Lists
10 boutique festivals to hit this summer
From Bygrave Woods to Bulgaria
Yes, we all know that Glastonbury is life changing, Sziget is an epic endurance event and Tomorrowland is a Disney-cum-EDM carnival, but sometimes it’s nice to not party with 100,000-odd people in a location the size of a small town right?
Luckily, with festivals seemingly at their peak of popularity the trend for promoters appears to no longer be bigger and better. Instead we’re seeing festivals cater to fewer people and focus on the uniqueness of the experiences they offer.
From the music, to the food, to the decorations, to the Instagrammability, out of the way wooded glades, a secluded island in the Amazon and 12th century monasteries have all been appropriated in the name of a good time this summer.
Here are the top 10 boutique festivals to head to this summer.
UVA: Festival of Music and Visual Arts
Ever wondered what it's like to see the sunset from a 12th century monastery perched on the cliffs of Ronda, one of Spain's most stunning cities? With UVA, that experience is here. Described as a "festival for friends, by friends" it's perhaps Spain's first truly boutique festival. With only 500 tickets available you're guaranteed an intimate experience at the converted vineyard soundtracked by some of the finest house, techno and disco selectors on offer. Rush Hour's Antal and San Proper, L.I.E.S affiliate Greg Beato, Brilliant Corners' Donna Leake, Trus'Me, Matthis Meyer and Ilian Tape affiliate Andrea are all in tow to provide the sounds.
Where: Malaga, Spain
When: June 2-4
Tickets: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/uva-festival-of-music-and-visual-arts-tickets-32203132436
Meadows In The Mountains
Do misty mountain tops, spectacular sunrises and a bohemian spirit sound up your street? Then Meadows In The Mountains is probably for you. Located in Bulgaria’s Rhodopes Mountains, on the border of Greece, this 1000-capacity festival offers some of the most awe-inspiring views on the summer circuit. Combine that with an intimate crowd and you’ve got your own three-day hippy commune that strikes a balance between Secret Garden Party and Burning Man. And unlike British festivals, Bulgaria’s reluctance to switch to the Euro means food and drink is very affordable. Of course, these festivals are nothing without a decent line-up and thankfully Meadows doesn’t disappoint. Commix, Brian Not Brian, Nico Stojan, Valentino Kanzayani, Anna Wall, Youandewan and Shanti Celeste will all make appearances.
Where: Rhodope Mountains, Bulgaria
When: June 9-11
Farr Festival
Starting out as a small gathering for friends in 2009, Farr Festival is an example of just how far the boutique festival has come. Held in the Bygrave Woods 40 minutes outside of London it has built a dedicated following thanks to a consistently great line-up, intimate setting and a myriad of excellent food options. As they’ve slowly grown in size to a capacity of 6000 over the past seven years, this is the year they are looking to refine their operations. This includes a new stage from East London restaurant and bar Brilliant Corners, renowned for it’s audiophile soundystem and an ambient and experimental stage. DJs playing this year include: Todd Terje, Booka Shade, Floating Points, Nao, Mano Le Tough, Omar-S, Axel Boman, Mr G, Helena Hauff, Honey Dijon and Leon Vynehall.
Where: Bygrave Woods, Hertfordshire
When: July 13-15
Tickets: https://tickets.farrfestival.co.uk/
The xx: Day + Night Iceland
The xx’s acclaimed Day + Night festival is headed to Iceland. Having already held events in Lisbon, Berlin and Brixton, the band are now taking the likes of Sampha, Earl Sweatshirt, Bjarki, Call Super, Avalon Emerson, Gilles Peterson, Hunee and Floating Points to the Skógafoss waterfall. Two hours outside of Reykjavik, the breathtaking waterfall has provided the backdrop for Hollywood movie shoots and Justin Bieber videos but on July 14 will play host to what we expect to be an intriguing music festival
Where: Skógarfoss, Iceland
When: July 14-17
Houghton
Gottwood is already well known for the care it takes in throwing parties at the Carregewlyd Estate in Wales. This year though, it's splintering and we’re intrigued to see what comes of the partnership with Fabric resident Craig Richards. Held in a thick area of Norfolk woodland, surrounded by a lake with an abandoned warehouse and subterranean bowl nearby, Houghton looks very promising. “I’ve always seen myself as more of a collector than a curator. I’m also much more of an artist than an organiser. I made it clear that the people invited would be chosen on merit. All will be chefs not waiters. All are artists whose talent I value immensely,” Richards says about the festival. Well, if the artists he’s chosen are all chefs, then they’re at Michelin stars level. Ricardo Villalobos, Nicolaas Jarr, Floating Points, Seth Troxler, Tony Allen, Raresh, Rhadoo, Optimo, Joy Orbison, Gerd Janson, Horse Meat Disco, Roman Flügel and the list goes on. What makes it all the more better is the festival’s ethos of extended sets and spontaneous b2bs. Expect many ‘you had to be there’ moments.
