February 2016 is a month full of wistful musical goodbyes to the withdrawing season of winter, and The Sherp has picked the best music festivals for the occasion.Β
February might be nothing more than a leap-over month between winter and spring, but in the world of music festivals, it’s quite the busy month. With several festivals, especiallyΒ with insurgence in the number of festivals at the warmer regions of the planet, February has stacked some diverse and unique offers of music. We, at Festival Sherpa, have for you the very best festivals from around the world, so you have a artfully rich February.
1. St. Jeromeβs Laneway Festival Tour
Where: Singapore, Malaysia
When: January 30- February 14
The Australian mega event, St. Jeromeβs Laneway Festival rose from its humble beginnings to become one of the most successful traveling music festivals in the world. Its Singapore edition takes place annually in the month of January, as if to usher in the well-meaningness of the new year. In 2016, the one-day festival will play host to names such as Chvrches, DIIV, East India Youth, Flume, Grimes, Hudson Mohawke, Thundercat, Shamir, and Tobias Jesso Jr. to name a few, thereby being the hotbed for all indie music lovers.
(Source: Alvin Ho |Β St Jerome’s Laneway Festival Facebook)
2. 70000 Tons of Metal
Where: Miami, FL
When: February 4-8
Miami might sound the most unlikely destination for metal music, least of all, for a cruise metal music festival, but the pun-ny sounds made by the festival of 7000 Tons of Metal would prove otherwise. About 60 metal bands, including not only Children of Bodom, Cradle of Filth, Sodom, Katatonia and Paradise Lost among other biggies feature in the festivalβs extensive 5-day schedule which also includes quirks such as metal karaoke, all-star jams and workshops with musicians.
(Source: 70000 Tons Facebook)
3. Kala Ghoda Arts Festival
Where: Mumbai, India
When: February 6 to 14
The Kala Ghoda Arts Festival held every winter in South Mumbaiβs Kala Ghoda region is a wonderful celebration of art in all its forms, from exhibitions of paintings, visual art forms and crafts, to clothes and jewelry, and even household objects, to music, cinema, food and literature. The nine day festival watches the diaspora of the culturally relevant city, from young students and art enthusiasts to celebrated artists mingle and interact in a creatively liberated expression.
Kala Ghoda is worth celebrating in its attempt to revamp the city of finance with a cultural prerogative!
(Source: Kala Ghoda Facebook)
4. Holy Ship!
Where: Miami, FL
When: February 10-13
With electronic festivals becoming absolute festival nomenclature, there is much to love about Holy Ship. Not only because itβs a festival gathering to literally take place on a ship, but it allows for a sun-kissed beach sailing adventure with music that you would definitely root for. The first weekend of Holy Ship ended to a dramatic close, that was every bit as satisfying as the experience itself. And in February, the most exciting cruise festival will return with a lineup featuring acts such as Boys Noize, Gramatik, Falcones, Claptone, DJ Snake and Soul Clap.
(Source: Holy Ship Facebook)
5. Mahindra Blues
Where: Mumbai, India
When: February 13 to 14
Indiaβs affiliation with blues music is well known but not so well documented. Making Indiaβs intrinsic love for this genre of music possible if the Mahindra Blues Festival. Mahindra Blues has over the past four years single handedly united Blues music enthusiasts across the country, by bringing down some world class musicians to perform, along with providing a platform for upcoming Blues talent in the country. Before heading to Chicago this year, it returns for its February edition in Mumbai with talented blues acts such asΒ Soulmate, Joss Stone, Keb’ Mo’, Malina Moye, Heritage Blues Orchestra and King King.
(Source: Mahindra Blues Facebook)
6. SΓ³nar Reykjavik
Where: Reykjavik, Iceland
When: February 18-20
When it comes to music festivals, SΓ³nar is nothing short of being assigned a cult status, as the two decade long festival has brought cultural and musical revolution to the country of Barcelona. The Icelandic edition of SΓ³nar, on the other hand, is a much more demure and intimate affair, as it indulges some of the best electronic music around for true fans. Itβs a true redefinition of sorts, as the large scale festival truly finds respite in Icelandβs candid settings. Β This year’s lineup has the festival bring in some truly inventive artists such as Hudson Mohawke, Squarepusher, Koreless, Floating Points, Mumdance, and Unkwon, among several others, including some genuine underground Icelandic talent.
7. 9 Mile
Where: Miami, FL
When: February 27
βTogether we can make a difference for those who are less fortunate. United we stand, divided we fall.β
Such is the spirit embodied by the festival of 9 Mile that began in β93 as the brainchild of Cedella Marley Booker in memoriam of her son, the great Bob Marley. The festival is committed to spreading a spirit of oneness and more than a concert, it is a festival that strives to achieve a profit for the sole purpose of distributing canned food to homeless shelters and domestic centres throughout Miami. Held at the stunning Virginia Key Beach Park, the 2016 lineup features brilliant acts such as Nas, Stephen Marley, Damian Marley and Julian Marley with the remaining lineup waiting to be announced.
(Source:Β topshelfreggae.com)
(Source: everfest.com)
8. Envision Festival
Where: Uvita, Costa Rica
When: February 25-28
What could be a better location to host a festival than a beach-side jungle? This Costa Rican festival is all about teaching yourself about environment, community and cultures from all over America. 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, thereβs some amazing stuff to do like drum circles, healing workshops, yoga, permacultures, art and even plant healing. The location sets the whole concept off perfectly. Envision Festival is an event deeply invested in community and social spirit, as it brings people together in a whirlwind of activities surrounding yoga, music and dance, to elevate the mind-body connection. On the pacific coast of Costa Rica, Envision Festival is a stripped down gathering of wellness enthusiasts, as it has the reputation of bringing down world famous yoga teachers.
(Credit:Β Daniel Zetterstrom | Envision Festival Facebook)
(Source:Β Envision Festival Facebook)
9. Electric Daisy Carnival Mexico
Where: Mexico City, Mexico
When: February 27-28
An electrifying 3-day dance party which initiated back in 1997, Electric Daisy Carnival (EDC) is a traditional electronic music festival with DJs at its forefront, shelling out the best of βEDMβ. Of its international editions, the Mexico one is extremely popular among dance music fans.Β But as opposed to a lot of other electronic festivals, EDC comes with a certain aesthetic, and this, mixed with the homegrown colours of Mexico, gives rise to an eclectic visual and aural combination. The festival is an avenue to discover the very best and the most promising acts in electronic music, along with dazzling firework displays, costume parades and enthralling art installations.
(Source:Β http://mexico.electricdaisycarnival.com/en)
10. The Lost Party
Where: Amby Valley, Lonavala
When: February 26 to 28
India’s eclectic camping and music festival is back for its second edition, and given its numerous launch parties, one featuring none other than the French trip hop group Chinese Man, one can trust it to be a great run. After a smashing debut in Lavasa last year, they’re back with a new location at Salter Lake, Lonavala . In addition to the music, the festival features camping, community gathering, arcade games and several other activities that make it the perfect music-fueled getaway from city life.
(Source: Jeetendra Saran | Festival Sherpa)
11. Ultra South Africa
Where: Johannesburg and Cape Town, South Africa
When: February 26-28
Miami’s hottest music festival will be heading to South Africa this February with a lineup bound to attract any and every electronic music lover. And what’s better is that the festival will be held at South Africa’s two biggest cities simultaneously in the last weekend of the month. Featuring acts like Afrojack, Skrillex, Zedd, Mr Carmack, Seth Troxler and Strange Lovers, the festival will be an undisputed party in the African peninsula.
(Source: Ultra South Africa webpage)