Just 30 minutes by boat from Copenhagen lies one of Europe’s most compelling festival locations, Ungdomsøen, a former sea fortress turned cultural playground, and the home of KUNE Festival.
Returning this summer from Wednesday 30th July to Sunday 3rd August, KUNE offers five days of forward thinking music, wellness and community on an island where history and creativity collide.
Now in its fifth edition, KUNE continues to grow quietly and steadily, drawing a curious and open-minded crowd from across the Nordic region and beyond. With a strong DIY ethos and an emphasis on collaboration, the event blends live and DJ performances, installations, workshops and panel discussions into a nourishing cultural experience.
The music runs across long hours, starting each day at midday and stretching well into the morning, peaking across the weekend with sunrise and even post-sunrise sets. Wednesday teases things until 3am, slowly building to on Thursday 7am and Friday – Saturday rocking till 9am. Music will finally conclude at 3pm on the Sunday.
Bookings hold a common thread of mind-expanding music which fits the festival’s cerebral direction. A hefty dose of trance-leaning selectors arrives via the likes of Sybil, Shjva and Reptant. Three artists who’s output has been significantly taste-making in recent times with many records and live sets under their belt.
Ukranian power duo Karine & Shakolin are also on board, bringing their infectious spirit and natural chemistry in another back-to-back set. Thorgerdur Johanna is another unique booking, the Iceland born and Norway based selector is known for her intriguing selections and approach to DJing. We caught up with her last year in this feature.
It’s safe to say KUNE Festival is a place to discover new music. The carefully selected line-up spans a wide variety of tastes and genres, each with an ear towards intrigue and curiosity. Below is the full line-up of music, visuals, art performances, and activities.
However, the setting itself shapes the experience. Built in the 19th century as a military defence post, the island has been reimagined as a youth-oriented space for cultural exploration hosting up to 2,500 people. 1,000 camping spots and indoor accommodation are available in the old dormitories. Historic bunkers become listening rooms, old stone courtyards turn into dance floors and the sea-facing hills offer some view therapy.
There’s a holistic quality to KUNE. It’s not just about the music or the art in isolation, but how they interact with the island’s geography and energy. You might swim at sunrise, discuss local arts and culture at noon, then lose yourself in immersive visuals after dark. A thorough wellness schedule includes activities like breathwork and yoga, tarot readings and a green tea circle. It’s a ‘space for deliberate discovery’ to quote themselves.
The festival is organised by a passionate, all-volunteer NGO made up of over 30 individuals working year-round to bring the bi-annual project to life. Artists, designers, musicians and organisers come together not only to build the event, but to uphold its vision: that culture can challenge perspectives, foster community and encourage positive change.
Arriving to the site by boat creates a unique psychological shift, like entering a temporary society where everyday structures are left behind. That sense of shared space and purpose gives the festival a rare cohesion, where audience, artist and organiser all feel part of something being made in real-time.
Whether you’re there for the full five-day journey, a weekend visit, or just a single sunrise-to-sunrise dive, KUNE offers a rare opportunity to disconnect, learn something new and listen to some mind blowing music.
Filmed during the last edition of KUNE, “Sound Of Escape” is a visual time capsule. A living postcard of sorts, capturing the emotions that best describe a particular niche of electronic music. Through a hypnotic approach, the short film delves into the Nordic electronic music scene through a series of interviews with DJs and producers, offering a nuanced insight into its importance and significance.
Buy tickets for KUNE Festival here and read more about the festival on their website.
You can watch the documentary here.
