Mikala Lugen is a passionate music, travel, and holistic health journalist with over a decade of experience covering the intersection of sound, adventure, and holistic well-being.
As the founder of M&M Entertainment, she works with clients in the music and mindfulness sectors, bringing authentic storytelling to the forefront. Her current bylines include Uproxx, EDM.com, and MP3 Mag, where she crafts compelling long-form features, artist interviews, and festival coverage.
“Music has been in my DNA since day one—thanks to my parents’ love for ’70s, ’80s, and ’90s rock, which laid the foundation for my lifelong obsession. I thrive in the vibrant energy of music festivals, viewing them as playground utopias where people from all walks of life connect through sound and shared experiences,” says Mikala.
Based in Asheville, NC, Mikala is constantly chasing the next great story—whether it’s trekking up a mountain, rock climbing, practicing yoga, or dancing under the stars at a festival.
Her work isn’t just about covering events; it’s about inspiring people to embrace music, wellness, exploration as a way of life, and the transformative power of sound.
Check out Mikala’s top music festival picks for 2025!
#1 Domefest 2025
August 7-9, New River Gorge, WV
“It’s been nearly two years since Pigeons Playing Ping Pong hosted their beloved Domefest, and I couldn’t be more excited,” says Mikala.
Making its much-anticipated return on August 7th-9th, the Flock – the band’s fanbase – will jam out for three nights at ACE Adventure Resort in New River Gorge, WV, for a weekend celebration of music and art.
“It’s truly one of the best small and independent festivals you could choose to go to this summer, with an estimated 2,000-4,000 attendees,” she adds. “I’m beyond excited for this one this year.”
Along with a weekend full of music, attendees can explore the venue’s gorgeous 1,500-acre outdoor adventure paradise.
During the day, attendees can spend hours at the waterpark lake full of waterslides, trampolines, and giant inflatables while listening to music from the lake stage, while the mountaintop main stage will light up at night.
Domefest will also offer whitewater rafting, ziplining, hiking, and mountain biking in the heart of New River Gorge National Park.
#2 Ultra Music Festival
March 28-30, Miami, FL
“It’s the 25th anniversary of one of the biggest and best festivals in the world,” Mikala says excitedly.”
Downtown Miami will light up to celebrate its flagship event, Ultra Music Festival, from Friday, March 28th – Sunday, March 30th, welcoming more than 100 global artists to its stages.
As the preeminent curator of electronic music’s rare “you-had-to-be-there” moments, Ultra 2025 will present history-making performances, including: the world-exclusive Anyma B2B Solomun set, the global debut of Carl Cox’s Evolution live show, the first-ever deadmau5 b2b Pendulum DJ set, the Miami debut of Dom Dolla and John Summit’s Everything Always, the world debut NGHTMRE b2b Sullivan King set, and the U.S. debut of Chase & Status’ new live show.
“If you’ve never made it to Ultra before, this is the year to make it happen,” she said.
#3 Viva El Gonzo
May 8-10, San José Del Cabo, Mexico
“All-American jam band Goose has announced their inaugural music festival, and I would not have expected it to be a destination festival in Mexico,” Mikala said. “But hey, I’m not complaining.”
Slated to occur in San José Del Cabo from May 8th to 10th, Viva El Gonzo promises an immersive discovery journey where attendees can choose their own adventure. A simple, all-in-one ticket purchase includes festival access as well as customizable lodging, wellness offerings, beach access, and more in Cabo’s tropical desert oasis.
Anchored by three consecutive nights of performances by Goose, the festival will feature sets from The War on Drugs, Tycho, Dawes, LA LOM, LP GIOBBI, and more.
Attendees will be able to witness genre-blending and exploratory beachside performances in a gorgeous tropical setting, open fields, and elaborate installations.
As heard from inside the crowd at a Goose show, “GOOOOOOOSEEEEEEEEE.”
#4 Lightning In A Bottle
May 22-27, Buena Vista Lake, CA
Taking place at Buena Vista Lake in Southern California during Memorial Day Weekend from May 22nd-27th, Lightning in a Bottle (LIB) provides a living and breathing outpost for misfits, creatives, and experience hunters to experience an array of top-tier music curation, art installations, immersive environments, and educational programming.
“Why not check North America’s original boutique festival off your list for 2025?” Mikala said..
“LIB is your gateway to the extraordinary, a technicolor beacon for individuality in a monochrome world. It’s basically what Burning Man once was,” she says.
A place where outrageousness is currency and fun triumphs over all – it is a journey hand-curated by the counterculturists and party people of Do LaB, dotted with surprises that continually reimagine what a festival can mean to its attendees.
