This will be the first year both James and I will be crossing the European borders and heading to Hideout Festival on Zrce Beach, Island of Pag in Croatia, from 3rd – 5th July. We’ll be popping our festival abroad experience cherry with an event which has become a staple choice for electronic music lovers all over the world, Hideout is so widely talked about that we decided this year we had to be part of the action. Especially since the typical British summer weather has a habit of causing havoc with downpours and floods, the stunning beachside location of Zrce Beach, surrounded by a mountainous backdrop plus guaranteed sunshine (hopefully!) and high temperatures is certainly part of the appeal.

We’ll be travelling with our friends, Music Festival Holidays, who offer affordable and easy travel packages to UK and European festivals including Outlook, Benicassim and Tomorrowland. Although it involves a 30 hour coach journey there and back, DMM could not be more excited to be amongst fellow revelers, get the party started early and arrive in the country which The Guardian have recently argued as being ‘Europe’s best festival destination’.

Let’s look at the ridiculous line-up – where to start with the huge array of the best DJs, artists and producers of the electro, house and dance world? With DJ sets from the likes of Chase & Status, Four Tet, Rudimental and SBTRKT, plus Jamie Jones, Seth Troxler, Julio Bashmore, Claude Von Stroke and Loco Dice to name but a few, there are far too many for us to name right here. All we can say is, Hideout is the place to be to see pretty much any of the biggest names in the industry and with so much variety, everyone will be sure to have an incredible time.

Hideout isn’t just about the festival itself, with such a stunning location, it’d be a waste not to include boat parties and take the vibe out onto the sea. Hosted by 2020Vision, Aus & Simple, Black Butter Records, Broadwalk Records, Desolat, Digital Soundboy, Drop The Mustard, Dub Boro, Hessle Audio, Heidi, Jackathon, Metropolis, Mono_Cult, Numbers, One Records, Skream & Benga and We Own, you really are spoilt for choice. Some are sold out now so make sure you check on the website and get your tickets quickly – if there are still some left, they won’t be for long!

What’s great about Hideout is the inclusion of the pool parties within the ticket price, which is a fantastic addition and the perfect excuse to cool off in the day, chill out a bit in between the mad partying and soak up the sun while listening to your favourite DJs. From Jackathon & Zutekh to RAM Records, Dirtybird to Circo Loco plus Hot Creations and Metropolis, there’s plenty going on each day during the official Hideout week – we’re already planning ahead and making sure we cram in everything so we make the most of our Croatian festival experience!

Watching the video, if 2012 is anything to go by, this year looks set to be bigger and better than ever which we cannot wait to be a part of – see you on the beach and in the middle of the rave as always!

Get in the mood and check out Hideout on Soundcloud – here’s a mix we dig from Regulate’s Jack Swift:

Follow Hideout Festival on Twitter @HideoutFestival and like on Facebook.

The first festival of the official #DMMFestivalSeason was welcomed by sunshine, the Bank Holiday vibe and a vibrant buzz in Leeds when we arrived at midday on Saturday 4th May. Now in its 6th year, Live At Leeds would be taking over various venues across the city from 1pm onwards for the day/night, celebrating “the best in upcoming local bands alongside more established national acts”. It was clear to see just how popular the event had become from the hundreds of people queuing up outside the grand Leeds City Museum to collect their wristbands; from indie kids to rockers, students to a more mature audience, this was a festival with a difference and we couldn’t wait to get the party started.

Our first stop was the O2 Academy where Leeds boys, The Pigeon Detectives, kickstarted the day for what was a very special, homecoming show. The packed crowd showed their admiration and love for the 5 piece as they smashed through their pop-infused indie tracks, mixing in records from their highly anticipated new album, ‘We Met At Sea’, with popular classics like ‘I’m Not Sorry’ and ‘Take Her Back’. We must highlight lead singer Matt’s brilliant performance as a front man, his energy was contagious and the cheekiness of his banter with the crowd was amusing – “What time did you lot get up to be as pissed as this time of the day?” had us laughing. The Pigeons simply blew the roof off during their hour-long set and set the day off to a cracking start.

