Features
10 of the most awe-inspiring natural venues in the world
Natural venues offer truly unforgettable experiences from glaciers to underground caves
7 THRIHNUKAGIGUR VOLCANO, ICELAND
Iceland makes its second appearance on this list with the Thrihnukagigur Volcano, a dormant volcano near Reykjavík that was used by Secret Solstice Festival to provide attendees with a unique concert experience. Following 2015’s party inside a glacier, the festival went a step further to deliver “the world’s first public gig inside a volcano” in 2016. The one-off event featured Deftones frontman Chino Moreno, who performed an acoustic set to 20 individuals who had ventured 2.5 miles to get to the location. Thanks to the frigid atmosphere, organizers may never put on an event like this again, but as Secret Solstice continues to provide exclusive events of this magnitude, there’s no telling what they will think of next.
CUMBERLAND CAVERNS, MCMINNVILLE, TENNESSEE 8
Continuing the theme of traveling deep inside the earth for a musical experience, the Cumberland Caverns offer a remarkable opportunity for those who choose to embark on a subterranean adventure. Located in McMinnville, a small town in central Tennessee, the Caverns feature what has been dubbed the Volcano Room, 333 feet below the surface, where concerts are frequently held. Although you might expect the acoustics to have an echoing quality, the jagged rocks and edges actually scatter the sound waves. Also, the temperature inside the venue remains a steady 57 degrees Fahrenheit year-round, forcing patrons to wrap themselves in blankets during the concerts. A bluegrass event called Bluegrass Underground is held there every month and approximately 600 people pack in to enjoy a night of music.
