The RFM Somnii festival, which takes place between July 4 and 6 in Figueira da Foz, will be the only one in Portugal this year dedicated to electronic music, consolidating its position as one of the biggest references in the genre over the last decade.
The suspension of Sudoeste (Zambujeira do Mar) and Beach Party (Leça da Palmeira) is a reality that worries Tiago Castelo Branco, executive director of MOT - Memories Of Tomorrow, the event´s promoter since 2019, about the current state of the sector and reinforces Somnii´s responsibility to EDM (electronic dance music) culture.
“Competition is always healthy and stimulating,” Tiago Castelo Branco told Lusa, assuring that the planning of this edition of Somnii was not a reaction to the lack of competition. “If we´re the only ones in this segment, we obviously have an added responsibility, but that doesn´t scare us,” he said.
The discussion about a possible crisis in EDM is, for Tiago Castelo Branco, unfounded, not least because this genre is going through a phase of reinvention, driven by the artists themselves, a new era that Somnii welcomes and represents in its 11th edition, from July 4 to 6.
“Timmy Trumpet today is different from what he was five years ago and Steve Aoki has also evolved,” he said, talking about the headliners of the 2025 edition and recalling that the project, which will be presented by Dutch artist Sefa, symbolizes this evolution of electronic music: “It´s a reinvention of Hardstyle, something never seen before, which integrates a classical orchestra and choir,” he revealed.
Since its first edition on the Praia do Relógio beach in 2013, the festival has welcomed big names such as Alesso, Armin van Buuren, Tiesto and Hardwell, staying true to its electronic roots and consolidating its position on the national and international scene.
“Events are made up of cycles, trends and moments,” acknowledged Tiago Castelo Branco, highlighting the role of the original promoter, Genius y Meios, part of the Renascença group, in identifying the potential of electronic music in Portugal. Even so, the national context imposes limits on ambition in programming, with ticket prices being adapted to national purchasing power, which conditions the values that can be offered to artists.
“When I negotiate with artists abroad, I tell them not to forget the national minimum and average salaries,” he said, explaining that many artists have already understood the need to adapt their cachet to the reality in Portugal, given the importance of Somnii for their CV.
On the other hand, the MOT director stressed that more than the line-ups presented, the event “has sought to establish itself as a place of meeting and sharing”, establishing a close relationship with its audience that goes beyond the live shows and “generates a sense of belonging and identity”.
“Anyone who knows Somnii knows that the festival is an experience and a meeting point,” said the promoter, noting that festival-goers see the annual return to Figueira da Foz as a tradition, a time to meet friends and create memories.
Among the various stories that illustrate the emotional connection between Somnii and its fans, Tiago Castelo Branco highlighted that of a couple who met at the festival and got in touch two years ago via the organization´s social networks because they were getting married during the event. "The theme of the wedding was the festival and they asked us to come dressed as a bride and groom that Saturday. Their dream was to meet Alok, which cost us nothing, and we gave them an unforgettable experience," he emphasized.
The evolution of the audience´s age profile is also, for the promoter, a reflection of their loyalty to the event, since the average age, initially between 16 and 21, has moved to between 25 and 35, indicating that many of the festival-goers from the first editions continue to attend.
The festival has made a point of reinventing itself and this year it is debuting a new stage configuration, installed on the north pier of the commercial port, facing north towards the sea, the beach and the sunset, with improvements to the infrastructure and more accessibility conditions for people with reduced mobility.
“How many festivals in the world allow people to be on the beach, taking a dip, while listening to their favorite artist?” said Tiago Castelo Branco.
At the same time, and in conjunction with the Somnii program, Figueira da Foz will host Air Force Day, promoting joint activities, one of which will include aeronautical demonstrations commented on at the venue by military aircraft pilots.
Source: https://ofigueirense.com
Image source: https://rfmsomnii.com