June 28, 2022 - The 2022 Ultra Europe fashion collection is here for both men and women - and it is entirely produced in Croatia!

The season of summer music events is here, and with the biggest music event in the region around the corner, ULTRA Europe is here to help you find the best fashion fits. In addition to a stellar lineup and fantastic production, one of the most important and recognizable aspects of ULTRA is the full range of creative and innovative fashion from visitors from more than 140 countries, making the Youth Park stadium a diverse mix of cultures and personal styles. The ULTRA Europe Festival has become recognized as an unusual music and fashion playground, which promotes inclusiveness, creativity, and authenticity. Thus, this year, an entire fashion collection for women and men has been revealed! 

The main actors of the latest collection are reflective holographic bomber jackets, neon leather designs, neon tones on T-shirts, caps, backpacks, and sunglasses that perfectly reflect the vibe of the ULTRA Europe festival. Combined with various details, they create an authentic neo-cyberpunk look. To take your outfit to an even higher level, there are also bracelets, flags, bandanas, and bucket hats, which are an absolute hit all over the world this season.

This year's collection also presents a new line dedicated to one of the world's most famous music programs, which has its special stage in the Youth Park. Namely, the RESISTANCE program focuses on underground electronic musicians and offers the integration of an independent fashion scene with dark techno vibes. Black hoodies, T-shirts, and fashion accessories such as caps with military details are just some of the pieces in this year's festival collection.

The entire textile range is produced in Croatia, from certified materials and can be purchased on the West Coast in Split from July 5 to 12, at the camp in Omis from July 7 to 12, and at several locations within the Park Youth. Payment is possible with all cards, and through the cashless system, and for all purchases over 300 kuna, a drawstring backpack is added to the purchase until stocks last. In addition, for all purchases over HRK 350 with a Mastercard card, a 10% discount is granted.

The collection was shot at the Secret club in Zagreb. In front of the lens of photographer Mario Poje were two famous Croatian models, Lana Klarić and Sandro Stanojević. Karla Glasnović (Profokus) was the makeup artist, while Fran Brunović (Profokus) was in charge of the hair.

The Croatian National Tourist Board and Samsung Electronics Adriatic are proud partners of the ULTRA Europe festival. ULTRA Europe is held at the Youth Park from July 8 to 10 and then embarks on Brač, Hvar, and Vis islands. Several international stars are arriving in Split, including Above & Beyond, Adam Beyer, Afrojack, Alesso, Amelie Lens, Armin van Buuren, DJ Snake, Hardwell, Joseph Capriati, Marco Carola, Martin Garrix, Marshmello, Nicky Romero, Nina Kraviz, Oliver Heldens, Richie Hawtin, Steve Aoki, Tiësto, Timmy Trumpet, and Vini Vici, and will be joined by ACRAZE, Airod, ANNA, Frank Walker, Ilario Alicante, Krewella, Sam Feldt and SOFI TUKKER [DJ set].

All information about the festival can be found on the official website www.ultraeurope.com. 

All photos by Mario Poje

For more, check out our lifestyle section.

ZAGREB, 24 June 2022 - Kasabian, a British rock band, was the headliner of the last day of INmusic that ended at Jarun Lake, Zagreb, on late Thursday night.

They made their Croatian debut at the INmusic festival in 2017.

The festival's director, Zoran Marić, told Hina that an estimated 100,000 people passed through the four-day festival.

According to Marić, 45% of the audience were foreigners, most of them arrived from Great Britain, Slovenia, Italy, and Hungary.

Some of the stars at the 15th edition of the festival were Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds, the Killers, and Deftones. 

For more, check out our lifestyle section.

June 2, 2022 - Dimensions Festival celebrates its 10th-anniversary edition from September 1 to 5, 2022. TCN catches up with the organizers to learn more about this year's special edition at The Garden Resort in Tisno.

After a stunning start to the new chapter at The Garden Resort of Tisno last year, the acclaimed underground Dimensions Festival brings back a tastefully curated list of headliners, back-to-back exclusives, label parties, UKG celebrations, Detroit specials, debut sets, and more to ring in the special jubilee. 

TCN caught up with the Dimensions Festival organizers to learn more about what we can expect this year. 

Dimensions celebrates 10 years this year! Congrats! How has the festival evolved, from its beginnings in Pula to today in Tisno? 

In Pula, the scale of our event meant often a lot of attention was on the big headline acts with a need to draw many thousands of people to our event from all over the world. The Garden Resort's intimate setting has given us time to refresh our approach with the line-up in a way that celebrates the exciting artists, labels, and parties in the various corners of our scene but that also plays musically into the idyllic settings including the famous Barbarellas, home to our after parties.

How do the two locations compare? What does Tisno offer that Pula couldn't? Or vice versa?

