Wednesday, 26 January 2022

Croatian Music Festivals in 2022: Return to Normal, Full Summer Run

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

loveinternmain.jpgCroatian 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

ultra.jpgCroatian 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

defected2sd.jpgCroatian 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

loveintern.jpgCroatian 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

suncebeat.jpgCroatian 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

outlook.jpgCroatian 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

defected.jpgCroatian 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

dekmantel.jpgCroatian 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

dimensions.jpgCroatian 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.jpgMartinska

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.

vojarna.jpgProject 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.jpgInMusic 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

zrce.jpgCroatian 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.

hideout.jpgCroatian 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

Thursday, 3 September 2020

PHOTOS: Pula Amphitheatre and Zagreb Arena Lit Red for Events Industry

September 3, 2020 - Three of Croatia's most internationally famous venues in the events industry were lit in spectacular red on Monday. Pula amphitheatre, Zagreb Arena and Fort Punta Christo were bathed in light from sunset until after dark

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Three of Croatia's most internationally famous venues used by the events industry were lit in spectacular red on Monday. Pula amphitheatre, Zagreb Arena and Fort Punta Christo, also in Pula were bathed in light from sunset until after dark.

Though the change in appearance was enjoyable and visually impressive, the action was undertaken to send a strong message. It was part of a worldwide campaign to highlight the effects of Coronavirus on the events industry and those who work within it.

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Some of the most famous historical buildings, concert venues and event halls in the world joined the Red Alert campaign and were similarly lit on the same night.

Large public events have been put on hold over most of the world under epidemiological guidelines. Seating arrangements in theatres, conference halls, sports and music halls are simply not compatible with social distancing regulations – many such venues could not make a profit by holding events at 50% capacity.

This has affected millions around the world who work in the events industry, from musicians and performers to technicians, bookers, agents, the media, PR representatives, venue management and general staff. Freelancers operating within the events industry are some of the hardest hit and have had all of their income sources removed completely. Many who operate in the events industry are highly trained and skilled, so diversifying into other industries can be problematic.

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Pula amphitheatre (also known as Pula Arena) is a massively popular open-air venue in warmer months. It holds spectacular opera, ballet and classical music events as well as hosting a film festival. Like Zagreb Arena, it attracts some of the biggest names in pop and rock music. Fort Punta Christo has become famous all over Europe and further over the last decade, thanks to the internationally renowned Outlook and Dimensions festivals. Those events were supposed to take place in Tisno, at The Garden festival site. But, along with seven further festivals due to be held there this year, they chose to cancel in order to safeguard the health of their attendees and locals.

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Fort Punta Christo in Pula is widely known as a host site for international music festivals

The Croatian events industry alone is comprised of 2000 business entities, has more than 12,000 employees, and annually generates HRK 4.5 billion. Autumn/winter 2021 is the soonest estimated point at which large scale events could return to normal. The Red Alert campaign has been undertaken to highlight the plight of the events industry as many sections within it face total collapse if deprived of work until then. 

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All photos © Red Alert

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Wednesday, 29 January 2020

Outlook Origins Announces First Wave of Names for 2020 Edition

January 29, 2020 - Excitement continues to build for the Outlook Origins festival as the cult bass festival returns to its roots in the stunning Garden Resort in Tisno from July 30th to August 3rd, 2020.

It can now be revealed that joining the 13 tastemaking curators will be the heavyweight likes of Shy FX, dBridge, Fabio & Grooverider, Randall, Wookie, Youngsta, Hatcha, Breakage, Doc Scott, DRS, J.Sparrow, P. Money, 6 Figure Gang (aka Dobby, FAUZIA, Jossy Mitsu, L U C Y, Sherelle, Yazzus), Children of Zeus, Coops, Darwin, Horsepower Productions, Jah Shaka, N-Type and many more to come. 

