Robin Ebinger: Reflecting on the Journey of Time Warp and Sonus Festival

How Croatia Became the Festival Capital of Europe

10 European Destination Festivals to Add to Your Dance Music Bucket List

 is more than a rave. It's a dream summer vacation coupled with open-air dance parties. From August 21st – August 25th, 2022, thousands will converge on the shores of Pag Island, Croatia, to enjoy the music of fan favorites and underground prodigies. 

Zrcé Beach has been the home of Sonus since 2013 when Robin Ebinger launched the seminal festival. Ebinger, founder of the popular production company, 

, Love Family Park, Festival Son, and more), deemed Croatia an exciting market for festivals because of its beautiful landscape and proximity to the Adriatic Sea. The location is a paradisal escape from everyday life, where fans can take pleasure in parties underneath the warm sky on the beach, on the water, or in some of the best open-air clubs in the world. Zrcé beach has everything that the perfect summer dance party needs!

 has been a prime hotspot since the early days of techno. The beachfront venue has a quality sound system and two floors of space to maximize the comfort of party-goers. Aquarius also caters to VIP ticket holders with plush waterside cabanas. 


 is a regular on DJ Mag's best nightclub list. Dance beneath the backdrop of the Velebit mountains and the towering palm trees. Papaya's massive beachfront dancefloor and stunning panoramic views of the Adriatique make it the best way to rave your face off.

. The club that started as a humble beach bar celebrates its 35th birthday in 2022. This venue has a circular pool right in front of the stage, giving fans a front-row view as they splash around in the water.

While Zrcé beach might be the event's focal point, the music doesn't stop there. Sonus' boat parties are an essential part of the Sonus experience. Every new day comes with multiple boat parties, each hosted by a different crew curating a lineup of solid-gold talent. Previous parties were hosted by the likes of 

. Typically, the parties happen in the evening, so fans can coast along the clear blue waters of the Adriatic Sea while they catch the majestic site of a Croatian sunset.

Ravers will embark on their boat journey through sea and sound with a hundred or so other party-goers, making it a more intimate experience than that of the outdoor clubs. 

In the past, boat parties have lasted up to four hours, so if you are prone to getting seasick, maybe stick to dry land or at least make sure to pack motion sickness medicine. Keep in mind that spaces are limited and cost an additional fee, so make sure to sign up ahead of time to guarantee a spot for you and your friends.


The producers of Sonus regard it as a festival that is put together by ravers, not by businessmen. As a result, Cosmopop keeps the community in mind when they put together their bill of master selectors and smaller, sometimes local, acts. In the past, fans have said they've been able to catch sets by relatively unknown DJs that later went on to blow up in the dance music scene.

The 2022 lineup boasts an impressive list of names in the house and techno space. 

 is at the top of the docket, with his influential techno sounds that have transformed the genre over the last three decades. You'll be able to catch a set by the globally recognized superstar 

, known for his inventive and soulful style. Fighting in the same weight class, the king of Ibiza himself, Carl Cox, will be gracing the stage with his indelible techno.

In addition to the heavyweight talent, there will also be equally stirring artists taking the Sonus stage for the first time in their careers. Making their Sonus debut in 2022 are Anfisa Letyago, ANNA, Ann Clue, 

, Desiree, Fisher, Fjaak DJ, Giorgia Anguili, Imogen, Joyhauser, KiNK, Michael Bibi, Paula Temple, and Trikk. This eclectic, hand-picked lineup isn't done handing out surprises. More artists will be announced as the event draws closer.

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