The Sziget Last.fm page lists two more interesting names, added to what we already know. It seems that Jose Padilla, the Spanish DJ and ambient music producer (read more about him and his music on his MySpace) will be at Sziget Festival.

Some good news (if they confirm) for metalheads, too. The same last.fm page lists German dark metal Eisregen as one of the acts playing this year’s Sziget Festival. Hopefully, it confirms, especially since GWAR was cancelled.

LATER EDIT: Szigetnews friend alex tells us that Jose Padilla is officially confirmed on the Dutch Official Site.

It’s winter and it will be a (little, we hope) while until we’ll have some news on Sziget 2009′s line-up. Until then, we found a very good-sounding version of “Losing My Religion” by REM, at Sziget last year. We hope you’ll enjoy it as much as we did.

The dates for next year’s Sziget Festival have already been announced. The Festival will take place between the 11th and 17th of August. Just like last year, the first day (also known as “zero-day”) will include a performance by a single international act.

Ticket prices will be as follows:

130 euros – 12-17 of August – no camping

150 euros – 10-17 of August – camping included

More details as they come.

Our user Emanuele has sent us her account of this year’s Festival.

sziget is sziget, ok!? but u must admit this one wasn’t so good respect other past years…
I think everyone enjoyed their staying on the island, but if the organizer wouldn’t have said “less days for a stronger program” there wouldn’t have been so many people disapointed..
the main problem was about the main stag, i think…but i don’t want to spend other words….
maybe just one name between Metallica and Rage Against The Machine would have changed many things………

Sziget has been over for two weeks now, but your Sziget accounts keep on coming to Szigetnews.com. Keep them coming through the contact section, or via comment.

Here’s the latest we received, from Szigetnews friend Kevin:

 Sziget was good as always, but it was better the last couple of years… Prices
have gone up extremely over the last two years. Line-up was a nice 90ies-feel
line-up, but we’re living 10 years later…

Two friends of mine were robbed. Both were sleepinh in there tents when people
came into their tents to get stuff out! That’s not your own fault!

Don’t know if I’ll go again. Maybe I’ll try the EXIT-festival next
year… But it’s a hard choice to make. Main reason to go to Sziget is the
massive possibilities to chill in tons of places!

Even though some have criticized different things about this year’s festival, SzigetNews friend Iain form Inverness, Scotland had a great time and wants to share it with you. Here’s Iain’s take on this year’s Festival:

“How can anyone say they didn’t enjoy this years Sziget. I don’t care what anyone
says there was something for everyone, when you list the acts the names are
pretty big….REM, The Sex Pistols, The Killers, Lee Scratch Perry, Justice etc.
Look at the price on the ticket and tell me it wasn’t worth it and if anyone got
anything stolen it was their own fault. There was free safe deposit boxes as
well as left luggage containers. What about the great weather, the new friends,
the banter, the variety of food and drinks at good prices, the smiley faces, the
characters and the memories….do you need much more? Roll on next year, I for
one cannot wait!!”

We’re still waiting for your Sziget 2008 stories and pictures, as a comment, or through the Contact section.

Our reader szigetist has shared his very enthusiastic memories with us. Here they are.

“Great festival, nice people, affordable food and drinks, great weather, uninspiring line-up on the main stage, but the rest was great (parov stelar, vitalic, justice,…) and party 24/7, all in all the best festival i’ve ever been to!!!”

Szigetnews friend Michael has sent us his account of this year’s Festival. Here it is:

“Great festival, as has been said carl cox and pendulum cancelling was a joke as
was the whole dance set up a.k.a no one knowing when anyone was on. IMO Digweed
more than made up for Cox,think there could be room for improvement dance music
wise anyway. Everything else was top notch, had to drag myself away from the
world music stage a few times it was so good. Good few of my friends had stuff
stolen, but thats not the organisers fault. Thanks to Hungary and the good
people at sziget for one of the best festivals I’ve ever been to. “

We have another not-so-happy festival visitor. Frank says:

“i agree with Niall
+ the underground music stage (last year called the master card tent or something) disappeared! instead there was this commercial Burn-stage

i think this was my last visit of sziget”

How was it for you? Send your opinion in a comment or in the contact section and Szigetnews will post it on the site.

Looks like the festival wasn’t that great for some of our readers. Here’s Niall Cleary’s opinion:

” what a load of rubbish!!!pendulum and carl cox cancelling, justice playin at 12 pm, campsites un-safe and the mood at this years festival was nothing on previous years..yes maiden rocked and REM surprised but seriously the organizers have to take a long hard look at improving next years line-up. apparently 5 days meant a stronger line-up…not convinced at all…wont be telling any stories of praise upon returning home”

Our reader gianpiero wants the festival to return to its usual 7-day format, and also wants “a better programme”

How about you? Szigetnews is still waiting for this year’s festival stories, pics and videos from you – post them as comments or use the contact section.