Sardinia sees a new class of festival as Vineyard Music Experience take the island’s north for their first ever edition, boasting a monster lineup across three days.
Adding to the August heat in Sardinia, Vineyard Music Experience takes things up a notch as they bring an impressive curation to the island’s north. Capitalising on Sardinia’s natural beauty, they plant themselves bang in the middle of the island’s northern point, with Locanda in Vigna playing host to the festival over the course of 3 days, 11th-13th of August. The Italian for ‘Locanda in Vigna’ translates to English as ‘the Inn in the Vineyard’ so that tells you all you need to know about the surroundings for the festival, and inspiration behind the name for the festival. Also wine heads, it’s safe to say you will not be disappointed, especially when thinking of usual festival beverage options!
Hitting out with some of house, techno and electro’s heaviest names, Vineyard Music Experience thought about more than just the location and the wine! With the likes of Mano Le Tough, Gerd Janson, Quest and Francesco Del Garda heading the bill, you know you are in the safest of hands when it comes to music selections.
Day one ushers in some serious dancing curating a lineup stacked with dark and energetic sounds, Vineyard crew have called upon Danza Tribale records’ boss Adiel, who brings her unique blend of tribal rhythms and fast-paced 4/4 energy. With an air of mystery and enchantment to her sound, the Rome-based DJ/producer has demonstrated across Panorama Bar, DC10, Concrete and more, as well as having collaborated on studio works with Donato Dozzy, Anthony Linell and other greats, her set is sure to be one for the books.
Experimental, genre-defiant, veritable visionary GNMR also appears on the initial day, imbuing his sensational soundscapes, delving into the deep and the dark, refining grooves from analogue and digital elements with research at the heart of his ethos, interesting to say the least! Italian-born now based out of Berlin, GNMR converts findings from his profession as a producer and incorporates them into his DJ sets.
Fresh on the scene, fellow Italian, Iride, has found herself as a regular name appearing for GOA Ultrabeat at Rome’s Hotel Butterfly, various high-end fashion parties for the likes of Armani, Hugo Boss and more, not to mention having supported the likes of Sonja Moonear, Sweely, Unai Trotti and more you know she has it down!
Lastly, for day one of the festival, but certainly not least, Sama’ Abdulhadi joins the bill, a Palestinian producer and DJ who has seen herself play the likes of Glastonbury, Coachella and Circoloco, as well as collaborate with top names such as Tom Morello and Richie Hawtin. With such a wealth of experience and expertise under her belt, Sama’ continues to use her emotive, driving sound to concrete the necessity and importance of activism, supporting Palestinian artists through initiatives such as Union and Resilience, Bring Back Beirut and the like.
Day two hears more mellow melodies and housier dynamics as VME offer another thoughtful curation. With this in mind, they call upon Sunflower parties co-creator and Tenax club resident since ’05, Italian artist Cole, who has more experience than most in delivering top-tier selections, soundtracking parties with the likes of Marcel Dettman, Dennis Cruz, Gianmarco Orsini, DMX krew and more, that’s just in the last two years.
Founder of GOA club’s infamous Nozoo party and founder of the revered Animae records Fabrizio Sala is a fundamental in the Italian minimal techno scene and maintains prolific input throughout his career. Blending sounds from electro, minimal techno and house, Fabrizio always brings the party in style, keeping it as cool as it is grooving, and boy is it grooving!
Next addition to day two’s lineup needs little introduction, Francesco Del Garda, often heralded as one of Italy’s great crate-diggers, the man is known for pulling endless electronic gems from his record bag, ranging from slept-on classics to downright rare bits. A regular on the international festival circuit and appearing at some of the world’s most hotly tipped venues has not resulted in any signs of slowing or stagnation; sets from him never fail to amaze.
Drawing influence from mythology, theology and more, imaging them through the lenses of itty bits of colourful blotting paper – as if combined in the grand, ancient temple of Karnak itself. Karnak on acid conjures up the stuff of legend as he fuses electronic, house and techno sounds with those from across the globe. Dope!
Next up is another Italian who needs little introduction, from straight-up alien electro to devilish dancing music, Quest has more than made a name for himself across the globe and will be appearing fresh off the back of performances at Houghton, Dekmantel, Junction 2, Sophie festival and the inimitable Love International, a very much in demand artist without a doubt.
Day three features an eclectic selection of artists, cementing a weekend of unforgettable moments, people and surroundings. True legend and Running Back label boss Gerd Janson takes to the stage with his signature fusion of house, disco and deeper cuts, as a veteran of the scene Gerd has been making waves across dancefloors worldwide since 1998. His extensive discography reflects his commitment to the craft, in tandem with a rich history of holding down some of the tightest dancefloors – especially as a regular face at Frankfurt’s Robert Johnson over the years.
Irish export and internationally renowned electronic music producer/DJ, Mano Le Tough is welcomed to the Vineyard on the last day. Now based in Germany the versatile artist has made his work known through notable releases on Permanent Vision and Dj Koze’s Pampa. Blessed with an eclectic adaptability, Mano finds himself a regular on the global circuit, performing DJ sets at Panorama Bar, Fabric, Circoloco and the like.
Rounding out Wednesday’s lineup, Italian artist Romano Alfieri brings a blend of funky, house, through to techno and electro. As a household name at the likes of Tenax club, Sankeys Ibiza and Pisa’s Dress Code, his musical prowess extends to having secured releases on some top labels such as All Inn Limited and Bla Bla music, as well as having seen his work remixed by Todd Terry out on a Watergate Berlin compilation. With a wealth of appearances at Park Life, OFF Sonar, Time Warp and more, he’s no stranger to a festival set.
Speaking Minds also appears on the final day of Vineyard Music Experience, having seen releases on Riotvan, Robert Johnson’s 25-year compilation and more recently, Laurent Garnier’s Cod3 QR label. Having been in the game for well over a decade, Speaking Minds has seen himself performing at a host of top spots, from Watergate to Shelter to ADE.
Last but certainly not least, Tiga is a name known to most, for the hybridisation of pop music and club culture, founder of Turbo Recordings and boasting an extensive discography spanning over 200 releases, having worked with legends such as Depeche Mode, Moby and Pusha T, it’s safe to say the term is most applicable to the Canadian artist also. As a vocalist, DJ and producer, Tiga flexes artistry across the board whilst maintaining his signature sound with releases across K7, Drumcode and an impressive selection of other top labels over the years.
A healthy crop of top-tier artists, primed for some sweet tones over 3 days in the vineyards of Northern Sardinia, very well played from VME as revellers are set to reap the seeds they’ve sown throughout the festival.
Lineup: (A-Z)
Adiel
Cole
Fabrizio Sala
Francesco Del Garda
Gerd Janson
GNMR
Iride
Karnak On Acid
Mano Le Tough
Philipp
Quest
Romano Alfieri
Sama’ Abdulhadi
Speaking Minds
Tiga
An hour’s drive from the Arzachena province’s capital, Arzachena the festival site is easily accessible despite its remote location and unique topography, better yet VME’s site has a journey planner tool to help you get there – check it out here.
Tickets are available here.
More info on Vineyard Music Experience
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