Music & Festivals
France
France is known for its love for all things cultural (most recently street dancing - just look at this!) and music is no exception. Air, Daft Punk, Camille www.camille-music.com, the excellent new Yelle www.myspace.com/iloveyelle, TTC www.myspace.com/inbedwithttc and some great French Rap/Hip Hop have all come from the land of the baguette. You can even hear them all on this super cool French radio station www.skyrock.fm/front - although you may need to brush up on your French language skills to get the full benefit! Inevitably, there are a number of brilliant music festivals which take place over the summer months boosting your sense of joie de vivre.
Eurockéennes
It's France's biggest music festival and takes place in the Malsaucy nature reserve. It's been going for nearly two decades: last year saw Calvin Harris, N.E.R.D and MGMT all play amazing live sets.
>Find out more about Eurockéennes
Rock en Seine
Held just outside Paris in the picturesque Saint-Cloud park (it dates from the 17th Century, fact fans), in previous years this festival has featured the likes of Radiohead, Bjork and Pixies. Last year Amy Winehouse, R.E.M and the Kaiser Chiefs graced the historic stage.
>Find out more about Rock en Seine
Hellfest Open-Air Edition
Be ready with your sign of the beast because the aptly named Hellfest is France's hardest rocking festival. The open air love-in, which takes place in the tiny town of Clisson near Nantes, has been going since 2006. The likes of NOFX, Ministry and Slayer all played at last year's black leather-fest.
Check out some life-saving phrases below:
Do you know the latest weather forecast?
Tu sais quel temps il va faire?
Can I have your number?
Je peux avoir ton numéro?
Are you sure Girls Aloud are playing?
Girls Aloud sont bien prévus au programme?
What time are The Wombats on stage?
A quelle heure passent les Wombats?
Please take your hat off as I can't see the band.
S'il te plaît, enlève ton chapeau, je ne vois pas le groupe.
Where are the toilets?
Où sont les toilettes?
Spain
Wouldn't it be great to say 'Hola!' from the country that brought us Enrique Iglesias, his mole and hosts some of the best festivals in the world?
>Read more on Spanish festivals
Germany
Germany is not all about an unabashed love of David Hasselhoff you know. In fact, their music scene is amazingly eclectic; a fact reflected in their many music festivals which pay heed to their love of cheesy techno.