Outlook has built a world-renowned reputation for focussing on the best in drum & bass, dubstep, grime, garage, reggae and beyond on its scene-leading sound systems. Returning to their roots in 2020 with a new and exciting format, the mission this year is to showcase the very best in the game, old and new, as curated by 13 bass heroes who are experts in their field and include Calibre, D Double E, DJ Storm, Flava D, Fliptrix, Goldie, Iration Steppas, Lenzman, Mala, Mungo's Hifi, The Bug and Zed Bias - with new addition Hybrid Minds, added to the list with this announcement.

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Celebrating the foundations of Outlook Festival, this year’s edition is set at The Garden Resort for the main festival, open-air club Barbarella's for after-parties, and the iconic St Michaels Fortress for an all-new opening concert. As such, the new-look festival promises to be an imitate, a personal gathering of friends and family who all have a shared love of bass and are long time devoted dancers. 

The first wave of names is irresistible, with all the most vital names included from the worlds of drum & bass such as Shy FX, dBridge, Breakage, Randall, Doc Scott, DRS and Fabio & Grooverider, amongst others. Red hot grime, dubstep, and bass talents are also well represented with El-B, Horsepower Productions, Hatcha, Youngsta, Wookie, Darwin, P. Money, J.Sparrow and 6 Figure Gang (aka cult collective Dobby, FAUZIA, Jossy Mitsu, L U C Y, Sherelle and Yazzus) as well as plenty more, with hip hop heads like Children of Zeus and Coops also lining up.

As well as further details of the beach parties, boat parties, after-parties, and opening concert, the all-important stage splits will soon be revealed as the countdown to this much-anticipated chapter in the history of Outlook gets ever closer. 

LINE UP

207

6 Figure Gang (Dobby, FAUZIA, Jossy Mitsu, L U C Y, Sherelle, Yazzus)

Ant TC1

Black Barrel

Black Josh

Blazin 

Breakage

Breakfake

Buer

Channel One

Children of Zeus

Coops

Darwin 

dBridge

Digital

Digitron

Distinct Motive

Dj Flight

DLR

Doc Scott

Dred

DRS

Dub Head

DubDiggerz

Dubkasm

Dubolik & Lo Peaks

Egoless

El-B

Fabio & Grooverider

Fiend

Finwa

Flowdan

Hatcha

Highlander

Horsepower Productions

Ila Brugal

J:Kenzo

J. Sparrow

Jah Shaka

John B

Jubilee

Kahn

Kid Drama

Kryo

Loefah

Mantra 

MC GQ

MC Tempza

Mind of A Dragon

Mr K

N-Type

O.B.F feat. Charlie P & Sr. Wilson

One87

P Money

Parly B

Perception

Pinch

Ramsez

Randall

Roots In Session

Sammy Virji

Satl

Scratchclart & Lady Lykez

Shepdog

Shosh (24HR Garage Girls)

Shy FX

Sicaria Sound

Siskiyou

Surreal

Wookie

Youngsta

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

Friday, 13 December 2019

Outlook Origins Directors Talk About Opening New Chapter in Tisno

December 13, 2019 - TCN caught up with the directors of the Outlook music festival to learn more about the first release of Outlook Origins next summer. 

After a decade establishing itself as the most iconic and essential bass music event in Croatia, 2020 sees Outlook Festival open an innovative new chapter with the announcement of Outlook Origins. This all-new proposition for 2020 takes place across three special locations; The Garden Resort in Tisno for the main festival, world-famous Barbarella's for after-parties, and St Michaels Fortress for an all-new and very special opening concert.

TCN caught up with the organizers to learn more.

After a decade of Outlook Festival in Pula, you open a new chapter next summer in Tisno. What was the reasoning behind moving locations? 

Outlook has been putting on Festivals in Croatia now for twelve years. Starting our journey at The Garden (Petrcane) in 2008 and eventually arriving at the gates of Fort Punta Christo in 2010. As event organisers (and music fans), we've been fortunate to hold some incredible parties with some of the biggest names in sound system culture, and do so in one of the most unique locations for events in the world. From massive opening concerts in Pula's 2000-year-old amphitheatre to the Harbour, Moat and Ballroom, our set-up at Fort Punta Christo offered people an experience unlike any other. 

