Sziget 2024 through five key performances

Amongst a 22-stage programme, sets from Yves Tumor, Fontaines D.C., Nia Archives, Kojaque and Janelle Monáe defined this year’s edition of Sziget 

A mere 20-minute tram ride from Budapest’s city centre, Sziget’s site is aptly named ‘Island of Freedom’. With 22 stages and areas to explore, its main stage line-up was rivalled by a wide range of other experiences including a circus, travelling funfair and – yes, really – a fully-fledged beach. Alongside spaces devoted to art, theatre and dance, highlights included a dedicated LGBTQ+ programme of performances, parties, panel discussions and workshops at Magic Mirror, and a line-up focused on showcasing music from across the world at Global Village. 

With over 100 nationalities represented at the festival as a whole, it truly felt like a destination, a worldwide event. There was no excuse to feel bored, even if it meant racking up a high step count in Hungary’s summer heat – which the festival was well set up for (think a fire engine complete with firemen hosing down grateful punters). 

After almost a week of sweating in various crowds, here are five standout performances from the festival.

Nia Archives

2023 might have been Nia Archives‘ official big junglist summer, but the Bradford-born artist’s recent stint of shows has proved she’s only on the up. Playing a bass-heavy set on the Monday night following up Four Tet and Skrillex on the Revolut Stage, tunes like Baianá raised the roof of a completely packed out tent, for a big-sound, high-octane melding of her own tunes and familiar remixed edits. 

Fontaines D.C.

For a band who have only gone from strength to strength, seeing the Irish group live this summer felt extra special as their album release drew near. In a completely packed-out tent, every lyric to Starburster, Favourite and Jackie Down The Line was echoed back to frontman Grian Chatten. If this set was anything to go by, their Finsbury Park headline slot next year is one not to miss. 

Yves Tumor

Hitting the main stage on late Friday afternoon, Yves Tumor’s entrance in a silver diamond-encrusted harness set the tone for the joyously avant-garde performance fans have come to expect. Set highlights included catchy Operator and blistering guitar solo-filled Secrecy Is Incredibly Important To The Both of Them. Charming attendees throughout, as the drums on Ebony Eye kicked in, Tumor told an audience member that they don’t like older men… unless you’ve got money.

Kojaque

Though scheduling Kojaque to partially clash with Fontaines D.C. may have felt like an affront to the Irish nation, luckily there was still time to catch most of the rapper’s performance on the dropYard stage. Playing plenty of tunes from last year’s album Phantom Of The Afters, and finishing up with a blistering rendition of Heaven Shouldn’t Have You, his brand of sharp lyricism and infectious charm proved irresistible to the international crowd. 

Janelle Monáe

Wherever or whatever the performance, you can rely on Janelle Monáe to put on an entertaining show. Fresh from playing Mad Cool in Madrid, the singer donned her flower cape once more for a show embellished with props and well-thought-out staging, even on the very, very warm Sziget Sunday afternoon.

Before a rendition of Tightrope, Monáe also took a moment to urge the audience to consider marginalised voices across the world. In a powerful statement, she asked that: “more than ever, we have to remember that the power has always been in the hands of us – the people.”