After a few cheeky drinks in between, we headed down to The Cockpit to see four piece rock’n’roll Leeds band, the China Rats. I’d seen the guys a few times before where they had the crowd dancing around to their catchy, 50s punk/pop inspired sounds and as mates, I was keen to see them as part of the LAL festival. Although the guys were great on stage and I personally felt proud to see them up there, we were rather disappointed with the lack of enthusiasm from the crowd, which we felt didn’t do China Rat’s music and performance justice. The lads have a lot of potential and we hope that future sets will see more movement from the crowd that they deserve!

Not wanting to miss London Grammar, we ran over to Leeds Met (The Stage) to catch the last half of their set. After being mesmerised by their ethereal, chilled-out and melodic tracks like ‘Hey Now’ and ‘Metal & Dust’, we were keen to witness the beautiful, haunting voice of main singer, Hannah Reid. Her voice translated perfectly in a live setting and had the audience encaptured in a stunning performance from the three-piece, which pointed towards the likes of The XX and Massive Attack in its serenity, making a nice breather from the higher tempo, rockier vibes of the rest of the festival.

Leeds University Union, The Refectory, was our next stop for Californian 5 piece, The Neighbourhood. We’d fallen in love with their evocative combination of hip hop/soul elements with rock, dub and electro vibes, resulting in dark, moody but irresistible tracks and couldn’t wait to watch a live performance. Looking effortlessly cool on stage and playing with passion, the guys certainly did not disappoint and treated to us to an incredible set, featuring well-known tracks, ‘Female Robbery’, ‘Sweater Weather’ and ‘Let It Go’ which had us singing our hearts out to. The only thing we felt let it down was again, a rather unenthused crowd, who we expected to be rocking out to this fantastic music; perhaps the Leeds crowd is becoming more conservative?!

It was a tough choice of who to see after 9.30pm, with Peace, Rudimental, Everything Everything or Darwin Deez being the main contenders; we decided with the latter and headed back over at Leeds Met (The Stage). A curious, entertaining and complex individual, Darwin Deez’s whole set offered toe-tapping tracks with positive, almost hippy-ish energy, which spread through the crowd as they bounced along and enjoyed the likes of ‘Radar Detector’ and ‘Constellations’. A more dynamic reaction compared to other sets throughout the day, the band’s random bursts of dancing injected fun into the set, ending the night on a happy high.

It wouldn’t be a festival without an afterparty and decided on the Propoganda night back at the O2 Academy, where the Pigeon Detectives and Rudimental were later playing DJ sets. We must say, starting out in the basement bar, the resident DJ played some absolute classics which got us both dancing our feet off (what was left of them) – the Higgy Wiggle was out in full force and even I extended on my ‘Spammy 2 Moves’ nickname!

Later on upstairs, we caught one of DMM’s favourites, Rudimental, take over the decks and fill the space with an awesome selection of drum’n’bass/jungle sounds – including their popular tracks too, of course. Good to see a personal favourite, Andy C, up there joining the lads in the bass-heavy offerings!

ROUND-UP

As our first Live At Leeds experience, we’d like to thank and shout out everyone involved in the festival, from the organisers to the press agency, i LiKE PRESS, to the friendly, helpful security guards across each of the venues we visited. Every aspect of the festival, particularly the materials like the website, app and programme, were first-class and further established the event a key date on the festival calendar!

LINE-UP: 8/10
CROWD: 6/10
VENUES: 7/10
ORGANISATION: 7/10

Where to start with the approaching and long-awaited season all music lovers set their sights on for the year…summer and FESTIVALS. Camping, wellies, warm beer, straw hats, the week-long recovery session afterwards; we love it all. Whether in the UK or abroad, we are beyond spoilt for choice when it comes to live music events, from indie/rock offerings in the city to the best in dance and electronic music on the beaches of Croatia, there’s something for everyone.

This year for DMM, we’re keen to go to as many festivals as possible (not just dance, electronic and house ones, but a whole variety of genres) and bring back with us plenty of mad stories and experiences to share, memories of seeing our favourite artists and DJs live, far too many photos and probably damaging our liver a bit too much. But that’s what it’s all about, so here’s our guide to the festivals we’ll be covering this year – if you’re going to any, we’ll be there at the front!

