Hradhouse Festival
Encyclopedia
Festival Hradhouse is an annual festival of electronic dance music that takes place in Boskovice
, near Brno
, Czech Republic
. 2007 sees the 10th anniversary of this prestigious festival which attracts top DJs from within the Czech Republic and internationally. During the 9 years of its existence, the festival has become a fixture on the Czech music scene and in the process has grown from a small summer underground party to an event of international importance. It is a significant event for the region as it reinforces the region's importance as a major centre for dance music as opposed to the more established scene in Prague
. Other similar events in Moravia include Rio De Riviera held in nearby Brno
.
Since then a number of new parties have taken place in the area and Hradhouse has had to defend its position. The organisation gradually become more professional, and prestige sponsors were recruited and at the same time, guest capacity was increased. In 2001 the festival moved to the bigger castle at Boskovice, which is closer to Brno
.
The first performing DJ guest from outside the Czech Republic was DJ Heaven from the UK club Cream. She was brought from the airport to the festival in 1999 in an old car and, as she was wearing high-heel shoes, she had to be carried by the promoters, because there were too many holes on the path to the main stage. In later years the number of international guests increased and gradually a large number of legendary DJs have performed at the Hradhouse festival, including Terry Francis
(2000), Richard Sen (2001), Nils Hess, Ian Ossia
(2002), Marco Bailey, Pelacha, Evil Eddie Richards (2003), Chris Liebing
(2004), Cristian Varela, Felipe
, Chris Cowie
(2005), Michel De Hey, Fergie
and Justin Robertson
(2006).
The main guests at the 2007 festival will be Swedish techno producer Adam Beyer
, Italian Marco Carola, French electro producer Sébastien Léger
and German Christian Fischer. On the lower stage the audience will be entertained by a quality international line-up of drum and bass artists, including British star Andy C and friends from the RAM record label.
Boskovice
Boskovice is a town in the Czech Republic.-Location:The town is situated in the Drahanská Highlands, about 30–40 km to the north of Brno, the most important city of Moravia.-History:...
, near Brno
Brno
Brno by population and area is the second largest city in the Czech Republic, the largest Moravian city, and the historical capital city of the Margraviate of Moravia. Brno is the administrative centre of the South Moravian Region where it forms a separate district Brno-City District...
, Czech Republic
Czech Republic
The Czech Republic is a landlocked country in Central Europe. The country is bordered by Poland to the northeast, Slovakia to the east, Austria to the south, and Germany to the west and northwest....
. 2007 sees the 10th anniversary of this prestigious festival which attracts top DJs from within the Czech Republic and internationally. During the 9 years of its existence, the festival has become a fixture on the Czech music scene and in the process has grown from a small summer underground party to an event of international importance. It is a significant event for the region as it reinforces the region's importance as a major centre for dance music as opposed to the more established scene in Prague
Prague
Prague is the capital and largest city of the Czech Republic. Situated in the north-west of the country on the Vltava river, the city is home to about 1.3 million people, while its metropolitan area is estimated to have a population of over 2.3 million...
. Other similar events in Moravia include Rio De Riviera held in nearby Brno
Brno
Brno by population and area is the second largest city in the Czech Republic, the largest Moravian city, and the historical capital city of the Margraviate of Moravia. Brno is the administrative centre of the South Moravian Region where it forms a separate district Brno-City District...
.
History
In 1998 the festival took place for the first time at the romantic Buchlov castle, set deep in the woods. It was the first time that dance music and effects had been used in such a setting and it set a trend for future events. In the early days the line up of Czech DJs attracted just 1000 people but since then the number of guests has steadily increased. The Czech dance scene was from then on the start of its journey and the organisation of a party at the castle was a mini-revolution in its own right.Since then a number of new parties have taken place in the area and Hradhouse has had to defend its position. The organisation gradually become more professional, and prestige sponsors were recruited and at the same time, guest capacity was increased. In 2001 the festival moved to the bigger castle at Boskovice, which is closer to Brno
Brno
Brno by population and area is the second largest city in the Czech Republic, the largest Moravian city, and the historical capital city of the Margraviate of Moravia. Brno is the administrative centre of the South Moravian Region where it forms a separate district Brno-City District...
.
The first performing DJ guest from outside the Czech Republic was DJ Heaven from the UK club Cream. She was brought from the airport to the festival in 1999 in an old car and, as she was wearing high-heel shoes, she had to be carried by the promoters, because there were too many holes on the path to the main stage. In later years the number of international guests increased and gradually a large number of legendary DJs have performed at the Hradhouse festival, including Terry Francis
Terry Francis
Terry Francis is a British Tech House DJ and producer. Francis won Muzik Magazine's "Best New DJ" award in 1997. In October 1999, at the club's inception, he started a residency at London's Fabric, which has continued ever since....
(2000), Richard Sen (2001), Nils Hess, Ian Ossia
Ian Ossia
Ian Ossia is a popular progressive house DJ from the United Kingdom. He has been active since at least 1991 and is most famous for holding a long-time residency at the famous Renaissance superclub alongside luminaries Sasha and John Digweed....
(2002), Marco Bailey, Pelacha, Evil Eddie Richards (2003), Chris Liebing
Chris Liebing
Chris Liebing is dj, producer, radio host of a weekly show and the driving force behind the labels CLR and Spinclub Recordings. His sound has continuously evolved during his dj career, always true to his Techno roots. He was one of the first djs that used the new possibilities in the course of the...
(2004), Cristian Varela, Felipe
Felipe
Felipe is the Spanish variant of the name Philip, which derives from the Greek adjective Philippos "friend of horses". Felipe is also used in Portuguese.Noteworthy people with this name include:-Politics:* Felipe Agoncillo, Filipino diplomat...
, Chris Cowie
Chris Cowie
Chris Cowie is a producer and DJ from Aberdeen, Scotland. Growing up on a council estate Cowie has gained mainstream and underground fame through his music and his DJ and Live performances. He launched the highly acclaimed and influential record labels Hook Recordings and Bellboy Records in 1991...
(2005), Michel De Hey, Fergie
Fergie (DJ)
Fergie is an Northern Irish DJ and electronic music artist from Larne, County Antrim, Northern Ireland. Initially playing hard house in his early career, he is now better known for breaks and techno....
and Justin Robertson
Justin Robertson
Justin Robertson is a British DJ, remixer and electronic music producer from Manchester, England. He has remixed dozens of high-profile music artists as himself or as The Prankster, fronted the group Lionrock and has released albums and singles of original music under his own name and the name...
(2006).
10th Anniversary improvements
In order to emphasise the importance of the 2007 festival which will be held on August 11th, a new version of the main stage is to be created, along with enhanced lighting, and for the first time part of the dance floor on the main stage will be covered by a roof.The main guests at the 2007 festival will be Swedish techno producer Adam Beyer
Adam Beyer
Adam Beyer is a Swedish techno producer and DJ. He is the founder of Drumcode Records, Truesoul Records, Code Red and Mad Eye Recordings...
, Italian Marco Carola, French electro producer Sébastien Léger
Sébastien Léger
Sébastien Léger is a French house DJ and producer. Currently ranked 138 on The DJ List, his singles "Hit Girl", "Hypnotized" and "Aqualight" have become hit dance singles played in clubs across Europe.-Style and history:...
and German Christian Fischer. On the lower stage the audience will be entertained by a quality international line-up of drum and bass artists, including British star Andy C and friends from the RAM record label.