Amidst the intersection of mountains, oceans and boundless sun, the picturesque city of Viana do Castelo once again played host to the annual Neopop Festival. The 16th edition of Portugal’s most exciting electronic music festival delivered a transcendent experience of light and sound facilitated by an impressive programme featuring the biggest names in techno and electronica. Neopop’s unwavering commitment to the highest quality production and staging was evident in every meticulous detail, providing a heightened sensory experience that elevated every beat.

In this setting, Neopop Festival showcased an impressive lineup. This edition brought together a diverse array of artists, each contributing their unique styles to create a memorable sonic experience for the 30,000 attendees.
The Australian Mall Grab brought raw energy to the stage, with a mix of unreleased tunes and reimagined classics that kept the dance floor pulsating with high energy throughout his set. Meanwhile, Imogen, a British talent, proved to be one of the most promising newcomers in the scene. Her set was a blend of fuzzy electro, banging techno, and bass-heavy UK techno, showcasing her versatility and talent. The festival headliner, Richie Hawtin, a British-born Canadian, is a legend in the Detroit sound and brought his signature electro house and minimal beats to the stage. His avant-garde approach to underground electronica left the audience in ecstasy. Ben Klock, the Berlin techno pioneer and Berghain resident, delivered an intense and powerful performance. His music created a synergy on the dance floor that was both captivating and hypnotic. The Nopop debut of Charlotte de Witte, a true techno royalty, also was a highlight of the festival. Her innovative and energy-loaded set left a lasting impression on the crowd, while Rodhead contributed with his consistent and melancholic sound, building up the energy of the dancefloor continuously. Other highlights of the festival were delivered by techno powerhouse Nina Kraviz, the B2B set of DJ couple Daria Kolosova and Etapp Kyle, Rebekah’s early morning hard techno set, techno maximalist VTSS, the iconic genre-blending Honey Dijon and, not to forget, the beloved Berlin techno duo FJAAK.

Nina Kraviz’s powerful performance at Neopop Festival 2023

Neopop Festival’s 16th edition really delivered an exceptional electronic music experience. With this diverse lineup featuring international talents, the festival showcased a range of styles and innovation while its commitment to quality production and staging heightened the sensory journey for the crowd. Neopop Festival once again demonstrated its prowess in curating an electrifying musical celebration that transcended boundaries and united electronic music lovers from around the world, to be welcomed again from August 8 to 10, 2024.

by PATRICK BOYLE & THORE DAMWERTH