Dreambeach Costa del Sol transformed Vélez-Málaga into a pulsating hub of electronic dance music (EDM) on the nights of July 31 and August 1, captivating thousands of both young and seasoned fans alike. This year’s festival marked the debut of a venue designed specifically to enhance comfort and accessibility, offering an immersive experience for attendees. Organizers expressed their excitement about this new chapter, highlighting it as a pivotal moment for the festival.
Nestled in the town’s Prado del Rey fairground, adjacent to the El Ingenio shopping center, the festival featured four distinct stages that catered to a variety of musical tastes—from techno and hard techno to drum and bass and breakbeat. Beyond music, the venue offered vibrant food and drink zones, an illuminated Ferris wheel, tattoo areas, and a seamless technical production, exemplifying the professionalism that Vélez-Málaga has come to uphold in its major music festivals.
The lineup for the first night was nothing short of impressive, showcasing some of the EDM scene’s most prominent names. British duo Sasha & John Digweed, and Swedish DJ Eric Prydz were among the headliners. Prydz particularly enthralled the audience with 90 minutes of club anthems, though his decision not to play the beloved classic “Call on Me” left some fans yearning. Other acts included Pole Position, Imbermind Live, Save The Rave, Hedex, and Bou, making it a night to remember.
The Move to Vélez-Málaga
The organizers shared their elation regarding the festival’s relocation from Almeria to Vélez-Málaga, confirming that the audience’s enthusiastic response validated this decision. The first outing in its new home was characterized by a fantastic atmosphere, and there was an impressive turnout of festival-goers who were treated to a comfortable, streamlined experience that matched Dreambeach’s growing ambitions.
Saturday night was headlined by none other than French superstar DJ David Guetta, who took the stage with his monumental Monolith audiovisual show. Starting with “Titanium,” he set a tone that had the crowd in raptures. He dotted the set with classic tracks, including his 2022 remix of Benny Benassi’s “Satisfaction,” Prodigy’s “No Good Start the Dance,” and even a nostalgic mix of Alphaville’s “Forever Young.”
David Guetta’s electrifying set; the enchanting Ferris wheel; Eric Prydz in action.
(Ayunt. Vélez-Málaga; J. Rhodes)
As the night drew to a close, the unmistakable sounds of Cher’s 1998 hit “Believe” intertwined with the lightshow, igniting the crowd’s energy and prompting sing-alongs. Guetta engaged warmly with the audience in English, sharing that he had been DJing since the age of 14. At 58, he showed no signs of slowing down, thoroughly enjoying the moment alongside an audience equally swept up in the revelry. As Benny Benassi might say, the atmosphere was steeped in “satisfaction.”
Other artists such as Mathame, Korolova, Hannah Wants, Joyse, Brennan Heart, Nightmre, and Eptic took to the many stages, mesmerizing festival-goers into the wee hours. The Dreams Tent became a sanctuary for hard techno fans, with exhilarating sets from Oguz and SNTS that resonated deeply within the crowd.
As we meandered past the Loop stage on our exit, the electrifying high-pitch strains of Josh Wink’s “Higher State of Consciousness” filled the air. The familiarity of classic anthems from the mid-90s and early 2000s triggered waves of nostalgia; club classics proved indeed timeless. While my spirit longed to stay, my weary body reminded me that it had not aged as well as those evergreen tracks.
Organizers proudly declared that this festival weekend marked the dawn of a new chapter for Dreambeach. With the inauguration of a new venue, the festival aims to expand its boundaries while preserving the essence that has established it as a leading name in Spain’s electronic music scene. With sights set on solidifying Vélez-Málaga’s status as one of the Mediterranean’s premier electronic music destinations, enthusiasts are surely looking forward to next summer’s festivities!
