October 25, 2022 - This year's Sea Star festival in Umag, the first festival held in Croatia since 2019, brought a new 54 million kuna in profit for the Croatian economy. From 2017 to today, the total exceeded 225 million kuna, the festival organisers reported.

As Index writes, on May 27 and 28, more than 40,000 visitors came to the fourth edition of the Sea Star Festival, according to research by the consulting firm Hotelis, which specialises in tourism and hotel management, and the independent agency TIM Centar. The visitors brought a new 54 million in profit for the Croatian economy.

The total realised contribution from 2017 to today has exceeded HRK 225 million or almost EUR 30 million, and only direct consumption caused by the Sea Star event was included in the analysis.

Visitors from more than 40 countries and four continents

In addition to this amount, the total value of the marketing promotion of the festival and the destination, specifically Umag, the Stella Maris lagoon, Istria, and Croatia, has been estimated at more than HRK 128 million, or EUR 17 million. In 2022 alone, the value of the marketing campaign carried out in more than 20 countries exceeded five million euros.

In two evenings, visitors from more than 40 countries and four continents entered through the festival gates of this year's Sea Star. Fans from Croatia, Slovenia, Italy, Austria, Switzerland, BiH, and Serbia prevailed, and some came to Umag from the USA, Australia, Israel, and Kuwait.

Regarding audience size, Sea Star in 2022 was the most visited music event in Istria and Primorje and one of the three most visited in Croatia. According to the data of the Umag Tourist Board, about 15,000 tourists and almost 50,000 overnight stays were recorded at the destination from May 26 to 29.

For more, make sure to check out our dedicated Lifestyle section.

April 5, 2022 - Despite multiple cancellations and postponements in previous years due to COVID-19, 2022 promises the return of musical events in a big way. If rock music, both old and new, is your thing, here are some concerts in Croatia you won't want to miss.

After a couple of years where the latest about concerts in Croatia was bad news, such as cancellations and postponements, it seems that we have finally reached a promising year for the music scene, and especially for rock lovers in Croatia. Superbands at the Arena Pula, a festival with a luxury lineup at the Jarun, farewell tours of legendary bands, a journey through time with iconic rock bands, a mix of nostalgia and future, it seems that 2022 will bring a lot of joy for all Croatian rockers out there.

Grab your calendar and your wallet, and pay attention to these upcoming concerts in Croatia.

Franz Ferdinand (April 25th @ Dom Sportova, Zagreb)

Scottish rock band Franz Ferdinand is coming to the Dom Sportova, Zagreb on Monday, April 25, 2022, on a tour that includes the greatest hits from their nearly two-decade-long career.

The Hits To The Head tour is accompanied by the release of a collection of the 20 greatest hits that the band has conquered the world, with the released new single "Billy Goodbye", and will be presented live in the spring. Franz Ferdinand is coming to one of the biggest foreign tours in Zagreb next year for his first solo performance, and they are also bringing their own equipment and production, which is why the band's first greatest hits tour will be the one to remember.

Franz Ferdinand is without a doubt one of the greatest rock bands of recent times and a music institution that has spawned some of the biggest hits in his now long career. They marked a kind of renaissance of island bands, brought euphoria to the dance floor and guitar riffs with memorable lyrics, and marked an entire generation with their music. The band has released a whole series of studio releases and timeless hits that have secured them a horde of fans around the world and without which it is hard to imagine a program on any radio station, a good party, or dancing in a club.

At the first solo meeting with Zagreb, alongside Alex Kapranos (vocals, guitar) will be longtime collaborators Bob Hardy (bass), Dino Bardot (guitar), Julian Corrie (guitar, keyboards), and new drummer Audrey Tait.

Tickets cost 200 kn until April 24, and 230 kn on the day of the concert.

Buy your tickets for Franz Ferdinand HERE.

The Smile (May 16th @ Hala, Zagreb)

The Smile, a new band featuring Thom Yorke and Jonny Greenwood from Radiohead and Tom Skinner from Sons of Kemet, opens its premiere European tour with a concert at Hala in Zagreb on May 16, 2022.

Croatia will thus become the starting point of the tour with over 30 concerts, which has already attracted a lot of attention with its first singles and performances. Their upcoming album has already been declared the ‘most anticipated release of the year’.

Yorke and Greenwood are the creative backbone of Radiohead, one of today’s most influential bands. They brought on Tom Skinner, drummer of the band Sons of Kemet, whose 2021 album “Black To The Future” was high on the Best Albums list of the year. 

The Croatian audience has long been waiting for Radiohead to play at home. However, The Smile, which critics describe as a “more relaxed and open Radiohead”, with the band calling it “Radiohead in power trio format”, gives the Croatian public a unique opportunity to experience Yorke and Greenwood live.

Tickets for this unique concert at a price of 379 kuna.

Buy your tickets for The Smile HERE.

Iron Maiden (May 22nd @ Arena Zagreb, Zagreb)

The legendary British heavy metal band will perform on Sunday, May 22nd at Arena Zagreb. Iron Maiden in Croatia was originally planned for 2020 but was postponed due to the pandemic. Now, as part of their Legacy of the Beast tour, the concert will be a reality. The Legacy of the Beast tour adds to a long list of Iron Maiden tours, festivals, and concerts for over forty years. To date, the heavy metal band has toured 59 countries and played more than 2,000 concerts. The tour that will include Zagreb in 2022 has 136 confirmed dates around the world.

On December 1st, 2022, they announced on their official Facebook page that six European cities would be included. The Croatian capital of Zagreb will not only now be part of the Legacy of the Beast tour, but it will also be the first date of the English band's tour in Europe, which will feature its historic lineup: Steve Harris, on bass, guitarists Dave Murray, Adrian Smith, Janick Gers, and drummer Nicko McBrain. Additionally, the metal band Lord of the Lost will be a special guest.