It's been an amazing experience for us in Pula and after ten years at the fort, we as organisers were keen to explore something new. Running such a massive event, welcoming thousands of music fans from across the globe takes a lot of work and a venue as unique as the Fort brings with it further challenges (safety, power, sound, production or beyond). We felt it was time to find a new challenge and explore other exciting routes to develop the festival and embrace sound system culture.

How will Outlook Origins be different compared with the previous editions of the Outlook Festival in Pula we know so well?

Outlook Origins explores a new model for us as a festival - one where we work closely with twelve of the scene's brightest names in sound system culture to curate our line-up. A festival line-up with some of our musical heroes working alongside - what could be better! 

Exploring everything from drum and bass and dub, to reggae, roots, grime, garage and beyond, our curators will ensure the true scope of 'Outlook's' sound is represented. Alongside this, the festival becomes more intimate, offering the audience an opportunity to get up-close to the music and the artists. The Garden site is a well-loved home to many festivals, with an array of great facilities, food, drink and idyllic beach in which to enjoy outside of the music. Next summer, we'll add the Outlook touch to the site, with sound (Sinai Sound System), production, knowledge and workshops and much more still to be announced!

How will the opening concert at St. Michael’s Fortress in Sibenik compare to the Pula Arena?

This year is very much about moving forward and keeping our eyes on our plans for 2020. St. Michael's fortress is a spectacular venue with eye-dropping scenes surrounding it. It brings with it an opportunity for us as programmers to review our current model and find artists that are a perfect fit for such a space! Opening our festival the last couple of years with a massive concert (and one that has been held in a 2000-year-old amphitheatre) has been a dream - we're very excited to be able to do the same again for Outlook Origins, stay tuned for more information on the line-up early in the New Year.

What about Outlook Origins will festival-goers look forward to most next summer?

There will be lots to look forward to next year; we'll have stages of music programmed alongside our Curators bringing their favourite artists, sounds and party-starters with us to The Garden. The Outlook Boat parties will be back in full-force, as well as beach parties, after-parties and so much more. We're confident Outlook fans old and new will experience something unforgettable! There are lots more still to be revealed - keep your eyes on our channels early in the New Year!

Finally, a message to your fans in Croatia?

We are excited to be coming back to Croatia in summer next year and hope our audience are as excited about the change as we are. Outlook Origins represents something brand new for the festival, at a new location with lots of fresh ideas – we revel in our history and our time at the fort and feel extremely privileged to have found such a unique and unforgettable space to host our event over the last decade. We hope you'll join us all for the next chapter.

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

Friday, 22 November 2019

Outlook Origins Festival Announces Curators, New Location and 2020 Dates

November 22, 2019 - The new Outlook Origins music festival will take place at The Garden Resort in Tisno next summer. 

Outlook Origins will be music for the heads. For 2020, the festival line-up is being carefully curated by a handful of the scene's most influential artists and tastemakers such as Goldie, Flava D, Mala and more. 

After a decade establishing itself as the most iconic and essential bass music event in Croatia, 2020 sees Outlook Festival open an innovative new chapter with the announcement of Outlook Origins. This all-new proposition for 2020 takes place across three special locations; The Garden Resort in Tisno for the main festival, world-famous Barbarella's for after-parties and St Michaels Fortress for an all-new and very special opening concert. Spanning genres in unprecedented style, Outlook Origins celebrates the best in drum & bass, dubstep, grime, garage, reggae and beyond with 12 world-renowned pioneers. Calibre, Goldie, Lenzman, Zed Bias, Mala, DJ Storm, Flava D, D Double E, The Bug, Iration Steppas, Fliptrix and Mungo's Hi Fi curate this special edition. Taking place from 30th July–4th August, it will reinforce the foundations on which the festival was built over 10 years ago and final Early Bird tickets are available now for just £120 +BF.

