What is Hideout Festival really like? We attended the 2022 edition at Zrće Beach in Croatia and experienced its beach clubs, long days of music, boat parties and predominantly UK crowd firsthand. This Hideout Festival review covers the sets and venues that stood out, what worked well, what surprised us and the practical lessons we would take into a future visit.
If you need current information about the festival’s location, closest airport, transport and accommodation, read our Hideout Festival Croatia travel guide.
Hideout Festival Review: Music and Set Highlights
Mike Skinner (aka The Streets)
I’ve been a fan of The Streets ever since the first time I heard “Blinded By The Lights”, I immediately fell in love with his style and sound. So seeing Mike live was a bit of a dream come true for me. His DJ set was all over the place, Hip Hop/Grime, UK Bassline, House, Drum & Bass, and everything in between, including some comedy on the mic. For his last song, he jumped in the crowd to sing it live, the crowd went absolutely nuts and it was truly a memorable moment. Watch some of the highlights of Mike Skinner (The Streets) live @ Hideout Festival on YouTube below!
Skream b2b Ewan McVicar
Although Ewan McVicar was supposed to play before Skream at Noa Beach Club, both DJs ended up doing a B2B set for approximately 4 hours, they kept going even after the club was supposed to close. Their set was a true masterclass in DJing. They started off on an Indie Dance/Nu Disco note, since they were following Horse Meat Disco, and slowly evolved their set from funky to heavier flavors of House music. You can watch the first hour of Skream B2B Ewan McVicar live @ Hideout Festival 2022 on YouTube right below!
Hybrid Minds
It is no surprise that Hybrid Minds delivered a legendary liquid Drum & Bass set. High-energy, emotional and uplifting, he delivered anthem after anthem and the crowd just couldn’t get enough. Big singalongs and a tangible feel-good vibe from start to finish really made HM’s set one for the books! Watch some highlights from Hybrid Minds live @ Hideout Festival on YouTube below!
Folamour
French Disco & House DJ phenomenon and founder of the label FHUO, Folamour really brought funky feel-good vibes to the festival. The perfect sound for afternoon by the beach vibes under the sun, Folamour absolutely set Euphoria Beach club on fire! His unique blend of Disco, House, Funk and Indie Dance put a huge smile on everybody’s face. Although Indie Dance/Nu Disco is not usually my cup of tea, I have to admit that, even for me, his performance was legendary! Watch some highlights from Folamour live @ Hideout Festival on YouTube below!
Sam Divine
Defected Records’ own Sam Divine started her set with an almost empty Noa Beach Club, however, it didn’t take long before the place filled up. She brought her extra groovy House music sound and the crowd loved it. Her energy was infectious and you could feel it everywhere around. She truly showed us why she is a really in-demand DJ on the House music scene. Watch some of the highlights from Sam Divine live @ Hideout Festival on YouTube below!
Camelphat (Boat Party)
Last but not least, although they didn’t play for very long, the Camelphat boat party was a memorable experience. As you can see on the video below, the boat party was packed to a probably unsafe level. Their set started off deep and groovy, without playing any of their top hits, but they ended the last 30 minutes with one anthem after another. Watch some highlights from the Camelphat Sunset Boat Party @ Hideout Festival on YouTube below!
What Is Hideout Festival Really Like?
Planning Your Hideout Festival Trip
Transport and accommodation details can change between editions, so we have moved our current planning advice into a separate Hideout Festival Croatia travel guide. Novalja remains the main town near the festival, with shuttle services connecting it to Zrće Beach. Our biggest lesson was to confirm the nearest shuttle stop before booking accommodation and avoid depending entirely on taxis during peak festival hours.
Bars and Payments
During our visit, several bars relied heavily on cash, which made carrying money and using the expensive nearby ATMs inconvenient. That part of our experience should now be considered historical. Hideout Festival’s current information says payments by card or phone are accepted at festival venues, while ATMs are available at Zrće Beach and in Novalja. Croatia now uses euros, but prices and payment policies can still change between editions, so check the official festival FAQ before travelling.
Beach Clubs and Stages
During our visit, the five open-air beach clubs all delivered powerful sound, and audio bleed between the nearby venues was surprisingly limited. Entry lines were generally manageable, although crowd levels varied depending on the venue and artist. The clubs are close enough to move between sets without spending much time walking.
Music and Programming
House and Tech House dominated the edition we attended, but we could usually find another style somewhere on Zrće Beach. Bassline, Drum and Bass, Techno, Indie Dance, Nu Disco, Trap and Hip Hop all appeared across the programme. The range and quality of the bookings were major strengths. Lineups, set times and daily schedules change every year, so always use the current programme for final planning.
Bathrooms and Facilities
During our visit, both permanent and portable toilets were available around the beach clubs, and they were generally clean. Waiting times were usually reasonable but increased when the busiest sets filled the venues. Some facilities charged for access during our visit, although individual venue policies may have changed since then.
Getting Around the Festival
Zrće Beach is compact and easy to explore on foot, with the main beach clubs located only a few minutes from one another. The beach between the venues also provides somewhere to slow down and recharge between sets. Daily schedules and venue opening times can change, so download the official Hideout Festival app when it becomes available and use it for current set times, maps and transport information.
Safety and Security
Security responses could be firm during our visit, so follow venue instructions, remain respectful and avoid confrontations. Keep your phone, wallet, passport and festival wristband secure, especially in crowded venues. If you need urgent help in Croatia, the general emergency number is 112. Festival staff and information points can also assist with lost property and on-site concerns.
Food at Zrće Beach
Food stands and convenience shops between the beach clubs made it easy to buy meals, snacks, water and other essentials without leaving Zrće Beach. The selection and prices can change between editions, but having several options close to the venues was convenient during long festival days.
Crowd and Atmosphere
The crowd during our visit appeared predominantly British and was younger than at many other festivals we have attended. The atmosphere sometimes felt closer to a busy holiday nightclub than a traditional rave, but the energy remained high throughout the week. Crowd demographics can naturally change from one edition to another.
Hideout Festival Tips From Our Experience
- Book accommodation early and confirm that it is near a festival shuttle stop.
- Arrange airport transportation before travelling and allow extra time for delays.
- Purchase the festival shuttle pass in advance if you plan to travel between Novalja and Zrće Beach.
- Bring a payment card or phone and carry a small amount of euros as a backup.
- Download the official festival app when it becomes available for maps, set times and operational updates.
- Bring your e-ticket and valid photo identification when collecting your wristband.
- Use sunscreen, wear a hat and drink water regularly. Temperatures can become very hot during the festival.
- Look after your wristband because festival wristbands may not be replaceable.
- Avoid unofficial ticket sellers. The name on the ticket must match the attendee’s identification.
- Consider travel insurance covering cancellations, medical treatment and lost belongings.
- Respect venue staff, other attendees and local residents while enjoying the festival.
Our Hideout Festival Verdict
Hideout Festival delivered an experience that felt distinct from other electronic music festivals we have attended. The artist bookings, musical variety, beachside location, sound systems and production were the strongest parts of the event.
Based on our experience, we would attend again, but we would plan our accommodation and transportation more carefully. This Hideout Festival review reflects the edition we personally attended. For current travel information, use our Hideout Festival Croatia travel guide and confirm final details through the official festival website.
