(Editor’s note: This version of our EDM events/festivals got corrupted and full disclosure – we can’t find the bad code. So we created an updated version, which you can see here.)
If there’s one thing we’ve learned in the years since establishing Dispatches in the Netherlands, it’s that disco never died in Europe; it just morphed into EDM.
From the Italo Disco of Italy to the New Beat of Belgium, Europeans have never taken off their dancing shoes since disco’s heyday of the mid-to-late 1970s. Nor have they blown up a tonne of vinyl dance albums on a football pitch to mask their misogyny, racism and homophobia.
Today’s Euro dance scene is filled with the sonic bass cannons, dropped beats, and wubs of electronic dance music. Thus, Dispatches has create an ever-updating list of Europe’s best EDM parties, most of which are on an axis connecting London, Amsterdam and Berlin.
That’s not to say all of Europe doesn’t groove; after all, dance music never stopped being on-trend in the continent and surrounding islands. Thus, we’ll include parties from London to Copenhagen, Lisbon to Bucharest, Ibiza to Vienna, and of course, Paris to Berlin.
Fall into winter is particularly crazy starting with ADE in Amsterdam in October.
If you have a party we should know about, be sure to email us about it: [email protected] and [email protected].
• CROATIA
Fort Punat Christo – Outlook Festival 2019: One of the final summer mega-parties in Croatia. Ten stages, 300 acts. You get the idea. Outlook runs for a week, from 4 thru 9 September at Fort Punta Christo. Acts include Chase & Status, Bugzy Malone, Goldie (live) and Ghetts, Tickets start at 120 pounds and you can get them here. Outlook is the sister festival with Dimensions above, and this will be the final year for both at the fort.
Fort Punta Christo – Dimensions Festival: Dimensions Festival is 28 August to 1 September at Fort Punta Christo. We just got the list of artists and they include Nina Kraviz (the woman at every festival), Jeff Mills/Tony Allen and Objekt. This is an interesting festival in that it covers multiple genres from house, electro and techno to acid, DnB, ambient and jazz. The full list runs more than 100 acts. And organizers say this is the last year for the festival at the abandoned fort overlooking the Aegean. You can get tickets here.
• GERMANY
Shedhallespace at Funkhaus, Berlin – HYTE Warehouse Series:
Berlin-based festival promoter HYTE has unveiled the first in a new series of warehouse events in their hometown starting Friday 16 August. The new HYTE series will be in Room Two of the Shedhallespace on the grounds of the famous Funkhaus complex.
The series launches with Adam Beyer and Pan-Pot representing their respective Drumcode and Second State imprints.
By the way, DJ Mag dives deep into Beyer’s legacy as “techno’s uncompromising kingpin.” Drumcode itself has developed into one of the world’s most widely recognized techno imprints, renowned worldwide for its trademark sound.
Tickets are 28.10 euros and you can get them here.
Düsseldorf – Connect: Saturday 21 September, Connect will return to Düsseldorf for a second year. This is a partnership of Awakenings and Time Warp two of the most influential electronic music festivals, Big Names at Connect include Nina Kraviz, Boris Brejcha, Richie Hawtin and Solomun.
Tickets start at 67.50 euros and you can get them here.
Funkhaus, Berlin – HYTE Festival Berlin: When should you start making New Year’s Eve plans? Well, now, if you want to party in Berlin.
We just got an email from the HYTE network of global parties stating the flagship HYTE festival in Berlin will return to Shedhalle at Funkhaus, a warehouse venue like no other. The marathon 24-hour party of NYE/New Year’s Day events “featuring a cast of the underground elite alongside its hyped newcomers.”
This is a huge Communist Party complex that’s been turned into the party people’s industrial milieu of choice.
The lineup isn’t public, but for five years, this has been a marquee event with Carl Cox, Nina Kraviz and all the usual suspects.
You can register for tickets here.
Tickets start at about 77 euros plus a 5-euro trash deposit. You can get them here.
• GREECE
Corfu, Greece – Pazuzu Beach Club on Sunset Beach: Pazuzu Beach Club has announced the return of its summer Sunset Stories series of concerts for 2019.
In true Ibiza style, Glyfada is bringing in DJs from across the globe to the open-air beach club. Artists booked for July include Merk & Kremontm electro-house DJ and producer, TUJAMO and Tom Staar.
Dennis Ferrer, who has been at the forefront of the EDN scene since the 90’s is also set to appear. Resident DJ’s are Velix and Kid Angelo.
