9 of the best boutique festivals happening around Europe this summer
Festival season is just around the corner so here is a handpicked selection of some European festivals of appeal happening this summer that may be less obvious or of a smaller scale than the other major and more well-known festivals taking place.
Gottwood
Where? Anglesey, Wales
When? Thursday June 7 – Sunday June 10
How much? £175+ / £50 Per day
What makes it unique?
Located in the isolated wooded area of North Wales, this festival assures a pleasant site setting which includes a lake whilst also giving you your electronic music fix, all remaining intimate with approximately 5,000 people.
Lineup highlights
Ben UFO, Mr Scruff, Move D, Andrew Weatherall, Avalon Emerson, Hunee, Palms Trax, Paul Woolford , Rival Consoles (Live) , Stingray
Dimensions Festival
When? August 29th – September 2nd
Where? Pula, Croatia
How much? £196.50 for weekend camping £131 for weekend pass £33.50 for opening concert via Resident Advisor.
What makes it unique
This electronic music festival brings a range of house, techno, disco, jazz, funk, soul, drum & bass and more in a coastal setting which also features an abandoned Roman fort. The festival also offers an opening concert to officially kick off the festivities and with this year’s lineup including Kraftwerk 3-D, Nils Frahm, Moodymann, Nubya Garcia, Josey Rebelle, Debora Ipekel, that alone promises a great show.
Lineup highlights
Bonobo, DJ Stingray, Jon Hopkins, Nina Kraviz, Kraftwerk 3-D, Nils Frahm, Moodymann, DMX Krew, James Holden & The Animal Spirits, Peggy Gou
Soundwave
When? July 26th – 30th
Where? Tisno, Croatia
How much? €116+ package deals also available
What makes it unique?
Located on the coast of Croatia this festival offers the sea and rather luxurious accommodation to rest well during your festival experience. This year’s instalment is the 10th anniversary and the very last, surrounded by national parks and world heritage sites with boat trip offerings, I recommend you get yourself to this experience before it’s gone. The lineup leans on dance, jazz and R&B.
Lineup highlights
Mr Scruff, Horse Meat Disco, Alexander Nut, Romare, Loyle Carner, Mahalia.
P-E-O-P-L-E
Where Funkhaus, Berlin
When? August 18th – 19th
How much? €120
What makes it unique?
This festival founded by Aaron and Bryce Dessner of The National and Justin Vernon of Bon Iver and the Michelberger Hotel is all about the people, creative people at that with over 120 artists coming to work together in collaboration whilst also having a good time for a week. “There are no headliners or bands, sponsors or brands, billing or program. It is brought to life by you and us.” The festival aims at taking a different view and approach into the process of creating music and collaborating, so that basically involves having a front-row seat at the cusp of creativity.
Lineup highlights:
Hard to know but expect friends of Bon Iver and The National – previous guests at People events included s t a r g a z e, filmmaker Vincent Moon, Modest Mouse, Boys Noize, The Staves, Feist, Spank Rock.
Meadows In The Mountains
Where? Bulgaria
When? June 7th – 10th
How much?
What makes it unique?
Meadows In The Mountains festival is located 850m above sea-level on the Rhodopian Mountains close to the village of Polkovnik Serafimovo in Bulgaria, an area that is rich in nature far away from any urban landscape neighbouring the Greek border. The festival offers intimacy, eco sustainability, diversity and community.
Lineup highlights:
Alice Phoebe Lou, Donna Leake, Laura Misch and many other artists to be discovered.
Farr Festival
Where? Bygrave Woods, London
When? July 5th – 8th
How much? £125 or £45 per day
What makes it unique
Located in an uninhabited forest in Hertfordshire, England just one hour outside the hustle of London this festival offers a colourful and decorative setting away from the metropolis with a stellar lineup of some of the finest DJs around and more.
Lineup highlights:
Mount Kimbie, Tom Misch, Dixon, Daphni, Young Marco, George Fitzgerald, Optimo, Roman Fugel, Benji B, Kelly Lee Owens, Dj Seinfeld, Or:la… the list goes on and on and on.
Kala
Where? Albania
When? Wednesday June 20th – 27th
How much? Limited number of Packages including accomodation available at Kala.co.uk.
What makes it unique?
This boutique week-long festival located along the Albanian Riviera offering beaches, bays, coves and caves, activities, yoga and music from the cutting-edge of dance and electronic.
Lineup highlights
Todd Terje, Moodymann, Hot Chip presents Mega Mix, Peggy Gou, Ross From Friends, The Black Madonna and more.
Secret Solstice
Where? Iceland
When? June 21st – 24th
How much? €175 for festival ticket €230 for ticket plus camping
What makes it unique?
This multi-genre festival takes place in Iceland’s capital city of Reykjavik offering extras like The Lava Tunnel Experience – a magical music experience in a 5200-year-old lava tunnel and Into the Glacier – you guessed it, a party in a glacier.
Lineup highlights
Slayer, Bonnie Tyler, J Hus, Charlotte de Witte, Artwork, Dream Wife, Stormzy, IAMDDB
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KgyDQi028o4
