Ivan – a pleasure to speak to you, you have a remarkable new festival taking place on the beautiful sands of Bulgaria’s Black Sea Coast from August 14th-16th. This is your second year and already nominated for the ‘Best European Festival’ in the UK Festival Awards 2008. How did you get into the festival market in the first place, what is your musical event organising background?
“Funnily enough I made my money from the car business, basically selling cars. Did that for 20 years, then started small parties and then put on bigger events – Mohjo and people like Kraftwerk. The festival was a natural progression really, started on a scale we could afford and then went for it.”
So where did this musical love come from?
“Well I was a bass player in a group, we released some albums and then the whole download situation came in. So we went live festival wise…”
A three day festival, when does the work begin after the next one finishes?
“Well put it this way, there is no holiday for me! Business has to be sorted out straight after the event and then we just get on with things…”
Last year’s event attracted 20,000 people with six separate stages featuring dance, rock, DJ sets and even – Latino sets – Andy Cato from Groove Armada raved to me about it – what are you most looking forward to this year?
“Andy was great last year. I am so looking forward to LTJ Bukem and MC Conrad – also Faith No More. Brilliant.”
How important are getting the likes of sponsors and MTV on board in these times, can you put on an event without corporates on board?
“In Bulgaria, impossible – we keep the ticket prices low. 35 Euros a day. Our national salary is so low – maybe 20,000 Euros. The hotel prices around my event is so important to what I do, and you know, sometimes I just wish some of these bands and DJs would appreciate what I am trying to do – some prices are outrageous.”
Who do you think your clubbers are most looking forward to seeing this year?
“Hopefully the same as me. Faith No More.”
What festivals around the world do you rate – has any of them modelled ‘Spirit of Burgas’?
“Exit is so important to us all over here.”
“Thank you Dan, thank you for the support.”
