SOUNDWAVE CROATIA: THE FESTIVAL THAT HAS IT ALL

Soundwave Croatia is back for its eighth year with plenty more dub, electronica, sun and sea. We find out more about the friendly and intimate festival that keeps on getting rave reviews.

Acts at this year's event include: Pharoahe Monch, Calibre, Mala, Craig Charles, Fatima & The Eglo Band live, Gentleman’s Dub Club, Channel One Sound System, Riot Jazz, Romare, Harleighblu, Clap Clap, Akala, Josey Rebelle and many more!

How would you describe Soundwave Croatia to someone who has never been?

Soundwave takes place in the beautiful and enchanting Garden Tisno, which is a mesmerising piece of paradise hidden along the Dalmatian coastline. Sound-tracked by the some of the world’s finest exponents of live music and DJs, the festival is a harmonious and beatific odyssey which seamlessly merges a sublime holiday and musical escape like no other.

It’s one of Croatia’s longest running festivals and we know when people see it for the first time they are like “WOW,” and it’s such a special spot that people keep coming back each time too.

What is the ethos of the festival both in terms of music and of its atmosphere?

We think Soundwave is revered for its eclectic range of bookings and its laid back attitude, which comes together in an enchanting adventure by the sea with everyone exploring a range of music seldom heard in the Adriatic region.

The music weaves across broken beat, reggae, afro to acid jazz, hip-hop, soul, funk, drum and bass and more. It’s very laid back by day and then the pace shifts up by night. The atmosphere is shaped by the people who come – it’s incredibly friendly, safe and relaxing, like being on a fantastic holiday with some of your favourite performers there too.

How did you choose the location for the festival and what do you think this adds to the event overall?

We came to the festival’s location through The Garden Festival, which was originally based in Petrcane then moved to Tisno a few years ago. It’s a truly beautiful location on the Dalmatian coastline with a tiny bay which looks out across the Adriatic, where the Beach Stage is and where the Argonaughty docks.

There’s also a main stage, lots of places to explore across the site, lots of bars and eateries, you can have a massage, relax in the shade and chill if you want too. And the stunning open-air Barbarella’s club about 15 mins on a bus from the site where you can party until dawn.

Tisno is really lovely too, it’s a picture-postcard place, very laid-back and idyllic. Such an environment we think inspires people to embrace its magic; people are very respectful of what they find there.

How did you got about selecting the line-up for the festival? Is there anyone you would particularly recommend festival goers should see?

We like to recommend seeing everyone really! It’s a very diverse lineup and each year we try to reach out across a wide range of sounds, but also something away from the more traditional house, techno, disco and so on which features at many festivals in the region.

This is partly what helps to set Soundwave apart; for example this year you can hear Akala who is one of the most in-demand artists to date this year; Gentleman’s Dub Club will have Tisno rocking; Pharoahe Monch is a hugely influential hip-hop artist; Harleighblu is a wonderful singer; plus some great DJs including Mala, Romare, Alexander Nut, Henry Wu and more.

Soundwave is now in its eighth year -  are there any new additions to the festival this year?      

We keep refining and developing the festival’s feel and sound each year, and bringing artists to Croatia who you might not usually find, this is what keeps us new.

See Tickets has an exclusive 3 for 2 Soundwave Croatia ticket deal until midnight Friday 4 March 2016  

Soundwave
Thursday 4^th – Monday 8^th August 2016
www.soundwavecroatia.com / @soundwavecro