Scene
Croatia’s beloved Forestland Festival returns to Brezje, near Čakovec, this weekend – July 18th and 19th – transforming a quiet grove in Međimurje into a full-blown celebration of electronic music, pop anthems, and rave energy under the stars.
Now in its 13th edition, Forestland has built a reputation as one of the country’s most vibrant summer festivals, known for its diverse bookings, three unique stages, and a no-curfew policy that keeps the party going until sunrise.
This year’s lineup spans everything from global headliners to local rising stars. Four names stand out from this year’s Forestland lineup – PEZNT, Vanillaz, Butterfly Jam, and Einfakinn – each bringing a different pulse, backstory, and approach to the decks.
Butterfly Jam: From the Tram to the Forest
Butterfly Jam, aka Josip Mioč, made his first steps into professional DJing just three years ago but is already well-known in Zagreb’s club circuit. Influenced early on by the likes of Daft Punk and Armand Van Helden, he now cites newer names like E-Squared and D Stone as current inspirations. His creative energy extends beyond the decks – he also founded a one-of-a-kind party series inside Zagreb’s trams.
“Authenticity is key in today’s overcrowded scene,” says Butterfly Jam. “That’s what makes you stand out long-term.”
His set will land on Saturday, July 19 at 10:30PM on the Forestroom stage – his first-ever festival appearance.
Vanillaz: From Underground to Global Stages
Regional veterans Vanillaz – Marko Bucić and Miha Pajk – began when electronic music was still far from mainstream, long before social media and streaming made it accessible from a bedroom studio.
“Back then, you had to grind – mailing CDs, hustling club gigs. Today, anyone can publish music, but standing out still comes down to having a real sound and live energy,” they explain.
From Ultra Europe’s main stage to Tokyo dancefloors, Vanillaz have played for tens of thousands, and yet they continue to draw from outside electronic music to fuel their creativity.
They promise an exclusive, high-energy set filled with unreleased material – and are scheduled to perform just after midnight on the second night, July 20, on the festival’s Main Stage.
Einfakinn: A Dancer First, a DJ Always
Einfakinn (Bruno Einfakinn) emerged during the pandemic-era livestream boom, gaining traction as clubs closed and online platforms exploded.
“Before DJing, I was a dancer and a raver – that’s still how I approach music,” he shares. “You’ll find me on the dancefloor unless I really like the track – then I’m behind the decks.”
He’s delivered standout performances across Zagreb, including a prime-time closing set after Âme Live at Peti Kupe. At Forestland, you’ll find him Friday night at 3:00 AM on the Forestroom stage, right after Shapeshifters – and he’s still deciding whether to go full-on festival mode or follow the vibe of the previous set. Either way, expect surprises.
PEZNT: Groove-Driven and Genre-Defying
Tomislav Pasanec, known as PEZNT, is one of Croatia’s most seasoned electronic producers and DJs. He started in the analog days of flyers and landlines, when house and techno were underground by necessity, not by branding.
“For me, music was never a choice – it was a need. I’d spend hours rewinding tapes, analyzing tracks. It was trance, house, techno – that’s how it started,” he reflects.
His career includes a standout collaboration with the Croatian Radio-Television Jazz Orchestra, and a milestone performance at Amsterdam’s Defected party in front of over 5,000 people. Still, he prefers intimate club gigs where he can feel the crowd up close. Expect a dynamic, emotionally charged, and groovy set from PEZNT, who takes over Forestroom on Saturday at 3:00 AM.
Music runs from 6 PM to 8 AM across three stages – Main, Forestroom, and the shady daytime hub Šumska Zona. Forestland might not have the slickness of the Adriatic coast’s polished giants, but it doesn’t need it. It thrives on instinct, openness, and late-night magic under the trees.
Festival passes are available via Ulaz.hr. More information about the festival is available here.
