If you’re into big festivals, this is a big one indeed with a phenomenal 150,000 people at FIB Heineken 2008 with sets from internationally artists like Leonard Cohen, Morrissey, Rob da Bank’s favourite shoegazers My Bloody Valentine (see Sci-Fi-Lo-Fi Vol. 3 (Shoegazing 1985 - 2007), The Raconteurs, Babyshambles and The Ting Tings.

Talking of Rob da Bank, let’s look up what he says about Festival Internacional de Benicàssim in his new book A-Z of Festivals, “spend your nights dancing like a loon to top indie pop. rock and electronica outfits” and “your days recovering on the beach”. Vince Power (he of Mean Fiddler fame) thought the orginal bash on the Costa del Azahar was such a good gig, he took it over.

This year will be an extra special year for FIB Heineken as it is the 15th anniversary and they’ve got a line-up packed with the biggest bands, artists and DJs from across the globe and a plethora of new and exciting on-site events and activities to fill the daylight hours; films, theatre, fashion shows, flamenco and loads more.

16th, Thursday: Line-up Aldo Linares, Anni B Sweet, La Bien Querida, The Bishops, The Coronas, Fangoria, Gang Of Four, Glasvegas, Justus Köhncke, Kevin Saunderson Presents: Inner City Live, Mystery Jets, Naive New Beaters, No Reply, Oasis, Telepathe, The Walkmen, We Are Standard

17th Friday: Boys Noize, Christina Rosenvinge, Cooper, Fight Like Apes, The Horrors, Infadels Dj’s, Javier Corcobado, Joe Crepúsculo, Kings of Leon, Magazine, Maxïmo Park, Nacho Vegas, nudozurdo, Paul Weller, Yuksek.

18th Saturday: 2 Many DJ’s, Aeroplane, Bell X1, Elbow, Foals, Franz Ferdinand, Gui Boratto, Josele Santiago, Laurent Garnier, Lily Allen, The Mighty Stef, Peaches, Pete Doherty, Ratolines, Russian Red, Steve Aoki, Tadeo, Television Personalities, The Unfinished Sympathy

19th Sunday: <>, Calexico, CatPeople, David Kitt, Flow, Friendly Fires, Giant Sand, Hell, The Killers, Klaus & Kinski, Late Of The Pier, Lykke Li, Oblique, Popof, The Psychedelic Furs, TV On The Radio, White Lies.

They are pulling out all the stops to make this one of the best years yet in the long and exciting history of FIB Heineken and getting back to da Bank’s book, “One for fireside tales with the grandkids.”

Other useful info:-
Camping: Yes
Nearest Airport: Valencia

Links:
http://fiberfib.com/en/line-up/benicassim-festival-2009
benicassimfestival.co.uk