Iron Maiden, founded by Harris in 1975, also confirmed the European capitals Belgrade (Serbia), Bucharest (Romania), Kyiv (Ukraine), Sofia (Bulgaria), and Athens (Greece) within the list of cities that will be part of the tour.

Prices for the tickets are: Lodge (790 kn), Standing A (550 kn), Lower tribune 1 (450 kn), Lower tribune 2 (395 kn), Tribune upstairs (395 kn), Upper tribune (295 kn), Upper tribune 2 (270 kn), Salon (SOLD OUT), and Standing B (SOLD OUT).

Buy your tickets for Iron Maiden HERE.

Dream Theater (May 27th @ Dom Sportova, Zagreb)

Prog rock titans Dream Theater, one of the most important bands of the genre, are returning to Zagreb as part of the big Top Of The World tour, on Friday, May 27, 2022 in the Small Hall of the Sports Hall. According to many pioneers of progressive metal, Dream Theater is one of the big three bands that are responsible for the development and popularization of the genre. True virtuosos are known for their great instrumentalizations and unforgettable live performances.

In more than 30 years of career, the band has sold 15 million albums and two Grammy nominations. Their “Images & Words” Rolling Stone listed the 100 best metal albums of all time. Readers voted “Metropolis Pt. 2: Scenes from a Memory ”as the best prog-rock album of all time, and Classic Rock magazine ranked it among the best conceptual. The band is on the Billboard Top 200 with the album "Black Clouds & Silver Linings", and is also listed in the Long Island Music Hall of Fame.

Dream Theater has announced a new studio album "A View From The Top Of The World" which will be released on October 22, and the release is accompanied by a major world tour. In the fifteenth release, the band continues to explore their limits but also remains true to the sound that has brought them millions of fans around the world in a career spanning more than three decades. The new album will feature seven songs and was produced by guitarist and band founder John Petrucci, also one of the most notable and innovative heavy metal guitarists of today.

Ticket prices are 260 kn for Parter (standing), and 290 kn for Tribune (free sitting).

Buy your tickets for Dream Theater HERE.

Nick Mason's Saucerful of Secrets (May 31st @ Zagreb Fair, Zagreb)

Legendary Pink Floyd drummer, Nick Mason, arrives in Croatia on May 31 for a unique show on Pavilion 9 of the Zagreb Fair with his band Saucerful of Secrets, to offer his Croatian fans a trip to the past through the first albums and songs of the historic English band, during the Syd Barrett's years as a frontman. The band was scheduled to be part of the lineup for the 2021 INMusic Festival, which had already postponed its 2020 edition due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Unfortunately, last year's edition had to be postponed as well, and therefore we couldn't see Nick Mason in Croatia. This year, however, the only member of Pink Floyd who was part of all the band's albums, demonstrated his commitment to his Croatian fans and, despite not being part of the 2022 INmusic lineup due to calendar issues, will arrive a few weeks earlier to take a psychedelic trip back to the 1960s and early 1970s.

Tickets for this concert cost 283 kn.

Buy your tickets for Nick Mason's Saucerful of Secrets HERE.

INmusic Festival (June 20 - 23rd @ Jarun Lake, Zagreb)

Arguably the most important alternative music festival in the country, INmusic will finally take place after two years of postponements due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The organizers of INmusic have done a great job of keeping both hope and excitement alive among their attendees. The festival will take place from June 20 to 23 at Lake Jarun in Zagreb, and for now includes a luxury lineup for its 15th edition: The Killers, Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds, Deftones, Kasabian, Royal Blood, IDLES, White Lies, Fontaines D.C., and many other artists.

It takes place on the beautiful isles of lake Jarun: Isle of Youth, Trešnjevka Island, and Univerzijada Island, two of which are reserved for festival campers for a guaranteed unforgettable experience. Croatia's biggest open-air rock festival was founded in 2006 and has been growing stronger ever since. INmusic is hailed by NME as "the best-kept festival secret", while Huffington Post dubbed it the "Woodstock of the 21st century". The green oasis of the city of Zagreb proves to be the perfect setting for the indie-rock mellow get-together.

Price for the 4-day tickets cost 84 euros (635 kn).

Buy your tickets for the 15th INmusic Festival HERE.

Simple Minds (June 30th @ ŠRC Šalata, Zagreb)

Simple Minds brings their big world tour "40 Years Of Hits" to the Šalata Stadium on June 30, 2022. Six years after they sold out the Small Hall of the Dom Sportova, Scottish rock greats are returning to Zagreb to mark four decades of work with a concert that will contain absolutely all the most important songs from the rich opus.

"We're going to play two long sets," explains frontman Jim Kerr. "The tour has to be special, so we prepared very well. You will hear all the classics and all the great songs, and for hardcore fans, we will perform things we haven't played in a long time". The celebration of 40 years of Simple Minds will be marked by a huge world tour, the European part of which has just been discovered. It will include more than 53 arenas and open-air concerts in 16 countries, and the culmination is expected at performances at SSE Hydra in Glasgow and, as far as the local audience is concerned, at Zagreb's Salata, which will be the only date the band dedicated to our region.

Ticket prices are 240 kn for free standing or sitting, and 390 kn for VIP tickets.

Buy your tickets for Simple Minds HERE.

Whitesnake (July 2nd @ ŠRC Šalata, Zagreb)

David Coverdale will take the legendary hard rock band Whitesnake on a big world farewell tour throughout 2022, and Zagreb will have the opportunity to see them for the last time on Saturday, July 2 at the Šalata Stadium. Steel Panther will join them as guests.

