Despite persistent rain on the Saturday night, the atmosphere at the Luxembourg Open Air Festival opening weekend was electric.
Festival-goers, clad in ponchos and waterproofs, danced right through the showers, proving that good music and great company can brighten even the gloomiest day.
The Luxembourg Open Air festival has grown significantly since its inception in 2019, becoming a key summer event that attracts music lovers from all over. Not content with simply curating a killer line up that includes globally acclaimed artists who are making waves in the dance music scene, the organisers also strive to foster a sense of community and celebration, by giving a platform to Luxembourg’s burgeoning diverse and home grown electronic music talent.
As a devoted house music enthusiast and host of ‘The Mixtape,’ Alice Monnat spent the weekend at the Luxembourg Open Air Festival enjoying stellar performances and interviewing artists backstage. She delved into their musical influences and most memorable tour moments, and even posed the very important question, "If your music were an ice cream flavor, what would it be?"
Goodboys: Known for their breakthrough on the international scene with collaborations with artists like ‘Meduza’ on tracks like ‘Piece of Your Heart’ or ‘Lose Control’, Goodboys (Joshua and Ethan) are known for producing infectious tracks that blend classic vocal house with modern dance music. They have quickly become a staple in many house music lovers playlists, reaching over 11 million monthly listeners on Spotify.
‘When you watch our set, it makes sense where we actually came from. We were pop song writers, we wrote pop music. We love big dance records and we love big pop records. We’ve been on tour for seven years, we love techno, we love underground music, so it’s an amalgamation of all those things’ says Ethan.
‘We’d sit and watch after movies of festivals like Tomorrow Land and Ultra and things like that and think, ‘We could do that!’ We tried to make songs, and they were terrible, for three or four years. Then we had a lot of luck, good friends and hard work’ added Joshua.
Medun: Emerging from the underground scene, Medun brings a unique blend of ethereal beats and a deep rhythm that captivates the soul. His sound is a refreshing deviation from the mainstream and offers a deep dive into the essence of pure electronic music.
Known for his collaborations with prolific artists like Fat Tony, and with a packed tour schedule lined up for the summer, Medun is taking the house music scene by storm.
‘Fat Tony is one of my best friends’ he said ‘the funny thing is, he started exploding as ‘Fat Tony’ during the pandemic, and we started producing heaters together and everything just went viral!’
When asked who he would work with (apart from his favourites, ‘The Chainsmokers’) he said ‘I would collab with Dua Lipa, she’s Abanian, I’m Albanian, hopefully she sees this!’
Vltra Music: Vltra stands out with their high-energy performances, and is composed of two friends, Samuele and Riccardo. Their ability to connect with the crowd and transform their energy into a collective experience makes their shows unforgettable.
Recently they have put their own stamp on Fatboy Slim’s ‘Rockafella Skank’ as a new track called ‘Funk Soul Brother’ as well as notably a brilliant collaboration with John Summit, called ‘Legacy’.
‘We started making music together when we were in school years ago, and 5 years ago we shifted to more of an underground sound’ said Samuele.
On working with John Summit ‘We did the track and we sent it to John, and it was ‘really cool record, I want to sign it with my label’. 2 weeks went by and he said ‘Hey guys are you down to collaborate with the track? We can make something stronger’, and it was like ‘for sure!’ Riccardo added.
Nosi: As a newcomer, Nosi brings a fresh perspective to the house music scene. With a keen sense for blending traditional house elements with unexpected sounds, Nosi is carving out a niche that promises to evolve excitingly.
‘I started by DJing 18th birthdays and stuff, and in 2019 I released a track and it went viral in Luxembourg, which gave me the push I needed.’
For those eager to experience more of the LOA festival's vibrant atmosphere, there are still opportunities to get involved throughout the summer.
The next extravaganza is set for September 13th. Further information on upcoming events, volunteer opportunities, and tickets can be found on the LOA Festival's official website.
