Around the world in eight festivals

Sun, sea and thumping bass - here's where the supercool crowd will be dancing this year

- MADDY MUSSEN

London may offer a wealth of superb music festivals each summer, but there are some things these events in the capital just can’t give us. Thumping speakers on sandy beaches. Winding, azure rivers. A dance floor beneath a canopy of palm trees. Cool mountain breezes and three-day parties in remote, abandoned factories. For this, you need to look abroad.

You already know about the likes of Coachella and Burning Man—the kinds of ultra famous international festivals that are either deeply basic or prohibitively expensive, or both. Instead of these obvious picks, we’re spotlighting some of the best and most awe-inspiringly beautiful festivals outside the UK, so you can enjoy this year’s biggest beats in a stunning location, instead of in a cordoned-off area of a muddy Victoria Park.

Bahidorá, Morelos, Mexico Dates: February 14-16 Camping? Yes

USP: Takes place next to the turquoise waters of the Yautepec River For anyone looking for a slightly better Valentine’s treat than a meal at the local Franco Manca this year, how about a last-minute trip to Mexico, where you can party at Bahidorá festival, next to the Yautepec River? Or you can float down it — whatever works. You’ll have quite the soundtrack, too: electronic heavyweights Kaytranada, Floating Points and Folamour are all on the bill. Described as one of the top tickets of Mexican festival season, Bahidorá is located in the state of Morelos, next door to Mexico City. Morelos doesn’t have its own airport, so you’ll need to fly into Mexico City and drive to the festival, which is roughly an hour and a half away. But for that location? It’s more than worth it. Tickets: from £41, bahidora.​com

Horst Arts and Music Festival, Vilvoorde, Belgium Dates: May 1-3 Camping? Yes