It circled, circled and circled
Traditionally, like every year, this year the end of June was greeted with a shout by the music festival "Swing". It draws you in, makes you wander along unknown forest roads and paths among the sounds of music that still ring in your head, does not allow you to return to everyday life and still draws you back to nature filled with the scent of the forest. The festival passes by indescribably quickly, and the memories remain for the whole year until the next "Swing". In order to return to life again, a transitional period is absolutely necessary, when the music player plays the music of the performers heard at the event, the most beautiful shots are waiting to be captured, and the deepest impressions experienced will be discussed with festival friends for several weeks. "Swing" afterparty continues intensively for more than one day or week, or maybe even a whole year.
For the ninth year, we have been longing for quality, real, and captivating content. face The organizers of "Swings" promised unforgettable impressions and lasting memories for four days and three nights. Four stages - "Auķšciau", "Žemiau", "Daugiau" and "Mažiau" - allowed everyone who came to "Swings" to find and discover what is closest to their musical taste. However, it was not only music that created the atmosphere of the festival. People immersed in the forest, the fresh smell of moss after the rain, the delicate drops of excitement lingering in the atmosphere, friendliness, new friendships made, the joyful faces of friends seen for a long time, smiles that did not prevent them from breaking out even in the sometimes gloomy weather. But let's start with everything from the beginning.
Travel. Reaching the Pakretuonė forests, arriving from the furthest corner of Lithuania or from foreign expanses – an introduction and entertainment for everyone who goes to get lost among the labyrinths of music at the “Swing” festival. However, it was possible to get lost not only among the music, but also among the forest roads. The lack of directions was compensated by all the fellow travelers traveling in the same direction. For those who arrived early, who did not have to wait in lines, getting into the vastness of the forest was a real blessing. As the bikers “Vorai” who met at the entrance last year – some were happy, others were sad, but it is important that they met traditionally.
First impression. Amidst the beautifully arranged trees and people forming on the moss, there is an exciting atmosphere. The first overview walk through the entire festival area, the performances taking place on the stages soundchecks sounds. The official start of the festival is eagerly awaited.
Music. What is most important and most anticipated. Music is still "surrounding". Four different stages, four different stories of the festival. Invited foreign guests, next to whom Lithuanian music performers shone in various colors. One can even argue who made people raise their hands higher. The first to open the gates to the world of music "Above" The stage allowed dancing until dawn on the first night of the festival, engaging in a truly magical melodic ritual, then continuing this ritual every sweet morning for those for whom it was a sin to stop dancing. Just like last year, this year, tech house The energy was provided by Ksenia Kamikaza, who captivated the audience with fresh sounds.
In the largest "More" The melodies played on stage are still deeply embedded in the subconscious, and when you close your eyes, you can still see the lights inviting you to come closer. Fred P., who fascinated Saulty on Friday night and was listened to with some disappointment, later gave way to the "Partyzan" Mantas T, who especially strongly invited you to meet the dawn, whose set, full of musical trump cards, left no one indifferent. At midnight on Saturday techno "Signa & Shifted" played melodies sonorously, a sophisticated and deeply intertwined classical techno with their experimental sound, the duo made both feet and hearts tremble. Lorans Vaitkus & Hallucin excited the audience techno and house with accents that have been etched and still resonate in memory. On Sunday afternoon, the spirits of the Woods immersed those who remained and were trying to find their lost souls after the busy weekend fun in the vastness of sound. Dub techno melodies intertwined with the spirits of the forest and the lake. Everyone who knows, and everyone knows, what to expect from the Spirits of the Woods, got a lot of everything. It surprised, as it should have surprised.
"Less" "Sraunus", who spoke deeply and emotionally with music on stage, made the audience tremble dub techno and ambient with rich sounds, Fume's nightly journey through a deep forest of passions, followed by Lauren Halo live the performance disappointed those who had been waiting for it for a long time, where experimental electronics and techno got lost somewhere in the woods and never found their light. A similar fate befell "Easter", who performed on Saturday night. The duo's live performance was not as impressive as expected. However, despite minor disappointments, the "Mažiau" stage, as every year, revealed the experimental charm of music.
Walking along a forest path along a tree-lined slope, you are greeted by a rhythmic landscape visually well-composed against the forest backdrop. "Below" scene. The youthful Fingalick sincerely spread beats and abstract r'n'b waves, Hathor provided solid miniatures with ambient and bass elements, alongside Loxy, Overlook and Intakz, who fully justified their musical flair, how to surprise d'n'b the souls of people thirsty for vibration. Unexpected musical angles that touch all the depths of the body. Deep therapy "Below" scenes bass The sounds of the forest grove provided an opportunity to dance, immerse oneself, and sit quietly for hours on a forest slope with a wide view of the lake. Music connected nature, adding life to it.
People. Sincere, surrendering themselves to the spirits of the forest, lake and music. People with whom it is good to dance together, it is good to share memories. I don't know about others, but for me - great neighbors, interesting life stories, strong musical feelings. People who don't want to play themselves, people for whom the main thing is music. But it cannot be said that there were not all kinds. There were also people with the status of litterers who treated the nature reserve badly. (I hope they feel ashamed). In short - interesting, beautiful, colorful - the kind of people who you want to meet more when you return to the city.
Everything else. Weather/food/scenography/decoration/light/mood/swimming in the lake. The dazzling lights of the caterers were either too bright or too close to the stage, like a beacon of light that might not have been there. However, there was plenty to choose from, whether it was a healthy fruit or an unhealthy cocktail to drink. From sushi, pizza, burgers to seafood-filled dishes. Although the prices are not the lowest, you can afford everything at "Swings". Well, almost everything. A beautifully illuminated boardwalk along the water, never alone. Night swimming, swimming in the lake, discovering water islands... and most importantly, swings, which help you "swing" while not "swinging" to the sounds of music. And the weather. Having met the first day a bit cool, rainy, gloomy (which, by the way, was perfect for the atmosphere of gloomy, deep music), Saturday was a joyous day with the long-awaited sun and naked bodies. But everyone knew where they were going, the weather wasn't a problem here - it only added to the charm in the overall context, and morning dances in the rain made hearts flutter even more.
Finally. We all constantly compare everything, and when comparing this year's "Swing" with last year's or even previous ones, there are many opinions, but the most important thing is what you are looking for yourself - the fact that "Swing" is worth going to year after year. Neither the weather that was not pleasant all day, nor anything else was a problem in trying to feel what we came for. And if we came, then it was worth it. And it is worth making "Swing" a tradition. And now, waiting for the anniversary, the tenth "Swing", we just have to endure one year, live in memories and again feel the forest's call to return. And we will always return there.
Roberta Remeikaitė
