Sunscape Festival

Malta’s Sunscape 2015 lineup complete

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Europe's most intimate island festival returns for its second year inviting festival-revellers to its stunning shores to experience three days of incredible music, art, lifestyle and wellbeing. Having recently received endorsement from the European Capital of Culture, V2018 Foundation, the organisation will be supporting Sunscape into becoming Europe’s main destination for Experiential Art.

For those looking for alternative and experimental music, electroswing, psy-ambient, and live acts, The Reflections Stage at Sunscape will be the place to see the likes of Shpongle and Goldfish (live), not to mention Malta's hottest export Electro-Swing Malta. The Enter Mundos Stage will feature a carefully curated selection of top, local and international underground artists from the House and Techno sphere includingM.A.N.D.Y, DJ T and Audiofly and Maxxi Soundsystem. 

Revellers can also experience a very special showcase from Spanish outfit FACT and Berlin label Serialismfeaturing Livio & Roby, Fur Coat, Konrad Black, Azimute and FACT Worldwide Residents. The newNautilus Stage will see Drum & Bass legends perform hosted by Jamais Vu including LTJ Bukem, Fabio, Grooverider, Bailey, Randall, Jumping Jack Frost and more. The Calypso Lodge will feature exclusive day parties on a breathtaking terrace overlooking the festival site and bay, highlights including Shane Watcha and Elon. For those wanting to take things down a notch, the Star Lounge will host reggae and downtempo music along with plush sofas and cushions to chill out in comfort either in the shade or under the stars. Finally, the Off Grid (Eco Stage) will see unplugged live artists perform directly on the beach – expect drumming circles and acoustic artist, whilst all lighting and amplification powered from alternative sources such as solar or kinetic energy.

Much more than just a music festival Sunscape will programme several areas that provoke thought, empower and broaden the mind. The Transformation Area co-hosted by Why Not? will provide experiential, inspiring and educational workshops from singing and songwriting to astrology, plus meditation sessions and talks on subjects such as Tarot Reading and Mystical Gozo. The Holistic Area will offer a wonderful selection of healing therapies from many different practitioners including Ayurvedic massage, Reiki Healing, Swedish body massage, aromatherapy massage and much more.

This year's festival celebrates Art through architecture and can confirm a live installation will be built during the festival by student architect organisation SACES. Guests will also be able and encouraged to participate in the build across the the three days. Arts & Crafts such as art expos, live painting, artist and artisan stalls will feature heavily, whilst Sunscapers can get their hands on handmade clothing, costumes and crafts at the theEthnic Market. The Food Market will offer a cornucopia of savoury and sweet delicacies from Malta and around the world which can be worked off at the various beach activities on offer including sunrise & sunset Yoga and even surfboard Yoga, plus Pilates and Tai Chi, water sports with diving, jet ski, paddleboat and para sailing.

More artists added to Malta’s Sunscape Festival lineup

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Electronic label Get Physical will bring the label stalwarts to the fold with founders M.A.N.D.Y. and DJ T. What's more festival-goers can look forward to the distinctive rolling sounds of Fur Coat, a South American duo synonymous with Crosstown Rebels who will be special guests of the FACT Showcase, as well as LTJ Bukem a drum n' bass and breakbeat pioneer who pushed the genres out of small clubs in London to the mainstream. Two very special live performances come in the form of The Mole, a Canadian artist who has been pushing boundaries within electronic music since the 90's, and Stimulus Timbre – a Maltese artist who's music rides the ambient side of electronica. 

The first release of Sunscape 2015 saw alternative acts such as Shpongle and Goldfish revealed for the Reflections stage, not to mention a very special showcase from Spanish outfit FACT and Berlin label Serialismfeaturing Livio & Roby, Konrad Black, Azimute and FACT Worldwide Residents. The new Nautilus stage will see Drum & Bass legends perform hosted by Jamais Vu including Fabio & Grooverider, Jumping Jack Frost,DJ Bailey and DJ Randall. One sure highlight and returning for 2015 is Electro-Swing Malta, tone of the country's hottest exports the infectious band have toured some of the biggest clubs in Europe and bring smiles wherever they go.

