10 BEST MUSIC FESTIVALS IN JANUARY

December is passing by with sparkly lights, joy, gifts and cookies. By the end of the month, all of the city decorations will be turned off, the X-mas euforia will slowly fade away and in a blink of an eye; the New Year’s Eve parties will be behind us. As the planning for these two of the most popular days goes on, no one is thinking about what lies ahead after Christmas and NYE. January. That gloomy, boring January month in which we all come back to reality and scientifically the most depressing month of them all.  Short days, long nights and empty pockets mark this month each year. After celebrating Christmas with our loved ones and partying all night for NYE after eating all of the delicious food and drinking more than we should, we find ourselves in a boring month thinking there is not much to do. Well, FestPop has a solution for this problem. This time we made a Top 10 list of the best festivals in January around the world, allowing you to transform this month into a great party. So if there is still some money left after all, and you find yourserves somewhere near these places, we advise you go visit some of those festivals.

SOUTHBOUND 2015

We start off the list of 10 Best Festivals in January from the land down under. For all of you who are planning to pay a visit to Australia or even better, those of you who live there, Southbound Festival is a must see. Since 2005, this festival offers more and more to see each year. Sir Stewart Bovell Park in Busselton will once again host a massive line-up and an even bigger crowd. It’s located around two and a half  hours south of Perth. Great performances, chill-out areas, camping sites, sports and other entertainment, food and market stalls can be found at this location. An interesting fact is that this festival won two “A Greener Festival” award supporting environmental sustainability and collecting trash and recycling. Lots of big names from overseas have also performed here such as Arctic Monkeys, Joan Jett and the Blackhearts, The Hives, The Flaming Lips, Kings of Leon, Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Modest Mouse, Franz Ferdinand, Moby, and Dandy Warhols. The lineup for 2015 again offers you a mixture of local and foreign acts: ALISON WONDERLAND, ALT-J, ASGEIR, THE BLACK LIPS, BLUEJUICE, COLD WAR, KIDS, DMAs, GLASS ANIMALS, GEORGE EZRA, JAGWAR MA, JAMIE XX, JOEY BADA$$, JOHN BUTLER TRIO, JULIAN CASABLANCAS + THE VOIDZ, KIM CHURCHILL, THE KITE STRING TANGLE, MILKY CHANCE, MOVEMENT, THE PRESETS, REMI, ROYBN & ROYKSOPP, RUN THE JEWELS, SAFIA, SALT N PEPA, SBTRKT live, SPIDERBAIT, STICKY FINGERS, THE TEMPER TRAP, TKAY MAIDZA, TODD TERJE live, TYCHO, VANCE JOY, WOLF ALICE and many more. Tickets are on sale and between $129 and $210, depending on weather you go one or two days, with or without camping pass, and can be purchased here.

RAINBOW SERPENT FESTIVAL

We’re staying in Australia, but switching to Western Victoria about two hours away from Melbourn. Mark the dates from the 23^rd through the 6^th on your calendar because that is when one of the most unique festivals in the Southern Hemisphere is taking place. This festival of good vibes goes far back, evolving from 1998 until now and gathering more electronic music lovers and performers each year. It is also know as the weekend of dance, colour, expression and celebration. With around 10,000 visitors each year, Rainbow Serpent Festival combines music, art, performances, relaxation and spiritual education. Various international and national acts, with over 100 producers, DJ’s and bands will entertain you all day and night on separate stages. Beautiful environment, artistic and colorful décor, relaxed people, various fun activities and much more combined with a vast selection of electronic music genres are the perfect formula for an unforgettable weekend. Talented artist from all over the world will make sure won’t hear the commercial sound, but rather unique and uplifting performances. The lineup includes Beats Antique, Opiuo, Spoonbill, Desert Dwellers, Jamie Stevens, and many more.

Early bird tickets are already sold out, so be quick to grab yours for $320 on presale, or $360 an the entrance (if available). Get tickets here.

