Sense Hot Spring Wellness & Spa, Mae On

What is it:  Anyone in Chiang Mai long enough will remember the Jai Thep Festival era. Gaia Beats is its spiritual successor, with many of the team behind that legendary era back with this new, more grown-up version that is the closest you’ll get to a Glastonbury-atmosphere anywhere in Thailand.    Why we love it: Kicking off last year with a one-day test-run event (which was great fun if you missed it), organiser Tom is going full force into this three-day festival that ‘gives more than it takes’. It’s community-focused and the biggest not-for-profit fest in the North. And while the focus is definitely on music, things kick-off early with workshops, kids’ zones and immersive performances that last all day and night. Festival heads can pitch a tent free of charge and head to Synergy Stage for electronic beats that err on the side of downtempo or The Bunker for those heavier rhythms of UK bass and sound system culture.    There are also love bands playing from midday to well past sundown, with big names like Echo Resort, Vega, Rasmee, Apichat Pakwan and No Know headlining the weekend alongside newcomers Bangkok Reggae Massive and Kiki to name just a few. And then there are the workshops – Kindred Caravan hidden deep in the woods sees everything from tantric continuums to crazy kid takeovers, Workshop Yard is all about getting hands-on, and the Shala is where you go for energy. And if that’s not enough to tempt you, check out our latest Time Out Podcast as we talk with the...