Tropical Festivals Around the World

The world is such an interconnected place these days that far flung places are no longer out of reach to party people. 

If you have a desire to get some winter sun, to lay back on a lunger while your friends and fam freeze back home, then look no further. 

In the coming months there are myriad chances to explore new places, cultures and musical scenes thanks to these essential tropical offerings. 

EPIZODE

Phu Quoc, Vietnam

https://epizode.com/

Dec 27, 2019 – Jan 7, 2020

EPIZODE is a unique coming together of music, art and culture in Vietnam’s most picturesque island getaway, Phu Quoc. The 11-day long festival kicks off after Christmas and ploughs through the hustle and bustle of the New Year with magical sunsets, gorgeous sunny days and endless chances to explore the culturally rich local island all with a world class soundtrack.

Over the last three editions, the festival has quickly attracted a friendly, culturally curious crowd looking for new experiences. In 2019, attendance rates doubled from previous years, with more than 10,000 people from 79 countries attending including ravers, industry folks and avid travellers who get lost in a dreamy environment that comes alive with next level production, gigantic sculptures, installations and light shows that make it an unreal artistic setting.

This year the festival will focus on green credentials with a new eco-initiative that will substitute plastic straws with organic ones made in Vietnam, introduce a cup-sharing system, reusable pocket ashtrays and a focus on educating the team, local partners and the audience about the responsibility that one can take to prevent the collapse of the ecosystem, through a series of advisory meetings, lectures, cleaning actions on the beach, in the forest, on the road and so on, all of which adds to the importance of Epizode Festival.

Artists include: ANJA SCHNEIDER, APOLLONIA, BEN UFO, CRAIG RICHARDS, GUTI, LEHAR, LILLY PALMER, LOCO DICE, LUCIANO, NICOLAS LUTZ, RARESH, RICARDO VILLALOBOS, wAFF, WILLIAM DJOKO & MANY MORE

Electric Gardens Festival

Sydney, Australia

www.electricgardens.com.au

Saturday 22nd February

In Summer 2020, Electric Gardens delivers its biggest and most diverse lineup yet for its 5th anniversary: Half a decade of cutting-edge producers and world-class DJs will be celebrated in Sydney’s shining Centennial Park on Saturday 22nd February 2020 including Armand Van Helden, DJ EZ, Craig David Presents T5, Nora En Pure, Gorgon City, Alan Fitzpatrick, My Nu Leng, Pan-Pot, Reinier Zonneveld live, Wilkinson and many more world class DJs and live shows. 

Since a game-changing debut  back in 2016, Electric Gardens has established itself as an essential boutique event for electronic music fans across the country. Electric Gardens 2020 continues the event’s tradition of presenting top-tier electronic artists and underground sensations; with dazzling stage production, generous set times and a pristine location. It’s careful curation that has seen the event become a staple for Australian fans over the past five years, and the milestone is a testament to Electric Gardens dedication to booking exciting electronic talent, while simultaneously steering clear of trend-dependent and novelty acts.

SXM Festival

Saint Martin, The Caribbean

https://sxmfestival.com/

March 11 – 15, 2020

Set on the paradise island of Saint-Martin / Sint-Maarten in the Caribbean, featuring a wealth of international DJs and electronic music talent, SXM Festival prides it itself upon drawing the most discerning crowd of music lovers. A reaction to large, faceless festivals around the world, SXM sees an influential group of dancefloor aficionados – who value and respect the scene’s history and culture – come together in beautiful surroundings to dance together and experience the joys of one of the Caribbean’s most fun and friendly locations.

Lineup includes: Bedouin, Blond:Ish, Britta Arnold, Cassy, Chaim, DJ Tennis, Enzo Siragusa, Holmar, Jade (CA), Jan Blomqvist (Live), Jenia Tarsol, Loco Dice, Luca Bacchetti, Maga, Maher Daniel, Marco Carola, Parallells (Live), Ricardo Villalobos, Rony Seikaly, Sabo, Sainte Vie (Live), Serge Devant, Sonja Moonear, Unders, wAFF, YokoO

Heart Festival

Miami, Florida

December 6th & 7th 2019

https://factory.electrostub.com/event.cfm?id=210868

On December 6th and 7th, 2019, attendees of Heart Festival at Wynwood Factory will have the unique opportunity to experience the return of a legendary concept. 

