17 August 2012 (gig)
17 August 2012
Soundwave Croatia 2012
The Garden – Tisno – Croatia
19-23 July 2012
This unique European boutique festival returned for its 4th incarnation in the new location of Tisno on the gorgeous Dalmatian coastline between Split (airport 65km away) and Zadar (the nearest airport about 45km away). Transfers and taxis seemed pretty reliable and the locals happy to help so getting there proved much easier that I had first envisioned.
The nearby towns also had plenty of restaurants, cafes, bars and cater perfectly for the British reveler, all the beers, ciders, wines and spirits you’d expect with top class reasonably priced food. Getting into Soundwave itself was a pleasant surprise, no massive queues, hoards of drunks, or over eager bouncers patting you down, we swanned in without a hitch and once inside had the distinct feeling we’d taken the wrong turn through someone’s garden.
The festival itself is perched on a rocky outcrop jutting into the Adriatic Sea, although beware of the sea urchins if nipping in for a swim. With stages set up on the beach as well as neighboring fields all partitioned by wooded areas Soundwave offers several different backdrops. The chilled out party vibe is ever palpable with everyone clearly there for a big chilled out mash-up. Bars are dotted all over the site with the seafront wooden cocktail bar a must.
The music somehow takes a backseat as it’s all about the vibe and to be honest most of it seemed to effortlessly blend into one which was no bad thing. Although, artists of note were Detectives of Perspective on the beach stage, The Renegade Brass Band, who at one point were playing in the sea, and De La Soul, who went slightly against the grain with a more aggressive style than was expected.
When the music finished onsite there were free coaches to cart you off to the after party at Barbarellas, which was basically an open air club full of wasted people a mix bag of House, Hip hop R n B topped with some dirty dubstep which somehow worked. The only drawback was that the DJ loved the sound of his own voice a little too much and clearly would be better suited as an 18-30 club rep. That said fun was had by all.
There are also several boat parties that run in conjunction with the festival but I have to admit we were having such a good time we didn’t bother but by all accounts they are well worth a trip too.
From a purely chauvinistic perspective the women were to die for and forget the Glastonbury Kate Moss wellies and miniskirt look here it was all about denim shorts and bikinis.
As my colleague noted, take the JJB tent from V, and stick it on a beach in the sun = Soundwave. With sun almost guaranteed the £105 charge for a 4 day party can’t be sniffed at.
As Roots Manuva said ‘Soundwave is one of the best festivals in the World’ and he’s seen them all.
Tickets for next year have just gone on sale.
www.soundwavecroatia.com
www.soundcrashmusic.com
www.croatia.hr