Much more than just a music festival Sunscape Festival will programme several areas that celebrate ARTand LIFESTYLE. The Art will feature collaborative installations by local and international Artists, Designers and Architects, Art Exhibitions, Live Art, Face Painting, Body Art & Henna, Visionary & geometric art and poetry. The Lifestyle area will include eclectic empowering workshops, talks & meditations throughout the day plus a carefully curated holistic area with Ayurvedic massage, Reiki Healing, Swedish body massage, aromatherapy massage and much more. There will be a sequinariun, tarot readings, meditations, sunrise & sunset Yoga and even surfboard Yoga, plus Pilates and Thai Chi and water sports with diving, jet ski, paddleboat and para sailing.

Sunscape Festival announces Cocoon & Watergate Showcases

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Set in amongst the beautiful surroundings of the isle of Gozo-Malta, Sunscape today unveil over 20 new acts who represent some of the most infamous names in electronic music. As one of the most revered and iconic clubs of all time, Watergate will make its way to the shores of Gozo for a rare opportunity to see the likes of Marco Resmann, La Fleur and Lee Jones outside of their Berlin home. Having recently been inaugurated into the illustrious Resident Advisor podcast series, Dana Ruh plays alongside Ilario Alicante and already announced Pig & Dan under the Cocoon Records banner. While Mobilee Showcase includes Lee Van Dowksi and Dean Demanuele, and Valentino Kanzyani of Cadenza will perform at the week-long celebrations. The festival opens its doors to an intimate crowd of 3000 like-minded revellers from 3-10 September and have announced yet more exciting adventures taking including Why Not? Dome's eclectic and empowering workshop programme featuring drum lessons, fire dancing, astrology, permaculture and conscious living, whilst also playing host to an Electroswing Day Festival, Full Moon Party and fire dancing tournament making it an incredible finale to the summer.

As one of Europe's most famous clubs, Berlin's Watergate has welcomed through it's doors some of the biggest names in house and techno and is appropriately recognised as the home of modern house music with an unchallengeable reputation. Featuring a mix of residents past and present, the showcase will firstly welcome Berlin native Marco Resmann, a regular fixture of the city's club scene for over 20 years. As head honcho of Power Plant Records, La Fleur blurs the line between soulful house, techno and electronica, and will take to the decks under the Watergate banner alongside Aus Music's Lee Jones. 

When it comes to electronic music there are few names bigger than Cocoon. Since it's creation by the legendary Sven Vath at the turn of the millennium, Cocoon has grown to become a haven for electronic music the world over. Taking their residency on the Mediterranean isle, Sunscape welcome three of the biggest acts ever to adopt the Cocoon name. Joining the previously announced electro-duo Pig & Dan, Ilario Alicante will perform having achieved great success with his first track 'Vacaciones En Chile' and gaining the attentions of Richie Hawtin and Ricardo Villalobos, he has grown to become one of the most in-demand producers and label figureheads in electronic music. Dana Ruh, who has seen releases on Ostgut Ton as well as her own Brouqade imprint, will also take to the stage for what will be one of the most memorable events of the summer. 

While Sunscape delivers one of the most exciting line-ups of the summer, the festival will also host yet more activities taking place over the week-long celebration. Catering for every kind of adventurer the Why Not? Dome programme presents a number of eclectic and empowering workshops, talks and meditations throughout the festival. Fresh, invigorating and transformative, the programme is designed to inform and host a wealth of ideas that aims to change the way people think. Topics include astrology, sound & energy healing, conscious living, working with energy, permaculture, scuba Diving in the Med and much more.

In addition Sunscape unveils an Electroswing Day Festival, a dedicated Fire dancing tournament, Fire jamming and an infamous Full Moon Party celebration for revellers to enjoy. More than just a music festival, the programme ambitions are to provide a truly one-off and unique experience that captures the mystical island of Gozo in all its glory.

