What’s it Like at the “What The House” Beach & Boat Summer Parties?

There is a special kinda magic that happens when the raw, underground energy of the London house music scene meets the sun-drenched, golden shores of the Costa del Sol.

If you’ve ever found yourself dancing barefoot in the sand as the golden sun dips below the Mediterranean horizon, surrounded by a crowd that feels more like a family than a club night, you’ve probably got Terry Hobbs to thank.

Terry, a legendary DJ in his own right and the visionary mastermind behind the “What The House” brand, has spent years bridging the gap between the UK’s gritty dancefloors and Spain’s high-end coastal glamour.

The result? A season of parties that are quite simply unmissable and unforgettable for anyone who values “proper” house music.

Want to see how the season kicked off? Well, you can bet your sweet a** that our girl Claudia hit the beach and boats to grab an exclusive look at the high-energy season opener below!

Who is Terry Hobbs?

Before we get into the sunshine, spiralling beats and stunning sand though, we thought it best to get you more acquainted with the visionary behind this EDM haven.

To understand What The House, you have to understand the man behind the curtain. Terry Hobbs isn’t just a promoter sitting in an office; he’s a DJ who lives and breathes the culture after spending countless hours behind the decks himself.

Terry knows that a great party isn’t just about a big name on a poster; it’s about the flow of the night, the quality of the sound system, and that unmistakable “vibe” that happens when the right people are in the right place.

In collaboration with other event holders, he brings over world-class talent from London and pairing them with the best local selectors, Terry has created a musical bridge across the continent that keeps the Costa del Sol’s heart beating to a 4/4 rhythm. So, what’s “What The House” all about and what can you expect if you want to experience the vibes.

The “What The House” Calendar: A Season of Sound

The What The House crew doesn’t just throw parties; they plan your entire summer’s worth of memories! Each event has its own unique personality, perfectly timed to match the changing mood of the gorgeous Spanish sun.

The Season Opener (April)

We get things moving in April with a big, sunny season opener! Terry teams up with our lovely friends from the iconic London brand Mi Casa Es Su Casa. Honestly, it’s a match made in heaven. Both brands are all about that soulful, uplifting house music and a super-friendly atmosphere that feels like a big, warm hug. It’s the ultimate way to say “hello” to the sunshine after the winter break, with just the right mix of style and high energy.

“Amor Andalucia” (June)

When June rolls around, things start heating up (and we don’t just mean the temperature), we head to the sand for the “Amor Andalucia” Beach Party. This one is a total legend! In collaboration with London House Music by Stuart Patterson, Terry brings over some of the most respected names in the game to hit the decks.

Keep an eye out for the absolute icon Terry Farley. If you love your house music, you’ll know he’s a total pioneer who’s been running the show and organizing huge events since the 70s and 80s. Seeing a legend of his calibre spinning on a beach in Andalucia is a total “pinch-me” moment for any house head!

The Peak Summer: Boat Parties (July & August)

In the height of summer, we take the party out onto the crystal-blue water! The What The House Boat Parties are legendary!

Is there anything better than dancing on the deck of a party exclusive boat with the sea breeze in your hair and some seriously bumping beats? These parties are super popular and usually sell out weeks in advance, so you’ve got to be quick if you want to join the coolest, cosmopolitan crowd on the coast!

The Closing Parties (September)

We always hate saying goodbye to summer, but What The House makes sure we go out with a bang! The September Closing Parties are the big final celebration to toast another amazing season.

Terry & collaborators always fly in some top-tier London DJ talent to keep the energy through the roof right until that very last track. It’s the perfect, happy-sad end to the summer that’ll have you counting down the days until next April!

Spotlight on the Decks: Exclusive Interviews

Part of our mission at TA-DAH.TV is to get you closer to the artists who make these parties move. We’ve had the pleasure of chatting with many of the DJs who grace What The House stages, and their passion for the Costa del Sol scene is infectious.

One of our standout encounters was with the incredible DJ Tito Pulpo. Known for his infectious energy and deep musical knowledge, Tito is a staple of the scene.

In our exclusive chat, he talks about his roots, his favourite places to play, and what makes the crowd in Southern Spain so unique. You can check out our exclusive interview with DJ Tito Pulpo now.

Beyond the Beat: Making a Holiday of It

If you’re heading to the Costa del Sol for a What The House event, why not stay a little longer? The region is exploding with culture, sport, and even more music. We’ve rounded up our top picks to help you build the ultimate itinerary.

