Intro:
These days, location is as important as line-up when it comes to the festival market. One event that trumps all other sin this field is Love Festival, which takes place on the ldilicc island of Aruba. It is a Caribbean island with a carnival feel that is both Dutch and Aruban, so has a colourful mixture of cultures as well as white sand beaches, hidden coves and warm tropical seas, all doused in red hot sun.
This year the festival promises to be better than ever and takes place from the 1st to the 5th of November 2017 on the hottest island in the Dutch Caribbean with world class house and techno from Roger Sanchez, Carlo Lio, Bontan, Dennis Ferrer, Prok & Fitch and Technasia amongst many others. Here we speak to one of the team behind it all about his day to day job, the diversity of the festival, the locals and what challenges and joys the whole thing has presented.
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Love Festival, which takes place on the ldilicc island of Aruba. It is a Caribbean island with a carnival feel that is both Dutch and Aruban, so has a colourful mixture of cultures as well as white sand beaches, hidden coves and warm tropical seas, all doused in red hot sun.
This year the festival promises to be better than ever and takes place from the 1st to the 5th of November 2017 on the hottest island in the Dutch Caribbean with world class house and techno from Roger Sanchez, Carlo Lio, Bontan, Dennis Ferrer, Prok & Fitch and Technasia amongst many others. Here we speak to one of the team behind it all about his day to day job, the diversity of the festival, the locals and what challenges and joys the whole thing has presented.
Interview:
Introduce yourself and tell us about your role at the festival?
My brother and I own a media company which happens to love music. So we are in the world of billboards, printing and a dance radio station. Not so long ago we started our club too. By accident we are into festival. We were organizing a party for the launching of our sun care brand and noticed the dancing people and happy faces dancing on the beats. We actually have lived in Holland for many years and we know dance music for over 25 years. Back in the days we knew places like The Roxy and It. We are talking about the beginning 90’s so it felt like revolution. So the music is in our DNA but that doesn’t mean its in everybody’s DNA. So our role is to spread the religion. And it’s really fun to spread the love on this pearl in the Caribbean called Aruba.
What have been the hardest things to get right at the festival, the biggest challenges?
Aruba is a small island so sometimes it’s hard to get what you need. You have to think way ahead if you need to ship it in. Especially if you try to give a party or festival. But on the other side it challenges you to be creative.
What is Aruba like? What is the spirit of the place?
I consider Aruba as a piece of heaven surrounded by a beautiful ocean. See it as a little village with a lot of visitors from all over the world. Please keep in mind Aruba is a Dutch colony where the French the Spanish and Englishman men also have ruled for some time. So we communicate in 4 different languages without a problem. Aruba is also a very safe place with a pretty high standard of living. So the combination sea, sun and safety and history makes this place a happy place. The slogan is also “ One happy island” .
What is your connection to the island? - when was it that you decided this was the best location for the festival?
We were born here and after some years we left to Holland. As mentioned before the island is part of the Dutch Kingdom but after some years you realize this rock is home. It was not really a strategic decision to do the festival here, it was just the way it was. This is our home and we love our home. We happen to have a nice “ natural playground “ so why not use it.
It’s a mix of Dutch and Caribbean culture right? What are the locals like?
And Latin, Weird ha ha. No, you will get used to it. Often when we get friends over they are fascinated by the fact that we are so multi cultural and open minded. All kind of religions and colors and languages you will find over here but everybody respects each other. So at school we have dutch reading books but outside we speak the native language Papiamento. Also we have certain dutch traditions in the middle of the Caribbean. It often creates hilarious situations. If you want to witness a Christmas tree with snow in the tropical heat just come to Aruba. I’s all possible. But I believe that’s the power. And it also reflects in the festival.
Are they involved in the festival at all, musically or on a production level?
Well, for example with carnival it seems like everybody is playing an instrument. Maybe not on the highest level but I was fascinated by the fact that I saw so many musicians all over the place. And if you cant play an instrument you dance. So music is something people here cant without. We have local bands playing but also local dj’s and these guys are really good. We call them local heroes.
How important is it to have a diverse crowd and diverse line-up that is a nice spread of sexualities, genders and ethnicities?
It’s always nice to have a mix of people. So this year we have introduced a “ new” stages called the the “ Caribbean stage”. We would like to offer some local sounds too. Besides that we also have created a stage for the LGBT community with dancers etc. Aruba is a mixture of everything so it would fit in the concept. So we have really deep tech guys, underground, some club music combined with some local drums and happy carnival music and this all next to the sea under the stars. Live and let live and let’s enjoy the ride while it last.
For you what is the best bit of the festival? What do you enjoy most?
Happy people. It gives so many energy once everything is rolling and you see people are having a great time. Priceless.
Any tips for people going for the first time on what to eat or drink or what to pack?
Yes, travel light. There is not much you will need over here. We have sun, sea, great music and happy smiles. You will be amazed. I promise you.
Musically, what it the vibe of Love Festival? What sort of sounds and DJs can people heat?
We try to stay cozy, intimate. Aruba on itself is relaxed place with a nature setting. Playing loud EDM-ish kind of music would not fit in this setting. No, we rather go for the high quality music. Maybe the dj’s don’t have the most likes compared to the commercial ones but we don’t care. We stick with our guns and quality dj’s and I will assure you, the greatest music sounds even better with sea view and a lit sky by stars.