For Art Basel 2019, the team behind Heart Nightclub is reawakening the beloved brand as a 2-day, 63-act, genre-bending festival at the beautiful Wynwood Factory. Designed by the experienced team behind Heart Nightclub and Humans Alike, Heart Festival at Wynwood Factory features over 60 of the best electronic DJs and live performers utilizing three distinct rooms and one open-air lot, each featuring a top-of-the-line sound system and a distinct energy. The lineup features top-tier techno staples such as The Martinez Brothers, Sasha & John Digweed, Damian Lazarus, Cassy and Bedouin, but also brings live performers and creative up-and-comers, such as Rodriguez Jr.

Lineup Includes: The Martinez Brothers, Sasha & John Digweed, Damian Lazarus, Bedouin, Andrea Oliva, Artbat, Boris, Brina Knauss, Carlo Lio, Cassy, Chelina Manuhutu, Cocodrills, Culoe De Song, Davide Squillace, Denney, Fiin

Guy J, Hector, Hugo Bianco, Ilario Alicante, Popof, Rodriguez Jr. (live), Technasia & many more

Envision Festival

Uvita, Costa Rica

https://envisionfestival.com/

Feb 17 – 24, 2020

Envision is the world’s biggest eco friendly festival, a 7 day wellbeing and music experience held on Costa Rica’s Pacific coast where the jungle meets the ocean. There’s a big focus on yoga: classes run all day in two ‘yoga temples’, with top teachers from around the world. Expect workshops on anything from permaculture to natural remedies and astrology, while music – across four stages – will be provided by local and international live acts and DJs. 2020 will mark the 10th year anniversary of Envision, so expect bigger and longer celebrations for this special global landmark event.

In an effort to leave a positive footprint, Envision hosts a reforesting program which has planted more than 12,000 trees over the last 8 years. To protect the environment and cut down on waste, ALL single use plastics and outside alcohol are banned, while vendors serving foods onsite pledge to uphold Envision’s commitment to buy locally grown produce for an authentic dining experience that can’t be found anywhere else in the world.

Lineup includes: Rufus Du Sol, Tipper, Clozee, Monolink, Yokoo, Be Svendsen, Random Rab & many more

LXM Festival

Lisbon, Portugal

https://lxmfestival.com/

December 13, 14, 15th 

So, it happens and we present something that we have definitely been settling since 2004, is the biggest event of LXMUSIC to date, an event only possible now, after 14 years of affirmation and sharing with Lisbon and the world the best of the universe of the world. electronic music. There were hundreds of artists above the thousand who shared with us and built the foundations, paths, new starting points for the present and the future.

The LXM Festival is based on an adult, concerned and responsible concept, which aims to affirm and believe electronic music as an expression and as an art form, no doubt. It is also a sample for the new generations; what is expected again; what is there to explore.

The LXM Festival also emerges based on the evolution of technologies and science. The venue for the event, the Parque das Nações International Fair of Lisbon, is located in Nova Lisboa, where the best means and accessibility are located, constituting as a reference of technological development, with road, rail and air communications. few minutes from each other.

FRIDAY – 13th December

Boris Brejcha [In Concert / Album Release Tour]

Ann Clue

Deniz Bul

Theydream

SATURDAY – 14th December

I Hate Models

Benjamin Damage (Live)

SUNDAY – 15th December

Ben Klock

Dax J

Paula Temple

Answer Code Request (Live)

Etapp Kyle

Les Dunes Electroniques

Nefta, Tunisia

http://www.dunes-electroniques.com/

Nov 16 – 17, 2019

Les Dunes Electroniques was founded in 2014 as a collaboration between the Ministry of Tourism and Handicrafts of the Republic of Tunisia. After three years away, the festival makes a welcome return in 2019 from September 21-22nd. The action goes down at Ong Jmel, near Nefta, at the gateway to Tunisia’s southern desert—globally recognised as the setting of Luke Skywalker’s hometown, Mos Espa, in the original Star Wars franchise. This unique musical adventure will serve up 30 hours of uninterrupted music from the Tunisian, French and international electronic scenes with more than 30 artists on the bill.

