ILMC panel preview: The Campfire – CEE Europe
Ruth Koleva, founder of SoAlive Music Conference in Bulgaria, discusses missed opportunities with touring in central and southeastern Europe
Feature By IQ | 21 August 2025
For decades, the music industry has clung to a narrative about Central and Southeast Europe – too risky, too complicated, not enough money. Meanwhile, fans in the region have been proving that wrong, showing up in record numbers, packing stadiums, and treating live music like a religion.
If last year’s massive festival turnouts and stadium shows from Coldplay, Ed Sheeran, and Rammstein weren’t enough to shake off the scepticism, this year’s stadium and arena shows should be a final wake-up call: the game has changed.
The numbers speak for themselves. Poland’s Open’er Festival brings in 110,000+ attendees, Serbia’s EXIT draws 200,000, Hungary’s Sziget sees 530,000+ in peak years, while Romania’s UNTOLD hits 427,000. Boutique festivals like Electric Castle (231,000) are proving there’s still…
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