The Pazuzu website is okay, but the Facebook page has more current (and less confusing) info about dates.
• ITALY
Cagliari, Sardinia –Acid Punk Royale: Okay, let’s have a word-association moment. When we say, “Sardinia,” what are the first words that pops into your head?
Wow, right!!! “Acid Punk.”
Duh.
Acid Punk Royale comes up late this summer 30 August thru 1 September – in Cagliari, Sardinia. This event bills itself as “the king of Techno festivals,” promising 60 of the top DJs and producers. Not just the top DJs and producers from Sardinia, but “on the planet.” So there you go.
There are no acts announced yet on the website, but the APR Facebook page lists Dutch DJ Soulless. You can also ping the organizers on Gmail to get more info: [email protected]
Tickets are 50 pounds and you can get them here.
• MONTENEGRO
Budva, Montenegro – Sea Dance Festival: If you’ve never been to Montenegro, here’s a good excuse to rectify that oversight.
The sixth edition of Sea Dance Festival is coming up Friday, 20 August thru Sunday, 1 September on Buljarica beach in Budva, Montenegro.
The lineup of more than 100 international and regional stars includes “names” such as David Guetta, Disciples, Richie Hawtin, Sven Vath and a bunch more. You can see the full lineup here.
Sea Dance has five stages worth of entertainment.
Now here’s the cool part – because it’s held at a spot on the Adriatic just south of Croatia that’s a bit out of the way, tickets start at 44 euros/39 pound, with tourist packages starting at 89 euros.
Still, with these names and a low barrier to entry, expect a crowd.
• THE NETHERLANDS
Amsterdam – HYTEx A Day at the Park: HYTE, the Berlin-based underground festival brand, is coming to Rotterdam for its Netherlands debut.
HYTE takes the main stage at “A Day at the Park” on 21 September with the Chris Liebing as the headliner.
Also on the bill are Nicole Moudaber, Nic Fanciulli and Green Velvet as well as Dutch stalwarts Adin and Wouter S. And there’s one more big headliner that’s TBA, according to the new release we just got from Chris Alderton. (Thank you, Chris.)
HYTE is a global company that puts on killer events from Miami to Berlin, so this should be pretty sic.
Tickets start at 44 euros and you can get them here.
• Amsterdam – Drumcode Festival: In its second year of collaboration with the Awakenings organizers, Drumcode is one of the big dates on Amsterdam’s intense calendar of events.
This year, the dates are 24 August and 25 August and the place is NDSM on the north side of the Ijmeer.
On the bill are Adam Beyer, Victor Ruiz, Charlotte de Witte, Dubfire, Monika Kruse, Secret Cinema/Egbert and about 30 others.
Tickets start about 40 euros and you can get them here … if there are any left.
• Amsterdam – DJ Bone’s Homeless Homies: An event for a great cause. Detroit native DJ Bone has been an activist for homeless, getting directly involved in trying to help. He and his wife Ahnne created Homeless Homies, with proceeds from DJ Bone’s record label Subject Detroit directed to their Homeless Homies Foundation.
Now, they’re putting on an event that coincides with Amsterdam Dance event. On 18 October, Homeless Homies ADE Party comes to Shelter. The bill includes DJ Bone, of course, as well as Ben Sims, Dubfire, Peggie Gou and others. You can see the full lineup and get tickets here.
Tickets start at 35 euros, and the first two releases are gone ….
• Amsterdam – Verknipt at Amsterdam Studios for ADE: Amsterdam Dance Event is one of the biggest events of the year in the Dutch capital of Crazy.
This year, Verknipt, an organization that puts on mega techno/house events in Amsterdam and other cities, returns to Amsterdam Dance Event for a sixth season. For 2019, there will be three days of events running from 17 to 19 October at Amsterdam Studios‘ three rooms.
There are more than 50 acts scheduled during the three days and they include I Hate Models, Benny Rodrigues, Randomer, Victor Ruiz, Solardo, Ghost in the Machine and many more.
Tickets start at 50 euros per event, and you can get them here.
• SPAIN
San Antonio, Ibiza – Café Mambo: Café Mambo is celebrating its 25th anniversary.
This is Ibiza’s family owned boho retreat, so there’s food and something going on every night.