An unprecedented format, an exceptional natural scenery, a strong representation of the Tunisian youth … all the ingredients are gathered to make this third edition unforgettable, in the process providing a unique experience to the public of DUNES ELECTRONIQUES.

Artists include: Axel Boman, Apollonia, Nicolas Lutz, Luciano, Behrouz, Stimming and many more

Project Sound

Tulum, Mexico 

https://www.facebook.com/projectsoundmx/

January 5th / January 6th 

Cult and long established promoters Project Sound invite you to spend the New Year with them, deep in the mystic jungle of Tulum, Mexico at their specially built new club, Templo Xunanha. This organic structure will come alive with Mayan spirits and world class sounds from Solomon, Maceo Plex, Ame and Dixon.

Project Sound have been creating special, high quality events at the Riviera Maya for more than 12 years. They are always respectful of the magic of the Mayan land and put together tasteful line ups in unreal locations, always with a focus on world class sound and production. 

After that on January 5th is Solomun’s world renowned +1 concept makes the trip over from its home in Ibiza and will see the Diynamic label founder play with Maceo Plex, the space techno pioneer behind the Ellum Audio label, all amongst the incredible nature of the jungle. 

Then, on January 6th, masters of deep house emotions and Innervisions founders Âme and Dixon will play back to back for an extended all night set that will find them go into every corner of their record bags to serve up a truly enchanting set. 

These three parties are set to be historic night in the heart of the Mexican jungle that will be talked about for years to come.

 

NuraiFest
Abu Dhabi
Nov 22 – 24, 2019

 

 

Abu Dhabi’s luxury private resort Zaya Nurai Island is to give itself over to a high-class music festival that will take place on 22nd to 23rd November 2019. At NuraiFest there’s something for everyone, no matter what time of the day; from pool parties in different corners of the island to sunset beach parties, all culminating with the famous VIP Estate party and world-renowned DJs such as Audiofly, Steve Lawler, Tiga, wAFF, M.A.N.D.Y., Satori live and Serge Devant performing on both days. 
This will be an immersive and dream-like island experience like no other. It is where reinvigoration, music culture and relaxation seamlessly intersect as you dance on flawless white sand beaches and soak in translucent azure waters under a golden island sun. Ignite your sense of adventure, this is not déjà vu; this is something you’ve never seen or felt before.


Artists include: Audiofly, Steve Lawler, Tiga, wAFF, M.A.N.D.Y., Satori live, Serge Devan & more

NuriaFest Announces Tiga, wAFF, M.A.N.D.Y., Satori live and Serge Devant For Festival on Island Paradise

NuriaFest invites Audiofly, Steve Lawler, Tiga, wAFF, M.A.N.D.Y., Satori live and Serge Devant play on November 22-23 in Abu Dhabi

This will be an immersive and dream-like island experience like no other. It is where reinvigoration, music culture and relaxation seamlessly intersect as you dance on flawless white sand beaches and soak in translucent azure waters under a golden island sun. Ignite your sense of adventure, this is not déjà vu; this is something you’ve never seen or felt before.

A short 15-minute boat ride off the shores of Abu Dhabi, you will discover Zaya Nurai Island. A piece of paradise like nowhere else, it offers 52 private villas, a world-class oceanside spa, five fine and casual food and beverage experiences, one-of-a-kind beach club, and a calendar of exceptional activities on land and sea. There are three ways to get to this magical island – by boat, helicopter or seaplane. Shuttle boats will be departing from the welcome center to the island and back throughout the entire festival time – inclusive of the pass.

Says Zaya Nurai Island General Manager, Adib Moukheiber, “Our goal is to create memorable island experiences like no other in the UAE. Zaya Nurai Island will play host to one of the most unique music festivals to ever take place in the region and beyond.”

