The Wish List: 2̶5…24 European Festivals for 2019

Do you know that guessing game where you have to decide how many coins are crammed in a jar? This could be symbolic for the European festival season. No one wants the headache of working out the exact number, so us Ticketswappers have locked heads and handpicked what we believe to be 25 festivals you should pay some serious attention to this year.

Lente Kabinet | Het Twiske, Netherlands (25th-26th May)

What a better way to kick off a Saturday, than an hour cycle into the Dutch countryside! This marks the beginning of Dekmantel’s Lente Kabinet (‘Spring Cabinet’). Spread over 2 days in a green oasis, punters are treated to a blend of Dutch DJ’s and class internationals. In true Dekmantel style, local producers are given primetime slots to show off their wares! Irrespective of how many fans you have on Facebook, if you can mix well and charge an audience, you’ll get your opportunity. Now looking down the barrel of its 7th year, we simply can’t wait!

Nuits Sonores | Lyon, France (29th May — 2nd June)

200+ artists across 47 of Lyon’s finest venues. That’s destined to be a good time. Although Nuits Sonores (Night Sounds) currently rub shoulders with one of our competitors, we thought it’d be rude not to include them in our Top 25. For us, it’s the handing of control over to artists, that makes it so special. Every year, 4 producers are gifted an entire day, to curate their dream lineups with the likes of Four Tet and Paula Temple handed the baton in 2018. If people like this are curating your dance experience, we trust you’ll be in safe hands. The next batch of curators was recently released and it’s no surprise they’re all class — Bonobo, Peggy Gou, Maceo Plex and Lena Willikens. Snare a spot at ‘Night Sounds’ 2019.

Tropikali Festival | Noordelicht, Amsterdam-Noord (2nd June)

Tropikali is as new as they come! 2019 will be just its second edition. The masterminds behind the Kalinichta and Rosario parties have combined all the best bits, taking over the Noorderlicht in the NDSM area of Amsterdam. With just less than 3,500 partygoers, there are three dance spaces, plenty of toilets and delightful food and drink options. The crowd here is global, gay, and straight-friendly. Most important of all is the breadth of music on offer! Tropikali brings together Balkan, Middle Eastern, electronic beats, house and a very large dash of sass.

Extrema Outdoor | Houthalen-Helchteren, Belgium (TBA)

Known simply as ‘XO’ to its faithful this once tiny rager in the north of Belgium will embark on its 9th instalment in 2019. With its sights set firmly on the quicker rhythms of dance, XO takes pride in its ability to run a party that never slows down. We found a Facebook review of the festival that simply read, ‘doing unicorn stuff and dancing all day and night!’. After the music winds down on site, rogue parties spring up in the campground and at surrounding venues.

Parklife | Manchester, United Kingdom (8th-9th June)

At TicketSwap we pride ourselves on simplicity and that’s why Manchester’s Parklife made our wish list. Already an institution on the UK festival calendar, Parklife doesn’t come with abstract art, theatrics or yoga tents. A no-frills festival we’ll always throw a good word in for. Last years event, was crammed full of talent, we’re talking The XX, A$AP Rocky, Lorde, N.E.R.D, Bonobo, and none other than Liam Gallagher. A great cross-section of sound if you ask us. And no, we haven’t forgotten those who chase basslines over live instruments. 2018’s Elrow Tent (themed in an 80’s Bronx style), The Palm House along with the Valley stage played host to DJ draw cards in Peggy Gou, Artwork, Motor City Drum Ensemble and a kaleidoscope of light and sound from the legendary Eric Prydz. Ask people about his set and all you’ll receive is a stunned expression. Next year mark’s 10 years of this Manchester stalwart, get on down there!

Hellfest | Clisson, France (21–23rd June)

Europe isn’t all about charging dance music…you may think we’re telling fibs but Hellfest is here to back us up! Born out of the punk and hardcore festival in America of the same name, Hellfest has quickly become the largest of its kind in Europe, with around 200,000 head thrashers attending each year. Held in the chateau lands of Clisson, by June things are looking damn picturesque.

Last year the likes of Iron Maiden, Judas Priest, Limp Bizkit and Avenged Sevenfold tore this spot to shreds. If you’re an impatient metalhead, no need to worry as the full schedule for this years edition is already live — featuring the likes of KISS, The Dropkick Murphy’s & Slayer.

Glastonbury | Wolworth Estate, United Kingdom (26–30th June)

Fear not. Glastonbury has not fallen off the face of the earth. Although it was nowhere to be seen in 2018, it was just what organisers call a ‘fallow year’. As they discussed, “the farm, the village and the festival team are just having that traditional year off, which is a rarity’. If you’re a glass half full kind, this only builds anticipation for when this musical mecca returns.