Adding to line-up will be Defected Records regular Noir, who will be performing alongside Sankeys resident The Element, Loco Dice heralded Camiel Daamen and Mobilee Music's Dean Demanuele. As founder of Zombie Soundsystem, Shane Watcha brings his unique style to the Mediterranean while Cesare vs Disorder showcases his new side-project 'Azimute' at the festival, which is becoming a hot ticket  for music fans across the globe. 

Introducing Malta’s Sunscape Festival

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Details of the incredible debut from Sunscape Festival are today revealed. Taking place in the beautiful surroundings of the Mediterranean's most hidden island of Gozo-Malta, the festival promises an all-encompassing immersive experience for music and adventure lovers. From the 3rd-10th September, Sunscape will take over the bays and beaches of the island to welcome a wide variety of international DJs, live acts and artists spanning the creative landscape. 
THE MUSIC
'The Headland', set on its own serene peninsula, will play host to takeovers and showcases from some of electronic music's leading labels. New York house and techno pioneers ReSolute home to Kiki and Tiefschwarz, will take on hosting duties alongside the colossal Get Physical Music, Arupa, Prime Time, Why So Serious? and local talents Electro Swing Malta. 

As founders of 'Get Physical', releasing tracks from the likes of Carl Craig, Erol Alkan and Loco Dice, M.A.N.D.Y will demonstrate why they have become one of the biggest names in electronica. The classically trained 'Clockwork', who has seen releases on Hot Creations and Life and Death, and Avatism, whose recent debut album 'Adamant' continues to receive rave reviews, also join the line-up in a very special collaboration. Both  are formidable forces in their own right but together they will set the shores of Gozo alight. Formidable in their genre-defying mix of live instruments, South African electronic music duo Goldfish will perform live and not to be missed.

With a sound that takes inspiration from the synth pop of New Order and Depeche Mode to the energy of acid house and 90's techno, Berlin's Thomas Schumacker has become a name on everyone lips having spent over 20 years as a DJ and producer. Add these to a line-up that features household names such as Guti, the pioneer of 'emotional house music' and the genre-bending Sebo K, alongside electro duo and hugely popular Pig&Dan then you see why Sunscape acts as an epic round-up to summer. 

LIFESTYLE & ART
While Sunscape will host an array of boat, beach and after parties amongst the magical surroundings of Gozo, the isle will be the playing field for a celebration of unique performance, art, illusion andcinema, affirming that Sunscape is so much more than your regular festival. The village, in amongst the restaurants, bars and hotel rooftops, will act as the canvas for an immersive and experiential art installation that will be built especially for the event. Collaborative works from local talents and creative thinkers alike will span the paths and walkways of the village, while festival-goers can immerse themselves in the many recreations on offer, from archery, zip lining and kayaking to yoga, Pilatesand craft workshops.

HOLISTIC
With a location that could not be any more ambient and atmospheric, Sunscape presents the Holistic Arena. Under the dominance of the Xlendi watchtower, and perched on the very tip of the peninsula, senses will be tantalised by the abundance of therapies, workshops, exhibitions and tastes. Discover and experience new therapies, indulge in the spiritual rituals of yoga, Pilates, crystal healing, Reiki and meditation, or indulge in the sensation of a floatation tank, created in a natural rock pool, and heated by the natural suns rays. The festival promises to keep the heritage and beauty of the sites intact with its active Environmental Policy and “Leave No Trace” philosophy. Sustainable initiatives are in place throughout all aspects of the festival from planning stages to pack down, and will continue to expand through years to come.

ACCOMMODATION
The island of Gozo opens its arms wide for visitors with a range of budgets, and Sunscape offers everything from beachside camping to bay front apartments. Standard, self-pitching and boutique camping options are available, while the village offers a range of authentic Maltese apartments and hotels situated in the midst of the celebrations. For what will be the perfect close to the summer, Sunscape has saved the best festival until last. 

Tickets are now available from day tickets from €39 to camping packages from €135 and apartment packages from €300. Sunscape offers one of the best value getaways of the entire festival season in arguably Europe's most hidden and breathtaking locations.