The soundtrack comes from some of house and tech’s most celebrated names, with Warriors legend Steve Lawler fresh from another huge summer season on the White Isle, fellow Ibiza kingpins and Flying Circus duo Audiofly and Get Physical’s titanic M.A.N.D.Y. all bringing multiple house styles. Turbo Recordings head honcho and Canadian underground star Tiga always cooks up thrilling soundtracks, and a live show from Santori is one of dance music’s most essential experiences right now.  Add in wAFF, one of Desolat and Cocoon’s biggest techno talents, plus a set from Serge Devant and you have an on-point selection of globally-renowned names.

VIP packages including a weekend stay in your own private villa with an infinity pool are also available. For those who would like to stay on Saadiyat / Abu Dhabi mainland, NuraiFest is offering a number of special deals with other hotels. Offers are available on www.nuraifest.com

NuraiFest is capping ticket sales to ensure exclusivity. If you want to guarantee a spot, we recommend you to buy your tickets as early as possible to avail the early bird price advantage.

Photo Gallery: Moga Festival 2019

Moga Festival is a stunning event in many ways – the food, the music, the local customs and traditions and talented artists, as well as the beautiful setting. 
Essaouira in Morocco is crazy-historic and has been used as The Red City in Game of Thrones. Palm trees and lush sunsets, beautiful sand beaches and old stone buildings ooze real atmosphere and the hot sun makes it a real desert escape. 
Music plays out on four different stages, there are 6500 people in all from many different countries and top sets from the likes of Behrouz, and Praslea, and many more all make it hugely memorable. 
The crowd is friendly and in the know and help make this a truly absorbing experience. 
We were there and here are some of the best photos. 
Photos by Oli Riley Photography, Juliet Airs and Momo Filali

Floating Points, Red Axes, Apparat and More Play Agents of Time’s New Event Cymatiks

Cymatiks is a collaborative event between acclaimed underground artists Agents of Time as well as creative innovation and design firm Hiveh and Sagrado Corp, who deal in high level entertainment with next level production. The project takes its name from Cymatics, the study of wave phenomena and vibration derived from the Greek ‘kyma’ (wave) and ‘ta kymatica ‘meaning’ matters pertaining to waves.

Cymatiks production will be a hybrid of a variety of forms, including immersive experiences, interactive video installations, 3D spaces, FX light sculptures, and vibrational objects. These pieces, expressed in both space and time, are heard, walked through, and seen so that the boundaries between art, music and performance are blurred. What’s more, each event is proceeded the day before by performing art popups and exhibitions in exclusive locations like StandART Moscow and Hangar Brussels, and will all be open to the public.

Sound is characterised by instrumentation and composition that stands out from the crowd, much like Agents of Time themselves. They give the project a unique identity and their sound is about rhythms and the bass. It’s not really melodies that structure this music, is more about new sounds and live sessions that make Cymatiks an immersive experience to all your senses.

The first event rolls into Hangar in Brussels, Belgium on September 28th for a spectacular 12-hour indoor festival with two rooms of music and audio visual experiments offered up by Agents Of Time live, Anna Nova, Apparat, Fideles, Floating Points, Michael Mayer, Red Axes, Amato (THE HACKER) & Adriani live, Danny Daze, Etapp Kyle, Golden Virgo and Tijana T. You can expect a forward thinking mix of avant-garde house and techno that will make for a truly immersive experience. After that there will be parties on April 20th in Beirut, Lebanon and January 4th in Phu Quoc, Vietnam, that continue to innovate and amaze, with line-ups to be announced.

This exciting new project is set to change the way we think about how music and sound can interact, and will very much redefine what it means to be lost in sound.

Find the event on Facebook for more information.

8 of Electric Zoo’s Most Epic Photos

Josh Butler, Cristoph, Golf Clap, Solardo, Eric Prydz and many more played Electric Zoo this year.

They are part of a new direction that is taking the huge festival on Randalls Island in New York away from EDM and more towards EDM.

As ever, the production was mega, with lights, lasers, visuals and stages designs to blow your mind.

Here are the photos that show it off in style.