• Monday Masquerade pre-party including appearances from Claptone and his guests
• Tuesday for the new night Bodyworks at the mega club Hï with guests such as Fisher, Camelphat and Solardo
• Wednesday with Armin van Buuren, Sunnery James and Ryan Marciano before their night at Hï with guests such as Nora En Pure, EDX, Fedde Le Grand…
• Thursday for the pre-party of ABODE at Amnesia with talented guests such as Danny Howard, Ellie Cocks and more
• Friday for the Defected pre-party at Eden, with guests from Low Steppa, • MK, Mambo Brothers, Sam Divine, Simon Dunmore and many more
Saturday with Pure Pacha as they welcome guests every Saturday such as Martin Solveig, S-Men, Housekeeping, Hannah Wants…
Sundays with the pre-party for Glitterbox at Hï bringing back disco vibes with Roger Sanchez, Shapeshifters, Kenny Dope and more…
Ibiza – Diynamic at Amnesia: Solomun’s Diynamic label is everywhere this year as you can see from this list. That includes at the Pyramid party at Amnesia on 26 August.
The event also includes Joseph Capriati’s first return to the island since 2015.
Tickets are 30 euros and you can get them here.
Ibiza – O Beach Ibiza: You have to admit, this is a pretty slick concept – own the day and the night.
If you stay at Ocean Beach, you never have to go anywhere else. They have the beach hotel. They have the food. They have the music. They have the sun-and-fun by the pool.
Here’s their weekly schedule for the summer:
Mondays – HEDKANDI
The week kicks off with Hedkandi. Expect summertime house and disco vibes with surprise electronic music performances and more.
Tuesdays – KISSTORY
The beat of the UK’s old-skool Kisstory, the anthem radio station is coming to O Beach with an exclusive residency taking over the islands heartbeat with their host of leading DJ talent playing urban classics.
Wednesdays – HotBED
ABODE’s fruity sibling is known for its glistening and tropical themed soundtracked parties paired with a selection of the best in vocal house.
Thursdays – ONE
DJ Spoony is at the helm of this original O Beach concept. At ONE, his weekly mix of urban beats courtesy of both upcoming and celebrated talent promises an eclectic and uplifting party
Fridays – Pool Party
An immersive, euphoric world featuring curious and wonderful live performers, breathtaking
sky-shows and music from the club’s resident DJ’s
Saturdays – Soul Heaven
Raw soul and heart thumping and disco all day long. Last year’s headliners including Sandy Rivera, Mousse T, Grant Nelson, Purple Disco Machine and The Reflex.
Sundays – Surprise Sunday
Sunday will see a revolving selection of exclusive and surprise parties. This year includes SIN Sundays, Boat Club, House in Paradise, Ibiza Spray and Candypants.
Ibiza – ANTS at Ushuaïa Ibiza: The rest of the year they travel globe doing parties as part of an “underground” music movement. But ANTS are set to invade Playa d’en Bossa between now and 28 September, the “band’s” seventh consecutive summer on the party island.
The ANTS global lineup for 2019 includes Camelphat, Kölsch, Eats Everything, Catz ‘n Dogs, Hot since ’82 and the Mendez Brothers. You can see the full lineup here.
But of course, you have to check the various schedule of parties to see who’s where.
You can see other ANTS events here, which include Kingsland Festival in the Netherlands and Printswork in London.
You can get a full Ibiza schedule here.
Ibiza – Music Please: From now thru 10 September, Music Please at B12 Ibiza will host Belgian producer Kolombo, Loulou Players and other acts for monthly events.
The concept is the finest house and tech house sounds in one of Ibiza’s best events spaces, B12, just two minutes from Ibiza Town.
Here’s the full events calendar:
• Tuesday 27 August
Kolombo, Loulou Players, Tim Baresko (Toolroom, Defected), Kyri Markou (Promised Land)
• Tuesday 10 September
Kolombo, Loulou Players, Cj Jeff (Saved, Yoshitoshi), Roma (Decafeina)
Tickets are 15 euros and you can get yours here.
• TUNISIA
Ong Jmal, Tunisia – Les Dunes Electroniques: LDE is back 21 & 22 September at Tunisia’s famous “Star Wars” set after a three-year hiatus. LDE is held at Luke Skywalker’s hometown, Mos Espa, from the original Star Wars flick. This year, 30 performers from Tunisia’s and France’s electronic scenes, along with international acts, are coming to the desert.
Mixmag is billing it as a “30-hour rave in the desert.”
