Sven Väth on a magical summer and 10 years of Sonus Festival in Croatia

SUMMER is in full swing and we are pleased to bring you a series of ten amazing DJ playlists over the coming weeks in association with one of Europe’s best techno hot spots, Croatia’s Sonus Festival as they celebrate their tenth anniversary between 20 and 24 August on the infamous Pag Island.

To kick things off we caught up for a chat with Sven Väth, one of the legendary DJs who has helped make Sonus Festival the ultimate alternative to Ibiza. Picking up where we left off at the end of last year when we sat down with Sven in London (READ HERE), we had a lot to catch up on with the imminent release of his Catharsis remix album, his Catharsis residency in Ibiza and of course his thoughts on Sonus Festival celebrating their first decade of events.

Following the interview with Sven, one of the founders of Sonus Festival, Robin Ebinger tells us why it has become one of the most talked about European techno summer celebrations, plus listen to a playlist of music selected by the Sonus team, featuring tracks which have become part of Sonus folklore providing some of those special moments over the last decade.

Over the coming weeks we will be bringing you another 9 playlists from artists playing at the festival and to give you more insight into Sonus Festival.

But before we listen to the music, let’s find out how Sven Väth has been getting on this year and what summer 2023 is looking like for him.

Hi Sven, how has this year been so far and what is this summer looking like?

“This year I started my world tour again in Asia for the first time since the pandemic. I went to Australia, North and South America, Europe of course. It’s been great the last 6 months, but also very exhausting. But the energy at all the gigs was just overwhelming. It’s summer now and the festival season is in full swing. It’s a great atmosphere everywhere, that feels so good.”

You have been teasing dance floors since last year with some of the remixes on your new Catharsis Remix album which is due for release next month. Can you tell us about the artists you chose to remix your special work from last year?

“I really enjoyed asking some artists to do the remixes that I’ve admired for years. First and foremost Roman Flügel, Robert Hood and Luke Slater, since they have been companions for over 30 years. No less important are all the other artists, who have all delivered excellent interpretations: Mano Le Tough, Robag Wruhme, Krystal Klear, Damiano von Erckert, Benjamin Damage, Jonathan Kaspar, Harald Björk and Florian Hollerith. The remixes all really rock!!!”

You are a regular at Sonus Festival in Croatia who are celebrating their 10th anniversary this August. You have worked with these guys on so many projects over the years from Time Warp to Love Family Park and Sonus. Can you give us your thoughts and feelings on Sonus Festival as they head towards their decade milestone for this amazing festival?

“Pag is a very special island with mostly sparse vegetation. It feels a bit like being on another planet with deep blue water all around you. Sonus is not only an extraordinary festival because of its geographical location, also because the various “Stages” are all individual open-air clubs, each a highlight in itself. There is dancing day and night and there are great moments when the sun rises and sets and a very international celebration audience. Happy anniversary Sonus Festival!”

We are looking forward to seeing you also in August at your summer Catharsis residency in Ibiza at Las Dalias and Akasha. This will be our first time at the venue and we can’t wait, it looks amazing. How have the parties been so far for you? Why did you choose the venue for this years Catharsis residency?

“After closing the chapter Cocoon Ibiza after 20 years, it was clear to me that I no longer wanted to have a weekly residency in a big club on Ibiza.

Even during the pandemic I took a look at our new place of work and this gave me the opportunity to do something special with the great team at Las Dalias / Akasha. It’s basically 2 parties in one: We start outdoors at Las Dalias in the early evening and then go to Akasha at midnight.

Outside there is that hippie feeling and then the futuristic club as a contrast, unique in sound and design and the DJ booth is in the middle of the club. No tables, no VIP! A magical atmosphere is created for hours. I play freely at these events, usually over 8-10 hours. That’s no longer the case on the island usually. Many of my guests, also coming from the north of Ibiza, are enthusiastic about the vibes, they say this is “100% IBIZA”, that makes me and the whole team very proud.”

Aside from the residency, you are a big presence in Ibiza again this season, visiting a lot of old haunts playing for other parties. What have been stand out so far and what are you looking forward to coming up?

“Yes, that’s right! I play as a guest at Circoloco/DC10, at Amnesia with Joseph Capriati, at Chinois with Ida Engberg, as well as for Storytellers at Cova Santa and again at the end of the season for Afterlife / Tale Of Us at HÏ. These are all cool parties and it’s important to me to show a balanced presence. I’ve played two of these so far and they’ve both been great. Ibiza will always be special for me and for many others too. With the Catharsis events at Las Dalias/Akasha once a month I add my part to beware the magic of the island.”

Thanks Sven, see you on the dance floor!

Next up co-founder of Sonus Festival Robin Ebinger tells us about the magic of Pag Island in Croatia and why it has to be on your bucket list of international party experiences.

“At Sonus, the party truly goes around the clock for nearly an entire week. As one party ends under the sunset, the next one continues through the night, and with a little rest in between, the next club opens its doors for a day rave, and the cycle continues. Being able to have that under an open sky with picturesque surroundings on all sides really gives it that magic that a lot of people wish for on the dancefloor.”

“Many people are faced with the decision whether they will spend their precious time off on holiday or at a festival. With Sonus both worlds are available to our guests on Pag Island. Every guest is able to strike their own personal balance between partying and relaxing, between exploring new music and exploring the beautiful surroundings.”

“There aren’t many festivals where you are so close to the sea, or nature for that matter. It really is just a matter of stepping out of the club and there it is! It’s not only naturally beautiful, but also has a unique, alien feel to it with the rocky, moon-like landscape – perhaps all the more fitting to the futuristic electronic music playing at our event.”

“Our line up is obviously also a main attraction. With more than 60 artists consisting mostly of international headliners, we have electronic music’s finest all converging on one spot – and the international rave community in tow. You get a very colorful mix of people, and each of them is able to find exactly the music and vibe they are looking for at any given time.“

“It’s worth mentioning that the clubs we are hosting Sonus in are among the top-ranked clubs in the entire world. Production quality is our top priority as a team, and with Sonus that’s no different. Each of the 3 clubs has its own feel, which morphs into something entirely else at night, effectively giving guests 8 different open-air experiences.”

SONUS FESTIVAL 10TH ANNIVERSARY PLAYLIST – Compiled by the team behind Sonus Festival, Croatia 

Three Drives On A Vinyl – Greece 2000 Extended Mix 

(Played by Solomun Closing 2018)

Kobosil – Rigid (Kobosil 44 Rush Mix)

Mari Kvien Brunvoll – Everywhere You Go (Villalobos Celestial Voice Resurrection Mix)

(Played by Ricardo Villalobos 2013)

Shakedown – At Night (Peggy Gou’s Acid Journey Remix)

(Played by Peggy Gou at Sonus Boat Party)

Carl Cox – See the Sun Rising

WhoMadeWho – Hi&Low (Konstantin Sibold Acid Mix) 

Krystal Klear –  Telephone

(Played by Sven Väth 2022)

Kevin de Vries – Dance With Me (Kölsch Remix)

Joseph Capriati – Goa 

Solomun feat. Isolation Berlin – Kreatur der Nacht (Maceo Plex Remix)