8 Best European Electronic Dance Music Festivals 2018

1. Dekmantel

Where: Amsterdam, Netherlands

When: 1-5 August 2018

Headliners: Four Tet, Jamie xx, Thundercat, Floating Points, Helena Hauff, Modeselektor, Matrixxman, Rødhåd

Music: Electronic, House, Techno

The grasslands and forests surrounding Amsterdam hosts arguably one of the best dance music festivals in Europe. Everything is done right, from the organisation and location through to the unbelievable variety of both veteran and up and coming artists. For lovers of electronic, this is one festival you can’t afford to miss. Hosted amid the beautiful surroundings and grasslands of the Amsterdam Forest, visitors are spoilt by the genre-bending live performances and dj-sets.

 

 

 

2. Sonar

Where: Barcelona

When: 14.15.16 June 2018 

Headliners:  Ben Klock & Dj Nobu, Bonobo, Diplo, LCD Soundsystem, Motor City Drum Ensemble & Jeremy Underground, Richie Hawtin

Music: House, Techno, Tech House, Electronic

The stunning city of Barcelona plays host to one of the biggest and most forward thinking celebrations of electronic music on the planet, Sónar Festival. With a weight of history and experience behind it, this multi-venue event has developed a reputation as a leading reference for international festivals, offering a careful balance of culture, playfulness and experimentation with the latest music trends.

 

 

 

3. Gottwood

Where: Anglesey, Wales

When: 7- 10 June

Headliners: Andrew Weatherall, ALFOS, Ata, Axel Boman, Avalon Emerson, Ben UFO, Binh, Commix, Craig Richards, Crazy P (Soundsystem),Dark Sky (Live), Djrum, Dominik Eulberg, DMX Krew (Live), Enzo Siragusa, Hunee, Job Jobse, Jackmaster b2b Grain, Man Power, Mr Scruff, Margaret Dygas, Move D, Nicolas Lutz, Palms Trax, Paul Woolford, Rival Consoles (Live), Romare (Live), Rodriguez Jr. (Live), San Proper, Shed, Sonja Moonear, Special Request, Weval (Live), Zip

Music: House, Techno, Disco, minimal

With a determined philosophy to right all that is wrong with current festivals, Gottwood aims to retrace the routes of the experience by providing an authentic raving experience with the power back in the hands of the people.

With a more balanced musical, visual, and cultural festival than ever before combined with an electrifying lineup of more established and rising stars, Gottwood provide a roller-coaster ride through varying styles of music with the intention to create memories. Situated in the heart of Welsh woodlands, one can easily become isolated from real life and reality in this truly unique UK setting.

 

 

 

4. BPM Festival

Where: Portimão & Lagoa, Portugal. 

When: 20- 23 Sept

Headliners: Seth Troxler, Nicole Moudaber, Jamie Jones, Richie Hawtin, Nic Fanciulli, Carl Craig, Apollonia, Nastia, The Martinez Brothers, Loco Dice, Marco Carola

Music: Electronic, Techno

The BPM Festival is a European masterclass in how a world class electronic music festival should take place.  Originally designed as an elite dance music industry networking event where Bartenders, Promoters, and Musicians could gather, the festival has morphed into an international mélange of electronic music lovers, DJs, producers, revellers and partygoers. Any music lover who wants to experience the best must attend this multi-venue festival.

 

 

 

5. B My Lake

Where: Lake Balton, Balatonvilagos, Hungary

When: 23th - 26th August

Headliners:  Adam Beyer, Ben Klock, Darius Syrossian, Dense & Pika, Dixon, Enrico Sangiuliano, Fabio Florido, Hito, Jackmaster, Julian Jeweil, Matthew Dear, Loco Dice, Solomun, Sven Väth

Music: Techno, Tech-House, Minimal and House Music, Underground House

Without doubt one of Hungary’s best festivals, B.my.Lake really does round off the summer nicely. Thanks to its forward-thinking approach to how a festival should be run, combined with the excitement it offers its visitors, B.my.Lake won the award for “Best New European Festival” in the prestigious European Festival Awards in 2013. Organizers VOLT and Deadcode Production have helped it earn a status as the “Mecca of electronic on music”.

The strong lineup is hosted on the beautiful lakeside of Zamárdi, which boasts panoramic views that are like no other in the festival world.

B.my.Lake brings you the biggest and most influential acts in contemporary techno, tech-house, minimal and house music, supported by unique visual and sound elements.

 

6. Houghton Festival

Where: Norfolk, UK

When: 9th – 12th August 2018

Headliners: Craig Richards, Ben UFO, Mr Scruff, Ricardo Villalobos, Midland, Roman Flügel, Joy Orbison, Seth Troxler, Andrew Weatherall, Objekt, Pearson Sound, Calibre

Music: Electronic, House, Techno

It is very rare for a festival to make such an impression after only one edition, and it did so for all the right reasons. Curated by British electronic music veteran Craig Richards and produced by the experienced Gottwood, lineup, scheduling, sound quality, location, atmosphere and attendees were the envy of other festivals.

Houghton spoils their guests to an honest experience which hosts the best of everything. Placing an emphasis on live music from across the spectrum, Houghton has a musical palette that covers everything from electro and techno to the alternative sounds of the Middle East.

 

 

 

7. Junction 2

Where: Brentford, UK

When: 9 June

Headliners: Carl Cox, Adam Beyer, Enrico Sangiuliano, La Fleur, Nina Kraviz, Tale Of Us, Maya Jane Coles, Mind Against, Dixon, Ame, Marcus Worgell, Trikk, Len Faki, Scuba Presents Scb, Dense & Pika, Jay Clarke, Joy Orbison, Sonja Moonear, Nicolas Lutz, William Djoko

Music: Techno, House, Electronic, Alternative

Anyone looking to get the most from a one day UK festival needn’t look any further than Junction 2. The message hear is simple – great sound, high end production, obsessive attention to detail and an unbelievable lineup, all attracting like-minded people to the natural beauty, green fields, rambling rivers, woodland pathways and hidden enclaves of this iconic Boston Manor Park.

 

 

8. Oasis Fest, Marrakech

Where: Marrakech, Morocco

When: 14 - 16 September 2018

Headliners: Nastia, Paula Temple, Avalon Emerson, Carl Cox, Jessy Lanza, Octo Octa and Powder,  DJ Koze, Sassy J, Honey Dijon, Peggy Gou, Bradley Zero, Deetron, Larry Heard, Jane Fitz, DJ Python and Mr G.

Music: Techno, House, Alternative

Looking for a festival experience like no other, Oasis Fest is perhaps the best-known event of its kind in the whole of Morocco. An intimate destination taking place in an eight-room boutique hotel on the outskirts of Marrakech, Oasis Festival is a classy affair which allows you to enjoy the opportunity to kick back on a sun-lounger or take a dip in the pool between sets.

Whether you choose to watch the spellbinding sunsets whilst drinking cocktails or smoking shisha, wander the vibrant Moroccan streets during the day or get sweaty dancing to some of the most experienced veterans in their craft, guests can truly tailor their experience to suit their needs in this sun soaked African metropolis.

The Red City of Marrakech sits at the alluring cultural intersection between Southern Europe, Northern Africa and the Middle-East, and our non-musical programming gives you a taste of the incredible culture that lies beyond the festival.