I will never forget my first festival experience. It was the 2016 Wireless Festival, and I was 15-years-old, a complete newcomer to the chaos that is the London music scene. I vividly remember being trampled, feeling slightly claustrophobic at times, losing my friends constantly, and inhaling smoke clouds of substances I had no business breathing in at 15, but none of that mattered because I was having the time of my life. I experienced Young Thug’s infamous mumble rap in person, Jeremih singing Down on Me, and, my personal highlight, hearing Anderson Paak do his thing live and direct.
In light of being trampled, getting lost, and inhaling questionable fumes, we have compiled a definitive guide to the coolest music festivals within the region and the beyond.
End of the Road Festival
Date: Aug. 31 to Sept. 3, 2023
Location: United Kingdom
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Nestled in Wiltshire’s Larmer Tree Gardens is a haven for music lovers, with an impressive line-up featuring experimental band King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard, Future Islands, Unknown Mortal Orchestra, and Wilco. A London favorite, Greentea Peng will be gracing the stage, as well as Biig Piig, Arooj Aftab, Korkoko, and many more to look forward to.
Decibel Open Air
Date: Sept. 9 to 10, 2023
Location: Florence, Italy
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For all the house and techno heads, this ones for you. Apart from the fact that the festival will be held in the beautiful and historically dense city of Florence, EDM lovers will certainly revel in the lineup, which includes live sets by Peggy Gou, Moderat, Boris, Brejcha, Camelphat, Salmo, Paul Kalkbrenner, and plenty more.
Beonix
Date: Sept. 22 to 24, 2023
Location: Cyprus
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The three-day electronic festival will be witnessing a unique blend of techno and house music. Paul Kalkbrenner, the German DJ and producer, will be taking the stage alongside house music legend Black Coffee, Maceo Plex, and Stephan Bodzin, among others.
MOGA Essaouira
Date: Oct. 4 to 8, 2023
Location: Essaouira, Morocco
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This music and digital arts festival shining a light on the Moroccan and African national scenes alongside international acts is set against the backdrop of the Mediterranean sea, with striking architecture, warm weather, and colorful local cuisine. The festival is for the digital nomads, surfers, and yoga enthusiasts.
Chill O’posite
Date: Oct. 19 to 21, 2023
Location: Dahab, Egypt
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Situated amongst Sinai’s mountains and the Red Sea, Chill Opposite attracts hippies from all over every year. Expect, feathers, bodypaint, lights, and an array of melodic house beats matched with a sound that can only be found in Bedoin-infused environments. The lineup includes Egyptian DJ Amado, Sudanese act Asia Madani, and plenty more talents from the region.
C2C
Date: Nov. 2 to 5, 2023
Location: Turin, Italy
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The 21st edition of the annual festival will be one for the books. Featuring international acts from all over the world, including Palestine’s very own BLTNM, the festival will also see the likes of alternative maven Yves Tumor, London legend King Crule, Flying Lotus, and more.
MDLBEAST Soundstorm Music Festival
Date: Dec. 14 to 16, 2023
Location: Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
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While this year’s lineup is yet to be announced, the Saudi Arabia-based festival made moves last year. The Kingdom witnessed performances by Bruno Mars, and Post Malone in addition to regional stars such as Nancy Ajram, Amr Diab, and Mohamed Hamaki. Surprise performances included Swedish House Mafia alongside DJ Khaled bringing some of his homies on stage– T.I., Future, and Fat Joe. Stay tuned for this year’s line up.
Medaina
Date: May 22 to 27, 2024
Location: Petra and Wadi Rum, Jordan
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The electronic five-day festival taking place in the historical sites of Petra and Wadi Rum in the Jordanian South. The multi-day festival will feature a lineup of international and local musicians with a focus on five creative pillars– music, art, gastronomy, culture, and sustainability. The lineup is yet to be announced. Watch this space!
