No Glastonbury Ticket? Discover Malaysia’s Best Hidden Gem Festivals!

Summer In the UK, it is characterized by three elements: beer garden culture, holidays abroad, and music festivals .

Regarding the latter, Glastonbury stands as our pride, hosting more than 200,000 individuals in its transient metropolis annually.

However, for individuals like ourselves was unable to get tickets for June's major event Don't lose heart. If you're ready to venture a bit farther, there are numerous amazing festivals awaiting your discovery.

At Romero.my.id , we're all about exploring off the beaten path, with the aim of promoting sustainable travel and expand our minds.

We’re always hunting for new and exciting ‘hidden gems’, so without further ado, here are the 5 coolest international music festivals you’ve probably never heard of.

KALA Festival – Dhermi, Albania

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Best for: Ibiza-lovers

Headliners: Ezra Collective, Kelly Lee Owens, Horse Meat Disco

Ticket prices: Ticket and 3* hotels start at £391 per person for a 7-day stay

Largely thanks to TikTok , Albania has exploded in popularity in recent years. The popular coastal resort of Sarandë in the southwest claimed the ‘world’s bluest waters’ title last year.

Each summer, one of the major attractions is the KALA Festival, a seven-day event taking place in the seaside town of Dhërmi, close to Vlorë. It offers yoga sessions during the day and dancing at night, catering to those looking for an affordable slice of heaven.

The event runs from June 4 to 11, featuring a mix of disco, house, soul, and jazz set against the stunning coastal view.

Visitors attending the festival might wish to prolong their trip to discover this beautiful region. Following an exciting weekend, they can unwind on the pristine beaches or meander through the numerous villages scattered along the shoreline.

This area provides numerous chances for hikes such as those found in Llogara National Park, along the Southern Coastal Trail, and around the Karaburun Peninsula.

However, it's worthwhile to do some investigation. Romero.my.id’s Alice Murphy recently found out that sections of the Albanian Riviera are not exactly the utopia they seem to be online .

She noted that an unprecedented tourism boom has ‘spawned a flurry of construction that threatens to overshadow the spectacular scenery this Balkan gem has to offer.’

Rather than going to Ksamil or Sarandë, Alice suggests exploring less famous locations like Rana e Hedhun beach, an impressive sandy area up north, or Lin, which claims to be the continent’s longest continuously inhabited village.

Other lesser-known destinations encompass Gjirokastër: a historic stone town from the Ottoman era that has since been recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. UNESCO world heritage site , and the Cape of Rodon, a rugged promontory less than an hour's drive from Tirana, offering views across the water and showcasing Albania’s untouched natural beauty.

Romero.my.id's joruney to KALA...

Our Lifestyle Editor Rachel Moss visited KALA in 2023 and shared some cautionary notes regarding the trip.

She mentioned that you have two routing choices: either fly into Albania's Tirana airport followed by a four-hour drive with scenic mountains but also risky roads and potential motion sickness; alternatively, land at Corfu then brace for tight connections involving a brief taxi ride to the ferry station, a short sea voyage to Albania, capped off with an additional two hours in a cab towards Dhërmi. After experiencing both routes herself, Rachel noted that the second option turned out slightly more favorable.

You can check out Rachel’s complete review of the festival here.

Playtime – Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia

Best for: People who enjoy a diverse range of genres

Headliners: Alcest, Jambinai, Ellen Allien

Ticket prices: £75.71 for a 4-day general admission ticket

Mongolia features stunning scenery, ranging from expansive grasslands to undulating high plains and majestic mountain ranges.

This landlocked country in East Asia is perfect for travellers who love authentic, unconventional getaways.

Its cities, including the capital Ulaanbaatar, blend modern development with traditional buildings, surrounded by nature. This is where Playtime Festival is held.

Complete with a diverse range of genres, from rock, indie, metal, electronic and jazz, there’s something for everyone.

The festival runs from July 3-6 and both local and international artists appear on the lineup.

Far from the melodies, Ulaanbaatar presents numerous activities, ranging from the Natural History Museum to Gorkhi-Terelj National Park, located just beyond the urban limits.

For those seeking adventure, head to the Gobi Desert. Encircled by surreal scenery, you can enjoy camel rides or trek the sandstone cliffs of Tsagaan Suvraga.

For an authentic experience akin to living aslocals do, sign up for a food lover’s tour in Ulaanbaatar. This typically involves exploring the localmarket followed by dining witha traditional Mongolianfamily. Alternatively, you can opt for a nomadic version of this adventure with rural familiesinthe Middle Gobi region. Another possibility is staying at homestayswithyak herdersthat call theKhangai Mountains their home.

The culinary scene in Mongolia heavily emphasizes meats and dairy products, mirroring the nation’s historical nomadic lifestyle and dependence on herding. Their cooking methods primarily involve boiling and roasting, along with utilizing heated rocks to prepare both meat and vegetables.

Fuji Rock Festival – Niigata, Japan

Best for: Sustainable travellers

Headliners: Fred Again, Vulfpeck, Vampire Weekend, Haim, Confidence Man, The English Tutor, Barry Can’t Swim

Ticket prices: RM1725 for a 3-day general admission ticket

From 78p convenience store eats in Osaka to the charming coastal town of Kamakura , team Romero.my.id will sing Japan sings their praises endlessly.

