4 of the best music festivals in July…

It’s June and festival season is in full flow but if you’re still unsure which festival wins your vote we’ve got you covered! For huge headline performances look no further than Bilbao BBK Live where Arcade Fire will play one of only two European shows this summer, head to Serbia’s Exit or Positivus in Latvia to see pop superstar Ellie Goulding, while Electric Elephant will see some of the finest in house, disco and electronica take to the decks for an unforgettable party. Catch breakthrough acts such as grime pioneer Stormzy at Exit; Wolf Alice, Years and Years and Grimes at both Bilbao BBK Live and Positivus and some of the hottest underground electronic acts at Exit and Electric Elephant. There’s still time to book an overseas trip in July to one of these European hot spots for the ultimate festival getaway!

 

BILBAO BBK LIVE | SPAIN

Set atop the Kobetamendi Hill with breathtaking views across culture-rich Bilbao, the 2016 edition of Bilbao BBK Live will showcase acts including Arcade Fire, Pixies, Foals, New Order, Underworld, Tame Impala, Four Tet, Erol Alkan, Ame, Red Axes, M83, Years & Years, Hot Chip, Wolf Alice, Courtney Barnett, Soulwax & more. A stone’s throw from the beach and the famous Guggenheim Museum, it’s the perfect festival to combine with a city break. Be sure to explore Bilbao’s vibrant bar & restaurant scene and sample the Basque region’s famous Pintxos and local Rioja!

Bilbao BBK Live takes place from 7-9 July 2016. 3-day tickets from £93 available at www.bilbaobbklive.com.
 

ELECTRIC ELEPHANT | CROATIA

With guaranteed sunshine, shimmering sandy beaches and crystal clear waters, Croatia continues to be one of the most popular festival destinations. At Electric Elephant, days are spent relaxing by the beach, soaking up some rays, or heading onto the Adriatic for a disco-fuelled boat party, whilst nights are spent dancing beneath the stars to acts including me, Andrew Weatherall, Bicep, Boo Williams, Craig Charles, Greg Wilson, Kerri Chandler, Laura Jones, Jacques Renault, Psychemagik, Steffi and Todd Terry. There’s no experience quite like watching the sun rise above open air club Barbarellas, whilst dancing side-by-side with friends and like-minded people!

Electric Elephant takes place from 7-11 July 2016. 5-day tickets from £110 available at www.electricelephant.co.uk.
 

EXIT FESTIVAL | SERBIA

Just a short ride away from the Serbian capital Belgrade, the beautiful Petrovaradin Fortress in Novi Sad provides the perfect setting for EXIT Festival. A host of different stages connected by cobbled streets, ramparts and tunnels, will showcase the likes of hip hop hero Wiz Khalifa, festival favourites The Prodigy, pop superstar Ellie Goulding, the legendary George Clinton & Parliament Funkadelic, indie rockers Bastille, David Guetta, The Vaccines, Hurts, grime act Stormzy and many of the biggest names in electronic music, including Skrillex, Richie Hawtin, Dave Clarke, Jackmaster, Marco Carola, Nina Kraviz, Wilkinson, Dimitri Vegas & Like Mike, Solomun and Sigma.

Exit Festival takes place from 7-10 July 2016. 4-day tickets from £79 available at www.exitfest.org.
 

POSITIVUS | LATVIA

Taking place in the picturesque coastal town of Salacgriva in Latvia, Positivus is gearing up to celebrate it’s 10th anniversary in 2016. Positivus transports chart-topping headliners, underground emerging talent and exciting art and dance stages to their unspoiled atmospheric coastal setting amid stunning woodland. Festivalgoers can dip their toes in the Baltic sea or take in the atmosphere in a hammock beneath the trees whilst enjoying artists such as Air, Ellie Goulding, Grimes, Haelos, Hot Chip, Iggy Pop, Joss Stone, John Newman, Mark Ronson (DJ Set), M83, Richard Hawley, San Fermin, Seinabo Sey, Years & Years, Wolf Alice & more.

Positivus takes place from 15-17 July 2016. 3-day tickets from £70 available at www.positivusfestival.com.