Each year in Pula we were required to bring utilities into the site; site, power, etc. The site itself was also technically challenging to produce the events at the scale we did. Tisno gives us the ability to focus on the music, the production, the sound, etc with ease. The site is one of the world's best-loved festival resorts, and it's clear to see why. Tisno town also offers a welcomed excursion for customers, artists and staff alike, making the experience feel more like a holiday than a festival at times – which is no bad thing.

Big things are in store for the 10th-anniversary edition - what can festival-goers expect this year to celebrate the big jubilee?

We have many friends joining us for our tenth year, old and new. Off the back of last year's event, there is great excitement and energy for Dimensions Festival this year and we know it is going to be another very special one! 

This year we have lots of very special stage takeovers, some unmissable after-parties at Barbarellas and 3-hour boat parties soon to be announced that will venture out on the Adriatic each day. We'll also be announcing a new stage for 2022... more details on that coming soon.

How many festival-goers are expected this year and which acts are most exciting?

We have had a great response to festival tickets so far this year and are due to expand the site slightly in line with this, with three main stages, a chill-out space, and lots of other special things in store for those that join us this summer!

To us, each act is exciting – we're very excited to welcome debut appearances from so many artists we've wanted to join for so long, as well as celebrating our 10th anniversary this summer alongside so many long-standing partners and artists who have been with us since the beginning.

The boat parties are always a hit - what do you have in store for the 10th edition?

There will be three parties a day, announced soon, with many of our partners presenting some seriously unmissable parties on the Argonaughty! Keep your eyes peeled.

10 years down, at least another 10 to go? How do you see the future of Dimensions festival in Croatia?

Our focus is very much on 2022 at the moment and on making our 10th celebration as special as it can be. Dimensions Festival feels in a really great place at the moment and we're very excited to plan for the future.

For full information and tickets, head to https://www.dimensionsfestival.com.

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

May 1, 2022 - The 2022 Ultra Europe music festival will be the biggest yet. Organizer Joe Bašić reveals what we can expect this summer in Split.

Ahead of the 8th Ultra Europe music festival, Slobodna Dalmacija spoke with Joe Bašić, the official organizer of the festival and owner of MPG Live, who revealed what awaits us for the festival's return.

After a two-year break, the festival returns to Split. How are ticket sales going?

"We are thrilled that the ULTRA Europe festival is back, after two years without festival organizations around the world due to the Covid pandemic. People are very excited and eager to re-experience everything that makes festivals special and get together and celebrate music and life. The return of our festival was perceived positively not only in Croatia but also in the world. We are delighted because this is the first major international event that will allow us to go back to when close meetings and mass gatherings were normal.

It is crucial that people feel people again. Still, we are also aware that Covid has not disappeared and will continue to be among us, so we will continue to monitor the situation closely and do everything necessary to make the festival safe for its visitors. Croatia is a safe country and one of the leading tourist destinations globally, and this is confirmed by the interest in our festival, which has never been greater. Based on current sales trends and numerous inquiries from our fans, we can expect the festival's eighth edition to be our biggest edition to date. Tickets have already traveled to over 90 countries around the world. According to our expectations, Split and other festival destinations will be visited by more than 140,000 people from July 7 to 14, which we can confirm with certainty - ULTRA Europe is back!"

You recently returned from Miami, where the Ultra Music Festival took place. What are your impressions, and can you compare the Croatian and American editions?

"ULTRA Miami is back, sensational! Given that this was the first international event to be canceled in March 2020 due to Covid, a lot was expected from the return to Bayfront Park in March. However, with more than 200,000 visitors, a massive lineup of performers, and crazy production, many claim that ULTRA Miami 2022 was the best-organized event ever.

It was the perfect message for the whole world that the time of great festivals is back and that it is possible to organize them safely. Therefore, I would say that millions of fans worldwide have regained their confidence that they can start planning to go to their favorite music festivals worldwide, including ULTRA Europe.

Memorable moments in Miami were undoubtedly the guest appearance of 50 Cent with Kygo and the unforgettable sets of Afrojack, Armin Van Buuren, Martin Garrix, and the return of Hardwell.

Comparing the Miami ULTRA Music Festival and our release, we can conclude that Miami is undoubtedly a larger event with more than ten stages, a massive list of performers, and a fantastic production in which significant funds have been invested. On the other hand, ULTRA Europe offers a smaller number of stages with high-quality production and a more intimate feeling, compensating for the difference in the size of the event with incredible fans from 100+ countries who create an exceptional level of energy and experience.

All the performers who come to us always agree that ULTRA Europe has fan energy and that the vibe of the whole event is unique and incomparable to any other event in the world. That is why our edition is visited by fans from so many different countries who come back for even more, and I think we are stronger and more unique than the American edition.

ULTRA Europe is currently the second-largest event in the large ULTRA family and is projected to become the largest in the years to come. Therefore, I am very excited about the future of ULTRA Europe and ULTRA Worldwide in the years to come."

You have also provided regional tickets for domestic visitors. How are sales going, and what is the interest of local visitors in relation to international guests?

