We’ve bigged up the dances on our home ground… Now for a selection of away games.
Once again we’re spoilt for choice. Some of these are brand new, others are established and now essential for many summer fun hunters. They take place everywhere across the continent from beach bliss to ancient amphitheatres to airfields and city centres and there’s usually (fingers crossed) a better guarantee of decent weather.
Here are some of the best ones happening across mainland Europe this summer, listed in calendar order. Start packing and don’t forget your passport – they kick off this month.
Unity In The Sun
Where: Corfu, Greece
When: May 28 – June 4
How Much? 7 Day Package (Ticket Price + Accommodation) £349
One for the old guard and new alike. The biggest old school and jungle festival on the circuit and appears to be simply oozing with vibes, keeping the spirit of 93’ well and truly alive. The ultimate rave holiday will be bringing: Rat Pack, Billy Bunter, Uncle Dugs, Slipmatt, The Brockie & Det experience, Jumping Jack Frost, Ragga Twinz and 2 Bad Mice (live) to ping out the feel good riddimz throughout the fest. Bring sun block and whistles.
Primavera Sound Barcelona
Where: Barcelona, Spain
When: May 31 – June 4
How Much? €145-€195
Not particularly steeped in drum & bass. But this definitely deserves consideration due to the broad range of artists on the bill, and also, more importantly, Aphex Twin. One of the pioneers of all things experimental in dance music, he’ll also be joined by junglist bandolero Aries, and techno/bass purveyors Bicep, Jackmaster, Ben UFO and the man of the minute: Skepta. Also it’s in one of the greatest cities in the world, and as if you needed another excuse to go to Barcelona? Well, now you have one.
Innovation In The Sun
Where: Costa Brava, Spain
When: June 24 – July 4
How Much? £149 – £399 depending on package
Jump up and upfront are the names of the game for this European getaway. Located on the sunny Spanish coast, you can expect to get burnt by both the scorching sun and from the fire set to be unloaded by the selectors booked in for this years festival. Andy C, SASASAS, Hype, Hazard, Guv, Majistrate, Grooverider, Sub Zero and Phantasy are leading proceedings joined by MCs Skibadee, Eksman, Harry Shotta and a plethora of other lyricists. If you’re down to get dirty then this is for you.
Nu Forms
Where: Wiesen, Austria
When: June 29- July 1
How Much? £96 Festival Pass
Another European drum & bass festival heavyweight: Nu Forms have risen to legendary status in an incredibly short amount of time. Organised by none other than Camo & Krooked, these Viennese maestros have whipped up a fantastic little weekender for the savviest of d&b aficionados. This year the line-up includes: Andy C, Black Sun Empire, Camo & Krooked b2b Netsky, Fred V & Grafix, Goldie b2b Dillinja, InsideInfo, Hype b2b Hazard, G Dub and Wilkinson + too many more to mention. Half the price of leading British festivals and in this case it seems more than double the quality. Don’t sleep on this!
Liquicity
Where: Noord-Scharwoude, The Netherlands
When: July 8 – 9
How Much: €84.00
Liquicity Festival hits its third edition and it’s the biggest bash yet. Situated in a brand new location just 40 minutes away from Amsterdam, it’s now two days deep with full camping privileges. The line-up says it all… Sub Focus, High Contrast, DJ Marky, Dimension, Maduk, Alix Perez, Brookes Brothers, Feint, Fox Stevenson, Hybrid Minds, Lenzman, Logistics, LSB, Nymfo, Technimatic, 1991 Mind Vortex, The Vanguard Project, Dan Dakota, Muzzy, Pola & Bryson, Utah Jazz and many more… Essential.
EXIT Festival
Where: Novi Sad, Serbia
When: July 5 – 9
How Much: £119
One of the biggest European festivals of the lot, Exit returns for their 17th year with a Summer Of Love theme. As always, it’s a full-spectrum affair that ranges from massive rock acts (Liam Gallagher, The Killers) to currently unavoidable chart-bashers (Rag’n’Bone Man) and all manner of electronic acts in between. Bass-wise Noisia and Foreign Beggars stand out on a largely house and techno bill that boasts Solomun, Dixon, Black Coffee, Nina Kravitz and many more. Feel the love!
Dour Festival
Where: Dour, Belgium
When: July 12 – 16
How Much? €155 for full 5 days
The Belgians know exactly how to do things when it comes to parties and bass music in general. Dour festival is no different, bringing together the best in House, Reggae and all things inbetween whilst also keeping things real with the breakbeats and basslines. Shy FX, Krak In Dub, Noisia, Wilkinson, Pendulum, Technimatic, Teddy Killerz, Critical takeover, Hype & Hazard, Goldie, Chase & Status, they really have it all. An excellent range and superb value for money, be swift though as these tickets wont last.
Let It Roll
Where: Milovice Airfield, Czech Republic
When: August 3 – 5
How Much? – £90
Heaven for those concerned with their beats being at 170 and above: The world’s largest open air d&b festival, every year Let It Roll (pictured) gets bigger, better and broader in its scope. Headliners include Andy C, Camo & Krooked, Netsky, Sub Focus and Sigma, but also basically everyone else ever to make or mix d&b. London Elektricity, Current Value, Guv, Break, Jade b2b Mindscape, it’s all there and it’s all killer. Get your ticket now.
FM4 Frequency
Where: St Polten, Austria
When: August 15 – 17
How Much: £149
One of the largest festivals in Austria with a 100,000+ attendance each year, it’s of no surprise that such a grand celebration would make it into this list. Although the main headliners are not those you would need concern yourself with, there’s a serious selection of d&b artists. Noisia, Sigma, Rockwell, Sub Focus and the Teddy Killerz are on the bill… Plus Hospitality will be hosting a takeover bringing along Logistics, Hugh Hardie, Keeno, Kimyan Law and MC Lowqui. Not bad eh? Austria is killing it for drum & bass right about now!
Dimensions
Where: Fort Punta Christo, Croatia
When: August 30 – September 3
How much: £151 (Final Release)
Sitting in the same spot as Outlook, this festival brings people from all manner of musical tribes together for an eclectic and cultured journey across electronic music including drum & bass, techno, jazz and everything in between. This year the big bass heavyweights include dBridge, Alix Perez, Randall, Doc Scott and Skeptical. But if you’re a fan of your techno Nina Kraviz, Pangaea & Ben UFO will be there to hit your T spot.
Sun And Bass
Where: San Teodoro, Sardinia
When: September 2 – 9
How Much? €199 (Full Week Ticket)
For those who love the sun but love bass even more, Sun & Bass is where those who prefer their d&b somewhat more refined and intelligent set their sights on. Located on the large Italian island of Sardinia, this festival is the most fervent of d&b fans dream. Although the 2017 lineup remains shrouded in mystery, but every year sees the most respect and creative individuals in the scene pass through the island over the week. 2017 will be no exception.
Outlook
Where: Fort Punta Christo, Croatia
When: September 7 – 10
How Much? – £141
A true European festival king. A name that will be of no surprise to many to have made it onto this list. This year sees a line-up as strong as it is versatile with acts such as…. Wiley, Goldie, Shy FX, Roots Manuva, Friction, Foreign Beggars, Digital Mystikz and a tonne more. If attending this festival is within the realms of possibility, you would be a fool to miss out.
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