It’s a beautiful time in the world of dance music. Though there are more records being created than can be listened to, there is an increasingly diverse set of sounds, a direct result of the world becoming more open and more connected. And while mainstays like Ibiza and Las Vegas ensure a great line-up and great (albeit expensive) party, there are festivals and events popping up all over the world. Some even on a boat.
There’s GEM Fest in the country of Georgia running for 32 days, and Into the Factory, which takes place in an abandoned cement factory in the south of Sweden. You can find a small selection of where to live your best life this summer, below.
MAY / JUNE
May 28th - Solomun + 1 at Pacha - Ibiza
Solomun is a master of the dancefloor and his +1 series will feature twenty guest pairings, including John Talabot, Michael Mayer, and two appearances by Dixon and Âme. The 2017 party promises to create an immersive house and techno experience, featuring even bigger production. Solomun +1 runs until October 15th. More info HERE.
June 3rd - September 2nd - Miami at BH Mallorca
Ibiza gets a lot of attention, but the island next door Mallorca, will also be hosting parties throughout the summer. One of these events is the Miami pool party, hosted by British TV presenter, dj and star of The Only Way is Essex, Mark Wright. Ahead of the party Wright shared a few of his favorite tunes including - Show Me Love - Robin S (the first song he danced to in a club), Blame - Calvin Harris (his stag tune), Young Hearts Run Free - Candi Staton (his family’s favorite), Perfect Strangers – Jonas Blue (favorite song to play out at the moment), and I Believe I Can Fly – R Kelly (all time favorite). BH Mallorca has a strong line up in addition to this Saturday party hosted by Wright, hosting Creamfields Mallorca, performances by Craig David and Tinie Tempah, and more. Info HERE.
June 9th - 11th - Meadows in the Mountains - Rhodope Mountains, Bulgaria
Imagine three days of live music set in the picturesque Rhodope mountains near the Bulgarian/Greek border. Meadows in the Mountains is a smaller festival offering a unique and immersive experience, featuring performances by mostly unsigned or up and coming acts. The views from 2,800 feet above sea level while listening to artists such as Alice Phoebe Lou, Valentino Kanzyani, Anna Wall, and Shanti Celeste, are sure to be unforgettable. Tickets HERE.
June 11th - 18th - Anchored Cruise - Greece, France, Italy
The first of its kind in Europe, this festival at sea will last for an entire week. Featuring a strong assortment of UK brands and Dj’s. there will be stopovers in Mykonos and Cannes. Special beach parties and events are planned along the way. Line-up includes: MK, Patrick Topping, wAFF, KC Lights, Pirate Copy and more. Tickets HERE.
June 15th - 17th - Sónar - Barcelona
Hands down one of the best festivals in the world, and recently expanding into Asia, Sonar Barcelona is amping up their roster of live performance this year, including a set by Anderson .Paak. A 2017 highlight will surely be Björk’s DJ Set for the Opening Night on Wednesday June 14 (a separate ticket is required). Line-up includes: Eric Prydz, Floorplan Live, Cashmere Cat, Seth Troxler & Tiga, Marcel Dettmann & Dr. Rubinstein, The Black Madonna. Tickets HERE.
JULY
July 2nd - HYTE Governors Island - New York City
The HYTE party series returns to New York City, moving from a Brooklyn warehouse to a never before used location on Governor’s Island. Line-up includes: Richie Hawtin, Maceo Plex, Marcel Dettmann, Jackmaster, Loco Dice. Tickets HERE.
July 14th - August 14th - Georgia Electronic Music Festival (GEM) - Georgia
Georgia (the country) might not be on your travel list, but that may soon change. The country that claims to have create wine, is rapidly developing and focusing a lot of energy toward electronic music and festivals. This includes GEM Fest, the world’s longest music festival, which runs for 32 days. The festival will host 500 artists on the coastline of the Black Sea. Line-up includes: Martin Garrix, Roger Sanchez, Honey Dijon, and Dubfire. Tickets HERE.
Billed as “bringing the freedom of expression to the like-minded,” it also offers an escape from those in Iran, Russia, Azerbaijan and Turkey. Check out the GEM FEST PLAYLIST below.
July 8th & 9th - Kappa Futur Festival - Turin, Italy
Billed as “a massive communion where techno lovers unite,” Kappa Futur plays out in the massive hangars and industrial spaces in the heart of Torino, Italy. Italy loves to party, so expect good music, great food, and lots of dancing. Line-up includes: Tale of Us, Sasha & John Digweed, Fatboy Slim, and Mixmag DJ of the year, The Black Madonna. Tickets HERE.
