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With summer smiling upon us, not only is it the start of the year but the start of the festival rush. There’s just something about the sun on your back, the smell in the air and the sound of a great act coming from the outdoor mainstage. The fact that we can play God, picking and choosing who to watch from the crème de la crème of today’s artists appearing on the bill is always a plus, and that teamed with the excitement and anticipation that hangs so obviously in the air has us forgetting about how much the tickets cost and how exuberant drink prices are. It’s moments in life like this that we treasure most dearly. The historic performances, the disposable friends we make in the crowd, even the toilet block experience make it all that it is. For some people these are the very feelings they chase year round and if the festivals aren’t billed here on our own home turf, then they look abroad and extend on the whole experience, dealing with new languages, new foods, and new experiences. So, with another new year sizzling into action (festival-stylee), what better time to look into some of the key events on the international calendar.
One of the first stops marked into any genuine dance music enthusiast’s organiser each year is of course the Miami Winter Music Conference. Taking place against the beautiful Miami beach backdrop, the festival is regarded as the most important networking event in the dance music industry attracting thousands each year from labels, to artists, to managers and everyone in between. By far the best place to get the juice on the most hotly-tipped up and coming artists and advancements in the industry. Now in it’s 22nd year, what better time to get yourself initiated? With air travel still in it’s bargain stages and registration starting at a low $335 (US) – just think of all that networking and the good it can do for your career, it’ll quickly earn it’s worth! The conference also has pretty hard to beat hotel specials running at the same time, so booking-in last minute has never been so easy. There are quite a few helpful tips on hotels, registration, travel to and from the Wyndham Resort to be found on their official website(http://www.wmcon.com). And remember, even though it’s winter over there you still only need to pack relatively light, and don’t forget your sunscreen! Lots of sleep will be needed to get you comfortably through it’s messy closing party, keep up the non-alcoholic fluids between drinks and you should be pretty right.
Another must on the annual groover’s list would have to be the Sonar Festival, which usually runs sometime in mid-June, this year falling on the 15-17th June. Flights to Barcelona are pretty reasonably priced, as are the hostels on offer, all easily accessible to book online from http://www.hostelbarcelona.com. Festival tickets are also easily purchased online from the Sonar site (http://www.sonar.es), with general passes that cover 3 days and 2 nights available for just 130 Euros. While you’re there make sure to take in the cultural delights, with amazing and decently priced food, art and fashion all on offer to make the experience all that more special. It is advised to try to brush up on some Spanish before you get over there or to be travelling with a friend who has either been there before, but if all else fails it’s pretty simple to get around speaking English, it IS do-able. But there’s just something about learning the language that just adds to the whole experience.
Another annual festival on the calendar hailing from Spain is for the more rock enthused music fans, with the perfect selection of both bands and electronic based hybrids acts. The festival in question is the FIB Benicassim Festival, which would be most likened to our very own Splendour In The Grass. Featuring the finest talent across the musical spectrum and treating punters to the ‘back to nature’ camping option (which has the accommodation side of things already sorted). The festival runs from July 20-23 and is highly recommended for those that can handle the inescapable heat of a summer festival camping experience. It’s best advised that you travel light, as you’ll most likely be spending lots of time on trains and coaches getting to the festival grounds, and make sure you pack all of the outdoor camping essentials, including a tent capable of blocking out the harsh rays of the sun. As the festival goes all night, every night, a daytime sleep is all you’ll be able to hope for to make it through. Lots of hats, sunblock and water is also a must, again you can get through the experience without needing to know much Spanish. So with that all settled, you’ll be ready to go, tickets are available online at http://www.fiberfib.com.
A festival earning it’s stripes and accolades from every British media outlet worth it’s weight is of course the Exit Festival in Serbia. Running from July 6-9 at Petrovaradin Fortress and visited by around 150,000 people each year, the festival’s success continues to grow steadily with its solid gold line-up each year. It’s best to get in fast for this one as leaving anything up until last minute will just add dilemma and nightmarish results to your travel and accommodation schedules. All of the relevant booking information for tickets and accommodation and festival schedules and travel timetables are easily accessible from the festival’s website (http://www.exitfest.org). Best travel tips would be to get to know at least the language essentials to get you through, failing this try to travel with someone who knows the language and try to get your hands on a Lonely Planet before take-off.
A permanent fixture marked in the diaries of many techno lovers across the world is the I Love Techno festival, held in Belgium in October. It’s been confirmed for October 21 this year and as always is set to feature the premier electronic acts of the world all in the one place for those with wandering eyes and hard to please ears. This is the one event they all agree stands out to the masses of connoisseurs of dance music. With easy to book hostel accommodation online at http://www.hostelbelgium.com, remember the hostel option is not only cheaper but is usually filled with like-minded travellers, so it will be good for transport advice and local recommendations, plus you’ll be likely to find yourself a new friend to share the whole experience with! The full run-down is available from http://www.ilovetechno.be.
Back on US soil we have the hard to beat Fuse-In Festival in Detroit, running from May 27-29 this year. The line-up boasts over 120 of the world’s most prominent electronic artists and DJs, all in the one place over the 3-day period, spread across 4 stages. The admission tickets couldn’t really get any cheaper when it comes to international festivals, with last year’s tickets selling off for a measily $25 per weekend pass, and there’s no language barrier to get in your way! This is the finest excuse to hit your radar in the way of international dance music festivals, and all accommodation can be easily found online and pre-booked along with tickets. Travel information and maps can be accessed along with festival bills and schedules on the official site at http://www.fuse-indetroit.com. Best advice would be to brush up on your street wise wits to get around town safely and comfortably and to pack for warm summer nights as the weather will be relatively warm over there at that time of year.
Another one of the hottest dates on the lips of dance kids the world over is of course Dance Valley Festival in Amsterdam. It’s another one of those brilliantly placed ‘back to nature’ camping festivals that fuses together all of the pluses of electronic technology with the beauty of Amsterdam’s natural wonders. Again, with the event now being a camping festival, you’ve already got the accommodation side of things sorted with the price of your entry ticket (make sure of course you purchase the camping option). Flying in to Amsterdam, from here the festival site is easily accessed through public transport options. It’s said that a basic knowledge of the language is a must, but each year hordes of fellow Aussies attend the event and manage to make their way out the otherside… anything is possible with a Lonely Planet guide, it just takes a little longer! If you’re planning to extend on your stay then hostels are easily booked in advance from http://www.hostelamsterdam.com or if hotels are more your option, then they can be pre-booked at http://www.amsterdamnby.com. Being one of the larger designer drug communities, do make sure to keep your wits about what’s on offer, the last thing you want to add to a foreign festival experience is of course a foreign hospital stay!
Remember wherever you end up and whatever you choose to do, always be careful of the people around you, nobody is as vulnerable as an inexperienced traveller. Always research your trip as best you can before you take it and keep a steady amount of local currency on you at all times. You never know when you might need it, and an absence of it could be the problem that keeps you from getting to the festival on time to see the very act you’d made the effort for! Try to leave as little to chance as possible, the experience can be daunting enough without the added stress. Good luck wherever you may end up, remember to make the most out of your travelling experiences!
Make sure you don’t miss out on this year’s top international festivals by visiting http://www.studentflights.com.au. Student Flights has made the task of getting to your favourite festivals easy by coming up with the best fights and the best accommodation. You can even book your onland travel and organise travel insurance. Whether it is the Love Parade in Berlin or Dance Valley in Amsterdam you are sure to get a real bargain. Why not make up your own dance tour and follow the festivals from country to country catching all of the best DJs in some awesome destinations.
Check out http://www.studentflights.com.au for all your travel needs.