"We recorded much better and greater interest in regional tickets than in previous years. We sold out the first contingent of three-day tickets at the lowest price in the festival's history, which amounted to 700 kuna, or less than 235 kuna per day. Croatians are very excited about the return of ULTRA and can't wait to re-experience the energy of a major international festival, especially considering the pandemic, earthquake, and everything that happened over two long and difficult years. We expect more than 30,000 visitors from Croatia during the seven days of the festival, which makes us especially happy."

What are the sales in overseas countries - the USA, Australia, Canada, and South America? And which countries are the most loyal when coming to Croatia?

"To date, we have sold tickets in more than 90 countries. We are delighted that our strongest countries before Covid are Great Britain, Ireland, Spain, France, Australia, Canada, Sweden, Denmark, Norway, Germany, and still strong markets for our festival, with double-digit growth from the USA, France, Slovenia, Hungary, Poland, and Slovakia. We expect even more international guests because we have increased the number of flights coming to Croatia, and there are more accommodation options in Split than in 2019."

Has the war in Ukraine thwarted plans?

"We have not noticed any changes in sales trends since the outbreak of the war in Ukraine. On the contrary, sales have increased since March, following the Miami Festival and the announcement of Hardwell's arrival in Croatia, and lifted Covid measures."

How is the cooperation with the city going?

"We have always had the strong support of the City of Split, Split-Dalmatia County, and the Tourist Board. The ULTRA Europe Festival is of strategic importance to the Government of the Republic of Croatia, and the substantial economic benefits and global promotion of Split and Croatia generated by the festival are important reasons why the City of Split and all relevant state institutions have priority to support this event.

When we started our story ten years ago, we weren’t squandering the numbers of expected visitors, nor were we seeking the support of our partners promising miracles.

We believed in this project, and its potential, and we believed that it would be recognized by all state institutions based on facts and achieved results. But we believed equally that both Split and the Split people would recognize the opportunity and develop together with the festival.

Today, we can proudly point out that this is Croatia's largest international music event. We have more than 140,000 visitors from more than 140 countries during the seven days of the festival. We have generated immeasurable marketing results, and this is not the end.

We are proud to see that Split has become one of the most sought-after tourist destinations among the younger population and is recognizable worldwide for Hajduk, Diocletian's Palace, and the ULTRA Europe festival. We are sure that the festival will be one of the main postcards in the future."

The festival remains at Park Mladeži (Youth Park). How many stages will there be, and how many visitors do you expect per day?

"As announced in 2019, the Youth Park is the new home of the festival and a place that will enable further development and growth of this event.

The goal is to host more than 200,000 people in the coming years, and the Youth Park can follow this vision with its position and capacity. In 2022, we plan to have five stages with 200+ performers over three days and 13 stages over seven days. The Croatian edition lasts from July 7 to 14, in 5 cities and three islands.

This is a demanding production project, and we all still remember the impressive main stage. Will there be any news this year?

"We are focused on improving the overall fan experience at the entrances, in the toilets, and the offer of food and drinks. In addition, the production will feature the latest advances in technology, including a spectacular show never seen before in Croatia.

We tell all our fans that this year's edition should not be missed. We are all eagerly awaiting the day when we will finally open the doors, and I believe that will be one of the reasons why we will especially remember the eighth edition."

Who will be performing in Split?

"Above & Beyond, Adam Beyer, Afrojack, Alesso, Amelie Lens, Armin van Buuren, DJ Snake, Hardwell, Joseph Capriati, Marco Carola, Martin Garrix, Marshmello, Nicky Romero, Nina Kraviz, Oliver Heldens have confirmed their performance in Split so far. In addition, Richie Hawtin, Steve Aoki, Tiësto, Timmy Trumpet, and Vini Vici will be joined by ACRAZE, Airod, ANNA, Frank Walker, Ilario Alicante, Krewella, Sam Feldt, and SOFI TUKKER."

Who else could perform?

"We have not yet announced the third phase of the line-up, which has over 30 names, and which we plan to announce at the end of May."

Who is this year’s biggest star?

"People are very excited about the return of Hardwell, who has been known as the best DJ in the world for many years and who will perform in Europe for the first time since 2018 at our festival. ULTRA Europe is one of his favorite festivals, and he is preparing a special show with a lot of new music in Split.

In addition, fan favorites include Marshmello, Martin Garrix, Tiesto, Armin Van Buuren, Adam Beyer, and Ritchie Hawtin. This year’s line-up is one of the best, and we are sure the experience will be unforgettable."

After Split, the festival moves to the islands. Who are you bringing in this year?

"ULTRA Europe is the leading destination music festival and is the only festival in the world organized in 4 different cities, on three islands, and more than 13 stages.

