Portugal

by Julie Leite

Portugal is one of the Psychedelic Trance countries since 1995, and for sure many of us had their first introduction to the vibrant sounds of Trance at a party somewhere in this country. From North to South, Portugal has always been a synonym for good parties and amazing energy. In Lisbon and Porto, the main cities of the developing party scene, you can attend some event every weekend, outdoor or indoor, and always with some of the best national and international artists.

The main parties and festivals taking place this year: Freedom Festival, in its fifth edition, produced by Crystal Matrix. Freedom Festival will take place from 13th ‘till 18th of August, and for sure will be worth checking if you are coming to Portugal this summer. Another good festival taking place between 6th and 9th of September is Insomnia in its first edition, produced by Samaveda and Fusion Prod, two of the most well-known party promoters from the North of Portugal. This festival will have 2 stages where we will have the pleasure to hear various projects from the Psychedelic Trance genre, and also some Progressive, Minimal, and Downtempo projects from around the world. More info about this festival available at:
Insomnia Electronic Music Festival on facebook

by Sonia Cardoso

Also Psyart is one of the best party promoters here, making two amazing outdoor parties per year that became a quality trademark for Portuguese Psychedelic Trance events. Always surprising with big names from the Psytrance and Ambient scene, and with great infrastructures and environment, “Kin & The 4 Elements” is the event of choice if you want to have a great time at a psychedelic happening.
Talking about indoor parties: Clubs such as Porto Rio, Gare and Hard Club in Porto, and Opart, Warehouse , Republica da Musica, and Europa Club in Lisbon give to the psychedelic spirit a new reason for existence. In Porto you can check out good indoor parties from the Porto Rio club organization throughout the year. They are organizing several indoor events, always with amazing professionalism, amazing decors, artists and environment.

Menog

Other main organizers in this country who are creating excellent events are Digital Oracle, Fusion Prod, Vision Tek, Free Dreams & Incognita Prod. Talking about Portuguese artists and labels, we may look forward to some excellent work to come from projects like A-Mush, Zinx, Wired, Sinful Reactions, Algorhythm, Sub-Zero, Photonik, and Kin, also the well-known sounds from Poison, D-Maniac, Tryambaka, Sick Addiction, Menog, Khopat, Brainwash, and Alienn, among others. Also Spectral Records, Hypergate Records, and Flow Records keep on releasing some good music this year.In the Ambient / Downtempo genre please make sure to check Chilled C´Quence, Sergio Walgood, Balancé, or Ambiens Indages- Those are names to remember for listening pleasure in more relaxed atmospheres.
The average entry price reaches from 3€ to 30€, while the average prices for water / beer are between 1€ and 3€. Almost every weekend there’s a good party that may run from 12am to 8am (club parties), or from 00h am to 8pm (outdoor events).
Portugal continues to be a highly energetic centre of the Psy movement, so it’s always a good place to visit and for party!