Exactly three years after the sold-out Whitesnake concert at the same location, the band is returning to their favorite city space. Coverdale, the great frontman of these rock giants, will be joined this time by the talented Dino Jelusick, a new member of the Whitesnake touring line-up. Dino thus achieved huge success by being a member of the legendary hard rock band and one of the greatest of all time in the genre.

Tireless British rock masters in more than four decades of work, 13 studio albums, and multi-platinum releases remain one of the most recognizable bands of today. Whitesnake was founded in 1978 by David Coverdale, one of the greatest rock vocalists in history, shortly after leaving the band Deep Purple, and to this day holds the position of frontman.

Hits from a rich career such as "Here I Go Again", "Is This Love", "Still Of The Night", as well as "Give Me All Your Love", "Crying In The Rain" or "Slow An 'Easy" and many others who have entered them in a rock anthology, the band will bring to Salat.

Another big bonus of this rock celebration is the fact that Steel Panther, glam metal legends from Los Angeles, who were chosen by Coverdale to open this concert, will perform as special guests.

Ticket prices are 260 kn for free standing or sitting, and 390 kn for VIP tickets.

Buy your tickets for Whitesnake and Steel Panther HERE.

KISS (July 9th @ Arena Zagreb, Pula)

After an epic and well-documented 45-year-long career, which ushered in the era of rock and roll, the band KISS in 2019 began their last tour. The world tour of the band KISS in 2019 was their biggest tour in their career - more tickets were wanted, and the interest was so great that additional concerts were arranged. Unfortunately, many concerts arranged across Europe for 2020 could not be held and had to be postponed for some new dates. For this reason, the band is pleased to announce new dates for 2022, including a completely new date: a concert at the Zagreb Arena on July 9, 2022!

Known for their masks and special costumes that have become their trademark, KISS has been proving for decades why they are considered the creators of the best rock and roll shows and spectacles. Members of The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, who have sold more than 100 million copies of the album worldwide, said they are dedicating this tour to millions of KISS fans who have supported them for more than 40 years.

Prices for the tickets are: VIP Lodge (899 kn), Fan pit (649 kn), Lower tribune 1 (569 kn), Lower tribune 2 (529 kn), Lower tribune 3 (469 kn), Parter (449 kn), Upper tribune 1 (349 kn), Upper tribune 2 (299 kn), Upper tribune 3 (249 kn), and VIP Salon (SOLD OUT).

Buy your tickets for KISS HERE.

Arctic Monkeys (August 16th @ Arena Pula, Pula)

Arctic Monkeys, one of the world's most influential indie rock bands, will perform on one of the world's most unique outdoor stages next summer - the Pula Arena. The golden four from Sheffield will take the stage on August 16, 2022. Arctic Monkeys are planning several selected concerts in the middle of summer next year, in Croatia, the Czech Republic, Turkey, and Bulgaria. Pula thus made the cut for the list of chosen destinations.

Arctic Monkeys are an English garage rock/indie rock band from High Green, a suburb of Sheffield. Founded in 2002, the current band members are Alex Turner (vocals, guitar), Jamie Cook (guitar), Matt Helders (drums, backing vocals), and Nick O'Malley (bass guitar). The Arctic Monkeys achieved great success with their first single, I Bet You Look Good On The Dancefloor. Their debut album, Whatever People Say I Am, That’s What I’m Not, released on January 23, 2006, was the fastest-selling debut album in British music history. The Arctic Monkeys became famous through demos made by their fans and were remembered as one of the first bands to become popular online.

Tickets to see Arctic Monkeys at Arena Pula are, unfortunately, sold out.

Tame Impala (August 17th @ Arena Pula, Pula)

For the first time in Croatia, the Australian band Tame Impala, which revolutionized rock with its new sound, will perform at the Pula Arena on August 17, 2022. “The Slow Rush” is Tama Impale’s fourth studio album. The album continues a series of great releases from the 2010 debuts “Innerspeaker,” “Lonerism” in 2012, and “Currents” in 2015. Released in February 2020, it has already collected over 1.3 billion streams.

Tame Impala is a psychedelic music project by Australian multi-instrumentalist Kevin Parker. In his studio, Parker writes, records, performs and produces all the music for the Tame Impala project. On tour, Tame Impala consists of Parker (guitar, vocals), Dominic Simper (guitar, synthesizer), Jay Watson (synthesizer, vocals, guitar), Cam Avery (bass guitar, vocals), and Julien Barbagallo (drums, vocals).

Ticket prices are 550 HRK for premium seats, 500 HRK for parter, 480 HRK for tribunes, and 300 HRK for a lawn stand. Tickets will be personalized and the ticket limit is 4 per order.

Buy your tickets for Tame Impala HERE.

Pixies (August 27th @ Zagreb Fair, Zagreb)

Pixies, like Nick Mason, was scheduled to be part of the official INmusic lineup in Zagreb in 2020, but due to the COVID pandemic, it could not take place. Due to the ongoing global health situation, Pixies decided to postpone their European summer 2021 tour, including their concert at the Zagreb fair scheduled for August 30th, 2021. The new date for their Zagreb show will be August 27th, 2022. The Pixies are an American alternative rock band formed in 1986 in Boston, Massachusetts. Until 2013, the band comprised Black Francis (vocals, rhythm guitar, songwriter), Joey Santiago (lead guitar), Kim Deal (bass, backing vocals) and David Lovering (drums). The band disbanded acrimoniously in 1993 but reunited in 2004.

The Pixies are associated with the 1990s alternative rock boom, and draw on elements including punk rock and surf rock. Their music is known for its dynamic "loud-quiet-loud" shifts and song structures. They achieved modest popularity in the US but were more successful in Europe.