The beautiful Adriatic Sea, ideal sunny weather, food, and people from Croatia, make our destination events on the islands of Brač, Hvar, and Vis special, and the performers are always excited to be part of this unique story. In addition, our VIP guests increasingly recognize what we offer over seven days. We can already confirm that we are receiving eight megayachts, with exclusive guests worldwide.

In 2022, we have a few surprises that will only confirm how special such events are in the world, and more details will be announced in July."

This will be the eighth edition of the ULTRA Europe festival. Can you single out some of your favorite moments?

"There are several! In 2013 I first saw a picture of flags from all over the world in front of the main stage and witnessed the energy and pride of Croatian fans because music fans from all over the world hosted in their country.

Then the moment when Marshmello performed Srce Vatreno, before the Croatia-England match in Russia. I will never forget when Martin Garrix performed the single Animals for the first time, nor the feeling when Armin Van Buuren released This Is What It Feels Like, in front of a crowded stadium and spectacular fireworks."

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

27 March 2020 - Croatia is known to host some of the best music festivals in the world. From Electro-house to Jazz, beach parties to intimate settings, this alluring country boasts events to satisfy any music lover. Here are some of the music festivals in Croatia that you should know about.

With such a wide array of fantastic line-ups, picking one to attend can be difficult. Here are some of the best that Croatia has to offer.

Best “One-Stop-Shop”

If you could choose one festival to release all the pent-up party energy from the past couple of years, ULTRA Europe Music Festival is where you’d want to be this summer. This year’s event takes place from July 8 - 13, 2022 with tickets starting at €139.

Dance the week away at ULTRA Europe. (Image: ULTRA Europe/Facebook screenshot)

The regular 3-day event held at the Youth Park (Park Mladeži) in Split features international headliners such as Tiësto, Afrojack, Armin van Buuren, and other renowned acts. But wait, there’s more! With Destination ULTRA, you’ll spend an additional 4 days hopping between the gorgeous Dalmatian islands of Brač, Hvar, and Vis.

The ombre waters of Zlatni Rat. (Image: Pexels)

ULTRA Brač will take place on Zlatni Rat, named one of the world’s most beautiful beaches in 2020 by Harper's Bazaar. Kick off the next day on Pakleni islands, a cluster of pristine, lush islands off Hvar, followed by Resistance Hvar in the evening at Carpe Diem, an ultra-chic beach club. The week closes with a final hurrah at the old Fort George (Fortica) on Vis island, offering a stunning 360 view of the surroundings.

Best Alternative Rock and Indie

Named one of the most popular music festivals in the world alongside giants of the music world like Coachella, Isle of Wight, and Glastonbury, INmusic festival in Zagreb is the place to be for rock and alternative music lovers.

The oasis in the heart of Zagreb will welcome music lovers once again this year. (Photo: Matija Habljak/PIXSELL)

From 20-23 June 2022, Zagreb’s beautiful Lake Jarun will be welcoming fans of world-class acts including The Killers, White Lies, Deftones, Kasabian and more. At €84, this 4-day music festival is also one of the most accessible on the list.

So don’t miss your chance to attend one of the most exciting events of 2022, and explore one of the most incredible cities in the world.

Best Beach Party

Zrće beach on Pag island, also known as “Croatian Ibiza”, will be hosting some of the largest and most indulgent beach parties between May to September every year. After all, 4 of the top 100 open-air clubs in the world are located along its pristine shores.

Kicking things off this year is the Big Beach Spring Break Festival from 26-29 May, Zrće beach welcomes revelers looking for sun-filled days, crystal clear seas, sandy toes, ice-cold drinks, and heart-thumping music from world-class acts.

Zrće beach is known to host the most epic beach parties in Croatia. (Image: Zrce Beach/Facebook screenshot)

Unable to fit in a getaway that week? Not to worry, check out other spectacular festival lineups including Hideout Festival taking place from July 3-7, Wild and Free from 9-16 July, or Sonus Music Festival from 21-25 August that boasts a line-up of internationally renowned electro, house and techno DJs and artists.

Best R&B and Hip Hop

Looking to kill 2 birds with one stone? Want to party on the beach and groove to global R&B and hip-hop stars such as Sean Paul, Snoop Dog and Tim Westwood? Then the Fresh Island Festival on Zrće beach is where you’d want to be.

Now in its 10th year, the 3-day event will take place from 26-28 June, 2022. The line-up for this year will be announced soon but expect nothing less than top-notch artists and the freshest beats.

Party at one of the outdoor beach clubs on Zrće beach. (Image: Zrće Beach/Facebook screenshot)

Alternatively, if you crave variety in the form of R&B, soul, disco with a side of electro-house, then look no further than SuncéBeat Festival. Started in 2010, SuncéBeat continues to be the go-to festival for a week of partying under the Dalmatian sun and stars.

Situated in Tisno, a picturesque town on the island of Murter, SuncéBeat will take place from 21-28 July 2022. Tickets start at €55 for a single-day pass and this year's headliners include The Blessed Madonna, Dave Lee ZR, Horse Meat Disco, Kenny Dope, Kerri Chandler, Dam Swindle and many more.