Setting up for a mammoth 49th session, with numbers expected to hit 180,000, it’s kind of hard to fathom! That said, there’s got to be a part of you screaming — ‘I’ve got to get myself there at some point!’ I know we’ve rattled on about self-expression and letting your hair down, but at Glastonbury, everybody’s inner child comes out to play. You’ll catch older folks dressed in sparkled suits, as trojans and astronauts or barely wearing anything at all, it’s just that kind of free-spirited spot!

Roskilde Festival | Copenhagen, Denmark (29th June-6th July)

Although we aren’t in direct partnership with this Danish treasure, we simply couldn’t overlook the humanitarian reputation of Roskilde. Since 1972, The Roskilde Festival Group (a not-for-profit organisation) has raised $321,639,643 for philanthropic and cultural initiatives. Jam-packed into a full week, comes a smorgasbord of music. Previously Roskilde has hosted the likes of The Rolling Stones, Tame Impala, Ice Cube and Slipknot.

Roskilde do partnerships really well — whether it’s funding the construction of wells in West Africa (Lovespring), to ensuring campers have the dopest portable speakers (Soundbok), they’re investing in feelgood things.

Dour Festival | Dour, Belgium (10–14th July)

When Dour rolls around in 2019, it will mark their 40th rotation around the sun. Yep…40 editions! Dour serves up a buffet of music. With over 280 bands and DJ’s, across 5 days, you’ll be spoilt for choice. I’d get some decent rest before this one kicks off, as tunes can usually be heard for 17 hours of the day. Fans are served a cocktail of genres, be it hip-hop, drum & bass, house, techno or indie sounds. Prepare for an avalanche of audio.

In the lead up to last years event, Dour Programmer Mathieu Fonsny said something that really resonated with us. ‘We’d like to think festival goers come to Dour not just for 1 or 2 high profile artists but rather for a taste of what it means to spend 5 days dancing, meeting people and sharing new ideas’. If people are heading to the green surrounds of Delft, with this sort of mindset, you can assume you’re in for a damn good time! Dour Festival can often be a muddy affair but that’s something attendees take in their stride.

Balaton Sound | Balaton Lake, Hungary (3–7th July)

Picture this…you’re basking in the sun, floating along on an inflatable mattress, on the largest lake in central Europe. You cast your eyes back to shore and remember there’s a 165,000 person festival in full swing. Welcome to Balaton Sound. The reason why this Hungarian paradise made the cut is obviously due to its outstanding location but also because of the effort that goes in every year to keep fans happy. Whether it’s plentiful hammocks, their class tap ’n’ go pay system, water toys or lush beach bars, Balaton ensures all-comers feel like they’re very much on holiday. Over the last 11 years, the festival has forged a formidable reputation, previously hosting some of the biggest names in music such as Massive Attack, Fatboy Slim, Moby and The Prodigy. Go spend some time by the lake!

Sonar Festival | Barcelona, Spain (18–20th July)

Catalonia’s Sonar shines brightly on our list. ‘Music, Creativity & Technology’, being their slogan, 72 hours of beautiful mayhem throughout Barca. Choose light or dark…we’d really suggest both. The festival is separated into sessions of night and day, both held in separate locations. ‘Off Sonar’, is like the warm-up and after-party to the main event, ensuring the entire city tastes the festival. There’s no escaping it over those 3 days of July and that’s why we love it! Heavyweights like Kraftwerk, Justice, DJ Nobu and Nicolas Jaar have previously dropped the needle here. Don’t pigeonhole yourselves either, be sure to stick your heads into some of the little-known bars and clubs. We promise you’ll stumble across some local producer you’ve never heard of before spinning heat!

Melt Festival | Ferropolis, Germany (19–21st July)

Sometimes you just have to stop and marvel festival sites. Take Melt for example; once a gigantic coal mine, now an open-air museum (The City of Iron) and every July, one of the most talked about electronic music events on the planet. Picture 130 meter high excavators and ominous looking engines, all surrounded by water. It’s one very kooky spot for a boogie but as they say, build it and they will come! At Melt, there’s an air of admiration and understanding for 120–140BPM rhythms. Those attending, have bought a ticket because they know they’ll be treated to the best DJ’s, spinning the best records. What’s brilliant is the atmosphere is devoid of pretentiousness, yes people are there to see particular artists but they certainly aren’t going to brag about how much they know about them. It’s just smiles and human movement :).

