FOR – A FABULOUS OPENING OF THE SUMMER FESTIVAL SEASON

Although new to the summer festival circuit in Croatia, it is safe to say that FOR has most definitely earned its place amongst the already impressive season of music festivals in sunny Croatia.

The fantastically thought out line-up and the chilled out intimate atmosphere in the most beautiful of settings is not likely to be forgotten amongst those who were lucky enough to be part of this spectacular event that took place in Hvar last weekend.

As I am left torn between the urge to tell the world about this magnificent festival and the selfish desire to keep such a laidback event a hidden gem for those who truly appreciate the heavenly combination of good music and pure island hedonism, one thing is sure…FOR has quickly acquired a lot of avid fans who eagerly await news of the festival’s return next year.
When all is danced and done, the strongest impression that remains on par with the brilliant performances of the genre-pushing artists, who represent the driving force of everything that is fresh and exciting in music today, is definitely the festival’s brilliantly executed schedule.

After years of festival hopping, I have finally found an event where the music was presented through a comfortably relaxed rhythm that left ample time to explore the many other dimensions of the beautiful island the festival was named after.

So many elements came together seamlessly during FOR – the setting, the music, the laidback atmosphere that, unlike times when the lingering exhaustion lasted longer than the actual festival, I left the island feeling like I’ve just come back from a perfectly relaxing and secluded vacation…
With a strong sense of sonic identity, Modular, Australia’s prominent record label and the festival’s organiser, took us on a musical journey that has enriched our experience and renewed our desire to keep on exploring musical boundaries. Listening to Nicholas Jaar wending the crowd into a dreamy trance and James Blake’s transcending emotive vocals at the acoustically immaculate and stylish Veneranda club were amongst my personal peak moments of FOR.

Combining these laidback performances at the Veneranda club with the more upbeat sets of Jacques Greene, Tensnake, Horse Meat Disco and others that kicked ass on the dance floor of the luxurious Carpe Diem Beach located on one of the Pakleni islands, just a short boat ride from Hvar, FOR felt like a colossal musical Odyssey that left me wishing I were Penelope stuck on this gorgeous shore, sipping away cocktails and watching the sun rise over Hvar over and over again, awaiting the return of the night gone by dancing to the funky tunes of James Murphy and 2manydjs.

To have attended this was a pleasure and a reminder of what life is about – new experiences, pursuit of creative inspiration and yes…an occasional enjoyment of full-on, guilt-free hedonism. As Dostoyevsky wrote, “In the overflow of life, you seek forgetfulness…” For three amazing days, the combination of FOR and the magical island of Hvar offered this exact overflow of life, offering a respite from the mechanics of our everyday lives and an oblivion towards everything that was not put to the function of utter and true hedonism…

Anna Tucker