Festivals Like Forecastle Festival

Every July, Penrith becomes a destination for indie, rock and folk fans as Kendal Calling takes over the city. A staple of the regional festival calendar, the festival has earned a devoted global following. The lineup covers indie, rock and folk, with additional sets spanning electronic across 4 days, underpinned by a strong sense of community and belonging. Headliners and notable names include James, The Darkness, Happy Mondays, and Feeder, joined by 1 more act across the bill. All-in costs range from $400 to $800 USD. Expect mild, rain conditions. Kendal Calling is reasonably priced for the calibre of artists on offer. The festival is family-friendly and welcomes attendees of all ages.

Every March, Austin becomes a destination for indie, rock and pop fans as SXSW Music Festival takes over the city. A globally recognised mega-festival, the festival has earned a devoted global following. The 10-day programme delivers indie, rock and pop across multiple stages, with additional sets spanning electronic and hip-hop. Strong cultural roots and a diverse international lineup defines the overall vibe. Headliners and notable names include Billie Eilish, Kendrick Lamar, Gary Clark Jr., and Paramore, joined by 1 more act across the bill. All-in costs range from $500 to $2,000 USD. Expect warm, mild conditions. SXSW Music Festival is reasonably priced for the calibre of artists on offer.

Field Trip Music & Arts Festival is a well-established festival with a devoted following, held every June in Toronto, Canada. Known for its indie, rock and pop programming, it draws a crowd defined by a strong sense of community and belonging. The 2-day programme delivers indie, rock and pop across multiple stages, with additional sets spanning electronic. A strong sense of community and belonging defines the overall vibe. Headliners and notable names include Tame Impala, Hot Chip, Khruangbin, and Unknown Mortal Orchestra, joined by 1 more act across the bill. All-in costs range from $300 to $700 USD. Expect warm, mild conditions. Field Trip Music & Arts Festival is one of the more wallet-friendly options on the circuit. The festival is family-friendly and welcomes attendees of all ages.

Every November, Pune becomes a destination for indie, rock and electronic fans as NH7 Weekender takes over the city. One of the biggest festivals in its region, the festival has earned a devoted global following. The 3-day programme delivers indie, rock and electronic across multiple stages, with additional sets spanning folk. A strong sense of community and belonging alongside strong cultural roots and a diverse international lineup defines the overall vibe. Headliners and notable names include Indian Ocean, Ankur Tewari, The Local Train, and Nucleya, joined by 1 more act across the bill. All-in costs range from $200 to $600 USD. Expect mild, warm conditions. NH7 Weekender is one of the more wallet-friendly options on the circuit. The festival is family-friendly and welcomes attendees of all ages.

Every December, Meredith becomes a destination for indie, rock and electronic fans as Meredith Music Festival takes over the city. A smaller festival where crowds stay manageable and every act feels accessible, the festival has earned a devoted global following. The 3-day programme delivers indie, rock and electronic across multiple stages, with additional sets spanning folk. A strong sense of community and belonging defines the overall vibe. Headliners and notable names include Courtney Barnett, Tash Sultana, Kasey Chambers, and Pond, joined by 1 more act across the bill. All-in costs range from $400 to $800 USD. Expect warm, hot conditions. Meredith Music Festival is reasonably priced for the calibre of artists on offer. Valid ID required — minimum age is 18.

Austin City Limits Music Festival is one of the biggest festivals in its region, held every October in Austin, USA. Known for its indie, rock and pop programming, it draws a crowd defined by mainstream headliners and high-production stages alongside a strong sense of community and belonging. The lineup covers indie, rock and pop, with additional sets spanning electronic across 6 days, underpinned by mainstream headliners and high-production stages alongside a strong sense of community and belonging. Headliners and notable names include Foo Fighters, Billie Eilish, Post Malone, and SZA, joined by 1 more act across the bill. All-in costs range from $400 to $900 USD. Expect warm, sunny conditions. Austin City Limits Music Festival is reasonably priced for the calibre of artists on offer. The festival is family-friendly and welcomes attendees of all ages.

Held each August in Beauly, UK, Belladrum Tartan Heart Festival is a staple of the regional festival calendar. The event is renowned for folk, indie and rock music and a strong sense of community and belonging. Over 3 days, the lineup spans folk, indie and rock, with additional sets spanning electronic. The atmosphere is shaped by a strong sense of community and belonging, making it a standout on the late summer circuit. Headliners and notable names include Frightened Rabbit, Peat & Diesel, Skerryvore, and The Fratellis, joined by 1 more act across the bill. Budgeting for the full trip (flights, tickets, accommodation, food) typically comes to $300–$700 USD. Expect mild, rain conditions. At that price point, Belladrum Tartan Heart Festival is one of the more wallet-friendly options on the circuit. The festival is family-friendly and welcomes attendees of all ages.

Laneway Festival runs every February in Multiple Cities, Australia, drawing fans of indie, electronic and rock from across the globe. As a beloved mid-size festival, it occupies a unique place on the festival calendar. Over 1 days, the lineup spans indie, electronic and rock, with additional sets spanning pop. The atmosphere is shaped by alternative artists and a non-mainstream sensibility, making it a standout on the late winter circuit. Headliners and notable names include Tame Impala, Clairo, Wet Leg, and Mitski, joined by 1 more act across the bill. All-in costs range from $120 to $300 USD. Expect hot, sunny conditions. Laneway Festival is one of the more wallet-friendly options on the circuit. Valid ID required — minimum age is 18.