Milkshake Festival | Amsterdam, Netherlands (July 26–27th)

‘Here you can be completely yourself’ says chief organiser Marieke Samallo. A slogan that this weekend long, 17,000 strong festival has lived by since it began in Westerpark 6 years ago. Here, variety is celebrated! Black, white, gay, straight, trans, thick or thin — Milkshake wants you along for a dance. Last year these guys even organised a special party for the disabled and offered up 100 guestlist spots to LGBTQ people who had fled from the conflict in Syria and Iran.

Those at Milkshake welcome all with open arms, and that’s what makes this day out so attractive. Last year artists such as The Black Madonna, Boys Noize and local hero Tom Trago scored the great day out. If you’re in the Dutch capital next summer, come and rejoice in all walks of life!

Sziget Festival | Budapest, Hungary (7–13th August)

Sziget is TicketSwap’s favourite festival, so much that we have our own stage. If you’re getting 565,000 people down to an event, you’ve got to be doing a few things right. It wasn’t always like this for the week-long Sziget, which began as a tiny rock festival with no toilets. Since then, the Danubian island paradise is considered a ‘must attend’ festival in Europe over the warmer months. For our mind, the most appealing thing about Sziget is its curation. It’s not all about the artists playing (however they always attract heavyweights; David Bowie, Kendrick Lamar and Dua Lipa, to name a few) but more about the experience. Think a private beach, a sky bar floating 50 meters off the ground or a secret rave, which was one year hidden behind a portaloo door.

We’re all for creativity and the Hungarians have it in spades. Sziget is dedicated to making sure fans leave with a bunch of crazily beautiful stories and we doubt 2019’s edition will be any different!

Primavera Sound — Barcelona, Spain (May 30-June 1st)

Primavera Sound. It’s almost as though the epic Parc Del Forum — a stunning maze of concrete, grassy knolls and an exclusive beach was built solely for the event. The layout of the place naturally carries you from one spot to the next. You reach the crest of a hill and there’s Lorde belting her lungs out, then it’s through a tunnel and you’re out on the sand in euphoria courtesy of Four Tet. Pure magic!

There are a staggering 11 stages to choose from, so finding something up your alley, shouldn’t be an issue. Primavera ensure to bring a bill that’s genre-spanning and this year 50/50 male-female. 2018 saw acts from The War On Drugs to Tyler The Creator to The Arctic Monkeys. What’s more — Primavera pride themselves on delicious food. Be it a Japanese-inspired vegan burger or a warming laksa in between sets, you’re totally covered. If you’re even just a little into world festivals you probably don't need us to convince you to book a ticket.

Awakenings Festival | Spaarnwoude, Netherlands (29–30th June)

Awakenings: a techno institution nestled in the forests outside Amsterdam. If you consider bass a close friend, then you’ve come to the right place. In the last days of June, a large clearing in Spaarnwoude becomes a hive of adrenaline. Awakenings attendees not only love techno, but they also live by it, with religious allegiance. The lineup for 2019 will have their jaws hanging open (Jeff Mills, Amelie Lens, Dixon, Tale Of Us). Blurt a notable name out in the techno space and they’ll more than likely be taking to the decks. If you’ve ever seen recorded footage of this festival, you’ll know it’s not for the faint-hearted. Here’s one of dance music’s most notable holding it down during magic hour last year.

Dekmantel | Amsterdam Bos, Netherlands (1–5 August)

This one’s now an institution on the European festival calendar. Celebrated amongst the green of Amsterdam Bos, Dekmantel has what thousands of festivals are striving for. Notoriety and a stunning reputation. Every year the festival grows in number and every year more people spread stories to all corners of the globe. It’s a winning recipe. When you’re on site, it’s gorgeous, both on your eyes and ears. Usually the heats intense, so it’s best you stay hydrated and find shade when possible. There’s an electric rhythm here for all walks of life. On any given day you’ll catch afrobeat, drum and bass, tech-house and other delights that’ll prick your ears and feet into action. Here’s a snippet of Jamie XX from last year, excelling in the sunshine.

One moment you’re in a see-through Greenhouse, the next at the glistening Selectors stage and then somehow under the warm hood of the Boiler Room, being broadcast live. These guys don’t muck around with bills either, consistently booking the kings and queens of dance (Floating Points, Charlotte De Witte, Goldie and Mr Scruff).

Garbicz Festival — Gadkow Wilkie, Poland (1–4 August)

As they say, a picture tells a thousand words. So with that in mind, we won’t rabbit on too much. Welcome to the 5-day ecological dance paradise that is Garbicz (pronounced ‘Garbage’). A contradictory sounding name if we’ve ever heard one! Every August, a blissful commune is established by a lake on one of Poland’s finest nature reserves. Wrapped up in the experience, come a few random social experiments as well. Take the ‘Crew Creator’ pontoon, where festivalgoers can swim out to chat with a consultant, who attempts to link them up with their new best friend. For us, the winning thing is that Garbicz is all-inclusive, without an ounce of prejudice. ‘Live and let live’ they say! Can we just bring your attention back to that lake!

