Pinkpop Festival

The Pinkpop Festival, affectionately known as PINKPOP, is a legendary annual music event held in Landgraaf, Netherlands. Typically, it lights up the Pentecost weekend but shifts to June if Pentecost falls early in May. Launched in 1970 at Burgemeester Damen Sportpark in Geleen, Pinkpop holds the title of the world's oldest and longest-running dedicated pop and rock music festival. What began as a modest gathering has blossomed into a three-day extravaganza, drawing 60,000 fans each day across four stages.

In 1994, the festival's growing popularity necessitated a cap on ticket sales at 60,000 to ensure a comfortable experience for everyone. By 1997, Pinkpop had expanded to a full three-day event, after a trial two-day format in 1995. In 2007, Pinkpop Classic was introduced, catering to an older rock audience. Notably, Pinkpop 2008 broke tradition by not being held on Pentecost weekend, aiming to attract bigger names and more fans after a slump in 2005.

The festival's name is a clever blend of the Dutch word for Pentecost and pop music. Its logo features a doll in a pink dress, perfectly capturing this mix. Pinkpop’s roots trace back to Pinknick, a free event in 1969 inspired by the Monterey festival. Over its 44 editions, Pinkpop has welcomed numerous legendary artists and over 2 million attendees.

Every year, the festival boasts a diverse lineup with headliners like Foo Fighters, Metallica, Coldplay, and Pharrell Williams. Pinkpop has faced its share of challenges, including artist cancellations due to health issues, which have led to last-minute replacements like Krezip and Placebo. The festival has also seen its share of drama, including a tragic traffic accident in 2018 and the awe-inspiring sight of a meteor disintegrating during a Foo Fighters set in the same year.

With its rich history and a knack for hosting top-tier musical acts, Pinkpop remains a cornerstone in the global music festival scene, drawing music lovers from all corners of the globe.