10 artists remember 10 years of Outlook festival

Outlook festival is 10 years old. The soundsystem culture event has become a haven for low-end dance music and helped put Croatia on the map as a bona fide party destination.

Held in an ancient fort on the coast, Outlook always serves up a feast of bass music, from raucous boat parties to juggernaut system sessions. Here, 10 DJs toast to their favourite memories of one of the best festivals in the world.

Having been resident DJ for the festival for 10 years, I have seen Outlook grow to deliver the most exciting, dynamic festival in Europe and possibly the world. Nowhere can compete for authentic soundsystem culture with a picturesque backdrop and great weather. I always look forward to playing on the Deep Medi stage! I even went and wrote a song about it!

A very fond moment happened on the beach stage a few years ago, playing Mala's remix of Fat Freddy's Drop literally as the sun was shining but it was also raining, with every person in the crowd like, "Wow, this is special". If you know the track and you know Outlook and its crowd, you can kind of picture the moment, Long Live Outlook festival.

I've been going to Outlook festival since 2010. That first year I had no friends to go with but the line-up was so enticing that I booked a flight a week before and did it solo. I was massively inexperienced with festivals at this stage 'cause I was only 18 but I came back saying it was the best four days of my life. I've never said that about an experience in my life since! I made so many friends who I'm still really close with, I even met my manager there before I'd even started DJing. Admittedly I've forgotten most of what I actually got up to that year, but you get the gist.

Having been involved with the festival from the beginning it's definitely been a big inspiration to see how much it's grown. From a handful of forward-thinking promoters bringing together a line-up of pivotal figures from the UK's dubstep, rap, reggae and drum 'n' bass movements to major label headliners and a 24-piece orchestra. It's come a long way!

I'd just played for Just Jam on the Void stage after Oneman, between 5-6am. My flight was a couple hours later so I went back to the hotel to pack my shit. Next thing I know I've passed out and I'm running down the road to get on the bus to the airport only to be greeted by a very pissed off DJ Hype, who shouted at me for holding them up. I sat next to my mate Jack (Mumdance) and once he'd calmed down Hype was asking who we were and what we did. When Jack told him his name, Hype replied "MUMDANCE?! What does your mum call you...SONDANCE?!" We were scared and confused. Thank god we made the flight.

I remember seeing Iration Steppas vs Blackboard Jungle in 2012 in what is now the Void stage area, but back then it was just an open space with the soundsystems set up facing each other. It was absolutely amazing, a friendly clash but a clash all the same. There must have been upwards of 12 deejays between both sounds, pure lyrics and dubplates flying at each other all night!

It had been a rainy year so the ground was all muddy but regardless of that I remember the energy at that particular session, both on stage and in the crowd, which was just incredible. The crowd moving as one, like properly shocking out! Those kind of experiences with soundsystems just give you so much life and energy, it reminds you why you love it so much.

I’ve only missed two festivals in Outlook’s 10 year history – it’s got to be one of my favourite occasions of the year. I just love that there’s a festival of that scale where international musicians and artists from both the current underground and long-standing traditions [of soundsystem culture] can gather every year to celebrate with music lovers from all different continents and communities. Long live Outlook!

Favourite memory? Playing on the Void to thousands of people. Loved it. Cant wait to do it again!

Outlook festival always struck me because of its unique vibe and atmosphere. The collection of sounds can be found nowhere else and Outlook still stays at the forefront of bringing soundsystem and bass culture together. As a music fan it's one of my most enjoyed outings as I am exposed to so many weird and wonderful and legendary sounds and performers all on one site. And the beautiful surroundings and unique formats like the boat parties and stages in the fort or on the bay ensure treasured memories that will last forever.

Outlook is always a massive highlight of my year. Having played there several times over the years it's grown into one of the most significant festivals worldwide and represents everything I love about music.

'Outlook is always a special one for me. I went for the first time when I was 18 and I keep going back every year. I get to watch my favourite artists while having a skank on the beach!