And what a first outing it proved to be! Keeping numbers to an intimate 500, the brief for the event was simple - provide quality dance music to dance music lovers in a picture perfect setting. The Garden, Petrcane ticked every box and more.
The venue has been purpose-built to play host to small festivals of this nature and offers promoters the chance to showcase live and visual acts as well as DJs. With entertainment very much in mind, each act focused on getting (slightly pink) bodies on the dance floor, and a range of musical genres showcased by both local and international talent ensured that punters enjoyed everything from a sunset house groove to a full on techno rampage.
The Garden Beside the Beach
The beauty of The Garden is that, being situated right on the beach, it offers festival goers the chance to swim, snorkel and sunbathe, and generally enjoy all the activities of a traditional sun holiday while checking out some of the early afternoon entertainment on the lineup.
Standout sets of the pre-sunset hours on Saturday and Sunday respectively were those provided by Dublin’s Handsome Paddy and Donal Dineen. Unfortunately for the former, the antics of the Friday night had obviously left some people slightly the worse for wear, so there was a poorer turn out than was worthy of this incredible showcase of DJing talent. Without a doubt, one of the most technically accomplished and musically varied sets of the entire weekend.
Klock and Dettmann at Airbound 2009
Other highlights included an absolutely stunning live set by Chymera aka Bren Gregoriy in the Barbarella club on the Friday night. A flawless set that just seemed to get better with each track dropped. Then just when it looked like the trump tune had been played, the next offering had even more hands in the air and sweaty sunburned bodies on the (rather too small) dance floor.
This was followed on the Saturday night by absolute stompers from Ben Klock and Marcel Dettmann. Techno at its thrilling best, mixed to perfection and delivered to an appreciative crowd who knew they were witnessing something pretty special. Sets just don’t get much better.
Eating Out and Accommodation in Petrcane
The village of Petrcane itself is still quaint and unspoiled with a good range of restaurants offering the standard holiday fare of pasta, pizza and steak. Fresh fish is (naturally enough for a fishing village) the specialty in most restaurants and is probably the best bet for a really tasty meal. Prices haven’t yet reached the level of other European holiday destinations, although it is not as cheap as might be expected for such a small resort.
Accommodation is plentiful with the 3 star Hotel Pinija offering a more comfortable stay if you want to be right on the beach front, plus a range of slightly less comfortable but perfectly adequate apartments for rent throughout the village. Be warned though, the locals haven’t quite gotten used to the dance music invasion, and any noise whatsoever past midnight will not be appreciated!
A Dance Music Festival to Consider for 2010
All in all this year’s Airbound must be considered an unqualified success and both promoters and production managers alike should give themselves props for a very well run and hugely enjoyable festival. No doubt next year’s event will improve on the very minor issues that cropped up and put Airbound firmly on the European dance music map. Definitely one to consider for 2010.
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