by Lindsay Castro - Friday October 29th, 2024
From the sunny beaches of Croatia, to the misty parks of Amsterdam, all the way to the sand dunes in Portugal — I’ve had the pleasure of dancing across Europe, going to some of the best dance music festivals and shows. I’ve spent about eight months traveling. Four months last summer and another four this year. Jumping from hostels to friend's couches, I planned spontaneously and went wherever the music took me.
Attending massive festivals like Kappa Futur in Italy and getting my phone stolen while The Martinez Brother's were closing out night one. It was my first 24 hours solo traveling and first festival I've attended alone — defeated and completely lost in a foreign country. Recovered by day three and danced to lightning speed techno, with crowds that never stopped moving. One of my favorite sets was Chris Liebing (TR303) after 999999999 & I Hate Models, finishing with Carl Cox. I heard noises I had never heard before and danced for eight hours straight, never leaving that stage. If you ever find yourself watching Golfos' live set from Kappa 2023, you'll see my curly head of hair dancing front left. I still can't comprehend the amount of Pawsa ID's I heard during that set. Best way to kick off festival season!
On the other hand, I had my fair share of community-driven events like George Smeddles’ first-ever label party for South Records in Hackney, London. Located in an arts district covered in colorful graffiti and lively store fronts, Smeddles brought together a beautiful group of like-minded individuals. The venue was on the canal giving people space to catch up with friends outside, while having a warehouse atmosphere inside with artists like Ruze and Luke Dean. Ended up meeting one of the openers, Duncan Thomas, an inspiring artist and musician from the UK. It was intriguing to hear his perspective being a music teacher in London, 1/3 of a jazz band, and a DJ/performer. We giggled watching two men float down the canal with beers in their hands, sitting in a blown up raft probably with no destination. The day prior I saw Fred Again.. at Alexandra Palace ~ Ally Pally ~ and also attended to his150 people listening party for his newly released album, ten days. Such a wholesome weekend meeting kind and genuine people who all shared the same love for music.
The dance scene is full of energy and exciting new characters, I love being able to share my personal experiences with you on the dance floor. Whether it’s deep minimal house, underground hard techno, groovy disco, UK garage, or psychedelic trance — I listen to it all and never shy away from new sounds. After years in the dance scene, it's special to showcase my love and passion for this community. Enjoy my silly stories :)
The Dance Scene is Everywhere
When I first got to Europe, I didn’t realize how big and mainstream the electronic dance music scene was. House music is everywhere — you hear it on the radio, in grocery stores, restaurants — pretty much anywhere you go. There are always plenty of options for live music events throughout the week, and in most big cities you can find events on RA Guide or word of mouth. I found it beneficial talking with people in coffee shops and hostels to find out about underground, local events.
Fun fact! If you take a thirty minute drive from Lagos, Portugal through the mountains into Algarve, you'll find an international community called Friday Happiness. Never in these small towns did I think I'd find house and techno let alone drum and bass, but tucked away in the trees this eco-friendly village brings together locals and travelers from all over to dance and eat pizza. Over the past eight years they host Pizza Night every Friday, featuring three stages, wonky beats, and free pizza. I ended up extending my hostel stay one extra night and going with the five girls I was sharing a room with. I truly hope to go back and visit that community again, it was a special way to end my three weeks in Portugal.
Stepping onto the dance floor in a new country is always exciting because you never know what to expect or who you’ll meet. One of the coolest aspects of the European dance scene is how easy it is to travel between countries for music festivals. With affordable buses, trains, and flights, it’s super common to meet people from all over the world. This also gives you the ability to see a variety of shows and artists.
In July I was in a new country every weekend traveling to different music events. Starting with Hide N Seek Festival in the UK, Michael Bibi One Life in Spain, Terminal V Festival in Croatia and No Art Festival in Amsterdam. And none of this included the nights spent going to small vinyl bars in Portugal or underground ruin clubs in Italy and Budapest — I'm truly grateful I had the opportunity to find the house music scene in other parts of the world.
Zooming out, it's incredible to realize that people from all corners of the world have come together, in that present moment, to dance and share the music with complete strangers. There's something beautiful about it that puts the biggest smile on my face!
It's All About the People
What I really love about dancing in Europe is how respectful and kind the crowds are. Everyone has room to dance and move freely, which is a nice change of pace. Obviously, some events get packed, but for the most part people aren’t shoving to get to the front.
For example, Keinemusik in Lisbon, Portugal was absolutely packed and the crowd was brutal. At one point people were screaming in different languages and all I could do was giggle and stand my ground. I've seen a lot of videos from their shows this summer and it seems to be a common situation, especially with people on their phones. Although I fear their events have started to become mainstream, funky afro music played all night and I danced until the sun came up with some people I had met in my hostel a few hours prior. You truly have to put yourself out there when it comes to making friends while traveling. Having people to experience these moments with makes each night feel more personal, out weighing the few negatives.
