Category: Music

Woahhh, this is what Málaga has been waiting for: a festival, that offers international acts in mega-size! Think 3 huge stages, 45.000m2 of artificial grass, bars at every corner, dozens of food trucks offering local cuisine, VIP areas with terraced views, 100.000 festival goers over the three days and a line-up to totally die for – yep, you’re almost there…Málaga itself is the third-most visited touristic hot spot in Spain by now (after Barcelona & Madrid), and is just a brilliant place for a city break. The September sun is still warm and summer certainly hasn’t finished by then. Yet, this festival has catapulted it all up a notch, as you’ll have global superstars coming to town, when you fly down South.

Organised by the lovely people behind the iconic Mad Cool festival in Madrid, this was going to be a huge gig for the city, the Costa del Sol and for Andalucia. We loved the eclectic mix of bands and singers, who made the very first edition of the Andalucia BIG Festival one to remember. Mad Cool’s co-director Javier Arnaiz thinks that Málaga ‘has everything to have a first-class festival’, and so they went to work on a line-up like no other for their first edition.

The first day kicked off with Franz Ferdinand, Suede, Biffy Clyro and Stereophonics headlining. On Friday, 9 Sept, Jamiroquai was headlining, as well as the gorgeous Michael Kiwanuka, the Glass Animals and Paolo Nutini. Claudia Peifer clocked in on Sunday, when Muse, Years & Years, Los Planetas, Nikki Hill and Aurora topped the bill, amongst many others. The sheer size of the place was incredible – people were hanging out everywhere, completely relaxed, everything was easy, everyone was welcoming. So watch our cover of the very first edition NOW, when Norwegian pop princess Aurora delighted the crowd, Nikki Hill delivered solid rock and R’n’B, and Years & Years brought London’s Camden Town to Málaga. What a glorious 3 days it was!

ANDALUCIA BIG FESTIVAL

So, if Mad Cool co-director Javier Arnaiz thinks, that Málaga has what it takes to stage a music festival of the tallest order, you better listen up! Covering the city’s Recinto Ferial with 45.000m2 of artificial grass is inspired, as making over 100.000 festival goers feel welcome to relax and chill out just about anywhere in the festival area is no mean feat. Sponsored by the Junta de Andalucia to the tune of 3.5 Million Euros (of which 80% came from the European Feder funds), it was clear the Andalucia BIG Festival as a music event HAS to be a success.

And no doubt, it was! With a world-class line-up including Franz Ferdinand, Stereophonics, Biffy Clyro, Jamiroquai, Michale Kiwanuka, the Glass Animals, Paolo Nutini, Muse, Years & Years, Los Planetas, Aurora, Nikki Hill and so many more artists on stage, there was always something going on to guarantee you to have a good time. Food and other amenities were brilliantly carried out, with a water fountain that had hardly any queues (another great thing)! Food stalls and trucks offered great nosh from Thai to veggie & vegan, to Indian and South American/Latin cuisine (Mexico, Venezuela & Cuba), not forgetting festival favourites like great pizzas. The organisational experience of Mad Cool’s team definitely shone through!

Supposedly Andalucia’s biggest festival to date, they want to make this brand new festival an annual event – yes please, is what we say! At the same time, synergy with the community, sustainability and respect for the environment are high up on the list of priorities. The organisers have a vision of linking people from all over the world through culture and music, wanting to make it such an experience, that it will attract music fans from all over the globe. Featuring genres such as pop, indie, rock, electronic dance music, R’n’B and new trends with emerging talent, they should be well on their way to achieve this!

MÁLAGA – JEWEL OF THE SOUTH

If you’ve been watching the city of Málaga’s progress during the last few years, you might feel slightly dizzy by now. Steamrollering forward on a cultural and entertainment level, Málaga is the third most visited city in Spain by now, after Barcelona and Madrid! No wonder that the guys behind Mad Cool said ‘yes’ to organising the debut event of the Andalucia BIG Festival! Classic attractions like the Alcazaba Castle, the Picasso Museum & his birthplace, the Encarnación Cathedral, the Thyssen Museum, as well as the Centre Pompidou are all huge cultural references for a visit.

