Thursday March 28th, 2024
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9 International Music Festivals That Slip Under the Radar

Does not include Tomorrowland, Ultra, BPM, or Glastonbury.

Staff Writer

We all love good music festivals. All year round, we spend our days penniless in our constant pursuit to save every damn pound that comes our way to go spend it abroad at music festivals, only to get there and find that it wasn't all that. The hype created around some of the world's biggest festivals is just that: hype. It's unfortunate, anda  waste of money. So we compiled a list of some of the world's not-so-big festivals, the ones that have slipped beneath the majority of the crowds' radar. You can be sure that all your dreams will be fulfilled at these stellar events, each with a different theme and approach.

Pitchfork Music Festival Paris

Happening on the 27th through the 29th of this month in the French capital, at the Grande Halle De La Villette (a slaughter house turned culture centre), the event features official after parties as well as Pitchfork Avante-Garde – a side party featuring some of the hottest experimental talents. Lineup includes Moderat, Brandt Brauer Fick, Acid Arab live, Motor City Drum Ensemble, Mount Kimbie, and many more.

Check out their website here

Novas Frequências 

Taking place during the Brazilian summer, this festival is for all you sun chasers out there. The underground festival takes place from the 3rd of December till the 8th at the Oi Futuro Ipanema, and it is one of South America's more forward pushing events. It books relatively obscure acts that play a range of experimental sounds. Artists announced so far include Xiu Xiu, Vincent Moon, Rabih Beaini, Priscilla Telmon, Fausto Bahia, and several others.

Check out their website here

Snowbombing 

Established in 1999, Snowbombing is one of Europe's biggest winter festivals, happening in the town of Mayhrofen in the Austrian Alps over five days, from the 3rd of April till the 8th, 8,497ft above sea level in a string of extremely mental venues. Picture yourself in an igloo rave, an enchanted forest, and an underground tennis club turned super club. So far, announced acts include Chase & Status live, Hot Since 82, MK (Marc Kinchen), Eats Everything, and many more.

Check out their website here

Awakenings Eindhoven

Many of you probably know of Awakenings Amsterdam, but did you know that there is one in Eindhoven? The one-day event in southern Holland, happening on the 28th of January, has announced its lineup, including Adam Beyer, Loco Dice, Mathias Kaden, Michael Mayer, amongst others.

Check out their website here

Horizon Festival

High in the Pyrenees Mountains, nestled between Spain and France, lies Andorra, an independent state, and the location of this year's Horizon Festival. Cited as one of the best boutique festivals in Europe by many, it takes place from the 26th of March through the 2nd of April. Lineup features Motor City Drum Ensemble, Ben UFO B2B Midland, Kink live, Jasper James and several others.

Check out their website here

The Winter Social

Nic Fanciulli’s festival brand, and the off season edition of The Social, takes place over summer. This one goes down on the 11th of March from midday until midnight at the Kent County showground in Maidstone. Lineup has not been announced yet, but if last year was any indicator, we can assure you it will be epic. The 2016 lineup included Nina Kraviz, Adam Beyer, Joris Voorn, Maya Jane Coles, Guy Gerber, Fanciulli himself, and several others.

Check out their website here

Holy Ship!

Setting sail from Miami twice in one month, this festival takes place from the 6th to the 10th of January, and again from January 10th to the 14th. Holy Ship! is the boat party of the USA. Aboard luxury cruise liner the Norwegian Epic, the festival's extensive lineup assures something for every taste, lineup includes Maya Jane Coles, Tchami, Bob Moses, Danny Daze, Wolf + Lamb, Claude Vonstroke, and many more. Unfortunately, both dates are sold out, but you can still get on the waiting list.

Check out their website here. 

Euro Sonic Noorderslag

This festival is not an electronic music festival; only live acts can be found here – not a DJ in sight. It is considered one of the biggest European music platforms, with 50 acts announced so far. Happening in Gronigen, Holland from the 11th to the 14th of January, it's a must for any live music enthusiast. If you play live music, you can apply to play at the festival yourself.

Check out their website here.

Laneway Festival Singapore

Last but not least is the Aussie-born Laneway – happening in different locations throughout the year, Laneway is one of the East's hidden gems taking place on the 21st of January in Singapore with a lineup curated in heaven. The lineup is not strictly khabt; in fact, a lot of the artists playing are not khabt at all. Acts include Aurora, Bob Moses, Bottlesmoker, Clams Casino, Floating Points, Gang Of Youths, NAO, Sampa The Great, and many more.

Check out their website here