If you reside outside of Croatia, it’s likely that Šibenik has not crossed your radar – a locale characterized by a charming blend of historical sites, scenic coastlines, and lively local culture. Over the weekend, the SHIP festival presented a music showcase worth dreaming about; spread across six distinctive venues throughout the city, it offered a splendid opportunity to experience Croatia through the lens of live performances, sunshine, and diverse musical acts from across Europe.
The festival features The Hull and The Deck, located atop the hill at St Michael’s Fortress, which volunteers highlighted as a historic lookout point for spotting sea invasions. Nearby, Azimut and The Green, one indoor and one outdoor venue, are positioned right by the coast. The Tunnel, a short bus ride away, resides in a former WW2 bunker and features impressive lighting arrangements and visuals for electronic artists; House Of Art Arsen, located near Azimut, is an indoor venue that hosts both conferences and concerts.
To dive into the action on Thursday night, Azimut was the place to be, with bands performing until 2 am. Being situated by the water, Azimut is a beloved local venue and drew a large crowd. ZHIVA put on a show that had attendees dancing freely. Even without understanding the lyrics, the rhythm, melodies, and energy made it easy to enjoy the band’s performance. Following that, a sizable audience was captivated by Lucy Dreams' unique act, featuring performers in oversized suits and wizard-like robes interacting with an electric orb while employing shoegaze-inspired vocal effects.
On Friday, I AM YANK delivered a captivating performance from the heights of St Michael’s Fortress, with the frontperson reading from an ancient book, adding a quirky twist to their act. A film drone was observed hovering around The Hull, likely capturing aerial views of the open-air venue. Unlike spaces in the U.K., The Hull efficiently utilized the area, with fewer distractions.
Marko Bošnjak then took the stage at The Deck, showcasing a quirky, unapologetic display of LGBTQ+ affirming pop music, complete with high-energy dance moves and humorous interludes. His impressive vocals and comical handling of minor issues during the performance exuded confidence, making it feel intentional. Following him, Ukraine's 2022 Eurovision victors, Kalush Orchestra, delivered an energetic rap performance filled with acrobatics, light chases, and a lively pantomime vibe that engaged many fans, some wrapped in Ukrainian flags.
Next on The Hull was Smag På Dig Selv, with Oliver Lauridsen on tenor saxophonist and Thorbjorn Øllgaard alternating between baritone and bass saxophones, creating a breathtaking performance of harmonious yet competitive sax duels. The night concluded with Čuvarkuća, who praised Azimut as perhaps the best music venue in Croatia. They humorously donned high-visibility gear on stage as a cheeky suggestion to photographers to avoid using flashes while capturing them. It was a fantastic conclusion to an exciting Friday.
On Saturday, we explored some local culture, the coastline, and various UNESCO heritage sites around the city. In the evening, we returned to St Michael’s Fortress to catch Leeds’ Adult DVD at The Deck. The band has been gaining momentum lately following the release of their second EP and a series of summer festival performances across the U.K. and Europe. It would be an understatement to say the crowd was excited; their synth-driven tunes captivated the audience, fully utilizing the closed-roof venue to elevate the atmosphere. Near the end, frontman Harry Hanson rallied the crowd, lifting his arms to incite excitement in the front row.
The festival closed at The Green with a bold performance by Scottish rapper Chachy against the backdrop of a breezy sea. Meanwhile, at The Tunnel, late-night festival attendees enjoyed an impressive light show alongside a succession of electronic sets, with DJs MSN GF and GABI98 going back-to-back to end the night spectacularly.
In summary, SHIP festival was exceptional. The joyous faces of the festival workers and volunteers, primarily musicians dedicated to preserving the surrounding culture, reflected the event's genuine enchantment. If a festival is judged by its workers, then SHIP is undoubtedly the place to be.
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Words: Henry Swales
Photo Credit: Valerio Baranović
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If you reside outside of Croatia, it's likely that you haven't come across Šibenik - a place featuring a subtle blend of historic sites.