In a festival scene filled with competitors, Kappa FuturFestival has undoubtedly established itself as one of the premier events worldwide. Taking place annually in the post-industrial landscape of Turin’s Parco Dora, it celebrates techno and electronic music in its most intense form—raw, loud, and unabashedly hedonistic. Renowned for its global appeal and heavyweight lineups, Kappa is more than just a festival; it's a pilgrimage for techno enthusiasts and dedicated dance music fans alike.
This year, a record-breaking 120,000 attendees from over 150 countries flocked to Parco Dora. With six stages, 36 hours of music, 14 official afterparties, and 118 artists performing, the scale is mind-boggling. Curating your personal lineup? Practically impossible. There’s simply too much quality to choose from. But honestly, that’s part of the excitement. CLASH packed our bags and took a short flight to Turin to experience the chaos firsthand and see what this year had to offer.
**Friday**
On the festival's opening day, CLASH commenced our experience with a stroll around Parco Dora to familiarize ourselves with the layout, stages, and crowd energy. Prospa B2B Skream on the Voyager Stage set the mood, fusing innovative productions with respectful nods to the past. Skream, a true icon in the electronic music world, alongside Prospa, the rising production duo making significant waves globally, delivered a vibrant two-hour set that embodied their respective legacies and evolving styles. A thrilling start to the weekend, we made use of the VIP wristbands, taking advantage of the Red Bull terrace for an elevated view of the sprawling crowd.
With a necessary Aperol refill, which was especially refreshing in the thirty-degree heat, we rushed to explore the main attraction, The Futur Stage. This stage, recognized globally, has showcased some of the biggest names in techno and electronic music over the past fifteen years. The evening's lineup featured ANOTR, PAWSA, and Anyma.
After enjoying a snippet of ANOTR’s uplifting electronic tracks, including ‘Relax My Eyes’ and ‘Vertigo’, PAWSA delivered an energetic standout set. A familiar face at Kappa, having performed multiple times before, this set was tailor-made for him. The tech-house heavyweight, a co-founder of Solid Grooves, presented heavy-hitting tracks like ‘TOO COOL TO BE CARELESS’, ‘Dirty Cash’, and ‘PICK UP THE PHONE’ to enthusiastic cheers. Capping off the night was deep house and melodic techno powerhouse Anyma, who left no detail overlooked in his highly anticipated set. With stunning visuals, mind-bending synths, and thumping kicks, the Italian-American DJ/producer demonstrated precisely why he has been a focal point on the global stage.
Just a few hours in and we were enthralled by the venue. The remnants of a once-active production plant harmonized beautifully with the natural surroundings, creating a perfect fusion of nostalgic ’90s events and contemporary rave culture. The thoughtfully designed layout of stages, bars, and access points made navigating the site a breeze.
**Saturday**
Returning for day two of the festival, the Futur Stage was already a whirlwind of activity. A sea of Australian flags and accents filled the area as Dom Dolla took the stage, exuding the confidence of an artist at the peak of his career. His bass-heavy sound commanded attention, launching with high energy, spectacular drops, and infectious grooves. It was evident that many artists at Kappa were enhancing their tracks, each delivering harder, more intense versions to satisfy the techno-loving global audience.
Stepping away from the Futur Stage for a drink break, we explored the Solar Stage, which showcased heavier techno. This designated area was undeniably intense, with devoted Kappa fans jumping, dancing, and simply enjoying the atmosphere. Costumes, balloons, and puppets filled the scene, radiating a festive and vibrant party vibe. One of the most remarkable aspects of the festival experience was the near absence of phones; at Kappa, it felt refreshingly analogue, reminiscent of a time when attendees came to dance rather than document everything. This collective immersion, increasingly rare, felt especially powerful.
Although captivated by the heavyweights at the Futur Stage, there was still time to explore other areas, such as the Kosmo Stage, which loudly proclaimed ‘Dance Now, Think Later’ in a warm orange hue. Smaller than other stages, this cozy area allowed for some personal space while dancing. If you prefer being close to the DJ, the Kosmo stage is perfect for that.
One of the day’s most eagerly awaited sets occurred as Anyma and Solomun took to the Voyager Stage for an electrifying two-hour B2B session in the early evening. While this time didn’t feature Anyma's extravagant visuals, it was energizing to see both artists feed off each other's track
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Amidst a festival scene teeming with competitors, Kappa FuturFestival has undeniably established itself as one of the premier events globally. Taking place