Croatia 2019 - your Guide to the Adriatic’s best festivals
With Miller Genuine Draft...
If Ibiza is the heart of clubland then Croatia serves as the epicentre for dance music festivals. With a whole summer’s worth of events crammed into just a few locations along the country’s sun-soaked coastline, it’s really only our work and our wallets keeping us from spending the whole season on the Dalmatian Coast. These are the summer’s biggest events from July - September. How many can you fit in?
HIDEOUT
One of Croatia’s most eclectic offerings caters for tech, house, drum & bass, disco and plenty in between. It attracts a younger, hungrier crowd with party-starters like Skream, Peggy Gou and My Nu Leng.
LOCATION: Zrce Beach, Island Of Pag
DATE: 1st - 5th July
DJ MAG PICK: Special Request will always serve up an illicit old school rave of jungle, techno and bass.
LOVE INTERNATIONAL
Utterly tasteful line-ups that cover a wide range of electronic music all play out in the natural bay of The Garden. Barbarellas is a world-renowned open-air club that hosts many events, next to an array of boat parties from names like Cal Super, Craig Richards, DJ Harvey and Crazy P.
LOCATION: The Garden, Tisno
DATE: 3rd - 10th July
DJ MAG PICK: Orpheu The Wizard is a cosmic journeyman who is the perfect person to soundtrack a dance under a starry night sky.
HOSPITALITY ON THE BEACH
The only exclusively drum & bass-focussed festival in Croatia, the legendary Hospital Records crew ensure a full-throttle experience under blissful blue skies. Legends like Andy C and Noisia mix with cutting-edge names like Mantra and A.Fruit.
LOCATION: The Garden, Tisno
DATE: 11th - 15th July
DJ MAG PICK: Etherwood is known for his beautiful production, which draws on his skills as a musician and unique sense of soul.
FRESH ISLAND
The biggest and best festival for lovers of hip-hop, R&B and urban music, with daytime pool and boat parties and nighttime club sessions. Legends like Tim Westwood features alongside young stars like Gunna*, Afro and Tory Lanez.
LOCATION: Zrce Beach, Island Of Pag
DATE: 15th - 17th July
DJ MAG PICK: Lil Uzi Vert’s rapid delivery, natural charm and articulate lyrics make him a must see.
SUNCÉBEAT
Famous for its carnival-like atmosphere, SuncéBeat will be celebrating its 10th birthday in 2019 so expect a best-ever event. The paradise-like idyll will feature names such as Kerri Chandler, Kenny Dope, The Black Madonna and Soul Clap.
LOCATION: The Garden, Tisno
DATE: 21st - 31st July
DJ MAG PICK: Jayda G has unbridled energy in the booth and whips through funk, house, soul and more with real style.
BLACKSHEEP
This EDM mega-gathering takes place at some of Zrce Beach’s best clubs, including Papaya, Aquarius, Noa and Kalypso, and offers the biggest names in the scene such as Nervo, Nicky Romero and KSHMR.
LOCATION: Zrce Beach, Island Of Pag
DATE: 29th July - 1st August
DJ MAG PICK: MATTN is a rare female presence in EDM who is all set to blow up.
DEFECTED
The ultimate house music experience from the legendary UK imprint. In 2019 the label is 20, so expect an extra jovial vibe next to the parties in secluded woods, on boats, beaches and open-air clubs soundtracked by the likes of Claptone, Armand Van Helden and Eats Everything.
LOCATION: The Garden, Tisno
DATE: 8 - 13 August
DJ MAG PICK: Marcel Vogel is a deep-digging DJ who plays across the board with a real sense of authority.
BARRAKUD
One for the techno lovers, Barrakud brings a broad array of the genre’s best names to five days of blistering action and a range of top venues. Open-air dances and boat parties are standard, as are hedonistic crowds and names like Ellen Allien, Marco Faraone and Paul Kalkbrenner.
LOCATION: Zrce Beach, Island Of Pag
DATE: 11th - 15th August
DJ MAG PICK: The FJAAK trio recently turned into a duo but still pack a funky techno punch in the live area.
SONUS
Sonus comes from the people behind Timewarp so expect big production, killer soundsystems and a mix of tomorrow’s stars and today’s favourites including Amelie Lens, Richie Hawtin, Ricardo Villalobos and Seth Troxler. For big names from the sharp end, there is nowhere better.
LOCATION: Zrce Beach, Island Of Pag
DATE: 18th - 22nd August
DJ MAG PICK: Valentino Kanzyani is a godfather of Slovenian techno and a master of hypnotising you with his loops.
DIMENSIONS
With many events going down in the historic Fort Punta Christo, as well as underground caves and sandy beaches, Dimensions is a classy affair with an always forward-looking line-up. This year Anderson Paak, Tony Allen & Jeff Mills, Objekt and Hunee play, amongst others.
LOCATION: Fort Punta Christo, Pula
DATE: 18th August - 1st September
DJ MAG PICK: Mafalda is the Melodies International label co-founder with a soul enriching sound that draws on jazz, funk and Latin rhythms.
DEKMANTEL SELECTORS
The most adventurous festival of them all showcases the most innovative artists from a wide range of musical niches. From feel good selectors like Sassy J and Palms Trax to techno mainstays like Donato Dozzy, the line-up is deep and classy.
LOCATION: The Garden, Tisno
DATE: 22nd - 26th August
DJ MAG PICK: Zozo brings Middle Eastern psychedelic vibes to her mystical and exotic house and techno grooves.
OUTLOOK
Coming at things from a soundsystem perspective, Outlook brings in the best woofers, bass-bins and tweeters in Croatia and serves up the best in bass and urban DJs and live acts. Outlook have also announced that this summer will be their final year at the 200-year-old Fort Punta Christo, so don’t miss Calibre, Goldie, Holy Goof and loads more.
LOCATION: Fort Punta Christo, Pula
DATE: 4th - 8th September
DJ MAG PICK: Drum & bass legend DJ Rap made a massive comeback last year and is guaranteed to bring the vibes.