OTP’s Guide to Electronic Dance Music Around the World
There’s nothing quite like the experience of live Electronic Dance Music (EDM). More than a drug-fueled rave, EDM parties are meant to be an expression of humanity’s highest ideals: love, harmony, and a body-rocking dose of hedonism. Whether you’re trekking through Europe or on your way back from the Maldives, you can find a place to rock out to back-breaking bass lines and melodic vocals. EDM is a living, breathing, culture of music and dance present on every continent on the planet (Antarctica? Sure, why not) and no matter where you are in your travels, chances are there’s a good show nearby. OTP’s got the down and dirty on a few of the major annual festivals to keep the hedonism alive.
Australia
"Rainbow Serpent Festival"
Rainbow Serpent Festival (Victoria): This annual event in the Bushlands of Australia has been shaking the Earth for ten ecstatic years. Four full days of music, nature, spirituality, and amazing people, the festival attracts over 7,000 guests and grows every year. Aboriginal elders claim the Rainbow Serpent dances through you when the beat aches its way into your “sound-essence” (they’ve been high for ages, this is the result). Experience yourself some rainbow light in one of the world’s finest exhibitions of psy-trance and other progressive EDM genres. Essential extras: a tent and a didgeridoo.
India
Photo By: Oleg Zdorik
Anjuna Beach (Goa): This stretch of sand has become a global symbol for some of the best parties in the southern hemisphere, due to its unique combination of ambient Indian sunsets, elect DJs and nightclubs that throw multi-day parties. In fact, the area is so famed for music, that it earned its own distinct genre— Goa-trance. Keep your eye on the moon cycles and plan to attend a famous ‘full moon party.’ Sleeping is for the defeated in Goa, especially around New Years—Anjuna’s high season. Check out Paradiso, a hotspot on the beach, as well as the Shore Bar or Guru Bar, prime-locations to get your party started any time of the day. The best way to experience Goa is to follow the hardest pumping basslines from bar to bar to beach to bar.
U.S.A.
"Mansion Nightclub in South Beach"
Winter Music Conference (Miami, FL): Let’s say you’re busted-ass broke and must stay in the good ole’ U.S. of A. to get your trance-fix. Spring Break, bitches! While Miami isn’t a huge change from doing the tequila tango with sorority girls and frat bros, during the Winter Music Conference (sounds official) you get to see all of the world’s best DJs in one place. A week-long bumping party, WMC brings South Beach to life (and traffic on Ocean Ave. to a grinding halt) for a week of debauchery that won’t disappoint. Get on the broke train full force and book one of these cheap rooms to stay true to your backpacking roots.
Europe
"Dance Valley, Photo By: Roderick De Veen"
San Antonio (Ibiza): Ibiza is THE iconic EDM destination. Cafe del Mar is a Balearic-chill beats legend and spots like Bora Bora, Amnesia, Eden, and Es Paradis are well on their way to world-renowned musical fame but any place along the port of Ibiza and the Sunset Strip in San Antonio will move you beyond words. While Ibiza has recently become gay party central, this island has been bumping for decades and is worth checking out regardless of your orientation. If you keep up with the party, you won’t even need your room key.
Dance Valley (Netherlands): Happening in spots such as the Valley of Love, Strawberry Valley and the Field of Dreams, Dance Valley is currently the largest outdoor trance event in the world. Puncturing ear drums for14 years, it promises to keep going strong with an escalating annual line-up. Stop by Amsterdam for the pre-game of your life and prepare for one of the best trance parties in all the land.
"Nature One, Photo By Stefan Jacobs"
Global Gathering Festival (UK): A two-day festival at the end of July each year, Global Gathering partied proper for its 10th anniversary in 2010. With 10 under its belt, the years to come promise professional mind-blowing, sweat-inducing, beats. It starts with a kind-of parade into the main gates of Stratford-Upon-Avon and is followed by 2 days of sloppy, glorious party.
Nature One (Germany): Raging since 1995, Nature One is huge. It all happens on an abandoned rocket base and, after 15 years, still attracts about 50,000 dancers annually. Promoters usually put on events Thursday through Sunday, but the festival itself goes between Friday and Saturday nights. After two nights of getting good and sweaty at Nature One, the rocket base explodes with fireworks to further stimulate your beat beaten brain.
As you sit there and read this, parts of the world are rocking hard to sick beats. Does that make you antsy? Feel like you’re missing out perhaps? Can’t blame us; we gave you plenty of better ways to waste/use your brain cells.
Unbridled reality, bitches!
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My favorite genre of music. House music all night long! For New York City and perhaps one of the biggest is called Electric Zoo. I’ve been to WMC and it’s really amazing. Way better than UMF.
I agree. Electric Zoo is awesome! Also follow the maddecent block parties. It’s in many cities in the US and even London! You cant beat a show by Diplo for free!!! http://www.maddecentblockparty.com
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