Garden Festival 2012 in 2005 The Garden Zadar had already established itself as one of the best loved and most musically adventurous additions to Croatians nightlife and culture.

The festival was held in The Garden Petrcane for the first 6 years, and this summer was in a brand new site, The Garden Tisno, after Nick and Charlotte from TGF approached the hotel Pinija to use their land.  

When they were shown around this fabulous 70s designed complex, set on a pine tree covered peninsula with a circular nightclub, large outdoor terrace and a circular beachfront cocktail bar they knew it would be the perfect location for an intimate boutique festival.

So, they set about renovating the site, called on their contacts from years working in the dance music underground, and started to put together the first Garden Festival in 2006. People wondered if Petrcane could ever be bettered, so we decided we needed to see what the festival was all about in its new home.

The Festival has 3 main areas, The Terrace hosting the main live stage, Tiki Bar, also with its own dance floor terrace overlooking the sea and then there is Barbarella’s Discotheque for the after-parties. Let’s not forget the boat parties!!

Getting to/from the festival was very easy, with plenty of taxis at the entrance and water taxis from the beach. There were posters in the surrounding towns with taxi numbers and water taxi pickup points.

The facilities onsite were plentiful and clean, there was rarely a queue for the toilets or showers. And both were permanent structures, with large mirrors perfect for the girls.  There were a few food stalls onsite including a curry stand, which did a really lovely chicken curry and a burger stand that did enormous very tasty beef burgers.

The Boutique camping looked very cool, with big safari style tents sleeping up to 4 people, and a separate dressing area in each tent. There were also apartment’s onsite, which were for 3 or 4 people.

Arriving on Thursday to what can only be described as the most chilled out ticket office we have ever seen. With no queue we went straight in, collected our wristbands and then we were off. This set the tone for the whole festival…with the most chilled out vibe.

We walked down the windy little path not really knowing where we were going or what was going to be at the end and were greeted by a floating dance floor and an amazing view out onto the islands. It was a truly breath taking moment, we was definitely getting into the mood by this point. 

Throughout the day people were either dancing on the floating stage in front of the DJ booth, lying on beanbags by the Prosecco Bar, swimming in the crystal clear water or chilling on white sofas by the Vodka bar.

Thursday saw Get Deep take to the seas on the Argonaughty boat party, 2pm saw the Get Deep residents take to the decks and had the dance floor rocking as soon as the music started.

Prosumer was indeed the highlight headlining the boat in the sunshine, until recently Panorama Bar (Berlin) resident and its clear to see why, technically one of the best and most varied DJ's we have ever seen. With a record collection that anyone would die for, it was a perfect end to a boat party. Having already seen Prosumer on the boat it was going to be hard to see how he would adapt his style to headline the beach stage, but again it was hugely varied as he played to the crowd attracting droves of people.

Nicolas Jaar really got the crowd into a frenzy with his electronica set and 2020 Sound. You should definitely check them out,they are a London label so see if you can catch them when you get home, for some pure funky electro. 

Thusday nights after party was hosted by Louche, the Leeds based crew is infamous on the house music circuit and are a sell out on almost every night they put on. The crowd was disappointed that Dyed missed his flight so Laura Jones and Gavin Herlihy filled in but a little repetitive sadly.

Brinsley kazak followed on to what can only be described as one of the best sets we have ever seen him play. A hugely diverse set of pumping techno, deep house with some nice little interludes of vocal house. He left the crowd chanting for one more tune!! 

Barbarellas was an open air club in forest style surroundings, very cool. These parties continued every night until 7am. Friday's highlight's were undoubtedly Greg Wilson and Kenny Dope. Greg Wilson's set sums up what Garden is all about, an amazing light show of beautiful colours and a set that had everyone singing along. Wilson has an amazing ability to remix songs no matter how cheesy and bad taste then adapting then to create one of the most loved up happy vibes we witnessed at the festival. 

Kenny Dope's birthday bash was as expected, the setting was perfect an open air club how you would imagine Ibiza to be back when they first discovered the Island. He played an electic mix of old and new owning the stage and the atmosphere in the club was fantastic. He played everything from R&B to funk, groove and deep disco house you can see that this man was one of the true pioneers of house music.

The futureboogie boys took to the seas to show that they are the true kings of the sea. A boat party that had people queuing and begging for any spare tickets. Its easy to see why, a boat that wast full of sunshine, good times and all round love. 

Sundays highlights were the regulars to Garden Crazy P Soundsytem, they kicked off what was to be a fanatstic end to a weekend with Eats Everything showing what a true man of the moment can do. Hands down one of the best DJ sets we have ever seen, he absolutely smashed it. Owning the DJ booth and showing so much passion, talent and raw entusiam, he finished to a good 5 minute standing ovation. 

Other highlights Session Victim on the Wolf music boat party and Applepips with Appleblim, were an incredible way to end what can only be described as one of the best festivals ever.

Its clear that organisers have taken so much time to think about every element of this festival and that’s what makes it so special. From sound production, a chilled out atmosphere, breathtaking setting, amazing music and lovely people, with an intimate feel what more could you ask for?

So just remember ssssshhhh, Sunshine, goodtimes and memories and friends that will last a lifetime.

Photos:Heather Shuker