Now the outdoor festival season has started, it is the right time to reflect on the phenomenon ‘festivals’. Besides that, several events / festivals that are taking place in Ljubljana in May are discussed.

When the big music festivals as we know them now emerged some decades ago, they were closely connected to counterculture. In this episode is reflected on this interconnection. It is argued that, although the concept of the ‘culture industry’ by Adorno and Horkheimer is relevant for developments in the international festival landscape, there are still plenty of festivals - as well in Slovenia - that escape this trap.

Druga Godba is presented as an example of a festival, which contributes to cultural diversity. With a focus on often overlooked genres and regions, it counters general trends and hypes.