For the Music Festival Lovers

If you haven’t had your fill of dancing, the Costa del Sol plays host to some of the biggest festivals in Europe:

• Starlite Festival (Marbella): Fancy a more intimate vibe? The Starlite Festival in Marbella is a boutique event in a stunning quarry setting.
• Ultra Beach Festival: The world-famous brand brings the awesome Ultra Beach Festival to Mijas for an unforgettable addition to your EDM odyssey in Andalucia.
• Andalucia BIG Festival: Or if you missed it, watch the multi-genre Andalucia BIG Festival in Málaga. If you can’t find something you love here, you’re not looking hard enough. We should know, we were at the very first one!
• Cocoon at the Castle: When the location is as iconic as the tunes, you get techno royalty in a historic Fuengirola fortress. What more could you want?

For the Adventurers & Culture Vultures

Want to swap the dancefloor for something a bit different? Here are our “must-dos”:

• For the Adrenaline Junkies: Hike the Caminito del Rey. Once the world’s scariest pathway, it’s now a breathtaking (and safe!) walk through deep gorges.
• For the Foodies: Take Annie B’s Ultimate Gourmet Tour of Cadiz. It’s a masterclass in Spanish flavour.
• For the Petrolheads: Don’t miss the Retro Malaga Classic Car Show every January.
• For the Sports Fans: Catch the world’s best at LIV Golf Andalucia at the iconic Valderrama course.
• For the Art Lovers: How about something completely different to recharge those EDM batteries? Experience the passion of a tango show by R.E.A Danza at the Teatro Cervantes.

We’ll See You on the Sand!

From the first beat in April to the final sunset in September, What The House is more than just a party promoter, it’s the heartbeat of the Costa del Sol’s house music community.

Whether you’re there for Terry Farley’s legendary sets, a sunrise boat party, or just to enjoy the incredible vibe, you’re guaranteed a “TA-DAH!” moment.

Don’t forget to subscribe to the TA-DAH.TV YouTube Channel for more event highlights!

For more travel tips, exclusive interviews, and the best lifestyle content in Europe, head over to our dedicated Music Channel.

Many top acts are back this year, which shows how much their music is loved in Marbella! Summer just isn’t the same in sunny Marbs without live gigs by international artists like Jamie Cullum, Tom Jones, Simple Minds, Ricky Martin, Placido Domingo, Juan Magán and many others. The 3000-seater auditorium makes you feel as if you’re attending a private party and the atmosphere is electric when the place gets going and is in full swing. Have you watched our video Experience The Starlite Festival Marbella With Us yet? If not, click on the link after you’ve watched this programme first…

Having a good dance open-air, surrounded by 14.000m2 of illuminated rock surface, high up in the hills above Marbella, is exhilarating! Over 350.000 festival goers from 95 different countries enjoyed over 600 hours of live music last year, having had a raving good time. So come with us this summer to create holiday memories that last a lifetime.

Where is Starlite Occident Festival?

Around one hour down the Alboran Sea coast from Malaga – the host city of Andalucia BIG Festival, Starlite Occident is an annual cultural event located in the shadows of the gorgeous Sierras Blanca mountains in Marbella. 

The 8km journey northeast from central Marbella up to the Cantera de Nagüeles takes around 20 minutes, which offers enough time to take in the gorgeous scenery.

The annual event runs from mid-June to late August and brings together some of the biggest names in music and entertainment. Plus, if you time your experience towards the end of the festival, you may need to don your glad rags as superstar actor Antonio Banderas hosts a grand charity event – just like the gala we experienced at the Santa Maria Polo Club. 

Away from the glamour of the gala, around 60,000 people attend the festival each year and previous acts include the likes of Andrea Bocelli, Lenny Kravitz, Maluma and Sting!

What Type of Music is Played at Starlite Occident?

As you may have guessed from that distinguished and varied line-up of previous performers (or our experience where Nicky Jam and the great Tom Jones rocked the stage), Starlite Festival has a space for all performers. 

But the most magical thing about the whole experience is the open-air vibes. From your seat in the auditorium, you can sing along to all the hits and dance the night away – while overhead, the starry night sky puts on its own performance. 

Truly a unique experience that everyone needs to feel at least once! In fact, when Jamie Cullum played at Starlite, he described the feeling as like being “on the moon”. 

Top Things to do at Starlite Festival

Of course, music is the top attraction at Starlite Festival. But it’s not the only pleasure your senses can delight in. 

The three main music areas are the Auditorium Stage, Sessions Stage and DJ Sessions. But away from the beats, you could also indulge your tastebuds and even go shopping. 