Ticket prices are 265 kn.

Buy your tickets for Pixies HERE.

The Cure (October 27th @ Arena Zagreb, Zagreb)

Giants of the alternative rock scene - The Cure will hold their first solo concert in Croatia on October 27, 2022, in Arena Zagreb. The huge base of domestic fans of this cult band will finally see the first and long-awaited solo performance of The Cure in Croatia. The Zagreb concert is part of the just-announced European tour The Cure Tour 22, where The Cure will hold 44 concerts in 22 countries, all as part of an announcement of a new album that will bring another 67 minutes of The Cure sound.

The Cure was formed in 1978 in Crawley, England, and since its first concert that same year, The Cure has played over 1,500 concerts. The Cure Euro 2022 tour will be the first since concerts in 2019, the year in which they celebrated 40 years of existence, and 30 years since the release of the cult album "Disintegration" in 1989, which secured the title of one of the best British bands in the last 50 years. That same year, after a three-month festival tour, they held an epic three-hour concert in Mexico City. In Arena Zagreb, 135 full minutes of pure The Cure concert energy and enthusiasm await us, and joining them will be the band The Twilight Sad.

Ticket prices are Fan pit (550 kn), Parter (350 kn), Lower tribune 1 (550 kn), Lower tribune 2 (450 kn), Lower tribune 3 (400 kn), Upper tribune 1 (325 kn), Upper tribune 2 (250 kn), Upper tribune 3 (175 kn), Loggia VIP (650 kn), and Salon VIP (650 kn)

Buy your tickets for The Cure HERE.

Sting (TBA)

Due to the current restrictions caused by the pandemic, Sting's concert at Zagreb Arena, which was supposed to take place this spring, has been postponed until autumn. Sting was scheduled to perform at the Arena Zagreb on March 21, as part of his acclaimed My Songs tour, where he performs his favorite songs, written during the 17-time Grammy winner's glorious career, both with The Police and as a solo artist. The new concert date will be announced soon, and all tickets purchased so far will be valid for the new concert date. Furthermore, a refund for everyone unable to attend the concert in autumn will be possible up to 30 days after announcing the new date.

Tickets: TBA

There are plenty of reasons to believe that this year will be one of the best for rock lovers, and we have already shown you the evidence. Hopefully, new concerts will be confirmed, and we will update this article as they are announced.

For more, check out our lifestyle section.

January 26, 2022 – Following one cancelled year and a hesitant 2021, Croatian Music Festivals in 2022 look to return to normal operations. Even before the end of January 2022, two favourite events in Tisno, Dalmatia – Defected Croatia and Dekmantel Selectors – have this week sold out all tickets!

For a whole new generation of young dreamers and visitors, Croatia is on their annual wish list because of its music festivals. Set by pristine waters and beaches, in the guaranteed sunshine of a Dalmatian summer, photos of Croatia's music festivals have travelled across the world and brought international acclaim.

In 2020, all of these music festivals (except veteran domestic events at Martinska, Šibenik) were cancelled. Even in 2021, neither full confidence nor the full schedule had returned – Ultra Europe (Split) and Love International (Tisno) remained absent.

However, if early indications are anything to go by, trust in the summertime spectaculars seems to have completely returned for Croatian Music festivals in 2022. In fact, even before the end of January 2022, two favourite events in Tisno, Dalmatia – Defected Croatia and Dekmantel Selectors – have this week announced they've sold out.

News revealed exclusively to Total Croatia News informs that the rest of the summer music festivals held at The Garden Resort, Tisno are not far behind - almost all are within sight of completely selling out all tickets.

How the lineup looks for Croatian Music Festivals in 2022 and where to buy tickets

Croatian Music Festivals in 2022: Love International, Tisno

In every corner of the country, you can find Croatian Music festivals in 2022. Some of these might have traditional folk music and dance, others might offer favourite local rock and pop acts who mostly sing in Croatian.

But, for international visitors looking for Croatian Music Festivals in 2022, there are an identifiable number of festival locations and events. By and large, these are the events that young people travel to Croatia specifically to attend.

Ultra Europe in Split: 8 July 2022 – 10 July 2022

Croatian Music Festivals in 2022: Ultra Europe in Split

A 3-day event in Split with the world's top EDM DJs, incredible stage design and production with a definite wow factor. DJs confirmed so far include Adam Beyer, Afrojack, Alesso, Armin van Buuren, Joseph Capriati, Martin Garrix, Nina Kraviz, Oliver Heldens, Richie Hawtin, Tiësto, Timmy Trumpet and Vini Vici.

This 8th Ultra Europe in Split will - for the first time - be followed by an extension of the party on several Croatian islands. The main festival takes place at Youth Park in Split from 8 July 2022 – 10 July 2022.

On 11 July 2022, Ultra Brač will visit Brač island's 585 Club. On 12 July 2022, there will be an afternoon beach party on the Pakleni islands, near Hvar island. Later that day, a nighttime event Resistance Hvar will take place at Carpe Diem Beach Club, Hvar island.

The Resistance Closing Party Vis is the last event and will take place on 13 July at the old Fort George (Fortica) on Vis island.

Tickets for Ultra Europe in Split can be purchased here. Up-to-date line-up details and entry requirements for Ultra Europe in Split can be seen here.

The Garden, Tisno 2022

Croatian Music Festivals in 2022: Defected Croatia at The Garden Resort, Tisno

With the relatively recent addition of Defected Croatia, Outlook Origins and Dimensions to the 10+ year reputation of the Garden Resort roster, this festival site can now truly claim to be the epicentre of underground electronic dance music in Croatia.

