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Sling it over to Singapore

Treat yourself to an early Xmas present by heading to the ZoukOut beach festival.

Get your plane tickets booked now: this December, the happening metropolis of Singapore, Asia, plays host to the return of one of the world's best music festivals. ZoukOut - from the same heads behind the ultra-slick nightspot, Zouk - is back to electrify Siloso Beach in Sentosa, Singapore, on 8th December, with a breathtaking, carefully selected line-up of acts and DJs.

Representing the cream of dance music from across the sound spectrum, some of the performers already confirmed for this date include Armin van Buuren, who's just been crowned the World's No.1 DJ in our Top 100 DJs poll. He'll be hitting the ZoukOut decks to demonstrate his quality with one of his epic, uplifting and varied sets.

Techno titan Carl Cox will be weighing in with one of his eviscerating sets in the Main Arena, proving why he's retained the title of Top Techno DJ. Booka Shade, fresh from their lush new 'DJ Kicks' compilation, will be hitting up the gorgeous, sun-kissed surroundings with one of their unpredictable, dancefloor-slaying electronic sets.

The Velvet Underground Arena will see some handpicked acts on the noisenik tip. Does it Offend You, Yeah? will be living up to their moniker with riotous cyberpunk and electro crunk to keep the crowd bouncing. Neo ravers will find much to enjoy here, and they'll also be feeling ultra-hip Ed Banger bods like coquette-ish rhymestress Uffie, and her partner in crime DJ Feadz, who'll no doubt regale with tales of debauchery and naughtiness.

James Murphy and Pat Mahoney of DFA and LCD Soundsystem renown are also coming to bang the party with electro, disco, house and who knows what else. And what bill could be complete without eclectic chameleon Gilles Peterson? Dropping the bass all over the place, he'll be playing any kind of groove that makes you move.

Hip-hop heads are also well-catered for with three times DMC World Championship winner DJ Craze, who'll be scratching up a frenzy. In addition, a selection of the coolest Singapore acts will be performing, including I Am David Sparkle, FAB IQ of David Gunn, Great Spy Experiment, Electrico, Caracal and Deserters from KL, representing acts from across the audio spectrum.

One of the performers at last year's event, Steve Lawler, reckoned that ZoukOut is one of the freshest festivals out there.

"It's a great location," said Steve. "It's a nice festival because, of course, it's hot over there so there's no bad weather to contend with! And the crowd are incredibly up for it - it's pretty cool."

This year's festival theme will be the surreal world, celebrating all that's weird, whacked and wonderful, and promises to be just as visually spectacular as the already idyllic surroundings of Siloso Beach.

First appearing on the international festival stage in 2001, ZoukOut has aimed to give the state-of-the-art Zouk clubbing experience a glorious al fresco spin, and the event has gone from strength to strength, last year attracting 20,000 revellers.

Tickets are available online from $48 Singapore dollars (equivalent to £15.94 at time of writing) in advance from www.sistic.com.sg, with festival and hotel deals available through www.octopustravel.com. It's a festival not to be missed!