Every year thousands of bass music fans trek from across the globe to Croatia for Outlook Festival – a unique annual happening which sees DJs and acts invade a 19th Century military fort, setting up stages in and around the network of tunnels and moats that surround the abandoned ruins.
Ahead of September’s event, the festival’s team are bringing a taste of the bass to the the UAE with a second annual Dubai Launch Party, headlined by Dub Phizix & Strategy and held in conjunction with local promoters Something Big.
We got the lowdown from co-headliner, drum n’ bass DJ, and Outlook artist manager Ant TC1.
The festival started in 2008, growing dramatically from an audience of less than 2,000 in its first year to more than 15,000 today.
“It was quite a novel idea at the time, for outside UK promoters to come in like that and start a festival somewhere else. It started off attracting mainly people from Europe, but now it’s worldwide – we get people flying in from Australia, America, the UAE... you name it. It’s a really unique location that you wouldn’t find anywhere else in the world, and the Croatians have been really relaxed about it all.”
But it’s not going to get any bigger, for now.
“There’s no plans to expand it [further]. The [founders] are really happy, but they almost think it’s got too big. I like most of the acts we bring – there’s of course a few acts that are there to sell a good number of tickets, which wouldn’t have happened at the beginning.”
This year the festival will host 100 Official Launch Parties in 32 different countries, but the Dubai date is the only party in a four-hour flight radius.
“It’s a tough one because it comes down to making sure the party and the promoter really reflect the brand. There’s no point in us putting all our energy into getting the best soundsystem at the festival, and then doing a launch in a club with rubbish sound. We’re clamping down on launch parties and doing a lot less this year.”
It was the crowd at last year’s Dubai boat party which ensured a second time around.
“It was completely full and sold out, and the crowd really went for it. When you get out to sea there’s no eyes on you and everyone relaxes. I didn’t expect it to be that good in Dubai, I wasn’t sure how people would react – but they loved it. It seemed like every single person on that boat was there simply because they wanted to hear us.”
The festival’s most expensive booking to date was Lauryn Hill at last year’s Opening Concert.
“I can’t give you a figure, obviously, but let’s just say I’d like to be paid that much. To be honest if I was [paid that], I’d probably retire. It was a great booking to have, but it definitely came at a price.”
The Outlook Festival Dubai Launch Party takes place on Thursday (April 2) at 10pm, aboard a yacht setting off from Dubai Marina.
Tickets are Dh300 including drinks. Prior reservation is essential on one of the following numbers: 056 649 9728, 050 917 5432, 052 865 6974 or 050 915 7039.
This year's Outlook Festival takes place on September 2-6. See www.outlookfestival.com.