Across its summer-long run, some of the world's best underground DJs visit this place, its beach and boat parties, plus the incredible open-air Barbarellas nightclub in nearby Pirovac. Each event lasts several days and is limited to between 5000 – 7000 people.

Up-to-date details of entry requirements for The Garden Resort, Tisno 2022 can be seen here. Here's the calendar of events for The Garden, Tisno in summer 2022...

Love International: 13 July 2022 – 19 July 2022

Croatian Music Festivals in 2022: Love International

With a renowned reputation as one of the most welcoming and easy-going of all Croatia's festivals, the adored Love International returns after two years in 2022. It has been much missed. House, disco, techno and Balearic music in the main will this year come from the likes of Ben UFO, Craig Richards, Eliza Rose, Shanti Celeste, Saoirse, Moxie, Horse Meat Disco, Antal, Hunee, Palms Trax and Midland.

Tickets for Love International 2022 can be purchased here. Up-to-date line-up details for Love International 2022 can be seen here.

Suncebeat: 21 July 2022 – 28 July 2022

Croatian Music Festivals in 2022: Suncebeat in Tisno

The longest-running festival associated with The Garden resort, Suncebeat traces its love affair with Croatia back to Petrcane, near Zadar, over 12 years ago. Actually, Suncebeat's heritage is even older – it's a spin-off event of the UK's 30+-year-old Southport Weekender. It, therefore, draws a slightly older crowd of house, disco and soul music aficionados.

The first wave of artists released for this 13th Suncebeat includes The Blessed Madonna, Kerri Chandler, Kenny Dope, Dave Lee ZR, Dam Swindle, Miguel Migs, Mark Farina, Horse Meat Disco, Natasha Diggs, Mike Dunn, John Morales, DJ Spen, DJ Spinna, Sadar Bahar, Terry Hunter, Children Of Zeus (live), Lukas Setto (Live), Djeff, Dan Shake, Ash Lauryn, Hyenah, Marina Trench, Lakuti, Elkka, Rich Medina, Boo Williams, Mafalda and CinCity.

Tickets for Suncebeat 2022 can be purchased here. Up-to-date line-up details for Suncebeat 2022 can be seen here.

Outlook Origins: 28 July 2022 – 8 August 2022

Croatian Music Festivals in 2022: Outlook Origins in Tisno

A scaled-down version of the original Outlook, which used to take place in Pula. The event earned a reputation as being one of the most significant annual events for UK bass music and its soundsystem culture – covering music styles like reggae, dub, grime, drum n' bass, garage, dubstep, jungle, hip hop and more.

Line-up to be announced.

Tickets for Outlook Origins 2022 can be purchased here. Up-to-date line-up details for Outlook Origins 2022 can be seen here.

Defected Croatia: 4 August 2022 – 9 August 2022

Croatian Music Festivals in 2022: Defected Croatia

Days and nights filled with sunshine, smiles and house music from one of the most successful independent house music record labels in the world. The 2022 line-up includes Moodymann, Carl Craig, Danny Tenaglia, Bob Sinclar, Honey Dijon, Jayda G, KiNK, A-Trak, Boys Noize, Heller & Farley, Kenny Dope, Mark Farina and Spen

International tickets for Defected Croatia 2022 have sold out. The last few remaining domestic (ex-Yu) tickets for Defected Croatia 2022 can be purchased here. Up-to-date line-up details for Defected Croatia 2022 can be seen here.

Dekmantel Selectors: 25 August 2022 – 30 August 2022

Croatian Music Festivals in 2022: Dekmantel Selectors

A deliberately intimate and scaled-down sister event to the mammoth underground European festival Dekmantel. With a line-up that you could well describe as the DJs' DJs of choice, this year the underground selections come from the likes of Hunee, Daniele Baldelli, Kode9, Shanti Celeste, John Talabot, FAUZIA, Eris Drew, Identified Patient, Vladimir Ivkovic & Young Marco, Carista.

International tickets for Dekmantel Selectors 2022 have sold out. Up-to-date line-up details for Dekmantel Selectors 2022 can be seen here.

Dimensions: 1 September 2022 – 5 September 2022

Croatian Music Festivals in 2022: Dimensions

Techno, electro, drum n' bass, house, hip hop, reggae and bass music on this 10th anniversary year come from the likes of Helena Hauff b2b DJ Stingray 313, Raresh, Blawan, Mala, Caliber, DVS1, Marcellus Pittmann, Tama Sumo, Peach, Saoirse, Laurine, Francesco Del Garda, Soichi Terada, Sherelle, Eris Drew & Octa Octa, Sonja Moonear, D. Tiffany & Rosa Terenzi, Gene On Earth b2b The Ghost, DJ Storm, Batu.

Tickets for Dimensions 2022 can be purchased here. Up-to-date line-up details for Dimensions 2022 can be seen here.

Šibenik Music Festivals 2022 – Martinska, Seasplash and Project Vojarna

Martinska

Located on a perfectly secluded seaside peninsula, just outside the city of Šibenik, the Martinska venue hosts a summer-long run of intimate music festivals within fantastic natural surroundings. Events range from punk music and live concerts to more modern electronic styles. Most famous internationally is the reggae and dub event Seasplash Festival which celebrates its 20th birthday between July 14th - 17th 2022.

Project Vojarna

Just over half a decade old, Project Vojarna is a dance music event born from the collaboration of Šibenik electronic music enthusiasts. In its current standing, the main event is a 10-hour open-air rave held at a former military barracks just outside Šibenik. Each year the event grows in fame and stature. This year's event will take place on 23 July.

Up-to-date line-up details, links for tickets and entry requirements for all events at Martinska, Šibenik can be seen here.

