Spotlight: Festivals in Croatia

Photograph: Suncebeat

 With some of the most iconic festivals in the world being held in this country, we’re pretty much spoilt for choice once summertime hits. The only thing that tends to to wreak havoc on the best planned festivals is the unpredictable British weather. And for those after a holiday, sitting in a muddy field for 3 days may not be their exact idea of a good time. We only get a limited time off work after all...

This might be a reason why we’ve seen a massive increase in festivals abroad, particularly Croatia, where there is seemingly not a weekend without a festival during the summer on the stunning west coastline.

With great weather, pouring sunshine, super relaxed crowds, boat parties, cheap ale, friendly locals, world class DJs and incredible lineups all being par for the course, it’s easy to see why people are ditching the soggy British festivals in favour of the paradisaic conditions of Croatia.

Unlike Ibiza where it seems to be the same in, same out each year, Croatia is a destination that works with smaller promoters, those that can move quickly when the there are changes in the scene and react to movements in the underground. This has seen crowds of like-minded people drawn to the country in united fashion, as true fans of underground dance music revel in the shared love of their music and the characteristics of the chilled out location.

Electric Elephant 

Photograph: Electric Elephant @ The Garden, Tisno

The guys behind the legendary Electric Chair nights in Manchester relocate to The Garden, Tisno on 11thy-15th of July for the Electric Elephant Festival. With a stunning lineup of house and techno veterans including the likes of Carl Craig, Frankie Knuckles, Andrew Weatherall, Boston Bun, and Justin Robertson as well as the more soulful and eclectic party sounds of Mr Scruff, Horse Meat Disco and plenty more, Electric Elephant maintains the anything goes vibe that the Electric Chair is famous for, but puts it in the sunshine, on the beach, and on boat parties.

Ultra Europe

The world conquering Ultra Music Festival makes its Croatian debut at Split between the 12th and 14th July. After huge successes in Miami, Korea Brazil, Ibiza and Chile, the EDM monolith has established a reputation as one of the biggest, flashiest, and most elaborate festivals on the planet. With 60,000 fans expected every year, Ultra is a step out of the norm for the more intimate festivals held across Croatia. Headliners this year include Afrojack, Armin Van Buuren, Carl Cox, Art Department, Fedde Le Grand, Steve Aoki, Guy Gerber and Erick Morillo amongst others. For fans of EDM, trance, and stadium techno, or just want to see some of the biggest names in dance music, this is a festival unparalleled.

Fresh Island

Watch: Fresh Island Festival Official Trailer

One of the only hip hop festivals in Europe returns on the 10th July 2013 with a staggering lineup. None other than Snoop Dogg will be the main attraction, as he is set to appear to 3000 of his biggest fans in the Club Papaya venue. Joining Snoop will be A$AP Rocky and Iggy Azalea as well as a whole host of world beating hip hop DJs. With boat parties and after parties galore, music workshops, extreme water sports and graffiti sessions on offer, Fresh Island is THE hip hop event of the year.

Suncebeat 4

Held between the 24th and 30th of July, Suncebeat is a week long festival of soulful music, held again at The Garden Tisno on the Dalmatian coast. Armed with Funktion One sound systems and an insanely good lineup, the guys behind the Southport Weekender have exported all their good ideas into one enthralling week of sun soaked fun. Headliners this year include the likes of house music’s enigmatic Moodymann, Chicago house legend Mark Farina, World music pioneer Gilles Peterson, Derrick Carter, Kenny Dope and Kerri Chandler amongst so many others. There has never been a venue more fitting for the sound of soulful music, and Suncebeat remains a festival that perfectly marries the festival and holiday vibe.

Stop Making Sense

Listen: Parkranger's Stop Making Sense Festival Podcast

One of the defining festivals of the season returns for 2013 with one of its best lineups yet, bringing together the finest in forward thinking dance music including house, techno, latin, jazz, dubstep and even reggae. Featuring record label curated boat parties as one of its unique features, you’ll get the chance to have a really intimate rave up on the sea with some of your favourite artists, something worth the trip alone. Some of the DJs and artists involved include Sebo K (read our interview with him), Session Victim, Steve Bug, Midland, Will Saul, Appleblim, and Braiden (check out our interview with him as well!). Held between the 1st and 4th of August, Stop Making Sense is definitely one of our personal highlights of the Croatian Festival season.

Check out other festivals abroad in 2013 with our unique Festival Finder