Photo credit: “aLIVE Coverage for ElectricZoo.com

Bristol In:Motion Reveals Final Lineups For Last Ever Season

Bristol’s marquee event series In:Motion will finish this year after a decade in the game. With the area facing challenges in the city,  there can be no guarantee of a future so this will be final dance.
Say the club: “This year marks the tenth year of In:Motion, it will also be the last season. With the surrounding area of the club continuing to evolve, Motion is facing certain challenges, which means there is no guarantee of another season of In:Motion. It’s pertinent that the tenth instalment truly signifies what the club has brought to Bristol and the UK in general. This will be the last chance for dance music lovers to experience In:Motion as we know it. While we face uncertainty at the club, our passion towards developing high-quality events and bringing the biggest names in dance music to Bristol remains stronger than ever. 2020 will see a new wave of events and the start of a new chapter in the Motion history books. We look forward to sharing the dance floor with you for this last season of In:Motion.”
For their 10th anniversary the team have announced their line ups with none other than Four Tet, Sven Vath, Mr Scruff, Pearson Sound, Willow, Dungeon Meat, Sub focus, Nicole Moudaber and more all performing over the birthday period. A Drumcode Day and Night session alongside a scintillating 3D show, plus the likes of Sven Väth, Four Tet, Shy FX, Annie Mac, Mr. Scruff and Paul Oakenfold will also play.
Pre-sale tickets for the majority of the newly announced shows go live on Monday 2nd September at 1pm, 24 hours before tickets go on general sale. Fans can sign up for tickets or purchase tickets to previously announced parties via bristolinmotion.com

Raresh, Mahel Daniel and More Added to MOGA Festival 2019

The final wave of names has been revealed for MOGA Festival 2019.

It goes down in Morocco’s windy city of Essaouira which is picturesque and richly cultural and also a UNESCO World Heritage Site with lots to explore.

The Sofitel Essaouira Mogador Golf & Spa will host acts from the forefront of the international and Moroccan scene, with phase one including Bradley Zero, Praslea, DJ W!ld, Louise Chen, Konstantin Sibold, Behrouz, Terekke and now phase two adding further quality with Amine K, Driss Skali, Kenny Dope,  Marwan Sabb, Nathan Micay, Glitter ٥٥, Bas Ibellini, BLOND:ISH, Enzo Siragusa, Folamour, Lazare Hoche, Luca Bacchetti, Lum, Sabo, and Satori.

Head to the MOGA website for more information.

5 Bucket-List Festivals to do Before You Die

The festival market has exploded in recent times.

You can now party anywhere in the world, in any temperatures, any setting, at any altitude. Which is great, because there is so much competition that festivals are falling over themselves to get your attention and wow you.

Many idyllic escapes now exists so here are our five favourites.

Epizode, Vietnam

epizode.com

After three much-talked about editions, there a special and unique atmosphere has now been created at Epizode that has quickly made it one of the most respected and essential experiences in the year. The carefully curated week-long showcase is a cultural spectacular that runs around the clock and makes you the lead role in a one-of-a-kind film, and it all unfolds on the blissful beaches of Phu Quoc, an island paradise hideaway off Vietnam’s West coast with a soundtrack from returning favourites and exciting new names such as Ricardo Villalobos, Apollonia, Loco Dice, Lehar, Lilly Palmer, wAFF, Guti, Nicolas Lutz and Craig Richards as well as plenty of Russian and Asian artists.

SXM Festival, St Martin

sxmfestival.com

This festival took a year off in 2018 because of the devastating hurricane that wrecked the Caribbean island. Now it is back, bigger than ever, with the whole island’s infrastructure having been rebuilt. Stages are on beaches and jungle clearings and are truly beautiful. This year Zip, Axel Boman, Apollonia, Fumiya Tanaka, Traumer, Francesca Lombardo, DeWalta, Enzo Siragusa, Archie Hamilton, Guy Gerber, Marco Carola and more all played so expect more of the same in 2020.

Envision Festival, Costa Rica

envisionfestival.com

Envision is a four-day wellbeing and music festival held on a beach on Costa Rica’s Pacific coast with the rainforest as a dramatic backdrop. Lee Burridge, Bedouin, John Acquaviva, GRIZ, Sabo, Tycho, Nicola Cruz, Trevor Hall and many more will all play, and there is plenty of yoga, natural remedy workshops and astrology to enjoy next to the music.

