International festivals to have on your radar in 2025
I’ll keep this nice and simple for you. What exactly is the draw to an international festival? You’re not camping, it’s not muddy, and there’s probably a fair bit less ketamine. Sure, it might cost a little bit more, but you get to see whatever city the festival is held in at the same time. EXIT Festival is in Serbia, for example. You’ve always wanted to go there!
Dekmantel | July 30th June – 3rd August
Where: Amsterdamse Bos city park, which is a large park in Amstelveen, which is a suburb of Amsterdam. Mouthful that.
The vibe: Dekmantel is known for its curated lineup of house and techno artists. My ex went there a few years back and took so many mushrooms that he couldn’t comprehend not only that he was talking to me back home (via Snapchat — very retro), but that he saw a hedgehog. So, Dekmantel has wildlife? I think you could say that?
Who’s there: Probably my ex, getting all shroomy again, not acting his age and the like, as well as big names like Floating Points and Palm Trax, Honey Dijon, Hunee, as well as Leftfield, who I only know because they have a whopper song on the soundtrack for The Beach.
EXIT Festival | 10th – 30th July
Where: The Petrovaradin Fortress in Novi Sad, Serbia.
What’s the vibe: It’s in fucking Serbia!
Who’s there: I feel like this is one for the EDM crowd — the kind you see in viral videos where they’re wearing a lot of neon and/or beads, waving their hands in someone else’s faces in a “transcendental” way. Not saying that’s a bad thing, I’m just saying it’s a thing. Anyway, expect to see the likes of Nina Kravitz, the Sex Pistols (?), and Eric Prydz.
OFFSónar | 10th – 15th of June
Where: Poble Espanyol in Barcelona.
What’s the vibe: Cutting-edge electronic music, with a focus on labels and parties — whatever that means. It kind of looks like it could have been featured in the end bit of Twilight: New Moon. Like, you could imagine Bella searching through the crowds, trying to find Edward before he goes all sparkly — or ingests a mysterious pill.
Who’s there: Elrow, Skrillex, Four Tet, Peggy Gou and BICEP. Come on!
Love International | 9th – 15th July
Where: The Garden in Tisno, Croatia
The vibe: Let’s just say this — they’ve got boat parties. So if you never went to Kavos back in ‘08 and had to ward off one of the reps with a stick, you can live out that fantasy, but with good music. There’s also a secret island, that currently remains a secret (because that’s the point) and something called “Sunrise Sessions” which is either rave-y or hippy vibes.
Who’s there: The names we recognise on the absolutely huge lineup? The likes of Crazy P, Palm Trax, Bonobo, and Or:la.
Worldwide Festival | 30th June – 6th July |
Where: The town of Sete, in the south of France.
The vibe: Run by Gilles Peterson, it’s an annual festival housed in the iconic Theatre de la Mer open-air amphitheatre, which overlooks the Mediterranean. This one’s for all the people itching to mince about in the South of France who don’t quite want the whole slightly annoying St Tropez scene. Perfect, if you ask me.
Who’s there: This year, the big names take the form of Gilles Peterson (obviously), Jamz Supernova and Sampa The Great.
Primavera Sound Barcelona | 4th – 8th June
Where: The Parc del Fòrum in Barcelona, Spain.
What’s the vibe: Traipsing around a rather lovely and rather huge car park that overlooks the beach. When I was there back in 2019, I saw FKA Twigs on this huge, amphitheatre-esque stage (which was mega, obviously) and came up to Robyn’s “Dancing on my own” (even more mega). After each day, you then traipse back to a local Airbnb, while annoying all the actual locals left in your wake. At said Airbnb, you realise that it wasn’t a good idea to mix MDMA and weed, as now you and your mates are talking about your favourite genre of cheese, intermittently falling asleep while doing so.
Who’s there: Your mum! No, Charli xcx, Sabrina Carpenter and Chappell Roan are the headliners, though there’ll also be performances by the likes of Jamie XX, Clairo and Central Cee. Something for everyone.
Defected Croatia | 30th July – 3rd August
Where: The Garden Resort in Tisno, Croatia.
What’s the vibe: The wonderful Molly Jappy (HUNGER alumni, all-round brilliant person) wrote about it last year, so stop being a lazy twat and read that.
Who’s there: Brace yourselves for SG Lewis, Carl Craig, Dennis Ferrer, Stacey Pullen, Eliza Rose, Mike Dunn, MJ Cole, and many, many more.
