10 shows you can’t miss at Sziget 2022

We have had to wait three years to be able to say that in exactly one week, a new edition of the Sziget festival begins. Who would have thought it when we crossed the bridge over the self called island of freedom for the last time in 2019. But with six days of festival ahead and a lot of artists scheduled, it's not time to look back but to pack our bags and think about which artists are playing where and when in order to squeeze as much out of the festival as we can!

We all know the big names in the line-up, artists such as Tame Impala, Arctic Monkeys, Kings Of Leon and a few others certainly need no introduction but below them in the festival poster there are a bunch of other artists perhaps not so well known that you should definitely not miss this week on the island of freedom.

Jungle

They played in 2019 right after Parcels, and they are back at Sziget with a new album released in summer of 2021 after the previous year locked in their studio. The result is a dance-floor record for the summer and beyond, with a life-affirming celebration of all the things that make music joyful. Their performance is simply one not to miss. I personally couldn't be happier by having them back on the island.

Don’t miss Jungle on Friday August 12th (Saturday) at 00:00h

Stromae

The belgian-born artist is undoubtedly an important force in music today and yet he’ll probably remain undiscovered by many. With his music, Stromae skillfully instills scenes that are both funny and thought provoking. His play on words and vocal range amplify the accuracy of the situations he describes in his songs, and the call for inclusivity, joy and respect for everyone. Never seen him before and I’m looking forward to it.

Don’t miss Stromae on Friday August 12th at 19:30h

Woodkid

Woodkid is a cross-cultural artist whose powerful and visual live show will not leave you indifferent. With his powerful, warm, reassuring voice laid bare, he leans as always, towards the symphonic, towards the making of an entire intimate universe when he plays live. If you haven't seen him before, take my advice and don't miss it!

Don’t miss Woodkid on Friday August 12th at 22:15h

Giant Rooks

Giant Rooks, founded in Germany in 2015 by two cousins and three friends, is probably the most promising band Germany has had in a long time. They very quickly proved to be a very solid group live that counted with a bunch of catchy indie melodies. But even quicker they have surprised the world expanding their musical register and consolidating even more their powerful live show that has led them to cross borders and triumph in Europe and the United States. Highly recommended.

Don’t miss Giant Rooks on Thursday August 11th at 17:00h

Lola Marsh

The duo Lola Marsh, coming all the way from Israel, create music that combine clever lyrics with deep warm harmonies. Currently working on their third album, they recorded the band's sophomore album "Someday Tomorrow Maybe" in early 2020 inspired in part by the evolution of their own relationship as collaborators and, for a time, romantic partners. Their music has been featured on TV ads and series and they have played in major festivals so even if their name doesn’t ring a bell on you, their songs surely will.

Don’t miss Lola Marsh on Saturday August 13th at 18:30h

Folamour

Folamour is the artistic name of this French DJ standard-bearer of the new wave of disco music. His sessions breathe a funky air that makes them unforgettable and will give you a break and a change of scenery of the other acts that I'm recommending you here. Very fun.

Don’t miss Folamour on Friday August 12th (Saturday) at 03:00h

Alfie Templeman

Born in 2003 to a musical family in Bedfordshire, Alfie Templeman played all the instruments on his debut album “Like An Animal” being only 15 years old at the time. Two years later, and still living with his parents, he was gonna take what he calls indie RnB to some major British music festivals in Summer. That was before the world collapsed but two years after that, he has grown even more as an artist and crossed borders to play this time at international festivals like Sziget.

Don’t miss Alfie Templeman on Friday August 12th at 17:00h

Holly Humberstone

Holly Humberstone may be the latest star to emerge from the UK. Her emotional compositions and whispery vocals are making her music resonate with listeners like some other female artists (insert here Phoebe Bridgers or Billie Eilish) are doing these days. Like I said before, she is being called the next British sensation and for that reason alone, it may be worth seeing her performance at Sziget.

Don’t miss Holly Humberstone on Monday August 15th at 17:30h

Beabadoobee

Beatrice Lauss, artistically known as Beabadoobee is a Filipino-British singer-songwriter that grew up in West London listening to Pinoy music as well as pop and rock music from the 80s and while she was a teenager, she listened to bands such as Yeah Yeah Yeahs. Initially a violin student, she taught herself guitar thanks to YouTube. Later on she supported label mates 1975 and Clairo and she was considered a rising star by the NME and Brit Awards. I might not be able to pronounce her name but such a background certainly makes her an artist to see at Sziget.

Don’t miss Beabadoobee on Saturday August 13th at 22:15h

Inhaler

These four friends from Dublin who formed Inhaler in school had been fighting hard to get some recognition for their music and not for having Elijah Hewson as band’s frontman (he is son to Bono, mega famous singer of U2). And thanks to a handful of hits and solid live performances they have amassed a diehard fanbase. They started making songs about being young and finding their way and Covid has made their music becoming more mature. You’ll enjoy their show if you like bands such as Catfish & The Bottlemen.

Don’t miss Inhaler on Monday August 15th at 15:45h

Find tickets and all info about Sziget at the festival official website.

Cover photograph by Joseph Kadow