This year marks the 10th edition of SuncéBeat. (Image: SuncéBeat/Facebook screenshot)

Best Drum & Bass, Dubstep and Grime

If you’re looking to combine the best of Drum and Bass, Dubstep and Grime Music, be sure to check out the Outlook Origins Festival in Tisno. The 2022 addition will be held in the Garden Tisno Resort, with its own private bay housing three stages to keep the party going over 3-days.

Outlook after party. (Image: Outlook Festival/Facebook screenshot)

After parties will take place at one of Croatia’s best outdoor venues, Barbarellas Discotheque with 3-hour boat parties with some of the industry’s best also available for booking. Tickets start at approximately €170, and this year’s event will take place 28 July - 2 August.

Best Jazz

Although Croatia may be known for its week-long beach parties and festivals, Zagreb’s annual Jazz Festival provides a refreshing change of pace.

The Zagreb Jazz Festival has been running for over 15 years and often takes place closer to the end of the year. In 2021, a toned-down version of the event was held from 5-9 November where audiences were treated to a series of concerts over the week.

For a more relaxed vibe, be sure to catch Zagreb's Jazz Festival. (Image: Jazzg/Facebook screenshot.)

Previous editions of the festival included Grammy-nominated artists such as Bassekou Kouyate &Ngoni Ba and award-winning musicians such as pianist Vijay Lyer, and trumpet legend Wadada Leo Smith.

While not exhaustive by any means, hopefully, this list will give you a better idea of the music festival scene in Croatia and perhaps give you a chance to incorporate one of these festivals into your next trip here. Or perhaps make one of these festivals a reason to visit.

For more, check out our dedicated lifestyle section.

January 6, 2022 - The institution of world music journalism, New Musical Express (NME), began 2022 with a selection of the 20 most anticipated festivals of the year, and in the impressive company of the largest and most famous music festivals in the world such as Glastonbury and Coachella, the Croatian INmusic Festival holds its place.

Since its first release in 2006, the INmusic Festival has hosted over 430 bands from 37 countries and given the domestic audience more than 500 concert performances, many of which were premieres in Croatia. In 14 previous editions of the INmusic festival, we had the opportunity to enjoy the top performances of the world's greatest music artists such as Kings Of Leon, Nick Cave and The Bad Seeds, Arctic Monkeys, The Cure, Florence + The Machine, Arcade Fire, PJ Harvey, Queens Of The Stone Age, Jamiroquai, New Order, Pixies, The Prodigy, The Black Keys, and more hundreds of others.

The long-awaited jubilee 15th Edition of the INmusic Festival in Croatia premieres performances by The Killers with the always eager return of local and international audience favorites Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds and performances by some of today's most attractive bands: Deftones, Kasabian, Royal Blood, IDLES, White Lies, Fontaines DC, The Comet is Coming and many others.

INmusic Festival/Facebook

As reported by Večernji List, this recognition for the INmusic Festival sounds even greater considering that it ranks among the world's largest festivals after two years of a pandemic. These festivals received millions of grants from their countries, enjoy great support from communities, and have an average organizational budget that is 15 to 75 times higher than the organizational budget of the INmusic Festival.

INmusic Festival is additionally distinguished by having the best price for a festival ticket, which is adjusted to the purchasing power of the Croatian audience, as pointed out by many other European and world media from year to year, most recently by the largest Scottish daily The Scotsman, which in its travel recommendation highlights the INmusic Festival as the most favorable in Europe. The festival has already been praised by the world media with descriptions of INmusic festivals as ‘Woodstock for the 21st Century’ (Huffington Post) or ‘Europe’s Best Kept Festival Secrets’ (NME).

The quality and attractiveness of the INmusic Festival have been recognized by numerous international audiences, so a record number of festival tourists is expected for the 15th edition of INmusic, which is estimated to generate at least HRK 50 million during their stay in Zagreb and Croatia.

Despite its international reputation and impressive cultural and tourism results, the INmusic Festival has been warning since its launch in 2006 of unfair and inadequate treatment, and even for many years completely non-existent support from local governments and relevant ministries. In the international competition with festivals recognized as central cultural and tourism events in their countries and local communities that provide them with generous financial and logistical support, independent festivals such as INmusic not owned by corporations and venture capital funds, without long-term and stable support from local and national bodies are not sustainable.

INmusic Festival hopes that after being ranked by NME among the 20 most anticipated music festivals in 2022, another recognition in a series of major international awards, it will finally bring the deserved attention and support of the City of Zagreb and ministries so that Zagreb, and thus Croatia, remain as a relevant point on the festival map of Europe, meeting their cultural needs in order to improve the quality of life of the citizens of Zagreb and Croatia.