Groove Island, Island of Catalina

grooveisland.com

Groove Island is a game changing, truly one of a kind new event in the paradise of Catalina Island. It takes place on September 27th – 30th and offers a wealth of music, activities, great accommodation and plenty more, zip wires, a gold tournament, the worlds largest ballroom dancing hall, a wine mixer, hiking, natural beauty on the mountains bays, beaches and sea. and DJs include Andrew Rayal, Mark Knight, Shiba San, Chus & Ceballos and many more.

Burning Man, Las Vegas

burningman.org

There is no line up for Burning Man but anyone who is anyone from the worlds of house and techno play. It goes down in a sandy Nevada desert which becomes huge pop up city where money is replaced with bartering and art installations litter the site, which also features giant stage structures such as the iconic Robot Heart. This is one culture gathering that genuinely changes peoples lives.

Bugged Out Weekender 2016 Review

What do you get if you throw 50 of the biggest names in house, techno, garage and grime into Butlins with thousands of other party hungry ravers from across the country that are beyond fed up of the January blues? The biggest party this side of winter, that’s what. Who ever thought up the idea of getting DJ's to play at what is usually a relaxed, child-friendly family holiday resort is, unquestionably, a genius. Because it works unbelievably well…

BOW2016 - Luke Dyson - 83 - summerfestivalguide - Flickr

After resurrecting Floorfillers Club Classics from a dusty glovebox early on during our Friday afternoon journey, it proves the perfect soundtrack to get us in the mood for a weekend at Butlins.

As soon as we've checked in we head to Spar for some essentials. Though, instead of the usual mum-friendly songs on its radio, it's a Bugged Out Weekender takeover as Skream's ‘Midnight Request Line' subtly makes itself heard. And it's not just the corner shop with an unusual soundtrack. The lifts, too, reject their usual music as Artwork preaches, "What comes up must come down" and "don't forget to eat before the pool party" as just two of the cheeky remarks to guide everyone along…

BOW2016 - Luke Dyson - 3 - summerfestivalguide - Flickr

Heading into the main pavilion we’ve no idea what to expect. Greeted by a man in full Star Wars attire, we zoom past retro arcade games to check out DJ Barely Legal's grime and bass-heavy set. Not much later and we’re running into Reds – 'the home of the Redcoats' – as B Traits drops Barnt's face-melting techno thumper, 'Chappell' … everyone’s practically forgotten we're in Butlins by now. 

Instead, we could be at any of the country's best clubs. With an unexpectedly strong sound-system, a good-sized stage, expansive dance-floor and incredibly on-point strobe lighting set up – Reds is where we spend most of our nighttimes…

Groove Armada put in a set full of euphoria, dropping 'You've Got The Love' to arms-in-the-air effect. There's almost a Bestival vibe to the night so far; one group of lads sport homemade ‘to dare is to disco’ printed t-shirts. Everyone’s just high on happiness.

BOW2016 - Luke Dyson - 15 - summerfestivalguide - Flickr

Meanwhile, in the more intimate Escape setting Erol Alkan is delivering the perfect electro set, and DJ EZ takes a packed Centre Stage crowd on a one-hour journey of past, present and future hits.

Grime, house, pop and garage – you name it EZ's playing it. From Bieber ('Where R U Now') to Stormzy ('Shut Up') to AJ Tracey ('Naila') to Chase & Status ('Hypest Hype') and even a weird-but-it-works edit of The Clash ('Should I Stay Or Should I Go?') …it's a bit like being at Oceana on a Saturday night. 

BOW2016 - Luke Dyson - 24 - summerfestivalguide - Flickr

Saturday afternoon rolls round too quickly and before we know it it's time to start drinking again – plans to explore Bognor’s beauty are fast disappearing…

Armand Van Helden, following Eats Everything’s energetic house and techno, plays a 90's throwback set – attracting one of the Weekender's biggest crowds and a whole lot of confetti. It’s all about unashamed fun as Mouse T’s ‘Horny’ is met with two guys waving their half-eaten carrot and cucumber in the air like glow-sticks. Completely ridiculous, it seems we are at Butlins after all. 