However, the gazillions of tapas bars and little restaurants situated in narrow, cobble-stone alleyways and roads will charm you no end. World-class cuisine and Michelin-starred eateries (Byoko, Vino Mio, La Antxoeta Art Restaurant, Kaleja & Taró) are there to ‘bowl’ you over, whilst theatres like the Teatro Cervantes will quench your thirst for experiencing and ‘feeling’ not just Spanish culture and dance, but offer shows by global stars in performance arts and music too. Street art, murals and sculptures also make the capital of Andalucia such an exciting experience, whilst fairs and fiestas here are legendary, so they definitely know how to party and be merry.

With many European destinations just a couple or three ours flight time away, Málaga is the ideal city break offering on average over 300 days of sunshine a year. All major European airlines fly to Málaga airport (Air France, Air Lingus, British Airways, KLM, Scandinavian Airlines, Air Europa, Royal Air Maroc, Lufthansa, ITA Airways, Iberia, Swiss & TAP Air Portugal), so there are no excuses. And apart from the city’s fabulous sights and hugely attractive calendar, there’s also 14km of coastline, which is home to 16 beaches…so don’t forget to pack your swimming trunks! Heading the Costa del Sol, you’ll find another 150km of beaches when you head South, peppered with great holiday destinations such as Fuengirola, Mijas, Benalmadena, Marbella, Estepona, Sotogrande, all the way past Gibraltar to Tarifa.

Being a cool 2800 years old, Málaga is one of the oldest, continuously inhabited cities in Western Europe. Founded at around 770 BC by the Phoenicians, they already knew then that this was a great place to go, so if you haven’t been yet, start planning for your ultimate Andalusian holiday experience pronto!

What’s it Like at Sun & Snow Weekend in Sierra Nevada?

Sun & Snow Weekend music festival is a 3-day electronic music event held in the sensational Sierra Nevada National Park in Andalucia, Spain. And it’s unlike anything you’ve experienced before.

With the likes of Andalucia BIG Festival and Ultra Beach Festival, southern Spain is becoming a musical hub. And, albeit with a different vibe, Sun & Snow is helping develop that reputation even more.

Established in 2019, Sun & Snow Weekend has grown to become a household name on the European club scene calendar. Taking place around 3,000 meters above sea level, it’s also one of the highest events on the calendar.

Huge acts from all corners of the EDM universe pump out the tunes across three stages. But there’s also high-flying snow sports, stunning scenery and incredible eats to look forward to.

That year was another stonking year for the boutique festival, with top-dog artists such as Âme headlining, as well as Cato Anaya, CC:Disco, Carlita, Echonomist, Kid Simius, Monolink, The Element, Foreverness, Kevin Ganora, Lorena Caba, Maik Miroux & Two Ex and many more at the decks, the atmosphere, whether open air or in the Mountain Club tent was electric. With its first edition only in 2018, this young festival is firmly marking its place on the European raver’s map. And with historic Granada just down the road, the whole area offers great experiences all around.

So, it’s easy to see why this festival has become so popular so quickly. But, before we talk more about the event, let’s shed some light on that unique locale.

Where is Sun & Snow Weekend?

As we’ve mentioned, Sun & Snow is held in Sierra Nevada National Park, Andalucia in Spain.

Andalucia is normally more synonymous with the European Polo Championships, Masters golf and the sun-soaked beaches of the Costa Del Sol. However, the Sierra Nevada mountain range poses a very different atmosphere.

In the town of Pradollano, you’ll find a ski resort that’s all about living life to the fullest. Although the ski resort is open all year round, in April you’ll find some of the biggest acts in the EDM world coming together on the Iberian Peninsula.

Best Things to Do Sun & Snow Weekend in Sierra Nevada

Of course, Sun & Snow is all about huge tunes and gorgeous scenery. But what are some of the best things to do at the festival?

