The Secret Garden 2010

Dreaming about an article on the eve of one’s deadline could be interpreted in probably just the two slants. And given that it’s a damp squib of a February morning I’ll err on the positive and conclude that this July’s double whammy at The Garden Festival has been singled out by my subconscious as the blazing light at the end of the dark, wintry tunnel.

As The Skinny noted last year there’s bespoke, electronic festival wonders in abundance on the Croatian coast throughout the summer, and specifically from July 2 to the 11 as the headline event at the Petrcane site shines a wondrous assault upon sea, sun and seasonal sound-tracking. The two thousand capacity event, hugging its own tree-shadowed neuk on the fringes of the historic fishing town, presents its fifth edition with a definitive who’s who of house and disco.

Essentially two long weekends of entertainment are co-joined giving the opportunity to explore the many sites of local interest during the less-hectic days in between. Fresh from the organisers is the news of a new purpose built stage while “the quest for perfect sound will continue and we are putting more lighting up in the pine trees to make everything that bit more twinklier.” A further addition this year will be a midweek outdoor cinema (the site is still accessible outwith the main weekends) and further platforms constructed upon on the ocean that double as dancing or sunbathing posts depending on the mood.

The line-up sees debut appearances from sulky Detroit anti-hero Moodymann (aka Kenny Dixon Jr.) and the Sub Club’s Saturday Subculture team, who decamp en masse for the first weekend. Harri and Domenic will present a day-time ‘Sub-marine’ boat party as well as locking down at the uber-kitsch Barbarellas club on nocturnal duties alongside their Glaswegian deputies Junior and Telford.

The performance of Killer Whale (The Arthur Russell Project) will undoubtedly be the focal point of the second weekend. Russell, who died in 1992 and counted Allen Ginsberg, David Byrne and Larry Levan as collaborators, is cited as a key exponent of house music’s early evolution with iconic releases such as ‘Is It All Over My Face’ (as Loose Joints) and ‘Go Bang’ (Dinosaur L). Most worthy contemporaries Faze Action and Yam Who? team up to perform tracks by the infamous New Yorker while both these artists will be performing under their own moniker’s too. Other Skinny recommends include Henrik Schwarz, Floating Points, Horse Meat Disco and the artists formerly known as Crazy Penis.

Festival ‘vets’ Crazy P, who appear in all manner of forms over the two weeks, are also best placed to give us an insight into how the Garden has grown. Currently they are promoting the event through Croatia, Serbia and Bulgaria. Lead singer Danielle Moore explains; ”It’s to encourage a broader mix of cultures rather than aiming mainly at the UK market, which I think is very important. Tonight we are playing at a 1920's film set where they are serving a five-course meal followed by burlesque entertainment and then we step onto the decks... hopefully everyone will have digested their food by then!” This is an invaluable insight into how this event manages to capture the punters’ imagination and strive for quality. “The intimacy is very important and quite a unique feature these days for most festivals,” she explains. “It certainly makes the Garden festival more of a family experience and not just a hedonistic overload. The music is carefully chosen and not based on big name acts, which again makes it more personal as artists tend to make a holiday of the event rather than just come to play and then leave immediately. Whilst we love playing the large festivals and love the hugeness and variations in audiences, it’s great hanging out with like minded people and a slightly ‘more experienced’ crowd, shall we say. The Garden is also guaranteed (fingers crossed) sunshine - a relatively 50/50 gamble in the UK.”

As mentioned the dates are arranged so there’s ample time to explore nearby Croatian delights. Garden HQ suggests the island of Dugi Otok. “It’s just an hour away by ferry, it is sublime. Azure blue coves, inland lakes and breathtaking views of Kornati. There is only one road on the island and the locals are ridiculously welcoming. It's perfect for a midweek visit, another level of blissfulness. The spectacular waterfalls of Krka are a must too.”

Something tells me missing this festival would be a nightmare.