It´s summer and that can only mean it´s time to P.A.R.T.Y. and what better way to do so then visit some of the world´s best festivals. To save you the effort we´ve compiled our guide to the best festivals in the world so you can find the best one to suit you.
GLASTONBURY
Glastonbury Festival is a 5 day festival of the world´s top music acts and contemporary performing arts. The festival is not just host to music but dance, comedy, theatre, circus, cabaret and other arts. The festival is popular amongst rock and pop artists and always receives television and magazine press coverage. The first festival was created in 1914 and is now attended by over 175,000 people most of which camp over the entire 5 days meaning having that festival stench all week long and bearing the English weather. Mud baths are not an uncommon feature of Glastonbury, yet the festival goers often revel in it!
Where: Pilton, Somerset, England
When: Glastonbury 2016 will take place from Wednesday 22nd June to Sunday 26th June
Who: The line-up this year sees Muse, Disclosure, Bastille, Adele, Coldplay and Ellie Goulding – a real mix for everyone to enjoy.
COACHELLA
The Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival (or Coachella as it is more commonly known by) is an annual music and arts festival and features many genres of music including rock, hip hop, indie and dance. The festival was created in 1999 by Paul Tollett and is held on consecutive three day weekends in April. Coachella is one of the largest and most profitable festivals in the US and grossed $84.3 million in ticket sales in 2015. It is described as US ‘Spring Break’ where ‘topless hunks and bikinied girls are surrounded by palm trees, sipping lattes behind Ray Ban shades in the sauna-like heat.’ – so… where can we sign up!
Where: Empire Polo Club in Indio, California, located in the Inland Empire’s Coachella Valley in the Colorado Dessert.
When: Coachella 2016 will take place, Weekend 1: April 15th-17th and Weekend 2: April 22nd-24th
Who: The A Lists are gracing the stages this year such as Calvin Harris, Jack U, Joey Bada$$, Ice Cube and Zedd.
HIDEOUT FESTIVAL
Hideout is an annual five day electronic music festival based in the stunning Croatia. It features pool parties, art installations and is set in two clubs on the beach both equipped with palm trees and swimming pools and numerous boat parties that happen throughout the days. The music is mainly house and techno which provides a glorious setting the season’s best raves. Really for the die hard music fans so if thumping beats are not your thing we´d steer clear of this one.
Where: Zrce Beach, Island of Pag, Croatia
When: Hideout Festival 2016 is happening from the 26th-30th June
Who: Hideout is inviting The Martinez Brothers, Skepta, Jamie XX, Hannah Wants and Stormzy (who is also headlining Aqwa Mist this summer.) A must for electronic dance fans.
TOMORROWLAND
Tomorrowland is key when it comes to throwing huge outrageous EDM bashes accompanied by glitter and wacky surprises. It is the biggest electronic music festival held in the world and has been going since 2005 and has since become one of the most notable global music festivals with partygoers camping and dancing to trap, dubstep, deep house and hardcore to name a few. After the success in Belgium, they decided to spread the madness to Brazil with the same festivities happening four months earlier. This global brand is going from strength to strength.
Where: Boom, Belgium and Sao Paulo, Brazil
When: Tomorrowland 2016 is held from 22nd-24th July 2016 in Belgium and 21st-23rd April 2016 in Brazil.
Who: Alesso, Avicii, David Guetta, Carl Cox and Steve Aoki have been past contenders to hit the main stage.
BURNING MAN
Once a year, tens of thousands of people gather in Nevada’s Black Rock Desert to create Black Rock City, a temporary metropolis which is primed on community, self-expression and self-reliance. The performing DJs are last minute surprises…this is not your usual festival, it is about creating a spiritual sense of togetherness but all in all it is about all night parties, dancing, riding around naked on bikes and participating in the slut Olympics (yes you read that right!). Some may say that this will alter the course of your life. Be warned this is the most outrageous and out there of all the world´s festivals.
Where: Black Rock City, Nevada, USA
When: Burning Man 2016 is taking place August 28th– 5th September.
Who: Conor Oberst, Courtney Barnett, DJ Shadow and Cut Chemist
SONAR
What: Sonar is the most colourful music festivals in the world, renowned for its impressive laser displays and global acts. It is held at the International Festival of Advanced Music and Congress of Technology and Creativity and was founded in 1994. Sonar features performances from cutting edge artists alongside video art projections, installations from modern artists and audio visual displays. Sonar unites established artists with emerging talent to a wide capacity of audiences.
Where: Fira Gran Via, Barcelona
When: Sonar 2016 is from the 16th-18th June.
Who: A$AP Rocky, James Blake, Flume, Jamie Woon and Noize just to name a few.
BUKTA OPEN AIR FESTIVAL
Tromso’s most popular camping and swimming spots during the summer, it is located on the beach surrounded by trees and mountains and claims to be one of the most beautiful festival sites in the world. You can literally party all day long and that is something that virtually no other rock festival can claim! The festival was first staged in 2004 but the history can be traced back a further two years to 2002,
Where: Tromso, Norway
When: Bukta Open Air Festival is 21st July-23rd July 2016
Who: Artists come from all over the globe from Sweden to as far afield as Canada. This year´s line-up includes The Disciplines, Tim Scott, The Hives and Kaiser Chiefs.
LOST AND FOUND FESTIVAL
Annie Mac presents Lost & Found is new to the game starting last year in 2015. The UK’s legendary dance DJ brings together a host of DJs and poducers at poolside stages, boat parties and all night raves. Even after one year Lost & Found has become the one of the hottest events of the year.
Where: Malta, Europe
When: Lost and Found 2016 is held on March 31st to April 3rd.
Who: Annie Mac, DJ Ez, Katy B to Bicep, Disclosure and Jackmaster
WINTER MUSIC CONFERENCE 2016
Founded in 1985, WMC is an electronic music conference which is aimed at industry professionals, producers, artists, promoters, record labels and enthusiasts. There are various seminars, panels and parties followed by networking events for those looking to learn more about the industry. It is used to describe the hundreds of events and parties being held throughout the Miami and South Beach area while WMC is taking place, the parties consist of pool, rooftop, beach and club parties.
Where: Shelborne Wyndham Grand, Miami Beach
When: Winter Music Conference 2016 is being held on March 21st-24th.
Who: A mix of the worlds top DJs such as Martin Garrix, Armin Van Buuren and Tiesto.
BOOM FESTIVAL
The Boom Festival is host to a variety of music performances, art exhibits and tranquillity. Launched in 1997, it shares the same aspects of the Burning Man philosophy in which people come together as one state of mind. The unique selling point is Boom is completely free of corporate sponsorship and is funded by ticket sales alone. Everyone is a VIP at Boom Festival.
Where: Idanha-a-Nova, Portugal
When: Boom Festival 2016 is on August 11-18th.
Who: Acts this year come from Drip Drop, Avaris, Nargun and Crossing Mind plus many more.