July 9th - September 10th - Kygo in residency at Ushuaïa - Ibiza
Ushuaïa will play host to quite a few big residencies and guest appearances this summer, from Martin Garrix to Diplo. One of these residencies belongs to Norwegian producer and dj, Kygo. Taking over Sundays nights at the open air club, Kygo will be joined by specials guests including, Nora En Pure, Jax Jones, and Sigala. Tickets HERE.
July 15th - elrow Friends & Family - Salou, Spain
elrow has built a reputation for throwing immersive themed parties that are colorful, loud, and debaucherous. This year they will throw their first festival, an “anything goes” day of escapism. Combine the Spanish summer with the beachfront location of Salou, and this party is sure to be a highlight. Line-up includes: Adam Beyer, Art Department, Jamie Jones, Guy Gerber, Guti Live. Tickets HERE.
July 21st -23rd - Parookaville - Airport Weeze, Germany
Parookaville expands to three days this summer, becoming the biggest dance event in Germany in just two years. 80,000 people are expected to this festival located close to the Dutch border in the west of Germany. Line-up includes: Axwell ^ Ingrosso, David Guetta, Paul Kaulkbrenner, Robin Schulz, DJ Snake, Don Diablo, Felix Jaehn, Oliver Heldens, Welticke. Info HERE.
AUGUST
August 10th - 12th - Utopia Island - Moosburg, Germany
Taking place in an Aqua park in the south of Germany, Utopia Island will celebrate their fifth anniversary this year. 20,000 fans a day are expected over four stages. The festival will host a wide spectrum of dance acts, from trap and edm, to house and techno. Line-up includes: Martin Garrix, Marteria Live , Claptone, Jax Jones, Nicole Moudaber present Moodzone. Tickets HERE.
August 10th - 12th - Into the Factory - Stora Vika, Sweden
Set inside of an abandoned cement factory, and surrounded by the nature of Stora Vika, Sweden, this event is underground focused, combining big international names and a focus on talent from the Nordics and Germany. This is just one of the many events on the schedule for the Music Goes Further brand, which also will host Into the Valley in Estonia, and later this year Into the Castle in South Africa. Line-up includes: DVS1, Studio Barnhus, Jessie Granqvist, Genius of Time, Fabio & Stef. Tickets HERE.
August 11th - 13th - We The Fest - Indonesia
South East Asia has been a popular party destination for some time, but at the moment there is a huge dance movement taking place. Autograf, Zhu, Troyboi, Gryffin, Hot Chip and Jonas Blue are all on the line-up for the three day event in Jakarta, which also includes a strong curation of local talent. Tickets HERE.
August 31st - September 3rd - The Ark Cruise - Barcelona - Marseilles - Ibiza
Billed as Europe’s biggest festival at sea, The Ark Cruise will feature 4000 guests, 90 DJs and 7 arenas over 4 days. Sailing between Barcelona, Marseilles, and Ibiza the line-up covers the spectrum of dance from Sam Feldt to Chris Liebling. Various Stages will be hosted by leading dance venues and brands, including Ministry of Sound and Pacha presenting My House (with Martin Solveig). Line-up includes: Roger Sanchez, Boys Noize (dj set), Gerd Janson, Henri PFR, Sven Väth. Tickets HERE.
Check out The Ark PLAYLIST below
SEPTEMBER
September 14th -17th - The BPM Festival: Portugal - Portimão and Lago, Portugal
The BPM Festival makes their European debut on the stunning coast of Portugal in Portimão and Lago. The line up is focused on underground house and techno and features big names such as Richie Hawtin, Seth Troxler, and Dubfire, as well as recent breakthrough acts Cuartero and Detlef. Tickets HERE.
Check out a mix by Nick Curly for The BPM Festival 2017 below.
September 16th - 20th - MDRNTY Cruise - Palma de Mallorca, Ibiza, Barcelona
MDRNTY is focused on underground music, and has been dedicated to creating one of a kind experiences. The cruise will sail from Genoa, Italy. Maxime Léonard, Director of MDRNTY, explains, “Our goal has always been to present electronic music in an exclusive setting, where nobody would expect to hear the avant-garde of electronic music. We want to share a musical, sensory experience with a wider audience made up of groove aficionados who follow the DJs from stage to stage, or of enlightened enthusiasts, who are sure to discover new sounds.” Line-up includes: Ben Klock, Dixon, Damian Lazarus, Rolls ’N’ Do (tINI & Bill Patrick), Ripperton, Herodot, Magda, D’Julz, dOP, Jamie Jones, Enzo Siragus. Tickets HERE.
Note: This is a living document that will be updated with new events/content.