Ultra Music Festival has been sweeping the globe and now, the numbers are in: 103,000 people attended the event’s first trip to Croatia, with over 700,000 watching the first two days online. It is now officially the biggest festival to ever take place on Croatian soil. Russell Faibisch, the brains behind the event had this to say:
“The biggest challenge in bringing Ultra Music Festival to Europe was to do it in a way that was completely unique and original. To enter a European market so rich in festival culture and history, with thousands of festivals happening every summer over the past 40 years, and still produce something never before done there. After visiting more than 15 countries, meeting with many promoters and visiting more than a hundred potential locations and venues, I ultimately chose Croatia. It is truly one of the most beautiful and special places in the world, in addition to being the newest and hottest European summer destination for party people and DJs. After the inaugural edition’s massive success, Ultra Europe is very proud to call Croatia home for many many years to come.”
Such a powerful quote and one that must make the people of Croatia ecstatic. Along with the business that the festival created, it brought people from over 75 countries to the former Soviet satellite to see some of the world’s best talents perform their craft in the stunningly beautiful city of Split. Then as icing on the cake, as the crem de la creme of the first weekend, lucky festivalgoers took to the Hotel Amfora Grand Beach Resort for a 9 hour pool party on the cliffs of the island of Hvar. So what did they get to see this weekend? Well…
Day 1
Ultra Europe kicks off as tens of thousands of fans fuel into the Poljud Stadium in Croatia and are lucky enough to see the likes of Knife Party, Avicii, Fedde Le Grand, Nicky Romero, Porter Robinson, Sander Van Doorn, Arty and others. They will also forever remember Carl Cox and his Friends Arena bringing along Luciano, Adam Beyer, Umek, Art Department and Guy Gerber, capping it all off with a two hour set for the record books.
Day 2
Wow, how do you top that kind of lineup? With the God of Trance himself Armin Van Buuren! And then some other no names like Krewella, Hardwell, Afrojack, W&W, half the Bingo Players and legends of the game Chase & Status. Just a bunch of names right? Wrong. Afrojack and AVB played back to back for three and a half hours, and Krewella played a set that truly defines their greatness. It was all capped by Carl Cox playing a 3 hour set to close a day that saw 9 hours of underground house (mole people music?) and techno showcase from Marco Carola, Reboot, Jamie Jones, Yousef and Jon Rundell.
Day 3
Remember that beach party? You’re going to want to forget that you weren’t there really soon; closing out this record-setting weekend was Cazzette, Chuckie, Dada Life, Nervo and the Asian Jesus himself Steve Aoki. We all now have 50,000 people that we can hate forever. Well, on top of the other 50,000 from the first two days. And the 300,000 from Miami. Wait, what was PLUR again? People Love Ultra, Right? Right. Start counting down folks, Ultra Miami is just 8 months away!
