Escape the real world with unique festival experiences

Escapism is one of the primary reasons that festival-goers around the world travel far and wide to their favourite events. Wherever they are located, festivals provide a unique experience, sheltering attendees from the outside world and promoting a positive attitude and an environment of acceptance.

EXIT Festival, Serbia
What better way to escape the real world than partying in the Petrovaradin Fortress overlooking the river Danube?
With a worldwide audience travelling from far and wide to attend, EXIT truly boasts a diverse crowd, one of the many enticing aspects of the event. The award winning festival has something for music lovers of all genres with a diverse mix of artists performing on numerous stages connected by cobbled streets, ramparts and tunnels. Dance alongside 20,000 people in the iconic dance arena while the sun rises over the fortress walls and feel truly immersed in the festival experience. With such captivating moments EXIT Festival truly allows attendees to escape from the real world. This year’s lineup is already shaping up to be the best yet, with artists including David Guetta, Grace Jones, MIgos, Fever Ray, LP, Ziggy Marley, Adam Beyer B2B Ida Engberg, Alice Merton, Maceo Plex, Nina Kraviz, Richie Hawtin, Slaves, Solomun, Take of Us. Idles and many more all set to appear. The already stacked lineup continues to get bigger and bigger with each announcement, and with plenty more names still yet to be unveiled, the 2018 edition of EXIT Festival will undoubtedly be the most impressive to date.

Exit takes place from 12-15 July 2018. More info available at exitfest.org

Lowlands Festival, The Netherlands
Set in a remote location in The Netherlands just over an hours drive from Amsterdam, Lowlands allows attendees to disconnect from the real world in a
township with thousands of inhabitants that arises in the middle of the country for three days in August. Lowlands features heavyweight headliners, impressive installations including the new armadillo featuring the renowned chimney stacks and no less than twelve stages (going by the names of Alpha, Bravo, Heineken, Lima, Juliet, X-Ray, Echo. Offering a unique selection of film, stand-up comedy, visual arts, literature, and street theatre, the festival has the feel of civilisation separate from modern society, allowing attendees to truly immerse themselves in the activities offered. All stages are covered too, so you can enjoy all the music and entertainment come rain or shine As the sun sets and the night draws in, the atmosphere intensifies, making the festival’s performances more mind-blowing than ever. Playing host to artists from a wide variety of genres, the festival undoubtedly has something for everybody, and boasts a star-studded lineup filled with iconic artists. This year’s lineup includes appearances from the likes of Gorillaz, Kendrick Lamar, N.E.R.D, The War On Drugs, Dua Lipa, James Bay, Bonobo, Patti Smith, Rag’N’Bone Man, Richie Hawtin, Stormzy, Tom Odell, Charlotte De Witte, and many more.

Lowlands takes place from 17 - 19 August 2018. More info available at lowlands.nl

Positivus Festival, Latvia
Feel truly separated from the real world at Positivus Festival in Latvia, which takes place surrounded by woodland and next to the picturesque Baltic coastline. Catering to the whole family, Positivus offers a wide range of activities for attendees as well as transporting chart-topping headliners, underground emerging talent and exciting art and dance stages to their unspoiled atmospheric coastal setting amid stunning woodland.Festival goers can dip their toes in the Baltic sea, take in the atmosphere and feel at one with nature beneath on a hammock beneath the trees, browse the arts and crafts market at ease or taste a selection of the finest cuisine at the food court. This long-running festival remains a favourite due to its separation from the real world, allowing attendees to feel at one with nature in the midst of one of Europe’s most beautiful locations. This year’s edition will see performances from the likes of Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds, The Prodigy, Years & Years, Tove Lo, Mura Masa, Lauv and more.

Positivus takes place from 20 - 22 July 2018. More info available at positivusfestival.com

Sea Star Festival, Croatia
Set amongst exquisite Croatian coastline, Sea Star Festival is the ultimate location for relaxation and rejuvenation. This beach resort event promotes tranquillity and provides the perfect opportunity to unwind, with attendees left stunned by the picturesque landscape. Watch the sunset from the beach and be part of one of the most breath taking festival experiences in the world. Truly feel separated from reality surrounded by likeminded electronic music enthusiasts experiencing the picturesque landscape alongside exceptional live performances. The festival offers a stacked electronic lineup featuring the likes of Dimitri Vegas & Like Mike, Robin Schulz, Paul Van Dyk, Francois X, Luke Slater and Tommy Four Seven plus performances from artists including as Hurts and Disciples, all of whom will provide unforgettable performances, made even more powerful by the awe-inspiring backdrop.

Sea Star takes place from 24 - 27 May 2018. More info available at seastarfestival.com

Secret Solstice Festival, Iceland
Iceland's Secret Solstice is a destination for festival goers with a passion for the natural beauty of the great outdoors. Each year the festival welcomes an eclectic lineup to the naturally breathtaking country for main stage sets, glacier raves, lava tunnel shindigs, midnight sun boat parties and secret lagoon blowouts. Other tourist attractions also include volcanic beaches, epic midnight sunsets where daylight reins 24/7, Game of Thrones filming locations, jaw-dropping waterfalls and the infamous Blue Lagoon.Never failing to deliver a huge lineup spanning multiple genres, the festival has continued to cement its position as one of the world’s most sought-after events. Held during the Summer Solstice when the sun never sets, the festival is a truly unique experience that cannot be found anywhere else. Enjoy this surreal phenomenon and feel at-one with nature during the festival which showcases the international artist alongside the best homegrown talent. year’s lineup includes Slayer, Stormzy, Gucci Mane, Clean Bandit, Bonnie Tyler, Death From Above, Steve Aoki, Goldlink, J Hus, Skream and A-Trak, , Dreamwife, IMADDB and more.

Secret Solstice takes place from 21-24 June 2018. More info available at secretsolstice.is