Summer is fast approaching and it’s time to start hatching holiday plans. This year more and more of us will choose to combine our holiday break with a music experience or festival, but with so much choice on offer, it can be hard to know where to start. Why not try this quick fire quiz to discover a musical getaway that’s made for you…
1. Last summer you…
A) Mixed culture, travel and music everywhere from Tisno to Lisbon and Tulum.
B) Danced for 2 days straight in Berghain.
C) Saw Radiohead in Reykjavik, Bon Iver in Berlin, LCD Soundsystemin Barcelona, Arcade Fire in Lisbon and The Cure in Copenhagen.
D) Did a season in Ibiza, took up DJing and worked on a tan that St. Tropez would be proud of
E) Gathered the squad and saw Carl Cox in Ibiza, Craig David’s TS5 at Snowbombing and deadmau5 in Wales
2. What’s on your stereo right now?
A) Anything from NTS or Beats in Space to the latest RA podcast.
B) Techno.
C) The new Depeche Mode album, Bon Iver, Fleet Foxes, The XX, Frank Ocean, Jessy Lanza, Idles, The Black Madonna, Justice, Phoenix… An eclectic mix of old and new across indie, rock, pop and electronic.
D) Mixes from the final night of Space Ibiza…oh the memories!
E) It’s all about electronic music… Everything from UK garage to house and techno, D'n'B, bass and trance.
3. When looking for a place to rest your head…
A) A little bit of luxury goes a long way. Hotels with warm showers are the way forward!
B) You check the map for the nearest party then pitch a tent or check into the hotel next door. Techno waits forno-one.
C) Grab an Airbnb in the city close to galleries, museums, restaurants and nightlife.
D) Sleep is for the weak. Touchdown landing then straight to the club. There’s always the beach if you need to catch up on some zzzz’s.
E) You check out the glamping options. A luxury tipi sounds tempting…
4. When travelling you…
A) Like to be the first. You go off the beaten track, explore new places and dare to be different.
B) Check the club and festival lineups first for favourites like Adam Beyer, Audion, Ben Klock, Chris Liebing, Dave Clarke, Loco Dice, Marcel Dettmann, Monoloc and Sven Väth.
C) Combine the things you love most in life: food and music (you have been known to book a holiday based on proximity to a Michelin-starred restaurant and a good gig).
D) Eat. Sleep. Rave. Repeat.
E) Gather your squad and head off together for the ultimate adventure all centred around all of your favourite DJs.
YOUR PERFECT MUSICAL GETAWAY
If you answered mostly A, you’re a MUSICAL EXPLORER
You relish an adventure and proudly reject the mainstream in favour of the new and unique. You lead where others follow. This year take a journey to magical Marrakech for Oasis Festival.
Nestled on the outskirts of the bustling city of Marrakech in the luxurious surroundings of the Source music resort, Oasis brings a slice of festival paradise to Morocco, shining the light on North Africa as the latest must-visit festival destination. This year’s line-up includes an exclusive Opening Party headlined by Solomun, plus a weekend of mind-blowing sets from Richie Hawtin, Nicolas Jaar, Maceo Plex, Marcel Dettmann, Moodymann, KiNK, Karenn, Charlotte de Witte, Jeremy Underground, Chloé and more. In addition to the cutting-edge music programme, there is daily yoga, massage and reflexology, authentic local street food, a wide selection of locally produced and organic products, market vendors, henna artists and more. With the ‘Red City’ of Marrakech just 10 minutes from the festival it’s also the perfect opportunity to explore the rich Berber, Arabic and Moorish culture, historic sights, desert landscapes, souks, spas and aromatic cuisine.
