Outlook 2024: The Croatian Music Oasis, Curated to Perfection

All Images by Dorian Day

Outlook Festival has always been a haven for underground music lovers, and the 2024 edition of Outlook Origins in Croatia was no different. I Teamed up with the Open Till Late boys from Manchester to give you the rundown of what you missed out.

Since 2008, Outlook has been dedicated to showcasing the best in bass music from around the world. The festival prides itself on curating the line up with talent over popularity, a rare practice that more festivals need to adopt. Music enthusiasts from all corners of the globe gather to dance the week away in this beautiful paradise.

Imagine being on the stunning beaches of the Adriatic Sea, surrounded by friends and the music you love. That's the essence of Outlook. This year, my fourth time attending, felt even more special. The festival featured incredible takeovers from Metalheadz, Brighter days Family , Dametalmessiah, Deep Medi, EC2A, and Rupture, to name just a few. Honestly the quality of the sets this year was unmatched.

I wanted to start with the Cove stage, an intimate stage near the festival entrance, powered by the Brussels-based High'n'Rie Soundsystem. The Cove lineup was a treasure trove of eclectic emerging talent, offering fresh and different sounds daily. Kudos to the Outlook team for continuing to support and push rising artists in such a fantastic setting.

Standout takeovers at the Cove included Singularity and Buntai. Singularity brought a high-energy lineup, featuring a vinyl-only set from Silva Snipa & REO, emerging producers Cheetah b2b Janaway, and a finale from owner TheBassInjector.

The raw energy you feel from their London parties was definitely palpable in Croatia.

Buntai, on the other hand, delivered a 90-minute dubstep special with residents Jaz, Akira, and Modula on Friday night. Their set was packed with unreleased tracks, reloads, and an infectious crowd energy, topped off by a surprise appearance from Nottingham MC, Snowy.

Outlook knows that great sound is crucial for music nerds like us. This year, they nailed it with amazing sound systems at the Main Stage, The Beach, Olive Groove, and the Cove. While the boat party sound systems could use some improvement, the overall focus on perfect sound made the festival special for all who love great music.

Now, onto the best sets of the week. It's tough to choose since the music was phenomenal all week. Spooky with Duppy & Jammz kicked off the festival with a bang ( they were the talk of Tisno after that one), Brown Excellence’s set on the beach stage was an refreshing mix of genres amidst the bass-heavy lineup ( A strong contender for my favourite set of the week). 

The Super Sonic Booty Bangers Keep Hush boat party on the last day was the perfect send-off. The 4x4 wizardry was exactly what we needed to kick ourselves into gear for the final day. With Syntax b2b Addison Groove, Cheetah b2b Naina, and Samurai Breaks, the boat was literally a’ rockin’.

However, the Dametalmessiah takeover stole the show for me. With a main stage takeover and a boat party, there was almost too much incredible music. Highlights included Madam x b2b Oblig, Nancy June b2b Jay Carder , and the much-anticipated debut of Neffa-t b2b Grandmixxer. Their set was dubbed "one of the best grime sets ever seen," featuring legends like President T, Manga Saint Hilare, Kibo, Logan, Jammz, and Snowy, with a suprise front row crowd 16-bar from Chunky.

Honourable mentions go to Silva Bumpa, Chimpo's Dancehall to DNB set with Mc Chunky, Brighter Days Family, The Tekkerz Boat Party, Dillinja at Barbarellas, Spectral, Kid Drama &

Kode-9 (he dropped Burial in the dance, I had to).

All in all, Outlook represents the true spirit of a festival, where music and attendees come first. Set against the backdrop of beautiful beaches, crystal-clear waters and incredible music. All of this makes Outlook a festival like no other.

A final shoutout to DJ Randall. A true pioneer in the scene, who has left an unforgettable legacy through his incredible talent and influence. His contributions to music will forever resonate in our hearts, and his legacy will continue to inspire future generations. Rest in peace, DJ Randall.