When: August 10-13
Where: Houghton, Norfolk
Lost Village
Branded as an “immersive festival experience”, Lost Village is all about losing yourself. Seriously. None of the stages are signposted, ‘The Tribe’ are lurking around the grounds waiting to fuck with you and reality is generally suspended in this abandoned woodland village. It’s all looks rather Blair Witch, but with less murderous spirits and more banging tunes. The line-up is incredible this year with Jackmaster, Mr Scruff, Moderat, Move D, Avalon Emerson, Nina Kraviz, Moxie, Mall Grab, Legowelt, Jeremy Underground, Leon Vynehall, Gerd Janson, Greg Wilson, Fatima Yamaha, Bicep, Call Super, Dixon, Hunee and the Black Madonna all laying it down. But if you ever find yourself (somehow) not intrigued by the line-up, you can chill in a hot tub at the side of the Lake Of Tranquility, or chow down on some Michelin star-grade food.
Where: Lancashire, England
When: August 24-27
Dekmantel Selectors
“At just 1500 capacity, you almost feel like you're back at school as you recognise so many faces at the festival,” we wrote about last year’s Dekmantel Selectors. And it’s this feeling the best of the new breed produce in bucketloads. Of course, anything the Dekmantel crew touch seems to turn to gold. Their Amsterdam edition is possibly the coolest and most enjoyable event of the summer, the move to Sao Paulo has been, by all accounts, a resounding success, and then there’s Croatia, Dekmantel’s most intimate event. The Garden in Tisno has proved a brilliant venue the last few summers as people cast their eyes towards the Adriatic Sea over the Balearic. The wood-lined bay offers hidden chill-spots, an on-site restaurant and even pool tables to play on. Naturally, being Dekmantal the line-up certainly hasn’t been skipped on either with a plethora of festival regulars at their disposal. Ben UFO, DJ Stingray, Helena Hauff, Lena Willikens, Objekt and Brian Not Brian join regulars Palms Trax, Antal, Hunee, Young Marco, Orpheu The Wizard and Motor City Drum Ensemble.
When: August 24-28
Where: Tisno, Croatia
Field Maneuvers
At only 700 people capacity, the “UK’s small dirty little rave” is one of this list’s smallest festivals. But that’s the beauty of it. "It's like a mate hosting a rave for his own kicks," we wrote last year. With an incredible music program laid out over two tents and the Sputnik dome, the site is only a five-minute walk across, meaning everything is at hand and you probably won’t lose your mates for days on end. Forgot that Shanti Celeste is starting right now? You can probably still get to her in time to hear the first mix. Field Maneuvers is really what a British rave is all about; getting together in a field with some incredible sounds come rain or shine. The line-up appears on point as well. Alongside residents Ben Sims, Ryan Elliott and Auntie Flo, this year sees Octo Octa play a live show, Discwoman crew member Volvox, Midland, Nick Höppner, Spencer Parker and the aforementioned Celeste throw down. It’s going to get personal.
Where: TBC
When: September 1-3
Tickets: https://fieldmaneuvers.eventcube.io/events/4879/field-maneuvers-2017/
The O Mato Experience
The newest and smallest festival on the block, The O Mato Experience will make its debut this year on a secluded island that can only be reached by boat in the depths of the Brazilian rainforest and is as much an expedition as a music festival. Held over 10 days, 150 revellers will be treated to activities like wakeboarding, fishing and canoeing, and treated to survival knowledge workshops, herbal lectures and Capoeira lessons. The festival’s goal is to be 100% self sufficient meaning a water well has been constructed, solar panels has been installed and a small farming area with ducks, chicken and vegetables has been built. All of this Amazon exploration will be soundtracked by a small, but quality line-up consisting of The Zenker Brothers, annanan, Paul Kine and local residents. It sounds like the next Fyre Festival, but we reckon it’s going to be sick. Prepare to pitch that hammock.
Where: Cheiro do Mato, Brazil
When: September 4-14
Tickets: https://www.facebook.com/pg/omatoexperience/shop/?rid=1490391427868312&rt=6
The Labyrinth
The long-standing Japanese festival has become an institution, with techno fans flocking from around the world to experience one of music’s best-kept secrets. Never a festival to cater to populist opinion, if you go to Labyrinth, you get what you’re given: one stage, impeccable Funktion One-powered sound, minimal lighting, some teepees and a tightly curated line-up. If anything, Labyrinth is really the opposite of what people think when they hear the phrase ‘boutique festival’. But with this year’s edition being downsized, we’re still slipping it onto this list for it’s intimate vibe. Originally starting out life in the late 90s as a Goa/psy-trance rave founded by American Russ Moench, the festival on the picturesque mountainside in Niigata, Japan features regular attendees Donato Dozzy, Peter Van Hoesen and Mathew Jonson in an “egoless” environment. They don’t just come, play and leave, it’s all about everyone immersing themselves in the experience.
Where: Niigata, Japan
When: September 16-18
Tickets: http://www.mindgames.jp/
Louis Anderson-Rich is Mixmag’s Digital Intern and you can follow him on Twitter. He is neither small nor fashionable