Oasis Festival takes place from 15-17 September 2017. Book now at www.theoasisfest.com
If you answered mostly B, you’re a TECHNO TOURIST
When it comes to music you know what you like and that’s techno. You’ve blitzed Berlin and now it’s time to sample Amsterdam. Welcome To The Future festival is the one for you…
For the eleventh year in a row, Het Twiske’s mesmerising nature reserve, just outside of Amsterdam, will host one of the summer’s most extraordinary electronic music events. Welcome to the Future family members include some of house and techno’s most relevant DJs and live-acts. Loco Dice, Chris Liebing, Seth Troxler, Dave Clarke, Kölsch, Damian Lazarus, Kerri Chandler and Lil Louis are among those headlining the eight stages, with acts including Artefakt, Monoloc, Audion, Jackmaster, Claptone, DJ Seinfeld and Ross From Friends also confirmed to play. And, as always, the Dutch scene is strongly represented, with names like Tom Trago, Steve Rachmad, ROD, De Sluwe Vos, Sandrien, Joran van Pol and Wouter S. With the festival taking place on Saturday 22 July, there’s even time to swing by the city for a pre-festival session at clubs like De School, Claire and Shelter.
Welcome To The Future takes place on 22 July 2017. Book now at www.welcometothefuture.nl
If you answered mostly C, you're a CITY TRAVELLER
For you, a summer getaway should combine the three best things in life – music, food and travel. You want to get your culture fix at a gallery or two and indulge in a true gastronomic experience at one of those restaurants you saw on the Masterchef finals, before watching some of this year’s biggest headliners perform. This year head to Spain for Bilbao BBK Live.
Set atop the Kobetamendi Hill with breathtaking views across culture-rich Bilbao, Bilbao BBK Live 2017 will showcase acts including Depeche Mode, The Killers, Die Antwoord, Justice, Phoenix, Two Door Cinema Club, Fleet Foxes, The 1975, Sundara Karma, Cabbage and a whole host of Spanish musical talent. Basoa, the festivals carefully curated dance music space will also play host to uninterrupted party sessions from many of the most-respected names in electronic music including Dixon, The Black Madonna, Andrew Weatherall, Daphni, Job Jobse, DJ Tennis and Motor City Drum Ensemble. With many more acts still to be announced, it’s the perfect excuse for a long weekend in Bilbao, home to the Guggenheim Museum, a vast cultural hub, and the world-famous Basque gastronomic scene.
Bilbao BBK Live takes place from 6-8 July 2017. Book now at www.Bilbaobbklive.com
If you answered mostly D, you’re all about BEATS AND BEACHES
You love the sun, you love electronic music and you LOVE a good party. This year, don’t miss the opening of Hï Ibiza, the brand new superclub by Ushuaïa Entertainment.
Hï Ibiza opens its doors for the first time on Sunday 28th May. The club formerly known as Space, will be elevated to new heights, with a fresh new look and the most advanced sound and technologies on the island. From May through September Hï Ibiza will play host to the finest selectors from the global electronic music scene, including an impressive array of high-profile residents including Armin van Buuren, Black Coffee, Eric Prydz, Kölsch, Joris Voorn, Luciano, Martin Garrix, Nic Fanciulli, Steve Lawler plus many, many more.
Hï Ibiza opens on 28th May with parties running all summer. Book now at www.hiibiza.com
If you answered mostly E, you’re TEAM RAVE
When it come to travel it’s all about gathering your squad in the ultimate place to party. This year, take a journey to Mysteryland in the Netherlands.
Just a short distance from the city of Amsterdam, the world’s longest running dance music festival takes visitors on a creative journey, combining the finest electronic music with an extensive arts and culture line-up. With over 300 acts, crisscrossing house, techno, disco, African beats, vinyl-only, hardstyle, hip hop and feel-good bands, there’s something for every electronic music fan. Some of the many highlights from this year’s programme include Above & Beyond, Andy C, Armin van Buuren, Axwell Λ Ingrosso, Carl Cox, Craig David presents TS5, Deadmau5, Eats Everything, Hannah Wants, Kölsch, Nastia, Oliver Heldens, Rebekah and Sven Väth. All this plus theatre, movies, live art, interactive installation art, street performers, hidden raves in the forests and spectacular shows on awe-inspiring stages complete with lazers, fireworks and more. Those in the know book camping or glamping passes for special unannounced sets throughout the weekend.
Mysteryland takes place from 26 – 27 August 2017. Book now at www.mysteryland.nl
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