Let’s break down the best things to do at Starlite Occident now. 

Auditorium Stage

The Auditorium is the main stage in the venue. This is where we saw Nicky Jam and Tom Jones ripping it up. But the great thing about this area is, because it only has a capacity of 3,000, you get the feeling of seeing huge stars in an intimate setting.

Also, the quarry’s unique layout and high rock walls offer incredible acoustics. In fact Plácido Domingo and Julio Iglesias said it is “one of the best acoustics they have ever found”.

Sessions Stage

If you don’t fancy the big tunes and bright lights of the main stage, why not take yourself off to the Sessions area, where big-name acts perform stripped-back versions of their hits. 

Plus, this even more intimate setting offers the opportunity for more crowd interaction from the artists.

DJ sets

On the other hand, if the EDM scene is more your flavour then the DJ sessions which run after the main concert are your best bet.

Gastronomy

Not to be outdone by the music, the spectacular range of gastronomic options at Starlite also offers a feast for the senses. Across four main restaurants, you can enjoy delicious dishes from across the world. 

Restaurants at Starlite Occident

• Tanabata: Treat your tastebuds with a trip to Tokyo, fine Japanese cuisine adorns every plate here. Taking inspiration from the legend of shepherd Hikoboshi and the seamstress Orihime, romance is injected into every element of the experience. 
• Temazo: A gorgeous open-air Mediterranean grillhouse. Feast on delicate cuts of meat, succulent fish and vibrant veg all coloured from the hot coals.
• Anima: From tacos to tequila this rooftop-style Mexican cantina delivers all the Latin vibes in a kaleidoscope of incredible colour and flavour. 
• Sandra’s Caviar Bar: Go lavish, you deserve it. Grab a unique experience by heading to Starlite’s caviar bar. Sandra’s is all about gourmet selections and classic cocktails. If it wasn’t for the majestic mountains and bumping beats, you’d swear you were on the glitzy shores of Monaco. 

Shopping and Fashion

Speaking of Monaco, if it’s glamourous shopping you’re after, you can get that done too! 

Alongside the Starlite Festival store for all your merch needs, find boutiques from international brands like Kiehl’s and Fnac among others.

Festival stores open from 8 pm and close up and 1:30 am, leaving plenty of time for you to enjoy some music and food before grabbing some products

Starlite 2026 Line Up

As we mentioned earlier, previous line-ups have been glittering with huge stars. And the next edition of this long-running festival looks well set to continue that trend. 

Catch all of these incredible acts across this incredible summer event! We’ll be there, will you?!

Artist	Date
Ozuna	19 June
Laura y Brenda	20 June
Niña Pastori	27 June
Lenny Kravitz	29 June
Alan Parsons	30 June
Gipsy Kings	03 July
Danny Ocean	04 July
Grupo Frontera	06 July
Maroon 5	07 July
Deep Purple	09 July
Rick Astley	10 July
Elvis Crespo	11 july
Jean-Michel Jarre	13 July
Anastacia	14 July
Juan Luis Guerra 4.40	15 July
Mora	17 July
Yandel Sinfónico	18 July
John Legend	20 July
Diana Krall	21 July
Carlos Rivera	22 July
Kool & The Gang	23 July
Miguel Ríos	25 July
Ara Malikian	27 July
Zucchero	28 July
Ozuna	29 July
Manuel Turizo	30 July
Rosana	31 July
Rosario	01 August
Sergio Dalma	04 August
Gente de Zona	05 August
Delaossa	06 August
Álvaro de Luna/ Nil Moliner	07 August
Soleá Morente/ Yerai Cortés/ Estrella Morente	08 August
Malú	10 August
Noche Movida	11 August
Picoco’s Band	12 August
Iván Ferreiro	13 August
Vanesa Martín	14 August
Omega 30 Anniv	15 August
Taburete	17 August
Antoñito Molina	18/19 August
Antonio José	20 August
Niña Pastori	21 August
Pastora Soler	22 August
Gloria Trevi	24 August
Nile Rodgers & Chic	26 August
Love Of Lesbian	29 August

 

Check Out More Amazing European Music Festivals Today

If Starlite Occident sounds like your cup of tea, then you’ll love the other festivals we’ve been to across the continent. 

Check out our Music Channel where we reveal all, including exclusive interviews with top acts, huge festival news and unique events that you need to know about – like Lost Nomads for example. 

Or head over to our Arts & Culture Channel for more details about big performances across the superb stages of Europe