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Jamie Crumpton

Over those years, Outlook has become known as an international community of like-minded music-fans who keep the celebration of sound system culture alive. It has built a reputation for offering the very best in bass music from big-name pioneers, red hot new talents and everything in between. The Outlook Curators will continue in that tradition as they represent the full spectrum of music you’d expect to find at Outlook from forward-thinking artists, pioneering labels and unconventional promoters.

The breathtaking natural bay of The Garden Resort in Tisno will be one of the settings for this year’s series of epic parties. The idyllic beach plays host to daytime beach parties unlike any other, while the infamous outlook boat parties set sail from the harbour, with lots more to be announced. Unique for Outlook Origins is the all-new opening concert in 2020, which takes place atop a fortress in Sibenik just a short drive down the coast. More will be revealed soon on that one, but for the after-parties, the world-famous Barbarellas open-air club nearby will offer plenty of opportunities for festival-goers to soak up the sound of their favourite artists, all powered by Leed’s famous Sinai sound system.

And so to the curators: an essential feature of Outlook for over a decade, it’s only right that Metalheadz head honcho Goldie is among the tastemakers joining Outlook Origins. The maverick innovator – who helped write the future of the jungle scene with landmark releases that still sound like they were kidnapped from tomorrow – has an assured reputation as one of the UK's most legendary, and lively figureheads. His Metalheadz boat parties and stage takeovers are the stuff of Outlook legend so his special touch on the 2020 programme is hugely anticipated.He is joined by long-time associate DJ Storm who made waves alongside her great friend and DJ partner Kemistry. Back in the nineties, the duo helped establish the legendary status that Metalheadz still carries today after Goldie built up label around them. To this day, Storm leads the charge for female DJs worldwide and is a true trailblazing force of nature. 

Then comes The Bug, the man who mixes up dancehall, noise, grime, hip hop and dubstep into his own twisted, rib rattling new forms on labels like Ninja Tune, Hyperdub and Soul Jazz Records. A famously uncompromising artist who brings aggression, masochism, intensity and tension to his sets, he is never one to be missed. Fellow pioneer Mala has featured at Outlook Festival since day one and stands as one of the most respected artists in the game. Stirring dubstep’s musical melting pot with its most primal ingredients before it even had a name, Mala was a founding member of DMZ as well as founding one of dubstep's most established labels: DEEP MEDi. His history is tied up with Outlook so his input in 2020 is special indeed. 

The North Quarter head honcho Lenzman also joins for the 2020 edition with his unique brand of drum & bass, which remains simultaneously soulful and uplifting while offering ravers a heavy-dose of bottom end. A true fan of samples, with a passion for drawing out the musicality in his selections, you’ll often hear hip-hop cuts and odes to the old school sliced within his sets. Another Outlook Festival regular and artist from the soulful end of the spectrum, Calibre is one of bass culture’s most enduring artists. Forging his own distinctive brand of drum and bass with the introduction of lyricism, Calibre has consistently pushed boundaries. A true forward-facing producer, he dips drum and bass into everything from dub to techno, house to ambient and jazz and soul and the results speak for themselves: having arguably contributed some of drum & bass’ biggest anthems.

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Nicholas Leer

Out representing the explosive area where garage, grime and bassline music intersects, Flava D is one third of TDQ alongside Royal T and DJ Q, and an essential member of the influential Butterz label; she stands as one of the most important producers in the worlds of bass and garage, embodying the future of UK bass music. An innovator of the UK grime scene, the unmatched D Double E  is one of the original artists to cultivate the genre from the roots of jungle, drum and bass and garage. Fusing elements of dancehall, jungle beats and rap into his verses, he represents the true origins of grime so there’s no one who does it quite like D Double E. Next is Fliptrix, one of the most exciting and significant artists when it comes to his contributions to UKHH. The multifaceted artist is considered to be one of the hardest working heads in the scene with his focus as a solo artist also shared with being one-quarter of acclaimed outfit The Four Owls (Big Owl) and the Managing Director of High Focus Records (Zander).

