Anjunadeep Explorations: The Fest and its Wildly Loyal Following Descend to Dhërmi Beach
One would think that New York, Chicago or Vancouver would be the chosen venue for one of music label Anjunadeep’s largest events, including the label’s highest number of DJs. Well, guess again! That ideal place turned out to be Dhërmi Beach, a spectacular beach in Albania’s now world-famous idyllic Riviera. From June 20th to the 25th, the suggestively-named “Explorations” brought Anjunadeep’s 45 DJs to the spectacular shores of this ruggedly beautiful bay.
Anjunadeep “Explorations”, “The Cove” stage. Photo by IntoAlbania.
Founded in 2005 by Above & Beyond and James Grant, Anjunadeep has become one of the most important music labels in the deep house, dance, and progressive trance music genres and more. This label has signed dozens of the most up-and-coming artists including some that performed in Dhërmi, like Lane 8, Yotto, Dusky, Croquet Club and 16 BL.
Elif playing her music at Anjunadeep “Explorations”, photo by IntoAlbania.
Anjunadeep’s fans are some of the best you may ever meet. For them, music comes first, which is why they do not hesitate in booking and spending an entire week of their lives in a remote village, the name of which most had never heard before. Hector, a Colombia-native living in Miami, is a loyal fan of the music label, avidly attending many of its festivals around the world. With a religious fervor he tells us all about all the Anjunadeep events he has participated in and shows us his “Explorations” T-shirt, adorned with the autographs of all of the event’s DJs.
Hector, one of the participants of the festival. Photo by IntoAlbania.
In Hector’s opinion, the aim of exploration, the leitmotif of the festival, was definitely reached as, for him, Albania was a very unexpected place. “The festival was a perfect chance to see Albania up close. It is a magnificent little pearl with wonderful people and delicious food. Here, I had the most delicious plate imaginable with the best tomato I have ever tasted,” – Hector enthusiastically tells us.
Splendor stage at Anjunadeep. Photo by IntoAlbania.
The organizers of this event are the same as those of Kala, the music festival that took place only a few days prior to Anjunadeep Explorations. Though the design had changed to fit this particular festival, the stages of Kala were reused here resulting in a similar set up of stages, including “The Yacht Club,” “The Cove”, and the two seas-side stages of “Empire” and “Splendor.”
The Cove stage, photo by IntoAlbania.
Photo by IntoAlbania.
Gjipe Beach was inundated with festival goers who did not miss the opportunity to visit this pristine bay by boat. Music was set up here, as well. A nice surprise from the organizers! The festival gathered an unlikely crowd in the shores of the Ionian coast. The average age of the participants in this festival was 27 years old with the vast majority coming from the U.S., the U.K. and New Zealand.
Gjipe stage, photo source: Cruzez West.
Afsar, who has come here with a group of friends from London, tells us that the group is much larger than what we’re actually seeing. “We are around 150 people who know each-other and get together every time Anjunadeep organizes this type of event. This is one of the biggest editions I’ve witnessed,” says Afsar.
Afsar, left, with his friends. Photo source: Cruzez West.
Among the many fans, there are many future DJs and producers dreaming of one day being part of Anjunadeep such as Sergio Orozco, who comes from New Mexico. Extremely excited about the festival’s edition in Albania, he tells us of his own Anjunadeep-inspired music. Listening to the songs uploaded on his SoundCloud channel, one can sense a similar deep house vibe in Orozco’s music.
The over 2000 participants from all over the world have made the first edition of Anjunadeep Albania a success that went beyond all expectations. “I hope the festival comes to the Albanian south next year as well. That would be great,” says Amanda, a young American woman who goes to all Anjunadeep festivals, wherever they take place.
Amanda, at Anjunadeep. Photo by IntoAlbania.
The image of her dancing freely to the sounds of ATB songs spun by Trance Wax could easily be for us one of the most iconic images of Anjunadeep Explorations. The latter along with Kala Festival crowned Dhërmi as the very center of Albania’s summer party spirit during the last two weeks.