Sonus Festival | Pag Island, Croatia (19–23rd August)

Never been to Croatia before? It’s about time you found an excuse to do so. The answer, Sonus Festival. Nestled on the shores of Zrce Beach, just off the mainland, this slice of paradise caters to those who love nothing more than big-room. Previous years have seen them fly in what we’d call royalty, names like Tale Of Us, The Martinez Brothers and Maceo Plex. Now I doubt anyone attending would get tired of proceedings, but just in case, fans have the opportunity to explore the entire island at free will. Devour local delights, jetski over crystal waters or simply lie flat in the sand. At Sonus, it doesn’t always have to be about who’s playing where and when?

Mysteryland — Floriade, Haarlemmermeer (23–25th August 2019)

Holland in summer is a sight for sore eyes. There’s no better proof than 3 days at Mysterland. Set on the fertile land of the Floriade, just a short drive from Amsterdam lives a jigsaw of islands, primed for a party. Everything here is done grand, be it the stage design, the artists chosen or the stack of co-curricular activities. How about an on-site jazz club, 24hr supermarket, paddle board swan lake or tattoo parlour?

Let’s not forget why we’re really here though — world-class sets from world-class DJ’s. In Mysteryland’s 26 year tenure, (making it the longest running electronic festival on the planet) lords such as Swedish House Mafia, Armin Van Buuren and Sven Vath have sent masses of people totally mad! Come and figure out why on earth they’ve been calling it Mysteryland all this time..?

DGTL Barcelona | Barcelona, Spain (23–24th August)

If aliens were to cast a listening device over the earth’s surface, there’s no denying that they’d pick up a large dose of house and techno from Spain. One festival playing a big role in all this is DGTL Barcelona. Forever upholding a reputation for booking the crème de la crème of dance talent, last year locking in DJ Koze, Honey Dijon, Carl Craig, and Black Coffee. They also stand by up and comers, looking to earn their stripes. 2018’s edition saw the likes of Eclair Fifi, Abu Sou and Amelie Lens in the mix. Held across 4 stages at the spacious Parc Del Fòrum, fans are treated to Funktion One sound, a collection of mind-bending light rigs plus a sustainable meat-free menu. At this point, you should be well and truly salivating.

Into The Woods | Amersfoort, Netherlands (September 13th-14th)

Now doesn’t that look special! Meet Into The Woods (ITW). Every September, buried in the forests of Amersfoort, things get a little whacky over a couple of days. Rare stages and installations sprout up and soon after, a party ignites. ITW serve up kooky real well, encouraging bizarre dress from attendees and artists alike. This brews a mythical atmosphere, one that’s attracted prime dance talent such as DJ Tennis, The Black Madonna, KINK and Mano Le Tough in years gone by. Be sure you don’t leave early, as by nightfall, this festival becomes a whole new beast!

Draaimolen — Tilburg, Netherlands (September 14th)

Of all the festivals that have clinched a spot on our Top 25, Draaimolen is the freshest in our minds. ‘Draaimolen’ meaning ‘carousel’ is as its name suggests a kaleidoscope of colour and sound. Nestled amongst towering foliage just outside Tilburg, fans are treated to a clinic in sound, stage design and jaw-dropping lineups. At one point last year Marcel Dettman, Motor City Drum Ensemble and Nina Kraviz were all spinning on separate stages, at the same time. Now that’s what you call spoilt for choice!

Job Jobse’s Strangelove can’t go unmentioned- the cylindrical booth buried in a leafy clearing felt like heaven from start to finish in 2018. We’d love you guys to experience something similar next year.

Tomorrowland — Boom, Antwerp, Belgium (TBA…)

Tomorrowland’s spirit animal has to be a silverback gorilla. A loud and proud beast that pumps its chest every summer, being heard the world over! From the most stylised stages to the most intense atmosphere, this organism is special. Tomorrowland openly celebrates multiculturalism. If you’re lucky enough to perch on someone’s shoulders, you’d think you’d taken a wrong turn and ended up at a United Nations conference. Mexico, Australia, Sweden, South Africa…pick a country and you’ll more than likely see it represented on someone’s face, body or flag.

You can literally taste euphoria in the air here. People you’ve never met before will hug and high five you unannounced. It’s damn beautiful. Held over two mammoth weekends, organisers ensure that punters see and hear things they wouldn’t anywhere else. As if Tomorrowland’s based in a place called BOOM! Is that some sort of set-up? Best start building that piggy bank, as the experience isn’t cheap but if you want to be there enough, you will. Tomorrowland 2019 awaits…