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.

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

Our friends at Music Festival Holidays are offering packages to two different but awesome festivals abroad, yet more choice to the already huge festival season calendar for 2013. While Love System Festival is a more niche event in Croatia with a very music-oriented vibe, Ultra, one of the most popular festivals in Miami, is making its way to Europe. Also at this increasingly popular location for music events, this is for the more hardcore raver.

Here’s more information about them both and if you fancy one or the other, or both if you’re feeling flash, go check out the very affordable packages on Music Festival Holidays – thank us later!

Ultra Premium Flight Pack

When: 9 July – 16 July
Price From: £549.00
Deposit: 25%
Final Balance Due: 15 May 2013
Available: NOW

Ultra Festival Europe 2013 line up
Afrojack and Hardwell , Avicci, Carl Cox and friends, Armin Van Buuren, Bingo Players, Fedde Le Grand, Nicky Romero, Porter Robinson, Marco Carola, Reboot, Umek, Art Department and more to be announced.

What’s Included?
* Festival wrist band for Ultra festival in Split (Can be removed for those already with a festival pass)
* Apartment accommodation for 7 nights for Ultra Festival in Split
* Full festival ticket for Ultra festival in Split including pre and post parties
* Boat party ticket in Split
* Return private Coach Transfer from airport to Ultra
* Services of Music Festival holiday rep

Find out more: Ultra Europe package at MFH.

Love System Flight Pack

When: 27 May – 3 June
Price From: £549.00
Deposit: 25%
Final Balance Due: 1 April
Available: NOW

Love System Festival 2013 line up
Shonky, Bicep, Ralph Lawson, Finnebassen, Mario Basanov, Midland, HNQO, Ben Pearce, Waff, Jay Shepheard, Tom Demac Live, Lovebirds, Ejeca, Kolombo, George Fitzgerald, Sven Wisemann, Paleman, Trikk, Squarehead, Klose One, Dirty Channels, Kreature, Climbers, Jobe, Matt Fear, Ossie, Mike Gill, Markas, Jonny Cade, Sion, Lauren Lo Sung, Pauly P, Danny Raper, Smash Hits, Ed Howard, Tom Buxton, David Goodchild, Isaac Smile, Dave Harbour, Minicat, Wayne Smith, Eddy osborne and more.

What’s Included?
* Full Festival wrist band (Can be removed for those already with a festival pass)
* 3 star accommodation for 7 nights whilst at Love System Festival
* Return private Coach Transfer from airport to Love System
* Services of Music Festival holiday rep
* Return flights into Zagreb airport

Find out more: Love System Festival package at MFH.

For those of you going to European festivals this year, you might be wondering about how to get there, or how much it’s all going to cost to get to places, which could turn out to be shockingly expensive! Now, of course festivals are all about the music, the raving and the drinking, but these little details are pretty important and often get overlooked in all the excitement.

This is where Music Festival Holidays come in. These guys offer professional and affordable organised travel packages to festivals abroad, in European destinations such as Croatia, which are often difficult to reach due to poor public transport links and high travel costs. MFH are the main travel provider for Hideout Festival, and work closely with many other festivals like Sziget, Benicassim, Outlook, MELT, Sonar, Tomorrowland and Snowboxx.

If you’re looking to use a tour operator to organise an affordable group summer holiday and an easy solution to get to those hard-to-reach festivals, we’d recommend MFH. They organise your festival pass along with flights and coach travel to and from the festival, plus stop-offs for party nights out en-route to the event.

With 25 years experience in the travel market, MHF are your port of call for organising your perfect music festival holiday!

Find Out More

Check out the website to find out about packages, payment and all the options on offer. Stay tuned for awesome competition giveaways coming up too – you could be the winner of two Hideout Festival tickets!

Website: www.musicfestivalholidays.co.uk
Twitter: @MusicFestHols
Facebook: www.facebook.com/music-festival-holidays

This summer sees the return of Electric Elephant Festival, a 5-day boutique escape packed with sun, sea and awesome music in the idyllic setting of the Dalmatian Coast in Croatia. Entering its 6^th season in 2013, get ready for plenty of dancing under the sun and stars on the beautiful Adriatic coastline from Thursday 11^th – Monday 15^th July 2013. A gathering of like-minded souls united from across Europe and beyond, Electric Elephant have just announced more names for its instalment at its new home for this year, The Garden Tinso.

Electric Elephant will be welcoming Manchester music maestro and general brewer of the finest quality tea leaves, Mr Scruff, who will be making his long-awaited debut at the festival. For us at DMM, this is great to see a fellow Mancunian represent this great city at such a prestigious festival abroad and we predict his genre-blending set will be one not to miss!

After enjoying himself so much last year Kompakt Records head honcho, Michael Mayer, will be returning alongside Tobias Thomas plus other new names like Panorama Bar resident Prosumer, Fabric regular Pete Herbert and Wild Bunch founder, DJ Nature. Also on board for this Adriatic adventure include debutants Heidi and Miguel Campbell, as well as familiar faces Andrew Weatherall & Sean Johnson, Optimo, Ivan Smagghe and Ewan Pearson. These are just some of the huge names playing at Electric Elephant, but you can check out the full line-up on the website.

That all sounds pretty good so far, and we’ve not even gone into detail about the location yet. The Garden Tisno is a perfect picture paradise overlooking the clear blue sea beside the secluded sandy beach. With the new site hosting the main stage, beach bar and Tiki bar. Don’t miss out on the legendary Argonaughty, voyages setting sail out across the stunning Adriaticin the evening, plus the infamous after nightly parties. That’s the thing about Electric Elephant, the magic continues well into the early hours, thanks to the amazing new outdoor club, Barbarellas, where you can party under the stars and watch the sun rise. Great for those who are looking for a getaway where they can party 24/7!

Of course, you’ll be staying in Croatia for the duration of the festival, so what about accommodation? The site features on-site apartments and luxury Shikar tents, plus Tisno itself is a picture-perfect postcard town with plenty of shops, restaurant, bars and accommodation options for you to explore. You can find out more info about where to stay on the Electric Elephant website.

Important Extra Info.

Dates: Thurs 11^th – Mon 15^th July 2013
Location: The Garden Tisno, Petrica Glava 34, 22240,Tisno,Croatia
Full weekend tickets: £110.00 / Double Whammy pass with Electric Elephant and The Garden festival: £150
Electric Elephant website

Electric Elephant Promo 2012 from stneon on Vimeo.