The 15th anniversary edition of the INmusic Festival will take place after a two-year break caused by the coronavirus pandemic at the well-known location of the Jarun Islands in Zagreb for the first time in four festival days, from 20 to 23 June 2022, accompanied by a seven-day festival camp which brings together visitors from over 50 countries around the world. The long-awaited 15th INmusic Festival will feature The Killers, Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds, Deftones, Kasabian, Royal Blood, IDLES, White Lies, Fontaines DC, Gogol Bordello, Amadou & Mariam, Sleaford Mods, The Comet Is Coming, Tamikrest, Hinds, Dry Cleaning and many others.

Four-day festival tickets for the 15th INmusic Festival at the price of 599 kuna are available through their official website and already purchased three-day tickets for the 15th INmusic Festival remain valid for four full festival days on the new dates of its 2022 edition.

To read more about lifestyle in Croatia, follow TCN's dedicated page.

July 12, 2021 - Sonus returns to Croatia with a packed lineup on Pag next year!

At Sonus, the music runs from dusk till dawn for five days and nights. You dance by the beach, gaze out to sea and have a gorgeous sun beating down from above before the sky turns to flames and darkness falls. After two Covid-enforced years off, one of Europe's most iconic summer festivals finally returns from 21st - 25th August 2022 with its most alluring line-up yet.

Once again you can expect world-class international guests like a special, mouthwatering back-to-back set between the dream team duo of Ricardo Villalobos and Zip. There will be first-ever Sonus sets from Bulgarian KiNK who plays live, as well as DJ sets from global hitmaker FISHER, UK tastemaker Michael Bibi plus Giorgia Anguili (live), and 999999999. There will be edgy new-school stars like Kobosil, Reinier Zonneveld (live), IMOGEN, and Paula Temple all present forward-thinking techno. Ever reliable global headliners such as Amelie Lens, Sven Väth, and Dixon bring their years of knowledge and skill, and there are more than 30 other names including Loco Dice, Maceo Plex, Patrick Topping, Chris Liebing, ANNA, Rødhåd, Ben Klock, Jamie Jones, Sonja Moonear, Richie Hawtin and Seth Troxler also set to headline. 

Sonus is presented by Time Warp and We Love Sound. World-renowned for being one of the most carefully considered Summer underground festivals, It always attracts an in-the-know and international audience of real music lovers. This highly anticipated eighth edition will go down across the lively Zrce Beach in Novalja, Croatia. This is a naturalistic haven and untapped beauty spot with a rich array of local cultures and customs and breathtaking scenery as well as plenty of more quiet spots to explore and enjoy between dancing. 

Three coastal clubs Aquarius, Kalypso, and Papaya provide the locations for endless dancing, with world-class sound systems, open-air dance floors, lush sun-loungers, and uninterrupted views of the calming sea and meandering coastline. Of course, you can also expect some famous boat parties for up close and personal parties as you sail atop the twinkling seas. 

The countdown is finally on to Sonus 2022. It is a unique five days where classy electronic music, welcoming music lovers and a beautiful location all make for an unforgettable experience. 

Tickets, Accommodation & Information: 

https://www.sonus-festival.com/

For more on lifestyle in Croatia, follow TCN's dedicated page.

ZAGREB, 11 June 2021 - The event industry said on Friday that together with the Culture Ministry and the national COVID-19 crisis response team they had created a platform for financial incentives to restart the business of event planning companies.

We are also asking for extended working hours because we think that it isn't possible to start a music event before 9 p.m. due to expected high temperatures, so we are trying to arrange that hospitality establishments can stay open until at least 1 a.m., Darko Tuček said in the press release.

We are working on reducing the required square metres of space per visitor to two for outdoor events and on reducing the mandatory distance between table to two metres, so that it would be easier to organise events.

The Fest company nominated the Jarun Open Air event under the slogan "Get Vaccinated and Have Fun Like Before", thus becoming a precursor to a joint campaign which should emphasise the importance of young people getting vaccinated as the only way for us all to return to normal, it was said.

Jarun Open Air is perceived as a concert zone with the greatest musical artists for all generations and visitors. At the festival, there will be a separate zone for visitors who have recovered from coronavirus, who have been vaccinated or tested, so that they could have fun like before, without keeping their distance or wearing masks.

For more news on Croatia, follow TCN's dedicated page.

March the 14th, 2021 - The ongoing coronavirus pandemic is the biggest global threat to the event and music industry the world has seen. This industry used to bring the tourism-reliant Croatian economy billions in annual revenue, and now that huge drop is being painfully felt.

As Marija Crnjak/Poslovni Dnevnik writes, the pandemic calls into question the survival of the organisation of concerts and music festivals across Croatia, a business that generated at least 4.5 billion kuna in revenue in the years before this crisis struck. In order to enable Croatian residents and the country´s guests to enjoy this very important part of culture in the future, it is necessary to establish a recovery fund in the field of concert activities, warned the Association of Promo Concert Organisers, whose members have not earned income for a year now.

