Dimensions is Croatia's most assured house and techno festival

Larry Heard aka Mr Fingers and Mr White, The Clearing, Friday

Aside from the opening concert and a good show by Detroit veterans Octave One, many of the live acts at this year's festival were disappointing, even the previously impressive Hiatus Kaiyote. The hands down, stand out live performance from the main site came from deep house originator Larry Heard aka Mr Fingers. It's been over half a decade since his debut in Croatia, at the much smaller Suncebeat Festival, and Croatians who missed him on that occasion seem to have been determined not to pass up another opportunity. The open air field in which he plays is full, with many Croatians in attendance for this performance only. As this Mixmag writer witnessed a similar live show from the legend at Sankeys Soap in Manchester in the mid 90s at which there were less than 100 people in the audience it is truly heartwarming to see this giant of soulful, moody house music receive the appreciation he truly deserves. Visibly nervous at the start and obviously touched by the outpouring of love for his music by the end, it is as special a performance for Heard as it is for the appreciative audience who lap up many of his original Chicago hits. His later material, such as 'Deja Vu (musaria mix)' and this track, sung extremely well by original vocalist Mr 'Chad' White sounded just as good.

Midland, The Stables, Friday

Without doubt one of this summer's biggest and best tunes is this pacey number from Midland, played by the man himself (to the joyous thanks of his audience) on both of his appearances at Dimensions 2016. It achieved anthem status at Croatia's Love International festival earlier in the summer and has seen arms aloft in response everywhere from Dekmantel to Ibiza. It's a funny old tune if you analyse it, faster than usual house or disco fayre, slightly reminiscent in places of Oliver Cheatham's biggest hit and with a bass sound that periodically threatens to break through the soundsystem. The best part is its nagging, hypnotic loop, echoing the best Chicago or Detroit disco house and sustaining tension effortlessly before the speeded up, vocal sample pay off. One of 2016's best tunes.