Live At Leeds: 4th May, Leeds

Celebrating “the best in upcoming local bands alongside more established national acts”, Live at Leeds 2013 will see some of the biggest names in indie/rock music take over Leeds for the day and well into the night. With a stormer of a line-up, including The 1975, Everything Everything, The Neighbourhood, Peace and Rudimental, we’re expecting to get our rock on, relish the indie vibe and immerse ourselves into everything the festival, now in its 6th year, has to offer.

Read more on DMM >>
www.dancemusicmanchester.co.uk/2013/live-at-leeds-2013-festival-rekindling-our-love-affair-with-indierock/

See who SpamellaB’s top 5 artists/bands are via Culture Vulture.

Live At Leeds / @LAL2013 / Facebook.com/Liveatleeds

We Are FSTVL: 25th May, Essex

The very first We Are FSTVL sees the Damyns Hall Aerodrome in Essex play host to over 70 of the hottest names in electronic dance music across 10 stages/arenas from 11am – 2.30am. With some of the world’s leading club brands and labels, including Cocoon, Crosstown Rebels, Defected In The House and Kehakuma, plus specially built areas within the venue including a beach arena, we’re predicting We Are FSTVL to be the first of many and a unique festival experience we won’t forget.

Read more on DMM > www.dancemusicmanchester.co.uk/2013/introducing-the-first-we-are-fstvl-festival-may-2013/

Check out our interview with the gorgeous Sam Divine, who will be playing in the Defected In The House arena >> www.dancemusicmanchester.co.uk/2013/dmm-inteview-defecteds-sam-divine-ahead-of-we-are-fstvl-in-may/

We Are FSTVL / @wearefstvl / Facebook.com/wearefstvl

Parklife Weekender: 8th – 9th June, Manchester

Possibly Manchester’s most well-known festival, summer would not be the same without a Parklife Weekender fix. Having grown in size and reputation since 2010, it has become a highlight of the festival calendar and continues to bring some of the biggest and well-known names to Heaton Park. Spread across seven arenas plus the huge open main stage, expect to see the likes of Julio Bashmore, Disclosure, Sub Focus, Bondax, Maceo Plex, Example and Eats Everything smash Manchester up over the weekend.

Read more on DMM >> www.dancemusicmanchester.co.uk/2013/from-manchester-with-love-parklife-2013-line-up-announced/

Parklife Weekender / @Parklifefest / Facebook.com/parklifefestival

Hideout Festival: 3rd – 5th July, Croatia

What more could you want from a festival: guaranteed sunshine and hot weather, beach and boat parties and a huge line-up offering an array of the biggest names in electronic, house and dance music… That’s where Hideout Festival comes in and ticks all the boxes. Located on Zcre Beach, Island of Pag in Croatia, be treated to the sounds of Chase & Status, Loco Dice, Modeselektor, SBTRKT, Seth Troxler and Skream & Benga plus many more!

Hideout Festival / @hideoutfestival / Facebook.com/HideoutFestival

Cocoon In The Park: 13th July, Leeds

What happens when you put Sven Väth, Richie Hawtin, Ricardo Villalobos and Craig Richards in a typically green Yorkshire landscape? The result is Cocoon In The Park, the official annual event for the UK’s techno music lovers in Temple Newsham, a gathering which will witness an impeccable sound system, creative visuals and performers – and of course, bringing the party-goers together for its 5th birthday!

We’re selling tickets! >> Make sure you follow us on Twitter @dancemusicmcr / Facebook.com/dancemusicmanchester to buy them.

Cocoon In The Park / @CocoonInThePark / Facebook.com/CocoonInThePark

Beacons Festival: 16th – 18th August, Skipton

Taking over Heslaker Farm in Skipton will be the annual Beacons Festival – as we see it, Yorkshire’s smaller-scale answer to Glastonbury but still offering huge names in the world of electronic, house and melodic music. From Django Django to John Talabot, Dutch Uncles to Ghost Poet and Eats Everything to Bondax, Beacons Festival isn’t just about the music. We’re looking forward to the chilled environment, sampling the Gourmet Street Food, pizza and whisky tasting, plus pop-up tea rooms too!

