Roskilde Burns Off Recession

By far Denmark’s (and arguably northern Europe’s) biggest and most prestigious festival had 25 percent fewer foreign visitors, so maybe it was the stay-at-home Danes who brought Roskilde close to a 75,000-capacity sellout.

It was also the hottest in the event’s 33-year history, and early estimates suggest the food and beverage stalls took in between 20 percent and 40 percent more than last year.

Festival spokesperson Esben Danielsen said the big crowd-pullers were Coldplay and Trentemøller, with both having more than 50,000 in front of the main Orange Stage.

Other acts helping to make Roskilde Festival one of the hottest places in Europe July 2-5 included Faith No More, Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds, Nine Inch Nails, Madness, Pet Shop Boys, Kanye West and Slipknot.