Yes, this is Tunisia, and we’re well aware the issues. (Please … we survived six wars!) But LDE’s partner is Tunisia’s national department of tourism, so we’re thinking security will be optimal. Also, tourism in this North African country so close to Europe is way up this year. So far, so good.
Tickets start at 42.50 euros and you can get them here.
• UNITED KINGDOM
London, England – South West Four Festival: This is yet another “names” festival with Martin Garrix as the headliner. SWFF is over the bank holiday of 24 & 25 August. In London. So, expect a goodly crowd … and quick sellout. Tickets start at 52.50 pounds for the day tickets, and you can get yours here.
London – Proud Embankment: EDM seems to be taking over at Proud Embankment, a West End cabaret venue.
Cirque de Soleil co-founder Guy Laliberte is part of a group of DJs coming to Proud Embankment as part of Project Loud, a collaboration between the London cabaret and Loud Professional, which builds elaborate sound systems.
Starting 9 August, Project Loud begins its quest to create the most unique and “sonically perfect” party palaces on the planet starts starting with Art Department and Goldcap.
The quest continues with international DJ’s such as Agoria, DJ Sneak, Francesca Lombardo, Laliberte, Behrouz, Nico Stojan, Mayan Warriors Sound System and a Voyage Showcase Night will all serve up some special parties until 29 November.
Here’s the full lineup:
• 25 AUGUST – AGORIA GAUTHIER DM
• 6 SEPTEMBER – DJ SNEAK, LAION, MANDA & Residents
• 20 SEPTEMBER – FRANCESCA LOMBARDO, ANSTACIA, BARTOLOMEO & Residents
• 4 OCTOBER, GUY LALIBERTE, BEHROUZ, MIAGI, EREZ & BNK & Residents
• 18 OCTOBER – NICO STOJAN HOOMANCE, LUNA SUMMER & Residents
• 1 NOVEMBER – MAYAN WARIORS Sound System (Dramian, Mandrake, Tansen (On the road to Dakar Music Fest) & Resident
• 29 NOVEMBER – VOYAGE SHOWCASE NIGHT, BIRDS OF MIND, A.D.A.M Birthday set
London – Printworks London announces 2019 weekly schedule: The biggest names in EDM and Hiphop, DJs including Annie Mac and live acts. Next-gen audio-visual production with cutting-edge, d&b audiotechnik & Funktion-One sound system. Two technologically spectacular spaces in an old print factory reimagined as a mega entertainment space. (The well-thought-out Printworks transformation has gotten a lot of positive pub. See the vid above.)
We’re talking about the mew Printworks London, which just announced its sked for 2019 – 12 shows, and 70 artists. So let’s start with the first event, updating as 2019 progresses.
The latest news:
On 14 September, Printworks will host the final night of Red Bull Music’s first London festival with Aphex Twin. Tickets are 40 pounds and you can only buy four at a time. You can get more details here.
London – Hospitality in the Park: This is London’s biggest celebration of drum and bass culture with at least 70 acts at multiple stages.
On 21 September, Hospitality In The Park returns to Finsbury Park for the fourth consecutive year. To celebrate, the award-winning (Best Festival at Drum & Bass Awards 2018) festival has some of the best DJs, producers, MCs and promoters in the business including headliners; Mala, Camo & Krooked, S.P.Y, LTJ Bukem.
Check out the website because the art is excellent.
Tickets start at 57 euros and you can get them here.
Manchester – Spen and Karizma at Gorilla: Saturday, 31 August will be the first time the Americans have played together in this city for more than two decades.
Spen is the Quantize Recordings label boss who “has music running through his veins” and has been DJing since his teens, according to the notes we received from Christopher Alderton.
Underground cult figure Karizma is from Baltimore and had released record labels as diverse as Defected and Strictly Rhythm.
Tickets start at 18.70 pounds and you can get yours here.
Southhampton – Docklands Festival: Docklands Festival is coming to Hoglands Park on 28 September with more than 50 house, bass and tech artists including Patrick Topping, Alan Fitzpatrick, Andy C + Tonn Piper, Pete Tong, Wilkinson, My Nu Leng, Sub Focus, Jaguar Skills and GW Harrison.
Promoters are expecting 10,000 people for this outdoor festival, so best not to wait … and let’s hope it cools off a little, huh.
Tickets start at 35 pounds and you can get them here
Lifestyle journalist. Born in Louisville. Raised in Kansas. Where I lay my head is home.
