NEWS
EVENTS
Ibiza Has Croatian Amnesia
Anyone who’s anyone in the electronic music scene will surely, by now, be aware of the climate change going on for us clubbers and festival-goers alike. This is not a reference to global warming. I am talking about a global shift, but a shift in dancing feet, not the weather.
For years, Ibiza has been the original utopia for millions. It is cheap to get to, you are exposed to the worlds greatest DJs every night, and not to mention the world-renowned scenery (6am on San Antonio’s infamous west end excluded). Ibiza has, essentially, been the party capital of the world for centuries. Even the Romans used to go and let their hair down there! Apparently this is also around the time Sven Väth started djing…
Eivissa has, alas, got a new rival to contend with. The one negative about Ibiza has always been the cost efficiency once you get there. Into the turbulent party market has stepped Croatia, or rather, a lot of clever promoters. Value for money is the order of the day. Cheap festival tickets, Decent hospitality prices and accommodation primarily offered via each festival makes Croatia the hot new destination and no doubt has Ibiza quaking in its boots. Many who travel use the same description to describe this beautiful place – “untouched”. You won’t have to contend with stepping over a drunk, passed out girl from a Leicester hen night whilst you walk to the beach hungover. In other words, the masses haven’t arrived. Yet.
In essence, You will pay €50 to get into Circo Loco opening this year at DC10, whereas the 4 day (extended with parties) Hideout festival tickets were £100 (until it sold out within weeks). This is no new trend – Croatian festivals have been on the go for about 10 years, but with smaller, more intimate festivals on offer. Now widespread, there has been a massive increase. Slowly the juggernauts like Hideout Festival are establishing themselves as names here to stay, not too incomparable to the journeys of the dance music heavy weights in Ibiza, like Cocoon. The theory is the same – Promoters back then spotted a gap in the market, and took full advantage. I predict the same to happen in Croatia. In fact, it’s already started.
As I’ve spent the past couple summers over there and attended most festivals, I feel obliged to give my opinion on which ones are the best, and just exactly who is suited to who. Each has their own authenticity, but no matter how much people try to put a gloss over their particular festival, be it through universal line ups or paying for good reviews, experience is always the correct formula for decision making. Rather than predictably name drop from each lineup, I’m going to give you a first hand insight into each festival for you to make your own, educated decision. Or you could just do them all?
5. Dimensions festival, Pula. 28-31st August.
For the Techno heads, this is the festival to go to. Located in an old abandoned moat, night time is when this festival really comes to life. Imagine old castle walls, several one of a kind venues i.e. the dungeon (a narrow tower, like a well, with the DJ at an extended height and the sound deafening), the surrounding forests and dark, dingy paths taking you to each setting. During the day, the boat parties are up there with the best in Croatia, although, in my opinion, it would be harder to throw a bad boat party in that weather. That said, the ones to watch out for are the Hypercolour and Electric Minds boats, both of which sell out annually. One issue with Dimensions was the problem with arrests. Through various conversations, it is evident this festival was not only a music festival, but, in truth, a bit of a set up for the local authorities. Not so unheard of were incidents of entrapment with undercover officers, straight from the first night, and with a record number of arrests made and fines implemented, it looked from the outset like a bit of a money earner for the feds. This probably happens at other festivals in Croatia so be warned wherever you go.
4. Outlook festival, Pula. 3-7th September.
Outlook, the festival that has put Croatia on the global map, brings nothing but the culture. Orientated more towards the drum n bass/dubstep spectrum, this festival attracts an altogether different crowd, even though it is essentially part of the same festival as Dimensions, with timeframe and location so closely aligned. There is the option of collectively purchasing tickets and accommodation for both events. I have done both events the past 2 years and my one piece of advice is a planned recovery time! Think hippy vans, reggae bands, serious blazing and a totally laid back atmosphere. Outlook appeals more due to the global pull, the history and the general festival feel the event brings. I met somebody last year who actually believed that he lived in the forest. Now if that isn’t what a festival is about then I don’t know what is.
3. Soundwave festival, The Garden, Tisno. 27-31st July.
The one thing about Soundwave that rivals any other festival in Croatia is the atmosphere and intimacy. The lineup varies in a more bass and dub direction, with everything in between hip-hop and reggae thrown in. This is not your typical big name, big budget festival. And perhaps this is what attracts the cooler, more friendly crowds – people are there for the music and not just the names. I recall seeing Craig Charles do his set on the Thursday, then came across him again on the Sunday, in the same outfit. That just typifies what this festival is about. The location only adds to the vibe, situated in a hidden bay with crystal clear Mediterranean waves to help you chill out during the day (or have a bop in at night). The local quisine, especially the fish, is the best I experienced in my time in Croatia. Festivals in this sort of heat can get very prolonged and surviving off beer and whatever else can only last for so long. Things to watch out for include unbelievablely grand boat, and the Barbarellas after parties (the local nightclub).
2. Hideout festival, Pag. 31st June – 1st July.
The name Hideout couldn’t be more relevant. Set on the near-deserted Island of Pag, it is basically in the middle of nowhere. The festival is advertised as lasting for 4 days, but runs for over a week including the welcoming and after parties. Couple this with 10,000 party animals, 4 venues on location open basically 24/7 (during the day for the famous pool parties and at night for the main events), and you only have one result. Chaos. If you want to lose your mind in scorching temperatures with the biggest DJ’s the world has to offer, then this is the festival for you. You must pace yourself and not blow a fuse in the first couple of days. Stamina is the key to any festival, and couldn’t be more relevant for Hideout. One thing not to miss is the sunrise. Brace yourself.
1. Unknown festival, Rovinj. 8-12th September.
In its first year in 2013, Unknown absolutely smashed it out the park. Being coordinated by the same people who organise Hideout, Electronic Music Group, gave their vital knowledge and experience towards putting the festival together. Set in an abandoned Forest, much like Dimensions, Unknown has an overall different vibe. It focuses on mindboggling images and lights, Acidic themes and a sort of hippy, hedonistic ambience. I heard one person say it was like being on DMT for a week. All areas are intertwined with secret walkways acting like the nervous system of the forest. It does, however, have a lot more of a friendly air to it than that of a dark, dingy moat. There was a lot of thought put into the festival. It's similar to Dimensions perhaps, in terms of the size of the lineup, but the comparison ends there, because there is none. Unknown, in one year, has established itself as the best festival in Croatia. They even have there own party island, where Boiler Room hosted a recorded party last year. The sandy beach is also an underrated bonus. The general running of the festival, the layout, the crowd and the direction of the lineup is second to none. They even had a paint fight last year, and the after party was, excuse the cliché, the best party I’ve ever been to. I know I said I wouldn’t namedrop but Chic and Nile Rodgers are going to be there this year, building it up to be even more epic. Set in the cooler months, this really is, as advertised, the perfect way to end it.
One final tip that I have followed is paying for accommodation separately to the festivals. This tends to be cheaper and is good if you lack organisation and book everything at the last minute. It is not an expensive place, and, if you keep your wits about you, it is easy to have a great time on a decent budget. The real things, like the beauty of this country, come for free.
Andrew Whitaker
