Pinkpop is one of the longest-running music festivals in Europe. Its precursor, Pinknick, was a free open-air festival which took place on Pentecost Monday in 1969. The event was inspired by the Monterey International Pop Music Festival held in California, United States. It featured a number of local bands who played unpaid and attracted almost 10,000 visitors. The organizers provided a free pig roast and lots of apples and many attendees also brought their own food.
The first official Pinkpop Festival was held in 1970. What started as a single-day local event has grown to become a three-day festival dedicated to rock and pop music that draws around 60,000 people per day. The attendance doesn’t grow anymore because only 60,000 tickets are sold each year to prevent overcrowding.
The Pinkpop Festival encompasses different genres and styles including rock, pop, hip hop, indie rock, electronic music, heavy metal, alternative rock, garage rock, and many more. The festival has four separate stages hosting performances by both world-renowned and up-and-coming musicians and bands from different countries.
Over 700 performers have played at the Pinkpop Festival since its inception. Past headliners include Marylin Manson, Muse, The Smashing Pumpkins, Metallica, Foo Fighters, Rage Against the Machine, Bruce Springsteen, Placebo, Snow Patrol, Rammstein, Green Day, The Prodigy, Coldplay, Kings of Leon, The Cure, Linkin Park, The Killers, The Rolling Stones, Arctic Monkeys, Robbie Williams, Pharrell Williams, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Paul McCartney, and many more.
Although the name of the festival alludes to Pentecost, Pinkpop doesn’t always take place on the Pentecost weekend. When Pentecost fell early in 2005, many performers refused to come play at the festival which resulted in a drop in attendance. Henceforth, whenever Pentecost falls early the festival is shifted to later dates for the convenience of performers and fans alike.
Photo: 3FM Serious Radio