They noted that concerts and music festivals, since the very announcement of the pandemic, were the first thing to be disabled and will more than likely be the very last thing to come back to life. The problem affects not only them, but also a number of other activities that live off the festivals themselves, from companies which deal with renting out professional stage equipment, to travel companies, security companies, hauliers, and even transport logistics. What once brought the Croatian economy billions without the country itself really having to do much now seems a very distant memory indeed.

"In the year dominated by the pandemic, there was no possibility for the safe organisation of concerts or music festivals in the format that audiences and musicians expect and have come to know so well, but professional concert and festival organisers in Europe were preparing to create preconditions for safe concerts and music festivals in the style of the ¨new normal¨, they pointed out from the association which, as part of the European network of professional organisers of concerts and music festivals, worked on the possibilities of the safe holding of concerts and music festivals during the pandemic.

The Promo Association believes that the recovery fund should provide the necessary liquidity incentive to companies in the concert industry of at least 10 percent of the turnover seen back in pre-pandemic, record 2019 so that Croatia does not simply become a concert desert on the European map.

"The main criterion of the recovery fund should be the strengthening of international competitiveness in order to maintain and improve the concert, club and festival scene with both quality and quantity. The recovery fund should keep the jobs of educated professionals in the concert industry and should also help rental companies,¨ they stated from the association and reminded that the vast majority of EU countries have already supported their concert industry throughout 2020 and will continue to do so in 2021. What gave the Croatian economy billions in annual revenue surely deserves the same.

Meanwhile, research is being carried out on measures by which we might be able to safely hold music festivals even in these dire, depressing pandemic conditions, and in addition to vaccines, rapid coronavirus tests are the most important tool, as we wrote recently.

At the level of the European working group, a study was prepared for the safe holding of music festivals, in the preparation of which, in addition to music professionals, scientists also participated. In addition to the study, scientific research has been conducted in Germany and Spain to test the risk of spreading the infection at concerts and festivals indoors, and research is underway in the Netherlands and Israel to confirm the hypothesis of safe large outdoor events. Further research has been announced in Spain, France and Germany with a larger number of respondents in the audience.

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 March 12, 2021 - Could rapid antigen tests save the summer music festival season in Croatia? Croatian entertainment experts weigh in. 

Jutarnji List reports that Boris Johnson's opening plan could save Croatia's entertainment industry from bankruptcy this summer, that is, if Croatia implements rapid antigen tests.

Summer is at the door, and, unfortunately, “the next two weeks are still crucial.” It is still uncertain whether there will be any parties during the warmer months and, if so, under what conditions and protocols. However, festival organizers in Croatia and the region are cautiously optimistic. A little over two weeks ago, British Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced lifting all anti-pandemic measures as early as June, so a wave of festival announcements began.

There is still no vote from the Croatian government, but representatives of some of the most important regional and Croatian festival events had their say. 

"We are in the dark. We still do not have official conditions under which we could work," says Ivan Bušljeta from the Papaya group, which works on the popular Zrće beach.

They have five festivals on hold as part of the summer music festival season in Croatia, including Sonus, Hideout, and Fresh Island.

"These are festivals that would be held in five clubs and would accommodate about three to four thousand people. These are events with a long tradition and good tourists, but we still cannot answer a few key questions. Among them is whether we will be allowed to work all night. It is also important, for example, how much space will have to be provided for each visitor. We are proposing two square meters per person, which would certainly be more in the end, given that Zrće beach has one hundred thousand square meters," says Bušljeta, who has been involved in the work of the Voice of Entrepreneurs since the pandemic, fighting for the rights of employees in the event industry.

Bušljeta says that this year they plan to adhere to measures such as measuring guests' temperature, keeping records of visitors, minimizing the dance floor with bar stools and the like.

"But it is challenging for us to plan anything. We only hear speculations that our work will be banned, which we are appalled by! Our costs are there every day for production, marketing, and the like, and our future is uncertain. Someone from the economic and financial sector of the Government must urgently invite us for a discussion. Without help and instructions, we will all go bankrupt," says Bušljeta, who also says that the practice in other European countries is completely different: Britain, he says, published a timetable for easing measures two weeks ago, and countries like the Netherlands are conducting experiments to determine the behavior of the virus at music events.

When you consider the fact that vaccination is very slow, it is clear that the situation is not great.

"One of the potential solutions is for the state to provide rapid antigen tests for important tourist destinations so that those who arrive are tested already at the station, at the entrance to Zrće, or similar. Also, it would be essential for us to enable the vaccination of our staff," he says, emphasizing once again that without the help of the state, it will be difficult to achieve anything.

Last summer, Vedran Meniga of Positive Rhythm led Martinska in Šibenik, which was the only festival location in Croatia and Europe in the first pandemic summer. Five festivals and one concert were held there, and in 11 working days, i.e., six weekends, about 10,000 festivalgoers attended. The number of infected was - zero.

