“Nostalgic feelings are hard to avoid when you reach a symbolic stage, but I’m convinced that Sziget has to look forward” – said Karoly Gerendai, main organizer of the event. “A festival organizer needs to aim for the best each year, so even if it’s already the 20th edition of Sziget, that’s just a good occasion to make an even better job. This year we also have to show to the whole world that the Best European Major Festival title came to the right place, so besides the multi-artistic and unique spirit of Sziget, we also present great bands that are trademarks of the international festival scene. We are proud to announce Placebo, who are working on a new album and should be better than ever. We are also happy to welcome Hurts, who had a huge success last year on one of our indoor stages and proved to be more than qualified for the Main Stage this year. And our current list of new names also includes The Horrors, The Subways, Crystal Fighters, Mando Diao, Noah & The Whale and Friendly Fires. Of course we are still working hard on the program, so there’s a lot more to come.” – he added.

So, how about all these bands?

Placebo

Brian Molko’s invincible Placebo doesn’t really need to be introduced, since they’ve been around for almost two decades, shaping the alternative music scene ever since. Their last album, Battle for the Sun was released in 2009 and earned them an MTV Europe Music Award the same year. They are spending most of 2012 in the studio, working on their seventh LP… and these guys mention Sziget as one of their favorite festivals, so the beautiful friendship will hopefully come to a climax right at Main Stage.

Hurts

Hurts is one of the most exciting bands of the British electro pop scene and those fans who were lucky enough to fit in the A38 tent during last year’s Sziget can easily prove this. Their debut album, Happiness was an instant success and their 2011 Glastonbury gig was chosen by New Musical Express as the best concert of the festival. This year they are set to show their strength on the Main Stage of Sziget.

The Horrors

The Horrors plays intelligent, heartfelt guitar rock and their 2011 Skying LP was as perfect as it gets. The Essex-based band is a prime ambassador of the UK rock scene, not only beloved in their own country, but quickly becoming a top choice of international festivals.
 

Subways

If you missed Guy Ritchie’s Rocknrolla, or couldn’t check out the band’s 2009 Sziget gig, well, then here’s your best chance to finally meet The Subways. This British rockers stream out an awesome level of energy during live shows, while their new album, Money and Celebrity came out in September 2011.
 

Crystal Fighters

Traditional, acoustic, Basque instruments playing fat bass lines, euphoric electro sounds from easy chill-wave and speedy dupstep origins. Got it? These are actually the best labels we could find to showroom the free ideas of Crystal Fighters. It’s complex and unrivaled in the universe of music.

Mando Diao

The five members of Mando Diao proudly represent the Swedish alternative scene. This is an energetic and experienced live band, mixing 60’s rhythm and blues with punk, garage and 90’s guitar pop. In 2010 they released an unplugged LP, Above and Beyond, which was also presented at MTV’s legendary Unplugged show. 

Noah and the Whale

Kinda’ looking like heroes from a Wes Anderson movie, while their indie-pop music also shows some American folk influence. For sure they are catchy and fun to hear, so Sziget nr. 20 proudly presents Noah & The Whale, also renown as the most exciting band of the London suburbs.

Friendly Fires

Friendly Fires is maybe the most stylish indie dance-pop bands that the UK currently has to offer. After releasing two of the most important indietronica albums of the last half decade (Friendly Fires in 2008 and Pala in 2011), they are eager to give their best for Sziget fans this summer.