Up-to-date line-up details, links for tickets and entry requirements for Project Vojarna, Šibenik events can be seen here.

InMusic Festival Zagreb: 20 June 2022 – 23 June 2022

InMusic Festival, Zagreb

The largest and most prestigious event for rock music and alternative in Croatia, InMusic has certainly put the country – and Zagreb – firmly on the international rock festival map. Taking place around Zagreb's Lake Jarun, the festival site welcomes campers from all over Europe for its four-day run.

2022's incredible line-up includes The Killers, Kasabian, Deftones, Nick Cave and The Bad Seeds, Royal Blood, White Lies, Gogol Bordello, IDLES, Amadou & Mariam, Sleaford Mods, Fontaines D.C. Hinds, The Comet Is Coming, Dry Cleaning, Tamikrest and Nick Mason.

Tickets for InMusic Zagreb 2022 can be purchased here. Up-to-date line-up details and entry requirements for InMusic Zagreb 2022 can be seen here.

Solardo Presents Higher Dubrovnik

After two years of unforgettable sell out shows in Dubrovnik, mighty Manchester duo Solardo aim for a hat trick in 2022. In conjunction with Pollen Presents, Solardo announce their largest festival to date from September 23-27th: The pair curate their biggest ever line up with international tastemakers, showcasing some of the world's top house and techno talent, a testament to the Manchester duo’s musical depth. The first wave of names include Marco Carola, FJAAK, Nicole Moudaber, Mall Grab, Maya Jane Coles, Vintage Culture, Nic Fanciulli, Lee Foss and many more. After multiple sell out shows at WHP, Circus Liverpool & London, Higher is now set to grow into a multi venue event across this historic city

Lineup: Solardo, Marco Carola, Mall Grab, FJAAK, Nicole Moudaber, Maya Jane Coles, Vintage Culture, Nic Fanciulli, Lee Foss + more

Tickets: https://pollen.co/x/solardo-dubrovnik-2022-1

Date: 23rd - 27th September

Location: Dubrovnik, Croatia

BSH Island

BSH Island is one of the jewels in the Croatian festival crown and has been leading the way in the local scene in recent years. Its first edition in 2020 brought something new to the region, and the follow up in 2021 made a mark on the international stage and now it returns to Island of Pag for the bigger than ever third edition. This follows two much talked about festivals on Zrce Beach - BSH Island, which included a legendary party in the breathtaking 17th century Fortress overlooking the sea hosted by Amnesia Ibiza, and the epic Amnesia takeover Croatia festival. It was a truly unique experience that offered something completely fresh away from the clubs on Zrce beach, and when you add in the fact that accommodation came in the form of a beautiful yacht docked at Noa Beach Club, it's no wonder BSH Island has made such a special impact. 

Lineup: Archie Hamilton, Ben Sterling, Blackchild, Dennis Cruz, Paco Osuna, wAFF + more

Tickets: https://www.noa-zrce.com/en/events/bsh-island-2022

Date: 29th June - 3rd July

Location: Noa Beach Club, Zrce Beach, Croatia

Zrće beach on Pag island

Croatian Music Festivals in 2022: Hideout Festival, Zrce beach, Pag island

The summer-long run of parties on Zrće beach on Pag island continued last year. Although, in 2022 you should expect a return to pre-pandemic levels of attendance and hedonism. Along with that, the bigger named DJs will likely be returning in force during 2022.

Croatian Music Festivals in 2022: Hideout Festival

Taking place from Sunday 3rd July - Thursday 7th July, Hideout Festival 2022 is representative of this return to form. DJs like Andy C, Jamie Jones, Eats Everything, Camelphat, Jayda G, Hot Since 82, Sam Divine, Solardo, Shy FX, Richy Ahmed, Sonny Fodera, Skream, Gorgon City, Mike Skinner, Paul Woolford, John Summit, Alan Fitzpatrick, Darius Syrossian, DJ Seinfeld, Maya Jane Coles, Denis Sulta and Chelina Manuhutu will play house, techno, drum n' bass and UK bass music sounds to a crowd of 13, 000+

The sixth edition of Sonus Festival (here) takes place at Zrce between 20 August and 26 August 2022 with DJs like Adriatique, Âme, Amelie Lens, Andrea Oliva, Ben Klock, Chris Liebing, Dax J, Dixon, Hot Since 82, I Hate Models, Jamie Jones, Joseph Capriati, KiNK [live], Loco Dice, Maceo Plex, Monika Kruse, Pan-Pot, Patrick Topping, Ricardo Villa, lobos B2B Zip, Richie Hawtin, Richy Ahmed, Rødhåd, Seth Troxler, Sonja Moonear, Stephan Bodzin [live], Sven Väth, Black Coffee, Carl Cox, Denis Sulta, Desiree

Information about events in the summer season on Zrće beach, Pag island can be seen here.

Tickets for Hideout Festival, Zrće beach, Pag island can be bought here

November 17, 2020 – After an absence of one season, Croatia music festivals return in 2021. Tickets for some of the biggest events are now on sale and, in today's media, it's suggested Croatia could even host 2021's Exit Festival as it is forced to move from Novi Sad, Serbia. Exit is the biggest music festival in the region.

At the Croatia music festivals site near Tisno, Murter island, 2020 was the quietest summer in almost a decade. Since 2012, the sprawling accommodation and beach complex has played host to Croatia music festivals running consecutively throughout the summer. Each attracting upwards of 5000 international visitors, summers on the beach at The Garden Tisno were one long party of dancing, drinking, partying and music. But, in 2020 everything fell silent.

As reported earlier in Total Croatia News, the festival hosts in Tisno took the opportunity to make improvements to the site in preparation for the return of events. That return is now almost certain to be 2021.