Beacons Festival / @BEACONSFEST / Facebook.com/BeaconsFestival

Creamfields: 23rd – 25th August, Cheshire

After last year’s chaotic end which saw the festival ending a day early, we’re hoping and praying this year’s Creamfields won’t be a wash-out! A firm DMM favourite, 2013 sees yet another incredible line-up, spoiling us with the biggest and the best names in dance, house and electronic music. There’s far too many to list, but think Duke Dumont, The Prodigy, Paul Oakenfold, Steve Angello and Porter Robinson, you’re on the right lines.

Creamfields / @Creamfields / Facebook.com/Creamfields

Mint Festival: 21st September, Leeds

The very first Mint Festival at Lotherton Hall last year was one of our highlights of 2012, most noticeably the Bitch arena and we can’t wait for its return this year. Bringing together some of the world’s biggest DJs in house, techno, dance and drum’n’bass (official lineup and details to be announced), Mint Festival is the perfect end to the festival season.

Read more on DMM >> www.dancemusicmanchester.co.uk/2012/our-highlight-of-2012-so-far-mint-festival-leeds/

Mint Festival / @Mint_Festival / Facebook.com/MintFestival

This month’s Bitch brought the return of Michael Woods, and if his set was anything to go by last time he was at Venus, we were all in for a massive treat. Kicking off the night was 1/3 of B3AST, Lempo. Bass Jockeys were up next as the swarms of people started to enter the club and fill the dance floor, where James and Daz dropped some old school classics and Bitch house favorites.

Next up was the return of Mark Kovich who hadn’t played at Bitch since January. Everybody seemed excited to see him back, and he did not disappoint, dropping Cedric Gervais’ huge mix of ‘Summertime Sadness’ that got the crowd into full on party mode.

Lempo then joined the other 2/3 of B3AST, Martyn Russo and Pete Mobey with Ashley Taylor Dawson supporting the boys as he features on their awesome new track ‘True’. They showed exactly why they are one of the Venus crowds’ favorite acts who pulled off yet another classic performance.

It was now time for the headlining act, Michael Woods, who brought a blinding set to this sold out venue. Michael’s involvement with the crowd was also admirable as he gave out tons of signature shades and even poured patron down some lucky ravers’ necks as DMM partied on in the booth with him. When ‘Warrior’ dropped the floor shook as everybody, including the staff, went crazy for Michael’s huge hit and made it another memorable moment at Venus.

Paul Nags then got his opportunity to light up the front room, followed by John Steward and Andy Clarke, wrapping up this massive night.

Next month at Bitch brings the highly anticipated Ibiza Warm Up Party with Oliver Lang, let’s get ready for summer bitches!

Photography credit

Big thanks to Eddy Gosht of Oh My Gosht Photography for the use of his photos from the night! View the full album here.

Kicking off Evolution on the night were Venus residents, Frater and Stent, doing a back to back style performance. Birthday boy Ryan (Stent) was up first, shaking the floor with the Mark Knight remix of ‘Submotion’ followed by an endless array of pure house tunes that had the crowd hooked. As the venue started to attract more and more people to the dance floor, Chris (Frater) joined his partner on the decks as they dropped their brilliant version of Duke Dumont’s number 1 smasher, ‘Need U (100%)’, which got Evolution absolutely bouncing.

By this time the night was in full swing and up next was the talented ESQUIRE, who brought his own unique style to Venus while dropping some top vocal house classics to a packed crowd. With this line-up being similar to last year’s Evolution, which was one of DMM’s first ever nights, the crowd showed their excitement on the return of ESQUIRE who seemed to love the reaction and the buzzing atmosphere surrounding him. Venus also gave away bags of free lollies which went down well – everyone loves a freebie!

We were now well into the night and the hardcore ravers were left to see a top performance by Sick Eleckrik‘s Ben and Jon. These guys are no strangers to the venue or the Venus crowd and they got totally involved on the dance floor before there set, knocking out some shapes and getting involved in the banter. The duo brought more top tunes and funky mixes which makes Evolution one of the best vocal house nights Manchester has to offer.

Closing the night was the young Lewis Grundy putting his own stamp on the night and finishing off in style.

Evolution brought us another great night and with Venus’s 14th birthday bash this Saturday with the likes of K-Klass and Michael Woods headlining Bitch Events at the end of the month, things are only gonna get bigger and better for Venus – see you on the dance floor!