Plus, now I have friends all over the world, not only from different countries and backgrounds, but people into the underground house scene. I love finding strangers half way across the world who also enjoy listening to Chris Stussy at 6am, in an airport hangar, somewhere in Romania. And there’s nothing like reuniting with friends you've made while traveling, finding yourselves together on the dance floor in a new country. New friends and old friends, I’ve even been lucky enough to experience some of these festivals with friends from back home in the States.
I'll never forget Hide N Seek Festival this year with three of my best friends in Manchester, UK. A day of madness, running around green gardens, with a wine bottle in hand, dancing to tINI in the dome. I swear we were the only Americans there and everyone was shocked we traveled so far because it's relatively small and intimate. The Brits loved us though and were so welcoming on the dance floor. We won best dressed and grooviest group according to everyone we met — unintentionally going as the mystery gang. Look out for my next article on Hide N Seek — it deserves its own spotlight. The music, energy, and atmosphere was incredible!
Or the time we had a group of six attending Terminal V Festival in Croatia — that was a crazy adventure, I've never traveled with that many people. Casually ended up meeting Justin Jay on the sidewalk in Tisno, Croatia, because he recognized my friends pashmina ~oh American rave culture~ and our accents. It was his first time playing a festival abroad and we became great friends with Justin and Emily, his girlfriend. Especially after finding out they were ShipFam and we both attended Holy Ship! Wrecked the past two years and had so many mutuals in the scene. We spent three days running around Croatia, dancing on boats and beaches. Such a small world and an amazing experience for all of us to share and look back on.
Constantly creating unforgettable memories, learning about new cultures, and sharing life experiences with other humans. I find it magical to be around individuals from different cultures, all there with the same mindset, to dance.
Dancing Over Filming
Everyone is dancing — actually dancing, and it’s one thing that really stands out in Europe! Yes, we live in a time where social media and influencers are everywhere, but it's clear most people attend events for the music and to dance. It’s super refreshing. Many events have no-phone policies, and everyone respects that. It’s such a relief to not worry about getting the perfect video, and it’s even better when people around you aren’t glued to their screens either. The energy on the dance floor is next level because people are fully present.
Some places put stickers over your camera, and others will seal your phone in a pouch that only gets opened when you leave. It sounds intense, but honestly, it creates such a different vibe. You end up connecting deeper with the people around you, the music, and the artist. It makes the whole experience feel a lot more intimate.
After attending multiple No Art No Phone Policy parties hosted by Anotr, the DJ duo from the Netherlands, I’ve learned how important it is to have no digital distractions. Even outside these designated parties, you truly notice a difference in the amount of phones on the dance floor and in the booth. The energy in the room is so much higher when everyone’s just vibing and feeding off each other.
Incredible Venues and Perfect Production
Every venue I’ve visited has been stunning, and each one is distinct from the last. Whether it’s a forested park, beach with crystal-clear blue water, or a venue surrounded by massive white mountains, the location always compliments the music and artists perfectly. Some venues are even historic landmarks, like Michael Bibi’s One Life show at La Plaza de España in Seville — the same spot where Mochakk played last spring. Or Hide N Seek Festival celebrating its 5th year at the beautiful Gardens of Capesthorne Hall in England. The architecture across Europe is something I admire daily, and attending shows at these beautifully designed spaces makes each experience even more special.
One thing I’ve noticed is the minimalist approach to stage production. Don’t get me wrong, the stages and decor at these festivals are impressive, but they’re never over-the-top or distracting from the music. Instead, the focus is more on the natural surroundings — the trees, the beaches, or even the industrial pipes in an old warehouse. Rather than relying on crazy lights or lasers, the focus is always on the environment and the sound system. And I have to say, the sound is always perfect. I haven’t been to a single event with bad sound. They’ve nailed the balance between having a killer stage design and an amazing sound system.
Most festivals also have some kind of pop-up art or exhibit, and bigger venues usually have multiple floors and stages with different types of music, so there’s always something new to check out. Offering immersive art installations and plenty of space for people to relax and still enjoy the music and community.
I also have to mention that things are way cheaper here in Europe. Whether it's ticket prices or the cost of food and drinks at venues, it’s definitely worth noting. Three-day passes for Terminal V Festival were just over $200, even on final release. The same goes for Kappa Futur Festival, which gives you three days of the best house and techno artists. Plus, water, food, and drinks inside the venues aren’t crazy expensive. It’s nice when things aren’t all
about money, allowing you to attend many events.
Overall, the European dance music scene offers an experience like no other, that’s full of life and energy. From historic venues and incredible energy on the dance floor to affordable tickets and drinks, it’s clear the focus here is on the music and the community. Whether you're attending massive festivals or intimate label parties, the vibe is all about connection and pure enjoyment. It’s not just about the music—it's the people, the culture, and the energy that make it so special. After spending the summer exploring these events, I can confidently say there’s no better place to immerse yourself in the world of electronic music. In upcoming articles, I’ll dive deeper into my experiences at each event, sharing the unique vibes and highlights that made them special. Every event offered something different, and I can't wait to take you along on this journey through the European dance scene.