Also joining will be UKG stalwart, broken beat fanatic, dub connoisseur Zed Bias who has rightly earned his status as UK legend, an indisputable originator in his own right but also as a long-standing member of our Outlook family, as well as world-famous Glaswegian selectors Mungo’s Hi-Fi from the Scotch Bonnet label and Iration Steppas, whose sound is incomparable: melding “dubs inna year 3000 style” alongside Roots, Reggae, Dancehall and everything in between. 

This is an innovative and exciting new development in the rich history of Outlook that once again promises to be the best place on the planet to experience all forms of bass music.

For more information, visit the Outlook Origins website

You can find tickets here.

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

Sunday, 13 October 2019

Noah Ball on Outlook and Dimensions Festival: We'd Love to Return to Pula

As we recently reported, the wildly popular Outlook and Dimensions festivals which have traditionally taken place in the Istrian city of Pula have announced their move much further south, more precisely to the historic Dalmatian city of Šibenik.

After an entire decade in Pula, the festival will head further down south, take place at three separate locations, and even the actual dates will alter, meaning that the festival will no longer be held at the end of August, as has become the norm over the last ten years in Pula.

As Glas Istre/Zoran Angeleski writes on the 12th of October, 2019, the Outlook and Dimensions festivals' main man, Noah Ball, says that although he'd love to return to Pula one day in the future, unfortunately running the Outlook and Dimensions festivals at Fort Punta Christo has created multiple challenges over the years in which it has been present in the city every summer.

''Electricity and water are just two of several challenges. There are many areas of festival activity that have significant costs associated with them. Organising music events is a very risky business, which does not bring much benefit with it.

In recent years, the decline in the value of the British currency against the euro/kuna has had the greatest impact on our business; the pound has fallen by almost twenty percent. This has greatly affected our company and made our business unsustainable within the model by which we've run it for many years.

We would love to return to Pula one day, but in order to do so we need to consider changing the format of the event and seeking as much support as possible to make the festivals sustainable,'' explained Ball.

Make sure to follow our dedicated lifestyle page for much more information on festivals of all kinds across not only Istria but the whole of the Republic of Croatia.

Thursday, 24 January 2019

Did Brexit Play Role in Pula's Final Outlook and Dimensions Festivals?

In the summer of 2020, the city of Pula will be left without more than 30,000 foreign guests who spend hundreds of euros a day. Namely, Pula will feel the loss of mostly British tourists, performers, organizers and visitors to the two world-renowned music festivals Outlook and Dimensions, which will have their final release this year, according to the announcement by British organizer NVS Music Group on Tuesday.

Although other music events are still being held in Pula and at other locations by Pozitivan ritam, the local partner of the British organizer, the city of Pula is not happy because the festivals played an important role in promoting Pula and developing the local economy.

That is why they stated in the press release that they would do everything in their power to make sure the decision for Outlook and Dimension to leave Pula is not final. But, as we informally know, the ultimate outcome depends on many factors, from Brexit and British market behavior to state-level support, reports Poslovni.hr on January 24, 2019. 

The festival organizers did not publicly comment on what they are planning to do with Outlook, which will celebrate its 11th edition in Pula this year, and Dimensions, which will welcome its ninth. The organizers have published the final dates of both festivals, with the artists to be announced in the coming days, and have noted that "it will certainly be worth visiting and remembering, as it's the final edition of the festivals at that location."

We’re still unsure if the British organizer will continue at another location in Croatia or any other destination, and why exactly they gave up on Pula.

Pozitivan ritam has also been unable to answer these questions as they are just local partners in charge of the logistics and the implementation of the festivals. They have said, however, that these announcements have nothing to do with the special edition of their Seasplash festival, which has moved from Pula to Šibenik this year, and emphasizes that Pula remains their center, along with the Seasplash Summer Club, the Slurp Festival, the Kotač Club and other programs.