This is all going on whilst Mumdance takes a smaller but focused crowd through a hard-hittIng ear-punishing soundscape of electronic bleeps and bass in The Escape; whilst back on the Centre Stage, Skream and Jackmaster are preparing for Bigger Than JESuS with Armand and Eats, who see us through the rest of the night perfectly. 

With Jackmaster behind the decks, Skream adds a new string to his bow, acting as a sort of hype-man by coming crowd level to encourage a clap along; at Bugged Out Weekender the fun never stops…

TomHorton-BuggedOutWeekender-2016-374

 

With it being the last day at Butlins, it’d be shameful not to check out a pool party. Inflatable’s, slides, wave machines, a lazy river, hot tub and dozens of dinghy's are just the tip of the iceberg – because it’s soundtracked by house and disco purveyors Bicep, a duo who’s 2015 was nothing short of amazing. As Sunday afternoon's go, this one takes the crown.

TomHorton-2016-01-17-BuggedOutWeekender-9744 - summerfestivalguide - Flickr

Come midnight we're straight down the front for Glaswegian star-in-the-making Jasper James's brilliant house and techno set. There’s not one track that misfires throughout Jackmaster’s housemate’s 90-minute set. We even watch man on his own, at least 70-years-old, throwing some crazy shapes; whilst a group of guys physically bow down in front of Jasper.

With the whole crowd applauding and having the time of there lives, there's an energy from the constantly on-point track selection – highlights: Emmanuel Jal ‘Kuar’ (Henrik Schwarz Remix) and Lil Louis and the World ‘I Called U (The Conversation)’ – that's been, so far, unmatched…

That is the case … until The Black Madonna puts in an effortlessly show-stealing performance. Most artists would struggle to follow a great set like Jasper’s, but Marea Stamper takes the pressure completely in her stride. Having played a show in Istanbul on Friday, it wouldn’t be wrong to expect she’d be just a bit tired, but no. Contrastingly, it’s rare to see a DJ getting as involved as The Black Madonna does. She looks completely at home behind the decks, putting in the most eclectic – and easily the best – set of the weekend.

LUKE DYSON PHOTOGRAPHY_4776 - summerfestivalguide - Flickr

From driving, vocal house to heavy, relentless techno, via personal highlights: Green Velvet and Harvard Bass’s sonically blinding 'Laser Beams' and Jimmy Edgar's ground-shattering 'Let Me Tell You' – The Black Madonna keeps the audience dancing like it’s their final night on earth.

It's clear from her hand claps, hair flicks and exuberant moves that she's up for a proper party. I could carry on with how great it was – especially the tribute to Bowie near the end – but The Black Madonna summed it up perfectly on Twitter: “I was maniac raving out here! … I literally don't know if I've ever danced as hard as I did on these last two shoes”. We couldn't have put it better…

Closing out Reds for another year, Bicep take the reigns for a set that ends up extended by an hour – because it was so good. Opting for Hubie Davison's brilliant 'Sanctified' to open, they don’t put a foot wrong from thereon. House music legend Kerri Chandler, meanwhile, provides the perfect send off at Centre Stage with a New York classics set full of soul and piano chords aplenty. Veering from a rapturously received ‘You’re In My System’ to ‘Lost In Music’, there’s no age limit. 

LUKE DYSON PHOTOGRAPHY 5043 - summerfestivalguide - Flickr

“I’ve been raving since 1986,” explains a middle-aged man dressed in a flowing metallic cape with a neon pink flashing cupcake attached to his head. “It’s real music,” he gushes. “I do struggle to keep up these days, but I manage … somehow!” And that’s what the Bugged Out Weekender is all about. Offering fun for everyone, it doesn’t matter who you are or how old you are, when you get to Butlins all your inhibitions are forgotten. As the banner inside Reds reads …

‘IT’S JUST A BIG DISCO!’

We Are FSTVL announce BBC Radio 1’s Danny Howard!

