'Diversity is what brings me to Roskilde'
Roskilde 2015 is nearing top gear as the grand stages prepare to open on Wednesday. The Local was out and about at the camping areas to find out what it is that attracts people from far and wide to the annual event.
100,000 tickets sold. 31,000 volunteers. 166 concerts. 18.6 million kroner in profit. One giant party.
These were the awe-inspiring stats that defined last year's Roskilde Festival – a week of revelry and festivity that has earned the event a heavyweight status as one of Europe's largest and best organised festivals.
See also: Ten fun facts about the Roskilde Festival
But just what is it that attracts the hordes of festival guests to Roskilde each year? And why do so many guests show up days before the festival grounds even open? The Local was at the camping grounds on Monday to see what all the fuss was about and to get a taste of what the 2015 Roskilde Festival has to offer.
Below are some of the people we met at Roskilde on Monday evening, just as the weather made its shift into the perfect conditions we've been promised.
Kanishka, Outside Roskilde Rising's Dreamcatcher teepee
Photo: Allan Kortbæk
The Roskilde Festival has invested heavily in the arts this year. One of the most significant additions to the West area is the Roskilde Rising scene – a compact stage and two giant teepees panelled in a plastic mirror finish. Dubbed 'dreamcatchers', the teepees aim is to foster communication and reflection between those who visit them. That's where we met up with Kanishka.
"Diversity is what brings me to Roskilde – the different people who come out here to chill. Some drink themselves to oblivion, but for me it's about meeting some of the friends I haven't seen in a long time," he said.
Bjørn and Benita, Game City, Roskilde West
Photo Allan Kortbaek
Benita: “The energy here is fantastic!”
Bjørn: “Nothing beats chilling with one's homies and girlfriend. There's beach volleyball and basketball right here if one needs something different to keep busy with. This is my tenth Roskilde Festival!"
Theo, Street City, Roskilde West, after the Sweden-Denmark skate battle
Photo: Photo Allan Kortbaek
“I'm having a good time – I came here for the skateboarding contest even though we lost," the Swede told us. "I like the vibe here.”
Alina and Yannick, volunteers at Roskilde West
Photo: Allan Kortbaek
Yannick: “The best thing about Roskilde is simply enjoying the company of others – there are all sorts of weird and wonderful people here.”
Alina: “This is my first time here and everyone is really friendly – I'm enjoying myself a lot!”
Magnus and Ieva
Photo: Allan Kortbæk
Magnus: “I've been here lots of times and I will keep coming back.”
Ieva: “I've just taken a peek at the Orange stage – it's almost ready and I'm very excited.”
Francesco, camped by the beach in Roskilde East
Photo: Allan Kortbaek
“I like it here by the lake – it's a great cure for a hangover and it's not as noisy a camping area as some of the others.”
Two gents with a case of beer by the urine recycling system in Roskilde West
Photo: Allan Kortbæk
One of the most discussed new features at this year's festival – along with perhaps the festival's new English-only website, which has caused some grumbling among Danes – is an initiative by the Danish Agriculture and Food Council (Landbrug & Fødevarer) to collect up to 250,000 litres of urine which will be used as fertilizer for malting barley in a field south of Copenhagen and then brewed into beer and served to guests at the 2017 festival.
The ambitious plan has seen urinals installed along several of the hedges at the event, one of which is located right by the famous pedestrian bridge that binds Roskilde East with Roskilde West.
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100,000 tickets sold. 31,000 volunteers. 166 concerts. 18.6 million kroner in profit. One giant party.
These were the awe-inspiring stats that defined last year's Roskilde Festival – a week of revelry and festivity that has earned the event a heavyweight status as one of Europe's largest and best organised festivals.
See also: Ten fun facts about the Roskilde Festival
But just what is it that attracts the hordes of festival guests to Roskilde each year? And why do so many guests show up days before the festival grounds even open? The Local was at the camping grounds on Monday to see what all the fuss was about and to get a taste of what the 2015 Roskilde Festival has to offer.
Below are some of the people we met at Roskilde on Monday evening, just as the weather made its shift into the perfect conditions we've been promised.
Kanishka, Outside Roskilde Rising's Dreamcatcher teepee
Photo: Allan Kortbæk
The Roskilde Festival has invested heavily in the arts this year. One of the most significant additions to the West area is the Roskilde Rising scene – a compact stage and two giant teepees panelled in a plastic mirror finish. Dubbed 'dreamcatchers', the teepees aim is to foster communication and reflection between those who visit them. That's where we met up with Kanishka.
"Diversity is what brings me to Roskilde – the different people who come out here to chill. Some drink themselves to oblivion, but for me it's about meeting some of the friends I haven't seen in a long time," he said.
Bjørn and Benita, Game City, Roskilde West
Photo Allan Kortbaek
Benita: “The energy here is fantastic!”
Bjørn: “Nothing beats chilling with one's homies and girlfriend. There's beach volleyball and basketball right here if one needs something different to keep busy with. This is my tenth Roskilde Festival!"
Theo, Street City, Roskilde West, after the Sweden-Denmark skate battle
Photo: Photo Allan Kortbaek
“I'm having a good time – I came here for the skateboarding contest even though we lost," the Swede told us. "I like the vibe here.”
Alina and Yannick, volunteers at Roskilde West
Photo: Allan Kortbaek
Yannick: “The best thing about Roskilde is simply enjoying the company of others – there are all sorts of weird and wonderful people here.”
Alina: “This is my first time here and everyone is really friendly – I'm enjoying myself a lot!”
Magnus and Ieva
Photo: Allan Kortbæk
Magnus: “I've been here lots of times and I will keep coming back.”
Ieva: “I've just taken a peek at the Orange stage – it's almost ready and I'm very excited.”
Francesco, camped by the beach in Roskilde East
Photo: Allan Kortbaek
“I like it here by the lake – it's a great cure for a hangover and it's not as noisy a camping area as some of the others.”
Two gents with a case of beer by the urine recycling system in Roskilde West
Photo: Allan Kortbæk
One of the most discussed new features at this year's festival – along with perhaps the festival's new English-only website, which has caused some grumbling among Danes – is an initiative by the Danish Agriculture and Food Council (Landbrug & Fødevarer) to collect up to 250,000 litres of urine which will be used as fertilizer for malting barley in a field south of Copenhagen and then brewed into beer and served to guests at the 2017 festival.
The ambitious plan has seen urinals installed along several of the hedges at the event, one of which is located right by the famous pedestrian bridge that binds Roskilde East with Roskilde West.
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