Also known as the Desert Festival, 40,000 people and 22 hours of non-stop music on five simultaneous stages. This place is nuts, expect to see partygoers in all sorts of outrageous costumes, partying to electro, techno, hip hop, dub step and drum & bassto the early hours.
Expect this year to be crazier than ever as Monegros is celebrating its 20th anniversary. This year’s headliners are Carl Cox, Skrillex, Steve Aoki and Boyz Noize. Tickets are priced at €70.
Situated 5km from Fraga in the Monegros desert (or badlands as it is known), it is located almost exactly between Madrid and Barcelona in the province of Huesca. The first thing you notice when you pull up to the festival is the noise from the 85 decibel sound system, because in the desert there’s nothing around to dampen the sound. Expect to share the badlands with fire breathing dragons, stilt walkers and gigantic flower canopies (well needed protection from the desert sun). Marbella Rocks spoke to a fan that described it as ‘something out of Alice in Wonderland’ while the show’s organisers call it ‘a life experience.’
As well as five stages the event builds its own skate park complete with half pipes and exhibitions from some of the world’s best extreme sports athletes. It’s also a well-needed break for festival-goers to kick back and enjoy a break in a more chilled out environment.
To avoid traffic to Monegros it is best to take a shuttle bus service from either Madrid or Barcelona to the event. The party bus will also be a good warm-up to the actual event.
With the likes of similar desert festival, Burning Man in Vegas, being billed as one of the top festivals in the world, Monegros is fast earning its place on the global festival circuit, having scooped Vicious Best Festival Award three years in a row now. Although be warned Monegros is far more dance and rave orientated than its more hippy, US counterpart.
When: 19th July
Who goes: Techno and D&B fans
Most likely to be seen: Glow sticks and Neon sunglasses
WHAT TO WEAR: Crazy costumes
Rocks Rating: ◊◊◊◊
WEB: www.monegrosfestival.com