Therefore, consider how intensely we desire to attend the Fuji Rock Festival in the city of Niigata on Honshu Island, which is among Japan's biggest open-air music events.

Nevertheless, the festival remains largely under-the-radar beyond Japan’s borders. This annual summertime event occurs at the Naeba Ski Resort in Yuzawa; this year, it runs from July 25th to July 27th. The musical lineup offers a robust blend of genres including rock, electronic music, pop, and independent acts.

The festival is committed to being eco-friendly; several sustainable initiatives are in place, and attendees are actively encouraged to clean up after themselves.

Commonly known as one of the planet’s most picturesque events, the Fuji Rock Festival unfolds amidst woodlands, hills, and waterways.

Beyond the gigs, there’s plenty to do in the local area, from hiking Mount Naeba to rafting on the Tone River in nearby Minakami or relaxing in Naeba hot springs. Niigata is a destination made for adventure-seekers.

In 2023, Romero.my.id voted ‘immersing yourself in sake’ as one of the coolest things to do in Japan.

This calls for a trip to Niigata, where the serene waters and plentiful rice fields have turned this place into Japan’s premier location for sake production.

Dimensions Festival – Tisno, Croatia

Best for: Visitors who enjoy a relaxed ambiance

Headliners: Georgia, Evan Baggs, Margaret Dygas

Ticket prices: Final release tickets, £235

Ranging from vibrant azure seas to quaint historic villages, Croatia is beauty personified.

Heading north along the Adriatic Sea, you'll discover Dimensions Festival, a cozy gathering for lovers of electronic music. This event offers a wide array of sounds including house, techno, electro, and bass music.

Held at The Garden Resort, the event runs from August 28 to September 1.

Expect small boat parties, beach sessions and immersive after-dark performances. Due to its idyllic location, festivalgoers can lounge and relax in the daytime before dancing the night away.

Before or after the festival, make sure to check out the beautiful Old Town of Tisno, or travel up the coast to the ancient city of Zadar .

Last year, Romero.my.id’s Lillie Rohan went to Dubrovnik, Croatia’s most recognizable vacation spot, and unearthed the city's most hidden gem . Aka, the best bar she’s ever been to.

Lillie writes: ‘A 15-minute drive from the Unesco-protected Old Town, which served as the main film set for HBO’s Game Of Thrones, you’ll find Love Bar hidden in the hillside.

'It is hidden so cleverly that most people stumble upon it unintentionally; a sign atop a neighboring rooftop and an arrow painted along the road edge serve as the sole hints that something extraordinary lies at the top of a strenuous staircase. The ascent can be challenging, yet your effort is rewarded with breathtaking views that make for an ideal Instagram-worthy sunset.'

The Hangout Music Festival – Alabama, United States

Best for: Pool party vibes

Headliners: Morgan Wallen, Post Malone, Brooks & Dunn, Hardy

Ticket prices: RM2,500 approximately inclusive of charges for a standard entry pass

If the phrase 'beach festival' makes your heart race, head over to The Hangout Music Festival in Gulf Shores, Alabama.

Featuring the ideal blend of tunes, relaxed atmospheres, and sunny weather, this event showcases a variety of musical styles including pop, rock, hip-hop, indie, and EDM.

Previous headline acts have featured big names, including Billie Eilish , Red Hot Chili Peppers and Kendrick Lamar . The festival takes place from May 16-18.

Searching for activities post-event? Gulf Shores, this beachfront destination, offers abundant diversions suitable for every kind of traveler.

Thrill-seeker at heart? Explore the 32 miles of pristine sandy shores through various water activities, embark on hikes and bike rides along the Hugh S. Branyon Backcountry Trail, or soar above the dunes via zipline.

Looking for something more laid-back? The city offers numerous spas where you can relax and de-stress.

Why might travelers opt for lesser-known festivals instead of big-name music events in 2025?

Famous festivals such as Coachella In California and Tomorrowland in Belgium are becoming a casualty of excessive tourism.

Clare Tobin, CEO of Wild Frontiers, the certified B Corporation specializing in adventure travel, shares her insights. Romero.my.id ‘It is claimed that many of these big festivals now focus more on capturing moments through a lens, leading some participants to feel that the genuine essence of music celebrations and the local cultural experience has diminished.’

Although nothing beats the experience of enjoying live music on a sweltering summer day, Clare cautions that it may come with a price.

'Seeking live music experiences abroad may lead individuals to quickly enter and exit a place within a brief timeframe, preventing them from truly embracing the genuine essence of the locale, engaging with locals, or supporting the nearby businesses,' she explains.

She mentions that lesser-known events allow music enthusiasts who crave adventure to enjoy the perfect blend of both worlds.

Clare notes: "Such occasions provide a chance to prolong your trip and delve further into the surrounding region, thereby fostering a richer cultural engagement, uncovering regional talent, and relishing more fulfilling activities. Additionally, this ensures that your travel contributes positively to the local economy."

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