Whether it’s a music, travel or cultural festival the venue and the setting play a key role in establishing the vibe and feel of the event. That being said, hosts of these festivals take great care in picking apt locations and sometimes build the festivals on the basis of a gorgeous or obscure venue. Here are The Sherp’s favourites from year 2015.
1.Β A mountain in Niigata Japan that hostsΒ Labyrinth (a.k.a Β Japanβs best kept secret)
When : September
When it comes to unique music festivals, youβd be surprised by where they pop up. Take for example, The Labyrinth Festival. Hidden away on a grassy mountainside in Niigata, Japan the event is dedicated to featuring the best and brightest techno and experimental artistes. Organised and run by American national Russ Moench, everything aboutΒ LabyrinthΒ promises to display perfection and attention to detail. Artistes and live performers are carefully picked out with itsΒ sound system (The Funktion-One) being exemplary. For Labyrinth, quality always precedes quantity, as the two-day event features one stage with a flawless line-up that will leave any techno enthusiast floored.
2. Β The Salmo River Ranch in Canada that hostsΒ Shambhala
When : August
Held on the stunning Salmo River Ranch, CanadaΒ annually, Shambhala Music Festival is a travelerβs haven. Β A quiescent farm land surrounded by forests andΒ hidden away in the Salmo River Valley in the West Kootenay region of Southern British Columbia, Canada. The farm is owned by the family that also organises the festival, therefore setting up beautiful, permanent stages. The festival is careful to line up artists that are mostly underground, with a few popular ones thrown tastefully in.Β This yearβs lineup features Kygo, Skrillex, Pretty Lights, DJ Jazzy Jeff and more.
3. The quaint corners of the city of Amsterdam that hosts the Amsterdam Dance Event
When: October
From re-purposed churches and dairy factories to underground warehouses and beer cafes, ADE employs some really unique venues for its city-based electronic music gathering.Β As far as music festivals go, Amsterdam Dance Event or ADE is an absolute revolution, as it has converted inert city halls into buzzing musical spaces.Β Cities are plastic in nature; hollow blocks of cement. And almost every major city knows of spaces that are either unpurposed, or remain largely unused. But for ADE, which takes place across the city of Amsterdam for five days, most city venues are metamorphosed into thriving houses of music, as electronic music breathes and lives its best form for the musical gathering. The Sherp was at ADE this year, and came back impressed at the festivalβs ability to transform the otherwise beautiful city to a scene straight out an electronic music fanβs fantasy.
4. Β Abbots Ripton in the UK that hosts theSecret Garden Party
When: Last weekend of July
Two words. Magical and carnival-esque. This annual independent festival for music and arts is probably the most well known and loved boutique festival that exists. It takes place in Abbots Ripton, near Huntingdon, England. The location of the festival is its USP β a Georgian farm house accompanied by its own lake, river and gorgeous landscape.Β The organizers concentrate on making the festival a visual experience with floating boats, crazy entertainment and a yearly theme. Over the years (starting in 2004) Chase and Status, Django Django and Bastille are some of the bands who have featured at this festival.
5. Β Portmeirion in Wales that hosts the Festival No.6
When : September
Imagine a dreamland of music, arts, culture and comedy, all set in the one of the most stylish Italian-themed village. Every September, Festival No 6 returns to this beautiful village ofΒ Portmeirion in WalesΒ to enchant and delight people of all ages. The perfect destination for backpackers and travellers, Festival No 6 has earned itself more than a few accolades for being intimate, stylish and awe-inspiring. The festival, which brings together the whole town, is also a healthy alternative to over-crowded and hedonistic EDM festivals, with its family-friendly camping areas and activities.
6. The Ziro Valley in Arunachal Pradesh that hostsΒ Ziro Festival of Music
Where: September
Nestled in the beautiful Ziro Valley in Arunachal Pradesh is festival thatβs known for its perfect location, and the unique bunch of artists that perform there. Ziro Festival of Music is a camping festival, and is situated right in the middle of Apatani tribal villages. The festival is an organic musical experience that combines the stunning beauty of Arunachali hills, non-mainstream indie music, north-eastern folk music, and Apatani tribal culture. With a gorgeous view in every direction, amazing people around, and artists like Alisha Bath and Omak Kamut Collective playing, Ziro is worth every bit of travelling needed to get here.
(Image Courtesy : Nicole Alice Photography)
7. Alsisar Mahal in Rajasthan that hosts Magnetic Fields
Where:Β December
One of the most scenic desert/boutique festival in India, Magnetic Fields has created a unique space in the Indian festival sphere for itself. Set in a gorgeous Mahal in Rajasthan, this small (first time) & yet undeniably eclectic music festival captured the hearts of all who attended and were part of it, last year. The lineup and production were delightfully unique, attendees were literally treated like Kings and Queens and the sense of community was strong. This cozy festival has set quite the bar when it comes to executing intimate boutique festivals in India.
8. Β A beach side jungle in Costa Rica that hosts theΒ Envision Festival
When : February
Presenting Envision, a festival hosted on aΒ beach-sideΒ jungle in CostaΒ Rica, where community, the environment and culture comes together in a beautiful balance.Envision has all the elements of a perfect experience β music, art, culture and communal living on a beach. Among the activities, apart from the music, expect to be blown away by drum circles, healing workshops, yoga, permacultures, art and even plant healing.
9. Monte Piana in Italy that hosts theΒ Slackline Festival
When: September
Italyβs International Highline Meeting is one of the most spectacular and dangerous festivals to ever be held on the globe. The event takes place in the northern Italian alps at Monte Piana, near Misurina, and gathered extreme slackline enthusiasts from around the world.Β Besides the fact that the slackers spend a good part of their days their days (and nights) on slacklines suspended hundreds of feet above the Italian dolomite Alps, the meeting has all the trappings of a normal festival β a kitchen, a bar, and awesome musical jam sessions. And just look at that stunning view!
10. Norway’s venue for Traena
When : June or July
What can we really say about this festival? Set in one of the most incredibly unique locations, off the coast of northern Norway, At Traena you will witness caves being transformed into stages, music and under the bluest and brightest skies known to man.
