Over the past decade, the Eastern European nation of Croatia, "the land of a thousand islands", has fast risen and grown into one of Europe's most popular party destinations. Home to renowned house, techno, and bass festivals such as Hideout, Outlook and The Garden Festival, there's now one in particular that stands out from the rest in this seasonal calendar. Still only in its fourth year, Fresh Island Festival, on the island of Pag, prides itself as Europe's premier festival for hip-hop and R&B. Previously bringing the likes of A$AP Rocky and Rick Ross to the white pebble coasts of Zrce beach, this year, billboard-topping names included Migos, Action Bronson, Danny Brown and Joey Bada$$, alongside UK grime elite: JME, Big Narstie and Stormzy.
With a noticeably higher presence of Europeans from surrounding nations at Fresh Island—in comparison to the house and electronic alternatives on offer throughout the summer—room for more exposure amongst countries throughout mainland Europe, is also on the cards. With Croatia failing to export anything of note, its tourism industry has become of paramount importance, with more than 90% of its income owing to this. Well-run, large scale festivals such as Fresh Island, improving year on out, become not only an important fixture in diaries of music fans but a crucial asset to its country of residence also. Word to Croatia-Wave.
The Complex music team headed out to Fresh Island last week (July 14 - July 17) to take in the 24/7 madness of the beach, as well as the boat and night parties. Here's what went down in the scorching-hot Croatian weather...
Over the past decade, the Eastern European nation of Croatia, "the land of a thousand islands", has fast risen and grown into one of Europe's most popular party destinations. Home to renowned house, techno, and bass festivals such as Hideout, Outlook and The Garden Festival, there's now one in particular that stands out from the rest in this seasonal calendar. Still only in its fourth year, Fresh Island Festival, on the island of Pag, prides itself as Europe's premier festival for hip-hop and R&B. Previously bringing the likes of A$AP Rocky and Rick Ross to the white pebble coasts of Zrce beach, this year, billboard-topping names included Migos, Action Bronson, Danny Brown and Joey Bada$$, alongside UK grime elite: JME, Big Narstie and Stormzy.
With a noticeably higher presence of Europeans from surrounding nations at Fresh Island—in comparison to the house and electronic alternatives on offer throughout the summer—room for more exposure amongst countries throughout mainland Europe, is also on the cards. With Croatia failing to export anything of note, its tourism industry has become of paramount importance, with more than 90% of its income owing to this. Well-run, large scale festivals such as Fresh Island, improving year on out, become not only an important fixture in diaries of music fans but a crucial asset to its country of residence also. Word to Croatia-Wave.
The Complex music team headed out to Fresh Island last week (July 14 - July 17) to take in the 24/7 madness of the beach, as well as the boat and night parties. Here's what went down in the scorching-hot Croatian weather...
London club night, Faded, definitely brought the (boat) party.
Sian Anderson was the official DJ and host for Noisey's hilarious grime karaoke event; she kept everyone on their toes.
Man likeStormzy always gets down and dirty with the fans at live shows. Proper gent.
Alongside Sian on grime karaoke hosting duties, was the big dawg: Big Narstie. When he arrived, the gas pipe was fully burst.
ATL big-hitters Migos (minus an incarcerated Offset) turned things all the way up with "Hannah Montana", "Versace", "Fight Night" and other cuts from their Y.R.N. mixtape.
With DJ Statik Selektah and members of his Pro Era crew in support, Joey Bada$$ rocked a packed crowd at club Papaya, with a set that included hits from his debut album, B4.DA.$$, and early mixtape, 1999.
When he stepped on-stage at club Aquarius, Action Bronson further outlined his claim as one of the best performers in the game. Easily the best set of the week, energy-wise, the rapper quite literally worked his way through the entire crowd and gave a people's champ-like performance of his old and new material ("Acting Crazy" went down a storm). We can also confirm Ghostface Killah's claim a week later of him "walking around the club with no shoes on" was, on this occasion, untrue.
The crowd on grime night—the last night—was a slow-builder. But when things were in full swing, it was absolutely glorious! Stepping up after Big Narstie, as part of his Live In The Flesh tour, Stormzy rolled out his street anthems "Not That Deep" and "Know Me From", as well as freestyling over classic riddims like "Functions On The Low" for "Shut Up"—the video for which is now on over 4 million hits online.
Skepta was the one act every British person, we spoke to, was looking forward to the most. Unfortunately though, due to reasons beyond his control, he was unable to make it but sent a worthy cover in his younger brother JME. The Boy Better Know CEO came through with an hour-long set of old mixtape bangers, and some of the newer ones on his Integrity> album too. "Man Don't Care"—as you could probably guess—shut the island down completely.
All images by Ashley Verse.
