We are currently in the middle of festival season – the best season of the year! It is summer, the weather could not be sunnier, so what would be better than dancing right beneath the sunset? One of the best places to do that is at I Land Sound Festival, which takes place on Saaremaa, an Estonian Island with a population of only 29557 habitants (2021).
The island holds a remarkable history, has a harbour and besides tourism and events going on occasionally there’s the best view of sunsets in the summer, as well as a variety of beautiful nature and birds. This year the festival took place from the 13th – 16th of July.
The Line-Up was full of electronic vibes, and the biggest variety in electronic beats that you could imagine, there is no way to get bored. The performances were taking place on the five stages with a variety of Estonian, Ukrainian, Latvian, Lithuanian, UK, Swiss and German DJs spinning groovy beats. Acts such as Kon Faber, Tim Green and Silat Beksi were turning the little island into an atmosphere of chill vibes.
Every stage was designed according to a different motto, such as funky records, a wooden theme, a stage right beside the sea and my personal highlight: the so-called “Kuppel”. This stage was located in an indoors tent-like building with clouds and flowers hanging from the ceiling. According to the festival organisers Taavet Bristol and Paap Uspenski they pick the acts towards the theme of the stages.
Since the festival takes place on an island, you also get the chance to watch the most beautiful sunsets from there. There are little hidden gems all over the island the press manager Triin Alas mentions. Between dancing, you could do a little outfit check in one of the several mirrors, for example. Or you could eat a snack at one of the food trucks – side note: The food choice is based on a huge focus on regional resources. They offer a variety of different cuisines as well.
The two organisers take a huge responsibility in protecting the environment. With the garbage they collect on the island they do art project’s and place them all over the island. While wandering around, you could find a whale sculpture made from garbage or a paddle board made out of cigarette buds, as a result of recognition of a huge overflow of those as well as old doors upcycled as tables. As the sustainability manager Kadi Aguraijuja said: “This is our home as well and we really want to keep it clean. We are the first event that uses a refundable and reusable cup system.”
Not only do they use the cup system, the festival is also offering reusable tableware. Say “Goodbye” to your plastic fork, at I Land Sound you get a proper plate and a fork that you can return to their very own dishwashing station afterwards.
Overall, the vibe at the festival can be summed up as “chill”. There was no rush, just people dancing, socialising all while having a great time. Due to a manageable group of people splitting up to dance at each stage, everyone was able to take up their own space and to choose freely whatever they are up to right now: If it was going crazy on the dancefloor or getting all cuddled up in one of the many bean bags placed all over the island.
On Saturday, the finale of the festival was celebrated with some little bonfires. According to Kadi, they are aiming at downsizing the bonfire from the years before to smaller, little fires.
The music stops while the fires are lit, and it creates a warm feeling of togetherness once every festival visitor is standing in the crowd. “We love our little fires”, says one of the festival visitors while standing next to me and staring into the magical atmosphere the fires create with the sea and a little glimpse of the sunset in the background. Around this time, the sun never fully sets here, and time seems to stand still.
My thoughts on the festival? I Land Sound can be kindly chosen as the most chill festival I have ever been to with the absolute most beautiful and unique location. Definitely a wholesome experience you don’t want to miss out in the following years. Like the founders said: They like sharing their home with the visitors. Rightfully so, because after I left, I felt homesick for the island!
You can keep up with @ilandsoundfestival on Instagram to keep up to date with next year’s edition of the unique festival in Estonia.