Tickets for the 2021 editions of all the major brands of international Croatia music festivals taking place in Tisno are already on sale. With the full calendar of 2020 Tisno festivals having been cancelled, many attendees have simply held onto their tickets. These tickets are now valid for 2021's rescheduled events. Dimensions, Hospitality On The Beach, Love International, Suncebeat, Outlook Origins, Defected Croatia and Dekmantel Selectors are the festivals already announced for summer 2021 in Tisno.

And far from being a modest return, could 2021 be Croatia's peak year as a host nation? In today's Jutarnji List, it is suggested that Croatia might become the new home for Exit Festival, usually held in Novi Sad, Serbia.

Provisions for workers within the events industry during the pandemic have been met differently across individual nations. In Croatia, the industry-wide crisis was highlighted earlier in 2020 by many famous event venues being lit in red. In Serbia, Exit Festival has incurred debts due to its cancellation and, according to Jutarnji List, the event is faced with losing its workforce due to a lack of financial support.

Exit Festival is the largest event of its kind in the region. It is currently held in Novi Sad, Serbia. In 2021, could it become one of the Croatia music festivals? © Exit Festival

One route available to the event organisers is relocating Exit. As its organisers already hold one of the successful Croatia music festivals in Umag, Istria, Jutarnji suggests that Exit could possibly move to Croatia. Before fans of Croatia music festivals get too excited at the prospect, it should be noted that Exit also hold successful events in Montenegro, which is also a very viable alternative host site. And, it should be remembered just how much Exit Festival puts into the local economy - Jutarnji report that, since Exit started, 200 million Euros in tourism has been gained by Serbia from this one event. The article also suggests that Montenegro values Exit 2021 being able to put a potential 30 million Euros into its budget, with the attached value of Montenegro tourism promotion being over one hundred million Euros. It is difficult to imagine such a cash cow so easily being allowed to leave Serbia without financial assistance to Exit being readdressed by Serbian authorities.

A fresh sense of optimism has emerged in recent days, as news of successful COVID-19 vaccines now places the end of the pandemic within sight. However, it could be autumn or winter 2021 before enough people are successfully vaccinated for us all to relax, especially when considering mass gatherings like music festivals. But, as was proved by Croatia music festivals in Sibenik during summer 2020, a template does exist for the successful hosting of large events and music festivals, regardless of the progress of vaccination by summer 2021.

The Martinska site for Croatia music festivals hosted over 10, 000 people at events during summer 2020, creating a template by which large scale events can successfully take place while adhering to strict epidemiological guidelines © Seasplash / Pozitivan Ritam

As reported in TCN at the end of this summer, the Martinska music festival site near Sibenik welcomed over 10, 000 festival-goers across their 2020 season. Adhering to the strictest epidemiological guidelines, the festival site recorded zero cases of COVID-19 from its attendees. Whether or not everyone has received a vaccination shot by next summer, and regardless of whether Exit Festival is among them, fans should confidently expect the welcome return of Croatia music festivals in 2021.


Organisers of the Suncebeat festival visit the Croatia music festivals site in Tisno during summer 2020 to see new improvements awaiting those who attend 2021's events

September 22, 2020 - For six consecutive weeks this summer, the Martinska venue alone welcomed over 10, 000 international visitors to its music festivals in Sibenik. Zero cases of Coronavirus occurred.

Over recent years, three things have firmly placed Croatia on the international stage – Game Of Thrones, the World Cup and music festivals. Running for over a decade now, music festivals are the oldest of these. They have elevated places like Pula and Tisno to become among the most-Googled destinations in the country.

So popular now are Croatia music festivals, that many say the summer season of music festivals in Croatia has supplanted the famous hedonistic holidays of Ibiza as the hippest place to go. Incredible disappointment was therefore felt by tens of thousands of expectant party people earlier this year when most of the international Croatia music festivals decided to cancel their 2020 events. They did so in response to the Coronavirus pandemic.

One venue stood alone – Martinska, a 20-year-old site for music festivals in Sibenik. Over six consecutive weeks, all of their 2020 festivals took place. They did so under strict adherence to epidemiological guidelines. And, following a wait of two weeks after the final event (to cover any potential Coronavirus incubation period), site organisers Pozitivan Ritam have released their results - zero cases of Coronavirus.

“It's not only the five festivals and one concert event that we did,” Pozitivan Ritam director Vedran Meniga told TCN, “The Fortress of Culture in Sibenik had more than 30 events this summer and Project Vojarna in Sibenik had two parties this year with over 4000 people. On one RTL television show, they described Sibenik as the Croatian Wuhan when 3000 people were in the town for one techno party there. But, at the end of the season, none of these events resulted in a single Coronavirus infection. Not one.”

Following a successful lockdown earlier in the year, cases of Coronavirus were limited in Croatia at the start of the season. Yet, some were understandably hesitant to come. Music festivals in Sibenik still managed to attract visitors from Britain, France, the Netherlands, Belgium and Germany to Martinska. Even after the middle of August when cases began to appear in other regions and international visitor numbers dried up, the festival site was still busy with Croatians and partygoers from near-neighbouring countries. At the end of August, there were no more than five infected persons in Sibenik. None were music festival or music event attendees. Throughout much of the summer, Sibenik recorded zero cases.

“The music festivals in Sibenik are proof that it's possible to work doing events during the era of Corona,” Meniga tells TCN. “Of course, all of our events were open-air and no doubt that helped.”

"When cases started to reappear elsewhere at the end of July, I went to the civil authorities and epidemiologists immediately, before they came to us,” says Vedran. “The civil authorities and the police grant the license for the events. I presented them with a plan and they were satisfied. They allowed us to continue.”