1. Explore three stages
2. Ski the slopes
3. Marvel at the snowpark
4. Discover Pradollano
5. Admire the view

Three Stages to Enjoy

Sun & Snow is made up of three main stages; The Altitude Stage, Igloo Stage and Mountain Club. Catch incredible music across all 3 venues over the weekend. But let’s give you more info about each, as there are some nuances to remember.

The Altitude Stage

An outdoor terrace stage located at the Borreguiles ski station, the Altitude Stage is alive from 11am – 4:30pm on Saturday. However, if you want to check out this exclusive space, you’ll need to do so via cable car which costs around 21 euros for a return journey.

Igloo Stage

Open on Friday and Saturday from 5pm to 3am and on Sunday from 2pm to 4am, the Igloo Stage is a smaller space where some of the more experimental acts come to deliver epic sets. We managed to see and catch up with the incredible Maik Miroux here too!

Mountain Club

The big one, The Mountain Club is where headline acts come to smash out showstopping performances. Open all weekend from 7:30pm to 6am, this is where we caught an awesome set by house icon Âme.

Go Skiing on the Famous Slopes

The Sierra Nevada National Park is a renowned skiing area in Europe. So, it’s the perfect opportunity to try out the slopes when you’re not taking in the incredible music.

There are slopes of varying difficulty levels, which means skiers of all abilities can get involved with the snowy good times. Although, intermediate skiers will probably be best equipped.

Raise Your Pulse at the Snowpark

While we’re on the subject of snowsports, if you a fan of high-flying fun, then the snowpark is where you need to be. Thrillseekers will love getting out on the ramps and building up some epic hangtime.

On the other hand, if you prefer to keep your feet on the ground, just grab a coffee and watch the rest of them put in the hard work.

I know what we’d rather be doing!

Discover Pradollano

Beyond the banging tunes and brilliant slopes, Pradollano also offers a veritable feast for the senses. As one of the leading ski resorts in the Sierra Nevada region, it’s home to some amazing activities – not least the food and drink!

Uncover a host of bars, restaurants, cafes and more in the town. Plus, if you’ve decided to find out what it’s like going to Sun & Snow Weekend as part of a road trip, you’re in luck. Because Pradollano is also home to the largest underground car park in Spain.

Alternatively, the larger town of Granada is just 25 minutes away. So, if you’re thinking of staying for the whole weekend (and you’re not parking up a campervan) then the hotels in Granada might be your best bet for digs.

Be Wowed! By the Views

One thing you won’t be short of at Sun & Snow Weekend is majestic views. The Sierra Nevada put on a show every evening with magical sunsets dipping below the peaks in a golden embrace.

Who hasn’t heard of the world-famous Alhambra, watching over the great city of Granada! Bordered by the provinces of Málaga, Jaén, Cordoba & quite a few others, it is central to stunning countryside, awe-inspiring history, great adventures to be had in the Sierras Nevada and culinary experiences found at every street corner. Of course, the Alhambra is by far not the only attraction in Granada city and province: there’s the Generalife Palace, the impressive cathedral, the Paseo de los Tristes, an array of great houses, and so much more to see, quite apart from the beaches of the Mediterranean Sea.

A great way to see the best of the view is on a hiking trail. Of course, it might seem like a large commitment to head out hiking while at a festival. But we promise the views won’t disappoint.

Do You Need to Know How to Ski To Go To Sun & Snow Weekend?

It’s a similar scenario to Snowbombing at Sun & Snow. Yes, this is a ski resort and, yes, there will be lots of people hitting the slopes. But, no, you don’t need to know how to ski to get around and have a good time at the festival.

The stages are well laid out across the area and the restaurants and bars of beautiful Pradollano are easily accessible on foot.

Is Sun & Snow Weekend Worth It?

Absolutely! This place is dripping with great vibes. From the incredible tunes to the (just as incredible) views from the mountain, it’s impossible not to have a good time here.

We recommend spending some time at the Igloo Stage on Saturday and closing off your weekend with one of the many huge acts on at the Mountain Club.

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