An Olympic summer

From classical to razor-sharp techno and from poetry to dance, there is so much on offer for music fans this summer reports Kevin Guyan

THE DJ, who played at the opening ceremony at the Olympic Games in 2004, is to headline Andalucia´s best music festival this summer.

DJ Tiësto, who was also the first DJ to play at the O2 arena in London, is the top attraction at this year´s Cream festival, now on its sixth jaunt to southern Spain.

With a mixture of razor-sharp dance music and house tunes, the 15-hour festival in Almeria also features Canadian DJ Tiga, who has remixed for groups including The Killers and the Pet Shop Boys; and UK `baron of techno’ Dave Clarke. Others headlining acts include Junior Boys and 2manydjs.

Across Spain there are many other interesting festivals this summer. Most famous is at Benicassim, from July 16, where British favourites Oasis will be headlining, alongside the King´s of Leon, The Killers and Franz Ferdinand.

Closer to home, the International Music and Dance Festival in Granada is now entering its 58th year.

Going on from now until July 14 it includes a number of high-profile acts, notably The National Dance Company of Spain and The London Symphony Orchestra.

Nerja also hosts its very own music festival, with the Caves Festival celebrating its 50th Anniversary starting from July 21.

For jazz lovers, the XXII Edición de Jazz en la Costa runs from July 18 to 25 in Almunecar, Granada.

On the Costa del Sol (in Malaga, Marbella and San Roque) there are a series of Caribbean music events taking place between July 12 and July 15, each headlined by reggae legends Third World.

Another festival is the Ojeando Festival: a three-day free festival in Malaga, from July 10.

Also free this summer is the Pulpop Festival in Roquetas de Mar, Almeria, on July 11, promising a mix of foreign and local pop music, including Dorian, Cooper and the Right Ons.

The same night, festival FM Pop takes place in Lucena, Cordoba aiming to counteract the commercialisation of pop music.

Another intersting festival is Etnosur in Alcala la Real, in Jean, which labels itself as “not a music festival” but a “festival with music”. Crossing a range of artistic disciplines the free festival, beginning on July 17, will be a treat.

Dance lovers, meanwhile, are being spoilt for choice at Sevilla´s International Festival of Dance at the Roman ruins of Italica.

Headlining this year will be the cult UK dance maverick Michael Clark on July 11, while flamenco star Sara Baras, and classical ballet troup Victor Ullate Ballet play later in the month.

Finally, one other slightly more off beat idea could be the International Festival of Poetry taking place at Villanueva de Tapia from July 17 to 18.