"We are planning and announcing a new festival season as if everything will take place, similar to last year. Dimensions and Outlook were not held last year because we couldn't welcome foreign tourists, but this time we predict that everything will go according to plan. If the situation remains similar to last year, we predict an increase of about 20 percent of visitors to those ten thousand people from last year," says Meniga. 

"For each weekend, i.e., festival, we asked for a special permit from the Headquarters. We are told that we have the green light for festivals as long as there is no infection at them. We complied with all measures and worked on additional innovations. We set up disinfection points next to each place where transactions occur, paying special attention to the toilets. After the end of all the festivals, we waited another 14 days before submitting the press release. When that incubation period ended, it turned out that there were no infected people either. Also, none of the visitors to the festivals came with a fever," he says.

Outlook, Dimensions, and Seasplash have already been announced, and additional information about Regius, Kanal Fest, Blast, and Slurp! will be released soon. Outlook and Dimensions are being held this year at The Garden Resort in Tisno, and the rest will be held at Martinska in Šibenik. Meniga hopes that the summer Seasplash club in Pula will work and that another version of Slurp! could take place in Istria.

"No one can predict anything, and we all work as if everything will happen. This causes a huge amount of frustration. So many working hours are invested, and everything is uncertain. Planning in our business takes longer than realization. We spend money on salaries and promotions. We invest," says Meniga.

He points out Šibenik as a positive diameter of the city in which more than 50 cultural events were held last year.

"From the International Children's Festival at the beginning of summer to the Festival of Dalmatian Chanson at the end, the number of tourists that passed through Šibenik is approximately equal to the number of inhabitants. And everything went well," he says and adds that in almost all cases, these are events that take place outdoors.

"And those aren't hotspots," he points out.

The epidemiological situation needs to be monitored every day until the summer music festival season in Croatia

"To that extent, there is understanding towards the Headquarters. But most people from the event industry are on the verge of nervous breakdowns and bankruptcy. What is most terrifying are the double standards. While we were under restrictions last year, we witnessed no tourist facilities and that the beaches and supermarkets are full. There are, of course, also religious facilities. These things leave a lump in my throat, especially since risk groups mostly gather in those places," says Meniga and adds that he should be responsible and smart when working, which the festival organizers and their visitors are aware of.

And yet, he is optimistic.

"Until two weeks ago, we did not plan to announce Outlook and Dimensions, but as the British government announced the opening, the Brits began to buy tickets en masse. Both festivals are almost sold out. It still doesn’t guarantee anything, but it instills hope. More than a third of the nation has been vaccinated there, and they expect to reach half the population by summer, covering all vulnerable groups. All in all, we have a whole series of unknowns ahead of us, including covid passports and questions about how performers will travel concerning Brexit. But everything can be agreed upon and resolved. If we succeeded last year when the panic was much greater, we would succeed now," concludes Meniga.

When Boris Johnson announced his plan, the announcements of seven festivals that will take place this year at The Garden Resort in Tisno began.

"People waited patiently for a year to come out and socialize, so Johnson’s statements definitely gave hope. Of course, everything can change, but we are convinced that with the right health and safety protocols we can ensure a safe environment in which people can enjoy the sun, sea, and music," says Nick Colgan from The Garden Resort and notes that "people need it for their souls." He mentions that in Britain, the Love Saves The Day festival, organized by the same people from Love International, sold 19,000 tickets in nine minutes. Colgan believes the music industry will be stronger than ever after opening.

They have already started pre-production for the summer music festival season in Croatia, although they usually start earlier, even in January or February.

"What we need at the moment are instructions and a response from the authorities. We work closely with the local municipality and the tourist board, and we have agreed on assistance with the British Consulate. We need directions because we have more than 20,000 people waiting for their musical vacation," Colgan says.

They are also waiting for an answer as to whether proof of vaccination will be required to enter the festival.

"That's what governments have to say. Most of our visitors come from the UK and have a great chance of getting vaccinated by July. Combined with negative PCR tests before the trip and possible rapid tests at the festival we will be fine. Also, all of our outdoor events are small in capacity, up to 3,500 people," says Colgan.

Will Brexit affect the summer music festival season in Croatia?

"To be honest, for me, it is a mistake of the century, which means complications with bureaucracy and higher travel costs. It’s like we’re traveling back in time. I’m not sure what the new protocols will look like, but I hope they can be processed online," he says.

What more can the Government do to help festivals?

"It is not only about festivals but also about hotels, private accommodation, taxis, restaurants, cafes ... Our events have a huge impact on the economy. We need to allow ourselves to plan. We need a specific timeline to get out of action, which would prevent at least part of our financial risk if we have to cancel the season again. We need the details of this moment! We, for example, plan to employ 120 people over the summer. We should hire them now," Colgan concludes.

Could rapid antigen tests save the summer music festival season in Croatia?  We will have to wait and see. 

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