Credit: Gemma Bell
If you’re anything like me, then the mere words “festival season” can fill you with absolute glee, and have you bursting with excitement at the wonders that might await you!
Without fail, every year since I was 14, festivals have played a massive part in my yearly calendar. They are the highlight of my year and the light at the end of my tunnel. Filled with dreams of frolicking around a field, carefree and blissfully happy. A place where you can be yourself, be someone else, or just be anything other than what you are supposed to be, in the drudge of 9-5 life.
Equally, the end of the festival season is enough to send me spiraling down, into a home-made hibernation cave for the winter. Until the promise land comes peeking around the corner once again, somewhere around April or May.
Thankfully there are a LOT of people out there like me, and festival season is no longer just a summer pipe dream. You can, if you so wish, go to festivals all year long.
So, if you just cannot bear another moment without the thought of that absolute escapism slotting into your winter calendar, then read on. Here is a pick of the best electronic music festivals to fill up your otherwise cold and miserable winter.
Source: Promo
The BPM Festival
If you can’t put the words, winter, and festival together, and only find solace in those summer vibes and sun-drenched parties, then you might want to go transatlantic to fuel that burning desire. And head straight to the Mayan Riviera, for The BPM Festival.
Now into its 10th year, I’m sure this will be one for the books! Expect big anniversary celebrations, and the most in-demand names that the electronic music scene has to offer, with over 430 DJ’s crammed into a ten-day stretch! Parties are hosted by everyone from Jamie Jones’ Paradise to Marco Carolas’ Music On.
Spread around the Caribbean coast of Mexico; BPM offers exclusive parties by day in intimate beach bars, and by night, all night raves in the many clubs and bars. It’s supposed to be an incredible experience and one that transcends that pure escapism that I was talking about earlier.
BPM takes place between the 6th and 15th January in Playa Del Carmen. For more info visit their website; The BPM Festival.
Source: Promo
Snowbombing
Europe’s original and largest winter sports and music festival will return to Maxyrhofen, Austria for the 12th year running. Often referred to as “the Glastonbury of ski resort festivals” Snowbombing takes place up a mountain over 8000 FT above normality. Offering up a multitude of genres with everything from Reggae and Dub to Breaks and Beats, and an ultra cool list of House and Techno giants, there is quite literally something for nearly everyone. Stages and performances take the form of street parties, forest clearings, and even exclusive igloo raves!
So far, the lineup has already got us scrambling to the booking page faster than you can say ‘Apres-ski’! And there’s still an enormous amount to be added to the already heavyweight bill!
The first wave of artists currently reads like a who’s who list of top DJ’s including Hot Since 82, MK, Eats Everything and Dusky to name a few, with Chase & Status currently heading up the bill. If that’s not enough to wet your appetite then Spanish promoters Elrow are also bringing their infamous names, themes, crazy theatrics, and production to the slopes for the very first time.
Snowbombing is between the 3rd – 8th April. Get involved and see what they hype is all about; Snowbombing.
Source: Ross SilcocksHorizon
With the recent influx of snow based music festivals cropping up over the last few years, you’d think it would be hard to be heard over the general hubbub. But the one thing that puts Horizon above the others is it’s incredible attention to detail.
Anyone that’s been enjoying festivals will tell you; it doesn’t just end at a killer lineup. It’s the production, the decor, and all the little things that take a festival to the next level and offer the punter an otherworldly experience. Something they can take away and remember for years to come. Horizon seems to be the one ticking all of those boxes.
With a heavier bass focus than it’s snowy counterparts, the first lineup drop has a diverse offering of everyone from Motor City Drum Ensemble and Ben UFO to Oneman and AJ Tracey.
For a more boutique and intimate community vibe, this should be the one to check out! Horizon runs for six nights and seven days between 26th March – 2nd April. For more info visit their website; Horizon Festival.
Source: Promo
The Social Festival
If you don’t fancy leaving the country for your musical injection, then look no further than The Winter Social. A relative newcomer to the off-season offerings but one we feel is worth taking note of.
This Bi-annual festival set just outside of London, within Kent County Show Ground, will give you the cremè de la cremè of the Techno DJ’s of the moment. Although the line up for the 2017 edition is yet to be released, we know it’s going to be impressive regardless. Watch this space!
The Winter Social will go ahead on 11th March, and keep your eyes peeled for more info on their site; The Social Festival.
