Set in the stunning resort The Garden in Tisno Croatia, techno went on a vacation to and welcomed international guests under the sun and open air. The festival hosted heavyweights such as, Sven Väth, Solomon, Nina Kraviz, Octave One, Derrick May to name a few. This was the inaugural year for Movement’s Croatia festival, and the music and setting did not disappoint.
The crowd were electric, the temperature HOT and the music pumped energy into the hedonistic party-goers scattered around the Garden Tisno resort.Croatia has really taken off as a party destination and a favourite for festival goers for quite a while, and just seeing photos of the landscape puts into perspective why a musical getaway to this country’s dalmatian coast is a bucket list addition.
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Take a look at the XOYO Birmingham opening night - In PicturesWhen approaching the small seaside town of Tisno it would be impossible to miss the Garden, with music pumping and lights flashing from the small green oasis tucked away in a cove. As soon as you enter, the Main stage graces the entrance with small paths and green trees giving you the impression that it has been untouched for years. A pebble beach, crystal clear waters along with great BBQ food stations, a restaurant at the top of the grounds, bars, three stages and giant disco ball was a small oasis that you could easily spend one week (or a month) enjoying.
Walking up through the garden restaurant midday with a few friends we bumped into Techno legend Derrick May. Approachable and in the same positive mindset as most of the party goers, it proved to me how special this festival was to the talent and attendees alike. The crowd that attended was unmistakably European, beautiful people from Italy, Slovakia, Slovenia, Serbia the UK and of course the native Croatians all with rhythm and very freindly.
The non-stop atmosphere of many festivals can sometimes get tiring, especially after four or five days of partying, yet the setting in Tisno provided a relaxed atmosphere with great music to enjoy throughout the day and the fantastic view to compliment.
The partiers were dancing the night away at the main stage under the giant disco ball that seemed so appropriate for the non-stop dancing that took place every night, yet the one aspect lacking about the Tisno production would have had to be the stage visuals.
The natural beauty made up for it, but it just seemed like there should have been more visual candy behind and around the respective DJs, in particular, the projection graphics behind the main stage. The main focus were the headliners, elevated about half a metre above the crowd, the whole festival was small and the way everything was seemed personal and intimate.
When the sun set, Movement Croatia changed from relaxed party oasis to techno filled fiesta, with lighting and Funktion One sound. Walking between the stages wasn’t a trek like most of the festivals I have visited in Europe, with all of them 20-300 meters away from each other, and enough bars to visit along the way.
One of the greatest parts of new music festivals is the ability to curate the music lineup in a way that fits the new venue, and to have the flexibility of adding new and lesser known artists to the lineup. This was definantly the case for Movement Croatia, one of the most memorable of the Saturday night was Fumiya Tanaka, playing deep techno grooves on the beach stage, the hot and humid dance floor was moving nonstop till the festivities ended in Tinso and continued at Barbarella’s Disco about 10km away.
Barbarella’s Disco was the highlight of Movement Croatia’s night parties, with acts like Derrick May, Nina Kravitz and Octave One performing at this unique venue, it was a great cap to the day and most guests stayed till the sun was rising over the trees. The disco is off the beaten path and seems like you’re driving into the middle of nowhere with no street lights and very little signage.
A beam of light shines up from the forest and the closer you get, the more bass you can see/feel, this was one of the most exciting elements of the festival’s unique feel. The theme of this chapter of the Movement parties was defiantly hidden oasis, Croatia gave a great backdrop to the pristine music curation that the Movement brand is known for.
Be sure to check out Movement Torino on October 31st, what should be a must-not-miss experience in picturesque northern Italy.