As far as Outlook and Dimensions are concerned, it is unofficially known that this year saw lower ticket sales mostly due to uncertainty surrounding Brexit, pushing the organizer to announce the final release of the festivals to boost ticket sales and secure financial sustainability. The organization of such events is otherwise expensive, and at Fort Punta Christo, even though the minimum concession is paid to Pula, the additional challenge is that there is no electricity or water, or fences which are replaced by security guards.

The task of the organizer is to reduce high costs and increase revenues which have fallen due to bad weather in the last two years, resulting in less spending on the site. Therefore, negotiations on all levels are expected in the coming months, including with the Croatian Tourist Board, which last year supported the festivals with 50,000 kuna, far less than the year before and seven times less than in 2015 when the Pula festivals were ranked top events.

Pula, however, really hopes this will not be the final decision.

"In addition to the excellent international promotion of Pula, the great financial benefits generated by the festivals have attracted many hospitality and trade activities, which have greatly enriched Pula's tourist offer. The festivals contributed to an increase in the number of arrivals and overnights, as well as income in many activities in the post-season and many were an opportunity for employment and additional earnings,” said the press spokeswoman of the Pula Department of Culture, Jasmina Nina Kamber.

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

Wednesday, 23 January 2019

Final Year at the Fort: Outlook and Dimensions Festivals Leaving Pula

The most popular music festivals in Istria, Outlook and Dimensions, will be held for the last time at Fort Punta Christo in Štinjan. Could the move be a massive hit to Pula tourism? 

After the announcement that the Seasplash festival would move from Štinjan to Šibenik this summer, Pula has received yet another blow, which will leave the city without two more major festivals that have marked the area for the last decade, reports T.portal on January 23, 2019. 

Namely, Outlook and Dimension are the sister festivals that have operated in Croatia for twelve years, hosting musicians, promoters, visitors and publishing houses from all over the world. Big names like Dizzee Rascal, Damian Marley, Lauryn Hill, Grace Jones, Massive Attack and Jeff Mills are just some of the great musicians who played at the unique fort and the Pula Arena.

"We are really sorry about the difficult decision the festival organizers had to make based on many factors they cannot influence. We understand and respect the decision. From the very beginning, we have been in partnership with the organizers, and we are even now when we are trying to find a solution that will enable holding these festivals in Pula,” said the press spokeswoman of the Pula Department of Culture, Jasmina Nina Kamber.

She added that the Outlook and Dimensions festivals are among the most popular music festivals in Europe, and thanks to them, Pula has become a recognizable festival destination, with tens of thousands of young people coming from all over the world every year.

In their words, the city has supported its maintenance since the very beginning due to its high potential and the benefits to the entire community.

"In addition to the excellent international promotion of Pula, the great financial benefits generated by the festivals have attracted many hospitality and trade activities, which have greatly enriched Pula's tourist offer. The festivals contributed to an increase in the number of arrivals and overnights, as well as income in many activities in the post-season and many were an opportunity for employment and additional earnings,” said Kamber, adding that a significant part of the revenue generated during the festival was enabled to build and maintain the city’s infrastructure.

"The entire festival organization has greatly contributed to the promotion of Pula as a recognizable festival destination, and we still hope for their stay or soon return," said Jasmina Kamber.

This year's Dimensions festival will take place from August 29 to September 2, while the festival's summer season will end with the Outlook festival from September 5 to 9. 

Over the next few days, the festivals should also announce the first round of artists who will be coming to the forth this summer. Namely, Outlook will publish their first performers on Thursday, January 24th, and Dimensions on Thursday, January 31st.

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

Wednesday, 12 September 2018

Outlook Festival Dazzles Once Again!

The sound system culture continues to gain huge successes at Outlook Festival!

Sunday, 15 April 2018

New Outlook and Dimension to Underground Music

Europe's biggest celebration of sound system culture, Outlook Festival returns to beautiful Pula from the 5th of September to the 9th of September, 2018, with the promise of this, the eleventh festival, being even more underground than ever before.

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