for excessive alcohol consumption. Not as many items were lost, and some festival-goers who lost cash or passports were fortunate to get both back.

 

This year's festival made news all around the world: more than 300 foreign correspondents from 44 countries reported on the event.

 

Jack Lang (photo: László Beliczay MTI)

The festival also drew some high-profile foreign guests, including former French Minister of Culture Jack Lang, who created the F?te de la Musique, or World Music Day.

 

Though the crews started striking the stages immediately after the festival's last act - The Killers - finished their performance, removing the temporary infrastructure at the site will take about two weeks.

Swedish Royal Ballet

Photo: Máté Nándorfi