BPM FESTIVAL 2015

This annual electronic music festival is held in Playa del Carmen, Mexico. Spreading over 10 days and night, this festival hosts from January 9^th through the 18^th some of the biggest names there are. The festival is surrounded by breathtaking beaches and a picturesque beach town. What’s great about the festival is that you can choose between multiple venues; no matter what time you arrive there, there is always quality electronic dance music to hear and various globally-famous DJs and producers to see. Playa del Carmen offers even more if you want to take a break from the party venues. Restaurants, bars, lots of boutiques, sport activities and not to forget nearby Mayan Ruins make this tropical town a paradise for all its visitors.  Between the almost 200 artists you can find names such as: AC SLATER, CARL COX, CARL CRAIG, CARLO LIO, DJ TENNIS, DUSKY, EATS EVERYTHING, ELLEN HECTOR, HENRIK SCHWARZ (LIVE), JIMMY EDGAR, JOHN DIGWEED, JON RUNDELL, JORIS VOOR, JUSTIN MARTIN, MARCUS WORGULL, MARK KNIGHT, NATHAN BARATO, NAVID IZADI (LIVE), and NITIN.

Tickets are almost sold out, the interest is huge, don’t think too long and acquire your tickets on time. Only 3 and 7 days festival passes are left, price: $250-500, and tickets can be purchased here.

BUGGED OUT WEEKENDER

We are now arriving in England where the Bugged Out Weekender takes place. From January 16^th-18^th, Bugged Out Weekender is hosted in London and staged at Butlins Bognor Regin Resort. There is not much too say about London that you don’t already kno: lots of cultural heritage and  famous places, good transportation connectivity, various quality hotel rooms and apartments and much more. Sounds like a great environment for a 3 day festival that offers you pool parties, pub quizzes, DJ contests during the day, and 4 huge auditoriumsat night hosting names like: ÂME, THE CHEMICAL BROTHERS (DJ SET), DANIEL AVERY, DENSE & PIKA, DUKE DUMONT, JONAS RATHSMAN, JUSTIN ROBERTSON, MJ COLE, MOXIE, TOTALLY ENORMOUS EXTINCT DINOSAURS (DJ SET),VOYEUR and more.

Be part of this 3 night festival that you make you come back again next year. Tickets are £169-£209 ($265 – $328), which include accommodation, and can be purchased here.

70,000 TONS OF METAL

This is seriously one of the most unique festivals for all metal lovers out there. Imagine yourself departing from Miami on a luxury cruise ship surrounded by 2999 other metal heads, with 60 metal bands playing 120 shows. Not to forget all the other activities such as the Belly Flop Contest, Metal Karaoke and bars that never closes during this incredible cruise. You also get unrestricted access to all shows and stages, and the unique opportunity to hang out with your favorite artist everywhere on the boat. It’s almost like you managed to get a backstage pass with every single ticket. 70,000 Tons Of Metal is a festival you don’t want to miss out on. The trip starts at Fort Lauderdale, Miami, in the late afternoon, and continues through the Caribbean Sea until day 3 where the ship arrives and stays docked the entire day in Ocho Rios, Jamaica. There you have the chance to explore some of the sites and activities ashore until the return to Miami where the trip ends on day 5. The world’s biggest heavy metal cruise will take place from January 22^nd-26^th and the huge lineup includes bands such as Cannibal Corpse, Apocalyptica, Annihilator, Kataklysm and Venom with their new album world premiere. The price for this adventure is between $666-$2600 depending on what cabin you want, and don’t forget to be fast because the amount of tickets is limited. Click here to purchase tickets.

THE DAY AFTER FESTIVAL

From January 16^th-18^th, Panama City hosts one of the biggest events in Latin America, known for its quality production, massive lineup and a location that will make you come back for more. The Figali Plaza Convention Center located just a few meters from the ocean. This festival will once again unite people from all over America and even Europe, with artists such as Cedric Gervais, DVBBS, Art Department and Tiesto.  If you dream of escaping to a tropical place with beautiful shores, then this is the destination. Panama City has the perfect combination of fantastic performances and breathtaking surroundings. You can waste your spare time in exploring the unique history of this country, the amazing food or taking a tour through museums or shopping centers. What better way for electronic music fans to celebrate the beginning of the year than attending The Day After Festival.  Grab your tickets before they are sold out or miss out on an amazing party in a breath-taking location.

Prices for tickets range from $120-$250 and can be purchased here.