Anjunadeep Explorations, photo by IntoAlbania.
The Yacht Club stage, photo by IntoAlbania.
Anjunadeep Explorations, photo by IntoAlbania.
Anjunadeep Explorations, photo by IntoAlbania.
Anjunadeep “Explorations”, “The Cove” stage. Photo by IntoAlbania.
Founded in 2005 by Above & Beyond and James Grant, Anjunadeep has become one of the most important music labels in the deep house, dance, and progressive trance music genres and more. This label has signed dozens of the most up-and-coming artists including some that performed in Dhërmi, like Lane 8, Yotto, Dusky, Croquet Club and 16 BL.
Elif playing her music at Anjunadeep “Explorations”, photo by IntoAlbania.
Anjunadeep’s fans are some of the best you may ever meet. For them, music comes first, which is why they do not hesitate in booking and spending an entire week of their lives in a remote village, the name of which most had never heard before. Hector, a Colombia-native living in Miami, is a loyal fan of the music label, avidly attending many of its festivals around the world. With a religious fervor he tells us all about all the Anjunadeep events he has participated in and shows us his “Explorations” T-shirt, adorned with the autographs of all of the event’s DJs.
Hector, one of the participants of the festival. Photo by IntoAlbania.
In Hector’s opinion, the aim of exploration, the leitmotif of the festival, was definitely reached as, for him, Albania was a very unexpected place. “The festival was a perfect chance to see Albania up close. It is a magnificent little pearl with wonderful people and delicious food. Here, I had the most delicious plate imaginable with the best tomato I have ever tasted,” – Hector enthusiastically tells us.
Splendor stage at Anjunadeep. Photo by IntoAlbania.
The organizers of this event are the same as those of Kala, the music festival that took place only a few days prior to Anjunadeep Explorations. Though the design had changed to fit this particular festival, the stages of Kala were reused here resulting in a similar set up of stages, including “The Yacht Club,” “The Cove”, and the two seas-side stages of “Empire” and “Splendor.”
The Cove stage, photo by IntoAlbania.
Photo by IntoAlbania.
Gjipe Beach was inundated with festival goers who did not miss the opportunity to visit this pristine bay by boat. Music was set up here, as well. A nice surprise from the organizers! The festival gathered an unlikely crowd in the shores of the Ionian coast. The average age of the participants in this festival was 27 years old with the vast majority coming from the U.S., the U.K. and New Zealand.
Gjipe stage, photo source: Cruzez West.
Afsar, who has come here with a group of friends from London, tells us that the group is much larger than what we’re actually seeing. “We are around 150 people who know each-other and get together every time Anjunadeep organizes this type of event. This is one of the biggest editions I’ve witnessed,” says Afsar.
Afsar, left, with his friends. Photo source: Cruzez West.
Among the many fans, there are many future DJs and producers dreaming of one day being part of Anjunadeep such as Sergio Orozco, who comes from New Mexico. Extremely excited about the festival’s edition in Albania, he tells us of his own Anjunadeep-inspired music. Listening to the songs uploaded on his SoundCloud channel, one can sense a similar deep house vibe in Orozco’s music.
The over 2000 participants from all over the world have made the first edition of Anjunadeep Albania a success that went beyond all expectations. “I hope the festival comes to the Albanian south next year as well. That would be great,” says Amanda, a young American woman who goes to all Anjunadeep festivals, wherever they take place.
Amanda, at Anjunadeep. Photo by IntoAlbania.
The image of her dancing freely to the sounds of ATB songs spun by Trance Wax could easily be for us one of the most iconic images of Anjunadeep Explorations. The latter along with Kala Festival crowned Dhërmi as the very center of Albania’s summer party spirit during the last two weeks.
Anjunadeep Explorations, photo by IntoAlbania.
The Yacht Club stage, photo by IntoAlbania.
Anjunadeep Explorations, photo by IntoAlbania.
Anjunadeep Explorations, photo by IntoAlbania.