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“Music is the universal language of mankind.” The quote rings true through time as music transcends barriers in the most beautiful way - and where better to experience this transcending effect than at a music festival? The International music festival circuit draws a line across which India has only just begun to toe, what with Magnetic Fields and Ziro Valley, and it’s time you went out and explored the real deal. With a gazillion (slightly exaggerated) festivals happening around the world it can get difficult to pick and choose which one is best suited to you, so we’ve saved you the time and compiled a list of super amazing underground festivals in Europe, covering all genres of music, festival destinations and activities.
A series of people are currently in Europe for Summer festivals & quite a few more are heading as we speak, for festivals like Love Box, Glastonbury, Download , Pukklepop , Sonar to name a few. Every year we see over 200 festivals take place across the European region from June to September and only the big ones are spoken about, because of their massive line-ups and stages. We feel that you must experience a festival of that scale once in your life . Big festivals have a unique experience , but at the same time we see teenagers from across Europe trashing the festival site, getting into fights like read about the death of one kid at Parklife festival recently .
Big festivals are great, but nothing comes close to an intimate festival experience with only 500-1000 people max. Given the wide landscape offerings of Europe, the continent also offers some of the best lesser knows secret festivals. If you are in Europe this time round you can continue going for the big festivals, but also try adding these secret festivals to your list either this year.
Where: Brest, France
When: 20th - 26th Feb
One of the oldest electronic music festival in France. It showcases France’s free party scene which was mostly extinguished in the mid-90s. Though primarily an electronic music festival the 6-day extravaganza doesn’t focus on just music, instead it showcases various exhibits, film screenings, vinyl markets and club parties.
II. 4GB
Where : Locomotives Manufacturing Factory, Georgia
When : 6th May 2017- 9th May 2017
Cost : $60
An annual international electronic music festival, dedicated to the pioneer Georgian DJ- Gio Bakanidze. Started as a party for just the close friends of the late DJ, 4GB is a celebration of togetherness. Headlined by Michael Mayer- Gio’s all time favorite DJ. The festival changes its location every year.
III. GottWood Festival
Where: Anglesey, Wales
When: June 7th - 10th
A very unique festival with no major sponsors and corporate tie-ups, it’s all about getting lost in the woods and finding yourself amidst the diverse sounds of the underground electronic music. This festival is not just about music, its about art and food too. The most appealing feature of the festival is the stark transition between day time and night time. While the day is very relaxing the nights bring out your inner rave demon.
IV. Parklife
Where : Heaton Park, Manchester, United Kingdom.
When : 9th June 2018 - 10th June 2018
Cost : £96.60
An independent music festival Parklife is famous for its diverse and cutting edge music. Last year’s lineup saw famous acts/artists like Frank Ocean, The Chemical Brothers, Ice Cube, Jamie xx and The 1975. Apart from famous acts the festival also includes quirky chill out zones, live interactive art, installations and cabaret.
Where: Rhodope Mountains, Bulgaria
When: June 12th-15th
Set amidst the lush mountains of Bulgaria, this is the music festival you never knew you needed. It started off as an illicit rave organised by two boys on their parents’ property but now, in its 7th season it has become one of Europe’s most atmospheric and inclusive festivals. Its ethos lies in community spirit; the music that perfectly caters to the needs of the visitors and the mountains and a channel to revive Bulgaria’s hidden history.
VI. Hideout Festival
Where : Isle of Pag, Croatia
When : 25th June 2018- 30th June 2018
Cost : Standard tickets are available at £163.90
Often termed as the spring break for adults, Hideout is a beachside electronic festival that debuted in 2010. The event is split between pool and boat parties in the day and headline performances at night. Even though the festival manages to attract a bigger lineup, the organizers refuse to increase the capacity, maintaining their focus on quality for each individual festival goer, which makes a little different than the other festivals. The lineup for this year include impressive acts like MK, Patrick Topping, Kerri Chandler, Camelphat, Alan Fitzpatrick to name a few.
VII. Colours of Ostrava
Where : Ostrava, Czech Republic
When : 18th July 2018- 21st July 2018
Cost : €135.90
Colours is a multi-genre festival held every summer since 2002. Set in a abandoned coal factory, its a post- apocalyptic wasteland party. Its rustic vibe and performances by all major and popular music genres as well as avant-garde music & world music has earned it the title of the biggest international music festival in Czech Republic.
The current line up features performances by artists like Cigarettes After Sex, Aurora, George Ezra and many more.
VIII. Boom Festival
Where : Idanha-a-nova Lake, Portugal
When : 22nd July 2018 - 29th July 2018
An independent event free from sponsorship and commercial advertising, Boom Festival is the biggest psytrance festival. Boom festival brings a touch of the famous Burning Man in Europe. Held bi- annually Boom’s prime focus is to integrate a sustainability ethos with arts and culture. Apart from a week long psy trance experience, Boom promotes the knowledge and practice of sustainability through various lectures and workshops. Claiming the event to be a state of mind, Boom is a space where people from all over the world can converge to experience an alternative reality.
IX. Obonjan Festival
Where : Island of Obonjan, Croatia
When : July - September
Known as the festival of Croatia, Obonjan is a very laid-back part festival, part resort open only during summers on an long- abandoned island in the Adriatic. Co- founded by Dan Blackledge- the man behind Croatia’s Unknown and Hideout festivals Obonjan is a much more relaxed festival only open to 500 people. Apart from that this festival also organizes various well being workshops.
Where: Bungalowdorf Olfganitz, Germany
When: August 3rd- 5th
The most unique thing about this festival is that even though it dates back to 1998 and recently celebrated two decades of events. Nachtdigital is still a small and a very intimate festival for only 3000 attendees. Furthermore this festival gives a personal touch by putting handmade decorations. Its fame has also led to the instalment of its own music label.
Where : Primslje, Croatia
When : 6th August 2018- 12th August 2018
A hop away from Plitvice Lakes National Park, Mo:den is an ecologically oriented psytrance music festival, that focuses on promoting fresh psychedelic sounds from global underground scene. The festival is an amazing combination of diverse music, innovative installations and cutting edge visual & experimental art.
Where : Garden Resort, Tisno, Croatia
When : 23rd August 2018 - 27th August 2018
Cost : €130,00 (early bird)
Founded and Funded by Dutch festival brand Dekmantel, Selectors is a five days and night dance event on the Croatian coast. Known for their willingness to venture into unexplored corners of the music spectrum, selectors re energizes the atmosphere and pushes the dance floor beyond its limit for an ultimate experience. This festival is also famous for its boat parties hosted in collaboration with various famous clubs in Europe.
