Smukfest opens first stage dedicated to electronic music

Smukfest will open its first stage dedicated entirely to electronic music, offering everything from melodic techno to hardstyle, DR reports.

The new Ekko stage is designed to bring together younger and older festivalgoers. The festival says the move follows growing interest in its electronic night parties.

“Since 2012, we have had a tradition of ending performances on the large stages with electronic artists such as David Guetta. We can see that more and more guests are seeking out the electronic night parties,” said Trine Bang, Smukfest’s head of content.

The large, circular stage will feature artists including ItaloBrothers, Showtek, Oliver Heldens, Salvatore Ganacci, Gorgon City and PARISI.

According to the festival, this is the first time it has dedicated an entire stage to one specific genre. The production will combine lighting, video screens and special effects, including lasers, smoke machines and visual effects.

Music journalist Kjartan F. Stolberg of Soundvenue said the focus on electronic music could be an effort to attract more young guests. He said Smukfest had previously booked electronic acts that may not have appealed as strongly to younger audiences, who are more likely to attend late-night DJ parties.

However, the new stage is not intended to turn Smukfest into a youth festival, Bang said. Last year, the average age at Smukfest was 39, compared with 24 at Roskilde Festival.

“It is not only young people who seek out the night parties. There are also people over 50. So it makes good sense to expand this into a place where several generations can share the party,” Bang said.

The programme will include melodic techno as well as hardstyle, which Smukfest music chief Mikkel Xavier described as delivering a powerful pulse through the body.

The campsite opened on Sunday, while the festival grounds will open on Wednesday.