7 of the Best: Sets To See at Hurricane & Southside 2017

Hurricane and Southside are the German equivalent of the UK's Reading and Leeds. Two ends of the country, two music festivals, but one incredible, shared lineup.

With over 15 years of experience, the pair have become popular across the continent thanks to their diverse, alternative, but star-studded bills that have included Arcade Fire, Rammstein, The Strokes and The Prodigy.

This year is no exception, with another rock, indie and electronic lineup rolling across Germany this June. Here are seven sets we can't wait to catch in three week's time.

Book tickets and packages to Hurricane Festival 2017 here

Blink-182

It's over 20 years since the American rock band first ripped across the airwaves and became the soundtrack to college life throughout the world. Their latest album – California, released last year – is their attempt to recapture their golden-age sound, and you can guarantee their live set will be filled with belt-a-long ballads, pop-punk gems and a whole load of goofiness. 

Linkin Park

On straight after Blink are another generation-defining band, Linkin Park. After 20 years of rampaging nu-metal and rap, the band have decided to ditch it in place of crooning vocals, EDM inspired hooks and collaborations with Pusha T and Stormzy.

It's fair to say it's split die-hard fans, but also brought onboard a whole new set, demonstrated by their stay at the summit of the album charts. We're incredibly curious to see how this latest album slips into their live shows alongside their older material.

alt-J

The UK band will release their hugely anticipated third album this Friday (2 June 2017) before taking it out on the road. From the same cut as experimental indie bands like Radiohead and Foals, but not quite as leftfield and ferocious, alt-J carve out their own eccentrically charming sound. 

Lorde

The late David Bowie described Lorde as "the future of music". High praise indeed, but the dream-pop, indietronica singer-songwriter is certainly doing her hero proud. Mixing lyrics of heartbreak and piano-led melodies with dance-centric pounds and boisterous crescendos, the 20 year old dance diva has become one of the shining lights of modern pop music. 

Green Day

Californian punk-pop giants Green Day are a masterclass in stagecraft and showmanship. It's in no doubt that their two and a half hour Hurricane and Southside set will be one filled with splayed legs, pumping fists, confetti, fireworks and crowd interaction. And that's before we even get onto the music...

Axwell ^ Ingrosso

Bringing their blustering live show to Hurricane and Southside is Axwell ^ Ingrosso, former members of global dance sensation Swedish House Mafia. Filled with dancehall beats, dramatic synths and overwhelming euphoria, the EDM and house duo's sets are called explosive for a reason.

Die Antwoord

Described as Zef rap-rave, South African duo Die Antwoord are guaranteed box office entertainment: "trailer-park rap, gross-out humour and skeletal baile funk-ish beats" was how the Guardian put it. Their live shows – menacing, colourful and chaotic – bring out their cartoonish satire and electro dance beats in a way you wont forget in a long time.

Both Hurricane and Southside will take place on 23-25 June 2017. Find out more about each on our guides (Hurricane / Southside), and book your tickets and packages to Hurricane Festival 2017 here.

More like this: 

• Top 20 Music Festivals in Germany
• Top 20 Rock Music Festivals in Europe
• Axwell ^ Ingrosso: "Things just keep getting bigger and bigger"