Photo: loveinternationalfestival.com
Croatia’s Love International debuted in June, starting not only a new festival season in Tisno but heralding a brand new Adriatic odyssey for the entire region, which for one magical week captured a real sense of unity, respect for everyone and for the festival environment itself and, most importantly – having lots of fun. 2,500 music and adventure lovers from across the world converged on the stunning Dalmatian coastline for a mercurial week of inspiration, escapism and discovery, heralding the beginning of something rather special.
The inaugural edition has since been hailed a huge success, and Love International will return for its second season in 2017, from Weds 28th June – Weds 5th July.
With the spirit of The Garden Festival already laced through the entire idyllic site, Love International not only embraced the legacy of Croatia’s founding festival, but infused seven sublime days and nights with its own joyous soul. Feeling reassuringly the same and yet quite different, something very special unfolded across an incredibly enchanting week; curated by Team Love’s Dave Harvey and Tom Paine, the region’s newest festival was an epic success from start to finish, from the stellar bookings across the underground spectrum and incredible attention to detail across the site, with countless boat parties, mesmerising main stage action, night time dancing right by the glittering waters of the Adriatic and of course spectacular dawns at Barbarella’s, the fully outdoor club which is now regarding as one of the best places in the world to party at until dawn breaks across the sky, and where all DJs want to play.
The festival featured many magical moments, from almost endless hands-in-air celebrations to unearthing rare grooves on the dance floor, to shared newfound loves under the canopy of Croatian stars to even more intimate moments away from the site in Tisno, exploring the beautiful region in which the festival is set. Some highlights were predicted and also some totally unexpected: from MCDE’s disco-tinged party set at Barbarella’s, through to Axel Boman’s bouncing boat party with Abandon Silence; from PBR Streetgang having the Main Stage rocking (as did Jackmaster, Joy Orbison, Roman Flugel, Crazy P and everyone else), to the annual Futureboogie voyage and club shows both being major highlights; Magic Door once more brought more glitter and fancy dress thought humanly possible, Hunnee, Prosumer and Pender Street Peppers had the Beach Stage rocking, Craig Richards going back to back with Ben UFO created a few hours of sensational selections, and finally Love International concluded with the Secret Island Party, with two boat parties and an escape from Tisno to a daytime party bringing the whole adventure to a fitting climax.
The Olive Grove stage really came into its own this year, a beautifully decorated space which showcased some brilliant artists, labels and clubs nights, and by 5pm most days was packed out under the sun. And then to dawn, where the Sun Rise Sessions offered a wholly different cadence to the festival in a beatific way to start the day, either straight from Barbarella’s or waking to catch a gentler, mesmerising pace; indeed, Khruangbin’s dreamy set was one of the festival’s highlights, with their rapt audience spread sedately amongst the pines.
Dave Harvey says that: “We really could not be any happier with our first year – the people, the music, the setting, the experience. All of it, basically! It really all came together in such a beautiful way, and I would like to thank everyone for making it so special, especially to a backdrop of chaos back at home in the UK. Since the planning started we wanted to bring our own festival to Tisno, and follow on from what the Garden guys did but also make it our own. The vibe at Love International was truly special, everyone was buzzing, it was like one huge family which had come together – and I mean that including the DJs, staff, everyone behind the scenes, not just everyone who travelled far and wide to make it so special. We are already planning for next year, and believe me we can’t wait to get back!”
Early bird tickets will go on sale in September. Stay tuned.
