As any socially-inclined Istanbullu might agree, one of the greatest aspects of living in this city is the dynamism in the entertainment scene. Despite the turbulence of the times in Turkey, even the most cursory scroll on any social media feed shows myriad events on offer at any given time, but as any seasoned inhabitant comes to learn very quickly, not all events are created quite the same. For dedicated audiophiles, it becomes a matter of priority to know where the party at, and the weekend of September 15th and 16th, the obvious choice was Chill-out Festival at Garden Fiesta in Bahçeköy.
Since 2006, Chill-out Festival has steadily developed into one of the most reliably high-quality concert events in Istanbul on its founding premise to provide music enthusiasts with ‘the happiest weekend of the year’ and undeniable delivery on that promise again and again. In the twelve years since its inception, the tireless efforts of the dedicated organizational team have brought some of the hottest names in the industry including José González, Thievery Corporation, Baba Zula, Kadebostany, and Morcheeba, among many others; and the event has continuously grown in scale with the additions of festivals in the idyllic seaside resort towns of Çeşme (2011) and Bodrum (2015). Chill-out Festival now boasts three extraordinary editions annually, which, at a time when the music scene in Turkey seems increasingly up against its share of challenges, is a testament to the caliber of the event, competence of its organizing partners, and, most-notably, infectious spirit of the crowds which turn out year after year for an experience likened to ‘Heaven on Earth’. Closing out a summer of festival paradise, this year’s Istanbul edition featured the Belgian sensation Stavroz, whose Balkan-inspired, jazz-house vibes have attracted a fast-growing international following, as well as impressive lineups of other talented local and international musicians across the three different stages.
As in previous years, every aspect of the event evidenced the meticulous care and attention to detail we’ve come to expect from Future Generation 93.7 together with the many other partners whose collaborative efforts bring the festival to life. 2018 brought the event to a new location, transforming the humble wedding venue into a pulsating forest realm, a welcome reprieve just a 15-minute bus ride from the demanding chaos of the city. Shuttles were at the ready throughout the day to whisk festival-goers up to the nonstop ragefest from the time things began getting underway at noon on Saturday, sending buses every hour as attendees grooved all through the night, finally calling it quits Sunday well after midnight. Any mud left by the rains of a few night’s prior posed no deterrent, as the friendly event staff was on-hand to provide woven mats and towels, which, in addition to the abundance of refreshment options, creative entertainment options and festival freebies available from all corners of the grounds, demonstrated a true commitment to creating a positive, relaxed environment for all.
Over the years and with the relatively recent addition of the two festivals on the Aegean coast, Chill-out Festival has become known for mastery in channeling the concept of their events through the natural characteristics of the environment, and this year’s gathering in the calm, unassuming forests of Zekeriyaköy proved no exception in achieving this effect. The rustling green of the natural landscape proved an optimal setting for the variety of talent on display during the festival; and the three stages were strategically-situated, with the mainstage taking the center, and the other two tucked just a short walk away on either side, making it possible to move between stages and take in more of the live performances and exceptional sets hassle-free. As crowds of strangers reveled in their universal appreciation for the music in the cool night air, even the subtlest aesthetic touches in the décor – the draping fairy lights, the suspended fluffy orbs, the vibrant colors at every turn – infused the space with a good-vibes-only spirit, and evinced the veteran status and eye for design in the curation of the event. Everything from the abundance of grassy and lounge spaces to the vibrant light displays provided an ideal atmosphere to settle in, move to the music, and… well… chill out.
Grooving with the crowd to the intoxicating tunes, which somehow seemed to capture the progressive but dark, east-meets-west energy of Istanbul’s pulsating underground electronic music scene, one felt almost transported again to the rooftops, beach parties, and sahilsides of summer though instead enveloped in the mossy embrace of nature. As the main headliner of the festival and an increasingly frequent visitor to local performance venues, Stavroz was a show not to be missed. With their unique blended sound and sincere artistic flair, it’s no wonder the group has quickly gained a devoted following in Turkey. As their allotted slot crept closer, the crowds around the mainstage gathered for an experience that has been described as being transported to ‘a place blurring the lines between having a dream and a state of mind.’ It is no wonder that the group has quickly gained a devoted following in Turkey since the release of their first EP The Ginning. The energy of the festival and the mentality of those who came to be part of it was immortalized when at the conclusion of their massive hit “The Finishing”, (which of course speaks for itself,) we were reminded, “We do it for love. Just for love.”
And the night was just beginning. With an act like Stavroz on the program, one could be confident that the music at Chill-out Festival would showcase the very best musical talent around with plenty of opportunities for discovery as the event raged on. As the event drew toward its satisfying conclusion, no doubt the knackered music-lovers departed the scene with the tranquil demeanor that comes from literally dancing ‘till you drop, ready to again begin the journey of anticipation for next year’s edition.
To keep up with all things Chill-Out Festival, be sure and visit their official page and follow them on Facebook and Instagram.
Images courtesy of the organizer.