CTM FESTIVAL

If you are searching for something beyond a default festival, mark the dates from January 23^rd through February 2^nd in your calendar. Berlin is hosting this amazing event, CTM Festival, which will for sure please even the most demanding audience. This year’s theme is called “UN TUNE”, aiming to highlight the body effects of frequencies, sounds and music. So be prepared to explore your perception with artistic experimentation and amazing audiovisual performances. On the menu is electronic music so here are some of the artists that are already announced for the 16^th edition of this unique festival: Alec Empire, Claire Tolan, Jenny Hval and Susanna, Klara Lewis, Lucio Capece, Peder Mannerfelt, Pierce Warnecke & Matthew Biederman, Simian Mobile Disco, Sol Rezza, Soundwalk Collective with Nan Goldin and many more. CTM 2015 and CTM/transmediale 2015 Early-Bird passes are sold out so now you can buy tickets from $100-$180. Hurry up, because they are getting sold very quickly! Get tickets here.

HOLY SHIP!

Want to try something else, like a traveling festival on sea? Holy Ship! is something completely different you need to explore and one advice – do it because you won’t regret! After 3 amazing years of Holy Ship!, the organizers prepared 2 (two) trips for 2015! The first weekend sailing will take place aboard the MSC Divina from January 3^rd-6^th, and will feature a day at sea and a stop at Half Moon Cay, Bahamas. It is a perfect solution if you don’t want to lose time by finding places to sleep. Here, you can easily book your cabin on a boat, and voila, problem solved!  Also a positive thing is that you don’t need to walk from your sleeping place to the festival, from festival to some place where you can eat; you will find everything on one boat. Practically, isn’t it? Last year was smashing; this year organizers say that it will be even crazier. Expect 3 days and nights of endless partying, several stages and 2 sets each for most of the artist.  Like the most of the festivals in January, this is also revered for electronic music lovers, so here are some of the names that are announced already: KNIFE PARTY, PRETTY LIGHTS, FLUMEBOYS NOIZE, LAIDBACK LUKE, DUKE DUMONT, ARMAND VAN HELDEN, RUDIMENTAL (DJ SET), GORGON CITY, GINA TURNER and more to be announced. Imagine yourself partying till the sunrise somewhere in the Caribbean Sea. Sounds pretty nice, doesn’t it? Go and book your cabin before it’s too late!

DAY ZERO 2015

 

Day Zero offers you a different experience for a festival. First of all, the festival is located on pristine site of pyramids and historical monuments of Mayan culture. The 3^rd installment of this unique event brings you much more than music. Watch Mayan warriors perform multiple ceremonies in traditional costumes, experience fire walking, sunrise yoga, tai-chi and consciousness talks. Add up amazing performances and live shows and you will get a one-of-a-kind festival that is Day Zero. Expect to see and hear Damian Lazarus performing some unheard material from his new album, performances from Mathew Jonson, Matthew Dear, DJ Three, Ali Love (Live), Citizen, Francesca Lombardo, Laura Jones and DJ Harvey. On the festival ground you will also find local organic food, swimming pools, workshops and more. Book your tickets now for $110, as the 10^th of January is just around the corner.

MUSICFEST 2015

Moving away from tropical destinations, sandy beaches and electronic music, we bring you the MusicFest in Steamboat Springs, CO to complete FestPop’s list of 10 Best Festivals in January. Celebrating its 30^th anniversary from January5th through the 10^th, this festival brings you hours and hours of live music performed by some of the biggest names in country music. Prepare yourself for 6 days in the snowy mountains with 50 bands at a world-class ski resort. MusicFest brings together ski and music lovers, presenting new talents and veteran artist.  The lineup looks like this: American Aquarium, Cody Canada and the Departed, Cory Morrow, Crooks, Dirty River Boys, Dub Miller, Gary P. Nunn & The Bunkhouse Band, Haley Cole, Jack Ingram & The Beat Up Ford Band, John Slaughter, Jonathan Tyler, Josh Grider, Kelley Mickwee, Kevin Fowler, Max Stalling, Michael Martin Murphey, Stoney LaRue, The O’s, and Zane Williams. The MusicFest package starts at $239 per person, and reservations can be made by phone. For more information, jump over to their website at http://themusicfest.com/ .

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Written by FestPop Senior Staff Writer

Bernarda Brčić

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