BBC Radio 1’s dance music maestro Danny Howard has been added to what is already an incredible line up at this year’s We Are FSTVL. The UK tastemaker will bring his own brand of high energy big room house music to Upminster’s ‘Field Of Dreams’ – joining Sunday’s main stage gathering of Steve Angello, Knife Party, Steve Aoki, Amine Edge & DANCE, Heidi, Oliver Heldens and more – plus future talents Philip George, CamelPhat and As I Am also announced. 
 
Currently touring on behalf of his very first brand, Nothing Else Matters, and influencing the listening habits of thousands of fans worldwide across his shows for BBC Radio 1, BPM and Sirius XM, Danny Howard is a bona fide UK dance music lynchpin. Juggling a residency at Pacha, a regular column in DJ Mag and the promotion of his already #1 BBC Radio 1 Dance Anthems compilation, Howard has somehow found time in recent years to produce tracks such as ‘Spire’, ‘MUG’ and ‘Apex’ on Spinnin’ Records, as well as collaborating with the legendary Paul Oakenfold. His production talents show no signs of stopping this year, with his remix of Dr Kucho! & Gregor Salto’s ‘Can’t Stop Playing (Makes Me High)’ being released imminently on Ministry Of Sound.

Also billed on Sunday’s main stage is 21 year old newcomer Philip George – the man behind the huge record ‘Wish You Were Mine’ which peaked at number 2 in the UK chart. On the rise duo CamelPhat are also set to feature on Sunday’s Paravana stage, as well as As I Am who rounds off the latest additions.  

Keep an eye out for further news on We Are FSTVL’s 2015 after party at Studio 338 which will be revealed shortly – with plenty more surprises in store before proceedings kick off on Saturday 30th May 2015.
  

Line Up
 
Saturday 30th May

 
Main Stage: Carl Cox, Gorgon City, Hot Since 82, Monki, Nic Fanciulli, Second City, Seth Troxler, Solomun
 
Used and Abused: Loco Dice, Adam Beyer, Enzo Siragusa, Recondite (Live), Tale of Us, Yaya
 
What Hannah Wants: Hannah Wants, Redlight, Cyril Hahn, Friend Within, GotSome, Kidnap Kid, My Nu Leng, Oneman, T Williams, Waze & Odyssey
 
Defected In The House: Masters At Work, Andrea Oliva, Oliver Dollar, Cristoph, Noir, Sam Divine, Simon Dunmore, Sonny Fodera
 
Toolroom Live: Mark Knight, Dennis Ferrer, Tensnake, Dosem, Purple Disco Machine, Shiba Shan, Tube & Berger, Wankelmut, Weiss, Mark Storie, Pete Griffiths
 
Clockwork Orange: Tall Paul, Brandon Block & Alex P, Trevor Fung, Andy Manston, Tristan Ingram, Danny Clockwork & Keith Mac, 2 Good Souls, Tony Grimley
 
 
Sunday 31st May
 
Main Stage: Steve Angello, Knife Party, Steve Aoki, Amine Edge & DANCE, Heidi, Oliver Heldens, Danny Howard, One Bit, Route 94, The Martinez Brothers, Philip George
 
Cocoon: Sven Vath, Dixon, Ame, Ilario Alicante, Popof, Ricardo Villalobos, Ten Walls
 
Hospitality: Camo & Krooked, DK EZ, MJ Cole, Toyboy & Robin, Etherwood, Fred V & Grafix, Spy, Metrik, Logistivs, Nu:Tone, Lynx, Krakota
 
Paradise: Jamie Jones, Marco Carola, Claude Von Stroke, Steve Lawler, Jackmaster, Richy Ahmed, Patrick Topping, wAFF, Russ Yallop, Mark Jenkyns
 
MK Area 10: MK, andhim, Anabel Englund, Ben Pearce, Beckwith, Dantiez Saunderson, DJ S.K.T, Dusky Huxley, J Phlip, Kant, Kevin Saunderson, Lee Foss, Pleasure State, Shadow Child
 
Paravana: Camelphat, Max Chapman, Senzala, Panda, Headspace, Anthony Lowther, Ollie Mundy, Melvo Baptiste, Russ Jay, Jnr Windross, Secondself, Shane Macauley, Jedd Barry