The Top 5 Most Underrated Music Festivals of 2018

By: Hikari Loana McCabe-Gould

Spring is finally here! The sun is out, flowers are starting to bloom, and ravers are starting to get ready for festival season. We’ve all heard about the big festivals like EDC, Ultra, or Coachella. Want to add some different music festivals to your list this year? Here are some lesser-known festivals that could add an amazing new experience to your festival season!

5. Paradiso Festival

Date: June 15th-16th

Location: The Gorge Amphitheater, WA

Lineup: DJ Snake, Armin van Buuren, Deadmau5, Rezz, Ganja White Night, and Dada Life

Paradiso Festival

Citizens of Paradiso, we proudly present to you the Paradiso Festival 2017 After Movie, and are pleased to announce Paradiso Festival 2018. Take your first steps on the journey home. We welcome you...

Located 3 hours away from Seattle, Paradiso is held at a prime location. The theme of the festival is “where digital meets nature” and festivals goers get to enjoy the beautiful views of the Gorge Amphitheater while enjoying EDM artists of different genres. The festival is comprised of three stages, and there are also many vendors, food options, art installations, and rides. If you want to dance on the hill by the main stage at sunset overlooking the Columbia River Gorge or headbang the night away at bass stage, this festival is the place for you.

Photo by Parallax

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Photo by  Parallax

4. Ever After Music Festival

Date: June 8th-10th

Location: Kitchener, ON, Canada

Lineup: Excision, Illenium, Snails, Borgore, Kill the Noise, Flux Pavilion b2b Dr P

Ever After Music Fest

More than music. #eamf18 waterpark, rides, games, camping and so much more adventure. 🎟link http://bit.ly/eamf18tix

Although many people probably haven’t heard of Ever After Music Festival in Ontario, this festival is a must-go if you are a basshead.  They released their amazing bass-and-dubstep-filled lineup in January, and besides the awesome lineup, the festival also has a water park, carnival rides, and inflatable games, so you’ll have plenty of things to do if you want to take a break from headbanging at one of the two stages. Camping is available for those who want to enjoy the full festival experience, but hotels and lodging are also available not too far from the festival grounds.

Photo by NDK Images

Photo by NDK Images

  

Photo by Tristen Renaud

Photo by NDK Images

Photo by NDK Images

3. Infrasound Music Festival

Date: July 19th-22nd

Location: Highbridge, WI

Past lineup: Caspa, Opiuo, Ganja White Night, Squinto, Boogie T, Dirt Monkey 

Infrasound Music Festival

Infrasound Music Festival 2017 was a weekend we'll always remember with you!! Your passion is truly overwhelming, creating special moments in time with you is our life & love. Infrasound Equinox...

If you’re looking for a smaller, more intimate festival, Infrasound Music Festival is for you! This festival is known for having a community-and-family-minded atmosphere, so it is a different experience compared to a lot of the bigger and well-known music festivals.  Like Ever After Music Festival, Infrasound also features many dubstep and bass artists, so if you prefer bassy-er artists this is another one that bassheads would enjoy. This festival has one big stage and two smaller ones, where you’ll see many creative and beautiful visuals. Infrasound also books live painters to paint at these stages, so on top having an amazing musical experience, the festival lets you have a top-of-the-line visual arts experience as well.

Photo from Infrasound Music Festival Facebook page

Photo from Infrasound Music Festival Facebook page

Photo from Infrasound Music Festival Facebook page

Photo from Infrasound Music Festival Facebook page

Photo from Infrasound Music Festival Facebook page

2. Dirty Bird Campout

Date: October 5th-7th

Location: Lake San Antonio, Bradley, CA

Past lineup: Calude Vonsrtoke, Bleep Bloop, Chris Lorenzo, Netsky, Shiba San

Dirtybird Campout

The Campout comedown is real... Good thing we have this epic Official After-Movie to share with you! Watch it & let us know your favorite clip!! 🎥: Max Baylor Krimmer 🎶: Follow The Fish - "Stop It"

Dirty Bird Campout will be entering its fourth year, and although festival-goers were concerned about the change of venues from San Diego to Bradley, CA last year, many were very pleased with the extra space that the new venue provided.  This festival is extremely well-rounded in activities! There is karaoke for those of you that want to show off your singing skills, or you can enjoy some live comedy when you aren’t listening to the music. The festival itself is like a summer camp, and there are fun activities such as kickball, face painting, and tug-of-war. If you love house music, this is the place for you. Dirty Bird Campout comes out with an excellent house lineup every year, and festival-goers can choose to enjoy music from the two main stages. They also have smaller stages, so Dirty Bird Campout is for you if you love a little adventure and exploring in your festival experience!

Photo by Get Tiny Photography

Photo by Watchara

Photo by Miranda McDonald Photography

Photo by Watchara

Photo by Get Tiny Photography

1. Lightning in a Bottle

Date: May 23rd-May 28th

Location: Lake San Antonio, Bradley, CA

Lineup: Zhu, Glitch Mob, Griz, Yotto, Bleep Bloop, Tokimonsta

Lightning in a Bottle

Presenting the Official Lightning in a Bottle 2018 Video! ⚡️ Earlybird Onsale starts November 15th at 10am PST. Learn more: lightninginabottle.org/tickets/ 

Many festival-goers have described Lightning in a Bottle as a life-changing experience. What makes this festival so special? This “transformative” festival provides much more than good music. Festival-goers get to attend guided meditation sessions, yoga workshops, and self-improvement seminars led by special keynote speakers. This festival has four bigger stages and a few smaller ones, so if you’re looking for a chance to move around and listen to different types of artists, this festival definitely provides that opportunity. Sustainability is a very important part of this festival.  The organizers of this music festival encourage festival-goers to take care of their trash responsibly during the festival and offers workshops on sustainability and environmental consciousness. If you’re looking for s music festival to change the way you look and your self and the world, this is one I would not miss!

Photo byMarko Prelic

Photo by Alyssa Keys

Photo by Andrew Jorgensen

Photo by Jessica Bernstein

Photo by Guru Khalsa