Roskilde Battles The Best

Roskilde is canvassing for votes for the U.K. Festival Awards’ "Best European" gong, where it’s up against most of the mainland’s top summer outdoors.

In addition to competition from further north in Scandinavia in the shape of Sweden’s Hultsfred and Norway’s Quart festivals, the rest of the 10 nominations are such well-established events that it wouldn’t be a complete surprise whoever won.

Belgium is doubly represented with Rock Werchter and Pukkelpop, as is Holland with Pinkpop and Lowlands.

Votes are also likely for Serbia’s Exit Festival, Spain’s FIB Benicassim and France’s Les Eurockeennes de Belfort – all of which are favourites with U.K. fans and the country’s serious print media.

The European award is organized by Yourope, the pan-European festivals’ organization, and Virtual Festivals.com Ltd.

It’s one of a raft of gongs covering 20 categories that the U.K.’s popular festival Web site will be handing out at its annual ceremony at London’s KoKo November 6.

Voters can make their choices in all categories at virtualfestivals.com, except for the "Outstanding Contribution To Festivals" award.

That’s judged by a panel that has already announced that the 2007 winner is John Giddings of London’s Solo Agency, in recognition of his revival of the old Isle Of Wight Festival.