Now coming into its sixth year, Soundwave Festival returns to the idyllic garden of Tisno, in the heart of the Croatian Dalmatian Coast this July. Praised by Time Out as ‘perhaps the summer’s most beautiful site’, and by Dazed as ‘one of Europe’s biggest parties’, this sun-drenched boutique festival welcomes a close-knit family of three thousand punters, promising to be the perfect intimate setting for hip-hop, afro-beat, funk, and soul shows, to mention but a few.
This year Soundwave trump themselves, offering an eclectic mix of some of the most influential DJs and bands alongside emerging artists, that follow on the likes of Bonobo, De La Soul and Roots Manuva from previous years. The 2014 headliners include 7-piece reggae and soul band Fat Freddy’s Drop from New Zealand, who are heralded as being first and foremost a live band; the collection of musicians from funk jam bands to reggae sound systems constantly tweak their songs to make every show unique. One of hip hop’s most legendary artists, Californian DJ, rapper and producer Madlib, will be performing a DJ-set, and finally the English electronic DJ/producer-cum-tea enthusiast Mr Scruff from the Ninja Tune label, renowned for his marathon sets and his signature “incoming bassline alert!” animations.
Other highlights include Leeds-grown 9-piece Gentleman’s Dub Club, known for some of the most energetic live shows to emerge from the UK bass music scene, smooth soul front man from New York’s Fun Lovin’ Criminals and BBC 6Music Presenter Huey Morgan. Next up, critically acclaimed ‘remixer du jour’ Gold Panda, who caused a stir for re-releasing his breakthrough track ‘Quitter’s Raga‘ earlier this year.
Not only does Soundwave boast an impressive line-up, the whole festival experience is one hard to be rivalled with; spread across three stages, a collection of legendary boat parties and the open-air after party venue Barabella, the festival allows punters to explore the Tisno village. Just seconds from the main stage sits the site’s own dock, from which The Argonaughty party boat embarks along the Dalmatian coast; this year we can expect 14 trips featuring sea-shore soundtracks to different themes, including Afro-Beat with Dele Sosimi, Brass Band with Riot Jazz & Taste The Diff’rence, and Hip Hop with Mouse Outfit, Bloxed Beats & Jam Hott.
If that’s not enough to get you interested, I assure you’ll be rushing for the cheapest Ryanair deal as soon as you watch their official teaser:
The festival is spread across five full days, from 17th to 21st July 2014. Tickets are still available, with a standard weekend pass at £125 and group tickets for £500. Airport transfers, after party and boat party tickets are also available on their website.
