With the amount of festivals there are around the world in 2012, it is getting harder and harder to stand yourself apart. Not so for Groove Fest – this year saw the inaugural edition the festival in mid September. But what makes it so special? The setting, that’s what. Right in the heart of the Caribbean Island of the Dominican Republic is where the festival takes place. It’s a five star and premier holiday resort that can only be described using clichés like ‘holiday paradise’ and ‘picture postcard perfect’. Every place you went was a mesmerising image of perfection – crystal clear seas, white sand beaches… rumour has it that even artists Jamie Jones and Dennis Ferrer loved it so much they tried to change flights and stay a little longer.
Other plus points before the music even started include the accommodation – all beautifully clean, re-stocked with booze every day and well appointed, they provided great places to chill out – if you didn’t fancy laying on any of the huge sun beds on private beaches, or around any of the 6 different swimming pools, that is. What’s more, as its’ an all inclusive deal, not a single penny had to be spent throughout the week – all food and drink was included from any of the many different bars and restaurants.
The aforementioned pools and beaches featured heavily party-wise throughout the week, too. Plenty of afters went on in different locations with everyone from Horse Meat Disco to Kenny Dope pumping out beats on white sand beaches. The crowds throughout the week were also special, knowing their music and making for great atmospheres as a result. The many different cocktail bars that were serving all day long probably had something to do with the high spirits of everyone too, though, if truth be told.
Musical highlights were many throughout the week, including Sam Devine and Sandy Rivera owning the Defected pool party, Dennis Ferrer and his prodigies Martinez Brothers going back to back by the pool then later in one of the great club spaces. Horse Meat Disco, the famed London crew, also provided some great moments playing disco and retro vibes, again by the pool, conjuring mental images of the New York scene of the 80s. More London types Krankbrothers also got in on the action with their own pool party sound tracked by Cozzie D and Alexis Rapheal, whilst the ever dependable Jamie Jones wowed crowds with another creamy and sensual set that followed an impressive warm up from No Artificial Colours.
Outside the resort itself, the towns are equally beautiful and reasonably priced if you fancied getting away from the action, whilst getting around the resort itself was more than a pleasure given the fact there are buggies for people to drive around in.
For an inaugural event, Groove Fest really exceeded expectation. Well organise, perfectly programmed and in such a great setting, it’s hard not to imagine this festival growing to become one of the most popular in the world in a very short space of time.
