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FESTIVAL GUIDE 2017: Rest of the World

Best of the rest...

Festival season is here once again, so our crack team of writers have been chained to their keyboards to make sure you don’t miss a thing. Over the following pages you’ll find listings for all the best fests across the world. We’ll reveal the No.1 festival in the world, as voted for by you! And we catch up with the team behind Southport Weekender as they celebrate 30 years of top-notch parties. So grab your sunnies and glitter (and your wellies just in case), and prepare for the most wonderful time of the year...

No matter where you are, there’s always a place to party! Here’s our picks from across Asia, Africa, South America and the grand ol’ US of A...

SANDBOX FESTIVAL

If you’re looking for a mindful experience with like-minded creatives and music lovers, while you relax on the beach or get involved in some kiting, diving, snorkelling etc, then this is perfection. An organic vibe is the aim, with big names, live acts and local talent given longer set times.

WHERE: Red Sea Riviera, El Gouna, Egypt
WHEN: 4th - 6th May
PRICE: 2,400 EGP
HIGHLIGHTS: Heidi, Butch, Âme, Mike Servito, Oliver Schories, The Mole, Kicksy, Zeina, Hisham Zahran

sandboxfestival.com

MOVEMENT DETROIT

Nuzzled in the heart of Detroit, for many this is the festival that kick-starts the season. A long weekend that attracts a respectful and diverse crowd, ready and hell-bent on soaking up the techno and housey vibes sure to be lavished on them by some of the true heroes of the scene.

WHERE: Hart Plaza, Detroit, MI, USA
WHEN: 27th - 29th May
PRICE: $175
HIGHLIGHTS: Carl Craig, Carl Cox, Richie Hawtin, The Belleville Three, Cassy, Chris Liebing, Josh Wink, Robert Hood, Larry Heard, Stacey Pullen

movement.us

ULTRA KOREA/SINGAPORE

The first ever two-pronged Ultra will be taking place at the same time with the exact same line-up. With this in mind we’re presuming helicopters will be involved, although not for us mere mortals, we’re talking about those big chief daddio DJs that’ll need to get from Seoul to Singapore, and vice versa.

WHERE: Olympic Stadium, Seoul / Ultra Park, Singapore
WHEN: 10th - 11th June
PRICE: 165,000 KRW / $163
HIGHLIGHTS: Tiësto, Sasha & John Digweed, Dubfire, Nicky Romero, Nic Fanciulli, Tchami, KSHMR, Steve Angello, Alesso

umfkorea.com / ultrasingapore.com

ELECTRIC DAISY CARNIVAL

Wow. This is their 21st birthday! So if you thought it was going to be spectacular in the first place, you can add bells to your expectations. Non-stop music over eight stages, interactive art installations, huge carnival rides, mobile art cars and 400,000 like-minded peeps to party with in beyond-typical Vegas style.

WHERE: Las Vegas Motor Speedway, NV, USA
WHEN: 16th - 18th June
PRICE: $355
HIGHLIGHTS: Line-up TBA

lasvegas.electricdaisycarnival.com

BASS COAST

Ok so it’s sold out, but if you are lucky enough to have acquired a ticket you’ll be in for a treat. Now onto its ninth edition, at Bass Coast you are invited to be present with nature. This won’t be a problem due to its setting in the stunningly beautiful Nicola Valley.

WHERE: Merritt, British Columbia, Canada
WHEN: 7th- 10th July
PRICE: SOLD OUT
HIGHLIGHTS: Paul Woolford, Roman Flügel, Justin Martin, B.Traits, Quantic, Eli Escobar, Loefah, Kasra, Project Pablo

basscoast.ca

BURNING MAN

Where to start? For many this is more than a festival, it’s pretty much a way of life. It will take you over, above and beyond your wildest dreams, a celebration of life experiences. Aiming to ‘guide, nurture and protect’, this annual event will probably change your whole outlook.

WHERE: Black Rock Desert, NV, USA
WHEN: 27th August - 4th September
PRICE: SOLD OUT
HIGHLIGHTS: Line-up TBA

burningman.org

ELECTRIC ZOO

Taking place on Labor Day weekend since 2009, EZ have got their formula crafted and honed to finely-tuned perfection. Expect laser upon laser, more than 50 DJs and enough fields, pathways and outdoor action to keep you fully satisfied. Check out their FAQ for some good sound advice.

WHERE: Randall’s Island Park, New York City, NY, USA
WHEN: 1st - 3rd September
PRICE: $219.99

HIGHLIGHTS: DJ Snake, Above & Beyond, Deadmau5 & Eric Prydz, Danny Tenaglia, Henrik Schwarz, Martin Solveig, Claptone, Sub Focus, Aly & Fila

electriczoofestival.com

ELECTRIC ISLAND

A concert and picnic series of five events including a special two-dayer over the Labor Day long weekend. A Seasons Pass will allow you access to all of the shows. Expect plenty of fresh air with the surrounding trees and lush greenery and heaps of wonderful techno and deep house to chow down on.

WHERE: Hanlan’s Point, Toronto Islands, Canada
WHEN: 3rd - 4th September
PRICE: $169
HIGHLIGHTS: Line-up TBA

electricisland.to

OASIS

Set in a luxury resort with the staggering Atlas Mountains gazing down on you, Oasis has two stages — one with a pool, and an amphitheatre surrounded by cacti. Daytime vibes are superchilled with yoga, mint tea (or something stronger) and Moroccan cuisine on the menu. But when night falls, it’s party time all the way through to 6am.

WHERE: The Source Music Resort, Marrakech, Morocco
WHEN: 15th - 17th September
PRICE: €199
HIGHLIGHTS: Solomun, Nicolas Jaar, Richie Hawtin, Anja Schneider, Daniel Avery, Unes, Marcellus Pittman, Kornél Kovács

theoasisfest.com

IMAGINE FESTIVAL

Imagine are proud of the fact that they’re one of the few independent festivals on the circuit. And they have spent the past year replenishing and upgrading. So this time around you can expect expanded water stations, camping upgrades, nice shady spots, art, workshops and the return of the Imagine pool.

WHERE: 22nd - 24th September
WHEN: Atlanta Motor Speedway, GA, USA
PRICE: $125
HIGHLIGHTS: Above & Beyond, Tiësto, Deadmau5, Pretty Lights, Gorgon City, Flux Pavilion, Seven Lions, Datsik, Shiba San, Claptone

imaginefestival.com

WORLD CLUB DOME KOREA

It's not all about the super-tastic line-up and massive productions that will be on display at this hugely expansive BigCityBeats event — although they live up to their name. It’s also the eyewatering views along the majestic skyline of the surrounding green hills and ocean that will surely entice you in.

WHERE: Incheon Munhak Stadium, Incheon, South Korea
WHEN: 22nd - 24th September
PRICE: 160,000 KRW+
HIGHLIGHTS: Afrojack, Armin van Buuren, DJ Snake, Dimitri Vegas & Like Mike, Don Diablo, Marshmello, Robin Schulz, Sven Väth, Steve Aoki

worldclubdomekorea.com

ULTRA BRAZIL

It certainly looks like Ultra have got all bases covered when it comes to worldwide status. And where better to be than Brazil? This will be their second year in the hub of South America, quite simply because last year’s three-dayer was just awesome. Believe it. It’s being held in the Sambódromo, after all!

WHERE: Sambódromo, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
WHEN: 12th - 14th October
PRICE: R$ 858
HIGHLIGHTS: Armin van Buuren, Sasha & John Digweed, Aly & Fila

ultrabrasil.com