With a forward-thinking ethos, this year’s eclectic music lineup features John Summit, Khruangbin, Jamie xx, Four Set, Subtronics, Underworld, The Blessed Madonna, Channel Tres, Magdalena Bay, Tape B, Flowdan, Joy Orbison, Claude VonStroke, and more.
What more could you possibly want in a festival?
#5 Primavera Sound Barcelona
June 5-7, Barcelona, Spain
“I’ve always wanted to go to a European festival, and if there’s one worth the plane ticket and jet lag, it’s Primavera Sound,” Mikala said.
The 23rd edition of the festival will celebrate its unique identity with a state-of-the-art lineup that brings all walks of life together from June 5th to 7th in the Parc del Fòrum.
While Primavera Sound Barcelona itself is three days, the city celebrates its love of music for a whole week, including an official opening day, closing party, and a parallel program yet to be revealed, transporting the musical activity into different venues and spaces around Barcelona.
Among some of this year’s 147 booked artists are standouts Charli xcx, FKA twigs, LCD Soundsystem, Jamie xx, Parcels, Sabrina Carpenter, Turnstile, Nicola Cruz, Chappell Roan, and more.
“Yeah…you should probably book your flights asap,” Mikala added..
#6 Bonnaroo
June 12-15, Manchester, TN
“I’m usually not one to promote what many would call “mainstream” festivals. I’ve never seen a Bonnaroo lineup that made me want to attend, but this year is different,” Mikala explained.
“Returning to its acclaimed Bonnaroo Farm just 60 miles southeast of Nashville in Manchester, TN, from June 12th to 15th, I’m highly considering checking this one off my list,” she continues.
With this year spanning 10 unique stages and its bevy of out-of-the-box artists—including Glass Animals, Avril Lavigne, Justice, Queens of the Stone Age, and three sets of King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard, it’s no surprise that Mikala is excited.
Add in performances by Dom Dolla, John Summit, Goose, Max Styler, Foster The People, Slightly Stoopid, Tape B, Modest Mouse, Claptone, and Barry Can’t Swim—Mikala says she is beyond sold.
Beyond the music, Bonnaroo will reveal a brand-new, one-of-a-kind Infinity Stage this year featuring spatial sound, synchronized lights, and an unprecedented three-dome, open-air design to create the world’s largest, most immersive, 360° live music experience. It’s set to be one of the best festivals of the year.
#7 Dirtybird Campout x Northern Nights
July 18-20, Cook’s Valley Campground, CA
“Dirtybird Campout is back. I repeat DIRTYBIRD CAMPOUT IS BACK. This certainly wasn’t on my bingo card for 2025, but it’s great news,” Mikala said.
Uniting with Northern Nights, the comeback will go down in history as Dirtybird Campout x Northern Nights Music Festival, taking place July 18th-20th at Cook’s Valley Campground within the California Redwoods on the Eel River.
While a music lineup isn’t officially announced yet, it shouldn’t matter. Prepare for an epic weekend full of cannabis, wellness workshops, immersive art, and pioneering musical programming.
“The return of Dirtybird Campout also coincides with the label’s monumental 20th anniversary. It’ll be an epic party you shouldn’t miss,” Mikala advised.
#8 Elements Festival
August 8-10, Long Pond, PA
Be one with the elements this summer at Elements Festival.
Known as the Northeast’s premier immersive electronic music experience, Elements will host a boundless arena of creativity, connection, and adventure—where music, art, camping, and community seamlessly merge from August 8th to 10th in Long Pond, PA.
“Designed to spark curiosity and inspire wonder, the festival offers a unique haven for exploration and self-expression, uniting kindred spirits in a vibrant celebration of freedom and imagination, paying tribute to the natural elements– water, fire, Earth, and air” Mikala explained.
Headliners for this year’s festival are especially exciting, including Illenium, deadmua5, Zeds Dead, Sara Landry, Sofi Tukker, Claude VonStroke, Chase & Status, DJ Diesel (Shaquille O’Neal), Mau P, Wax Motif, LP Giobbi, Layton Giordani, Max Styler, among others.
“It’s truly a perfect festival fit for both a beginner and seasoned raver,” she says.
Follow Mikala’s journey and stay in the know for the best music experiences of 2025! You can find her latest articles on Uproxx, EDM.com, and MP3 Mag, as well as adventures on Instagram and Substack.
Alexandrea Sumuel Groves is a nationally syndicated travel writer. She is a member of the Society of American Travel Writers, a digital publisher on several major online news websites, and the creator behind Wander Worthy and Virginia Trip Guide.
