Scene
guest columnist: Einfakinn (Bruno Čubić)
Another Gates of Agartha is in the books—and once again, it delivered. This festival keeps putting Croatia on the global radar with its one-of-a-kind vibe at the ancient Cave Romane. After three solid years and thousands of visitors, it’s clear the Gate Experience crew keeps raising the bar. Here’s how I lived the 2025 edition.
ORIGINS
The story didn’t start in Croatia. It began in Cappadocia, Turkey, where the team launched Echoes from Agartha—a festival that fused otherworldly scenery with deep sonic storytelling. It went viral, and for good reason: that desert-volcanic backdrop felt straight out of a dream.
The goal was always bigger than parties: it was about creating a space where artists could truly explore and experiment. After that first spark in Turkey, the team partnered with BSH Events to bring the vision to Croatia. Since the 2023 debut, Gates of Agartha has evolved into a global brand with events in Turkey, Croatia, and Mexico.
THE NUMBERS: GOA 2025
The festival spans four days: welcome party on Day 1, two main nights at Cave Romane, and an after party on Day 4. This year, the main event featured 12 artists, a mix of global talent and regional support, and reportedly hit around 5,000 visitors per day—a massive leap for something that still feels niche.
The energy has shifted over time. With viral videos drawing attention, more international faces are showing up—great for visibility, but it does blur the original essence a bit. Some people are clearly here for the aesthetic and content, not the music and energy that make this festival what it is.
DAY 1
We rolled into Medulin Friday afternoon and settled into our villa—poolside chilling, good tunes, and that giddy pre-festival energy. The weather was perfect, and we spent the whole afternoon soaking up sun and planning the night ahead.
We were laser-focused on catching Adam Ten & Mita Gami B2B, two artists we’ve followed for years. We’ve replayed their sets so many times that we practically know every transition. Hearing them live was surreal—some familiar IDs, a few surprises, and that signature hypnotic energy.
Then Blond:ish hit the decks and instantly elevated the vibe. She’s got this bold, infectious charisma that you just can’t ignore. Pure fire.
Finally, Joseph Capriati—the day’s most hyped act—took over. I was curious to see if he’d bring the same unexpected brilliance he delivered in 2023. This time, though, his set leaned more toward a smooth afterparty vibe. Not bad at all, just not quite the twist I was hoping for. My crew was on the same page, and we made the call to skip his closing B2B with Blond:ish in favor of rest and recharging.
Highlights: Hearing Adam Ten & Mita Gami live was a dream. The sunrise moment with familiar faces was pure magic.
Low points: The energy dropped a bit too early—people went too hard, too soon, and the dancefloor vibe suffered late into the night.
DAY 2
Woke up fresh and recharged – exactly what Day 2 needed. Kicked off the day with a pool dip and coffee, then threw down a proper BBQ feast at the villa. Friends stopped by, cocktails were flowing by early afternoon, and the energy was buzzing.
We knew the night would go deep, so some of us skipped the first few sets to conserve energy. I passed on Amémé for that reason, but made sure to arrive just in time for Carlita. Her sets are always a wild card – in the best way. She threw down with her usual flair, but I think the crowd didn’t quite match her energy this time. Still, she set the stage well for what came next.
Âme x Jimi Jules were my personal highlight of the entire festival. I’ve followed Innervisions religiously for years, and their B2B was everything I hoped for: layered, emotional, tension-building, and full of unexpected drops. They aren’t bound by genre; they tell stories.
Jamie Jones closed out the night like a true master – pacing the energy just right and keeping the floor grooving until the very end.
Highlights: The crowd was more tuned into the music, and the full Gates of Agartha energy was finally unleashed.
Low points: Give Âme x Jimi Jules a bit more runway. Their set felt like it needed 30 more minutes to fully unfold.
With its mythology-inspired aesthetic, curated artist lineup, bold fashion, and mystical location, Agartha isn’t just another rave—it’s a full-on experience.
