8 global festivals not to be missed
Spring has sprung and we are tentatively beginning to swap our oversized sweaters and bobble hats for the shortest of shorts (lads included) to celebrate the beginning of the summer party season. After months of hibernating, our bank accounts are full (in theory) and we are looking to leave our dwellings to bask in the summer sun. The days are longer and the parties are better so let’s make the fun last as long as possible with days of frolicking in the best global festivals 2015 the world has to offer!
Lovebox
The carnival has come to town and it’s bringing love
Another London based festival has made our list because we couldn’t resist the summer fayre-esque style, whose name gives away the relaxed and happy atmosphere, of Lovebox. Think carousels and marquee activities by day with lasers and mega firework displays by night. Head-liners this year include big names like Snoop Dogg, Annie Mac, Rudimental and Mark Ronson. It’s almost worth going just for the food alone as street food stalls like Le Bun, Pop Dogs, Lickalix and Los Churros, not to mention The Cheese Truck plus loads of others sure to tempt and give you the energy to last all night.
Where: Victoria Park, 17th and 18th July
Website: http://loveboxfestival.com
Southern Soul Festival
Not a field in site, party the nights away on the beach
The picturesque town of Ulcinj, across the Adriatic Sea from Italy, will be blasting blissed out soul, jazz, funk, house and disco over the beach paradise courtesy of arguably 40 of the hottest DJ’s and live acts in the world right now. The line-up consists of artists like Bad Bad Not Good, Jarrod Lawson, Fatima and The Eglo Live Band, Romare and Matthew Halsall Quintent. Spend your days recuperating on the sandy beach with kite surfing, yoga, volleyball and a host of activities, or if that all sounds a bit strenuous after a night of partying then just lie down on your towel and work on your tan.
Where: Montenegro, 25th-28th June
Website: http://www.southernsoulfestival.com
SW4
Festival vibes in the middle of the city
Calling all Londoners, if you love festivals but don’t want to have to leave the safety of the best city in the world then SW4 has your name all over it. Bang in the middle of Clapham Common, the 2 day dance festival boasts the sound of Ibiza without the air fare; headliners this year include Faithless, Fatboy Slim, Skrillex and Basement Jaxx. Originally started as a one off party for locals, SW4 is a no camping affair, so after you’ve spent the day partying, drinking and making friends you can simply get the train home (or head into London to continue the good times). SW4 is notorious for selling out in advance as its good reputation precedes it so move fast if you want to attend this year!
Where: Clapham, 29th-30th August
Website: http://www.southwestfour.com
Hideout
Beach paradise lined with the hottest clubs
Another coastline gem just north of Montenegro is the island of Pag where a whole beach has been designated for partying. Permanent clubs line the beach where artists like Duke Dumont, Eats Everything, Gorgon City and MK will be performing for the 5th anniversary of this popular festival. The days can be spent in the crystal clear sea fannying about on a slide pedalo whilst soaking up the gorgeous mountain view. A short walk and even shorter bus transfer takes you to the other side of the island where you can attend amazing boat parties and find an abundance of restaurants and bars.
Where: Croatia, 28th June-2nd July
Website: http://www.hideoutfestival.com
Eastern Electrics
10,000 people from the UK and beyond unite to party just outside of the capital
All the fun of a festival condensed into one day; Eastern Electrics is back for another year of chart-topping house and electric music after a sell-out 2014 and plenty of love from pleased attendees. The return sees an expansion of an 8th stage and extra raving woodlands plus more chill out space and an after party to keep the fun going long into the night. Rocking the line-up amongst others will be the likes of Skream, Boddika and Totally Enormous Extinct Dinosaurs. When the fun is over, simply pop yourself back on a train to King’s Cross which takes less than half an hour.
Where: Hertfordshire, 1st August
Website: http://www.easternelectrics.com
Benicassim
If you aren’t down for mud of Glasto settle in for some glamorous camping
Blur, The Prodigy, Portishead and Florence + The Machine have been confirmed as the head-liners with stellar acts like Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds, Kaiser Chiefs, Mark Ronson and Bastille accompanying them. Unlike the other music festivals so far, you can actually do some real camping here, with an assigned camping area but make sure to do it in style with glamping where you will get treated to a welcome cocktail, breakfast buffet service (until 3pm for you late risers), a duvet and many other creature comforts to ease you into the camping experience.
Where: Spain, 16th-19th July
Website: http://www.fiberfib.com
Bukta
The fun never stops because the sun never sets
Don’t fear the end of the party when the sun rises after a night of debauchery in the dark as the sun never sets at Tromso. During the summer months you can literally party all day with the midnight sun to spur you on while you rock out to the likes of Dream Theater, The Wombats and Temples. As you may have guessed the weather in Norway won’t be blazing sunshine with averages of 15C but don’t let that deter you as you can spend your days hiking in the mountains and soaking up the stunning views as this is definitely a festival not to miss.
Where: Norway, 16th-18th July
Website: http://www.bukta.no
Tomorrowland
More electronic music fans and lasers than you can shake a stick at
Lastly but by no means least is the largest and most epic of our festivals with an 180,000 capacity that begins in Belgium, before taking the fun half way around the world to start all over again at the beginning of May in Brazil. Artists like David Guetta, Avicii, Tiesto and Steve Aoki will be gracing the stage at this award winning festival, now in its 10th year it is the largest annual electronic music festival held in the world.
Where: Belgium, 24th-26th July
Website: http://www.tomorrowland.com