“It helped that Martinska is across the bay from Sibenik. Festival attendees don't even need to go into the town to come, they drive here straight from the Magistrala (Croatian coastal highway). Also, Martinska's capacity is five times bigger than the numbers we were going to cater for. The site can accommodate six to seven thousand. We expected no more than 1500 daily. That was more than enough space to maintain physical distance. We carefully took all contact details for each attendee at the entrance, in case something appeared and we (or authorities) had to later contact people. We also took everyone's temperature. And in addition to the required epidemiological sanitization, we also installed disinfectant pillars at every single point where money or goods exchanged hands. All our staff wore not only masks but also gloves. Four times the civil authorities made surprise visits to the site for inspection along with epidemiologists and police. Each time they were completely satisfied.”

Current forecasts for the Coronavirus response predict that a vaccine will not be available to cover everyone until the autumn of 2021. This has serious implications for at least one more tourist season. Yet, with the incredible achievements seen this summer at Martinska's music festivals in Sibenik, we can all take hope that events, tourism, and even life itself may continue to be enjoyed in the near future, as long as we're all smart about it.



All photos 2020 Martinska © Seasplash / Pozitivan Ritam. 

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August 16, 2020 - The world's most-famous contemporary Sevdalinka outfit, Mostar Sevdah Reunion, hold their first concert of the year in Croatia, as part of the 66th Split Summer Festival

The emotion-wracked melodies of the traditional Sevdalinka (or Sevdah) folk music have rung out across Bosnia for over 500 years. But, for the most famous contemporary band playing this style, the music fell silent on New Year's Eve.

That was the final performance by Mostar Sevdah Reunion, whose return to the live circuit has been halted by COVID-19. But, tonight (Sunday 16 August), at 9pm, they return to the stage.

The band will play a concert at 9pm in Sustipan in Split, the peninsula which lies south-west of the harbour, as part of the 66th Split Summer Festival. There, the emotionally-charged sounds of sevdah, sometimes described as the blues or soul music of the Balkans, will once again be set free.

The Balkan region has the richest and most unique range of folk musics in the whole of Europe; nowhere other than here can you hear styles, scales and rhythms from the near and far east infiltrate into European folk music styles. This melting pot of styles grants the region an exciting and diverse range of authentic folk musics, years ahead, in terms of progression and ambition, to other European styles (indeed, there's a reasonable argument to be made that jazz music emanates from Bulgaria and not America). Sevdah is arguably the most emotive of all the traditional folk musics from the area which encompasses the former Yugoslavia. It has fans across the whole region.


Mostar Sevdah Reunion

Emerging with their debut album in 1999, Mostar Sevdah Reunion have done more than any other contemporary band to place sevdah music on the world stage. They have recorded with true giants of sevdah and Roma music, such as Esma Redzepova, Šaban Bajramović and Ljiljana Buttler. In concert, they have appeared at Queen Elizabeth Hall and the Barbican Center in London, the Concertgebouw in Amsterdam, the Konzerthaus in Vienna, the Kremlin State Theater in Moscow, the Art Palace in Budapest, the North Sea Jazz Festival, the Nice Jazz Festival and WOMAD Festival. Mostar Sevdah Reunion have had several documentaries made about them.

The word sevdah comes from the Turkish word sevda which, in turn, derives from the Arabic sawda, a word often associated with a pining heart or unrequited love. Alongside the sevdah music they take their name and inspiration from, over the band's 25+ year career Mostar Sevdah Reunion have become famous for mixing jazz and even Latin styles into their music. In recent years have opened their repertoire to include a classic catalogue of Romani songs.

As SibenikIN writes on the 16th of January, 2019, the much loved Seasplash Festival is set to move from Istria where it has been held so far, to a brand new location for 2019's festival. Seasplash Festival's seventeen-year long tradition will take to Martinska beach in Šibenik, as the festival's organisers have revealed.

''Situated directly across from the city of Šibenik, on the unique Srima peninsula and at the entrance to Šibenik's harbour, Martinska will open up a new chapter in the history of the festival with its appearance and location. From July the 18th to the 21st, 2019, relaxing in the sun and the sea with the best of domestic and international reggae, dub, drum and bass, jungle, ska and punk is waiting for you at Martinska!,'' Seasplash Festival's organisers state.

Lee "Scratch" Perry, Scientist and Mad Professor - the trinity of still active diva and reggae legends will perform together on the main stage of the 17th Seasplash Festival. Martinska, as the new venue for the festival, will host some of the world's top bass music for its premiere.

Lee "Scratch" Perry, a true Jamaican icon, a music producer and a revolutionary, has the rightful title of one of the most enduring and most original reggae producers and performers of all time. In 2003, Perry won a Grammy for Best Reggae Album, in 2004, Rolling Stone added Perry to the list of the greatest artists of all time, and this year, in the eightieth year of his life, he will perform for the first time at Seasplash Festival. Bob Marley, The Wailers, The Clash, Beastie Boys, Max Romeo, and Adrian Sherwood are just some of the famous names he collaborated with.

After last year's memorable performance, the ingenious dub producer Mad Professor returns to Seasplash Festival. Until the early 90s, Mad Professor and his Ariwa Studio achieved a legendary status with over one hundred albums, world-wide tours and many stars (Depeche Mode, Jamiroquai, Beastie Boys). In the new millennium, with more than 200 released albums, Ariwa created his own soundsystem, with which he travels around the world, to various clubs and festivals.

Earlybird festival tickets for Seasplash Festival are now sold out, and currently tickets are being sold at a price of 249 kuna for the Republic of Croatia and the countries of former Yugoslavia.

Follow our dedicated lifestyle page for more.

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In Pula this summer?