On the third day of Beats for Love, a crowd of more than forty thousand people danced all night.
While the Czech Republic was dealing with a large-scale blackout on Friday, July 4, positive energy was gushing from Ostrava’s Dolní Vítkovice. It makes sence that one of the general partners of Beats for Love is Proud beer. All the pieces of the puzzle on the third day of the festival fit together perfectly – pleasant weather with temperatures around 25 degrees Celsius, performances by a number of festival stars led by Dutch legend Armin van Buuren, and a record attendance on Friday.
45 thousand people arrived in Dolní Vítkovice. That is 7 thousand more than on Thursday and about 5 thousand more than at the same time last year. “Last year, we already crossed the magical 40 thousand line on Friday and we wanted to overcome it this year as well. I am very pleased that we made it. We thank the fans for their support,” said festival director Kamil Rudolf.
It was already clear from the advance ticket sales that the third day of Beats for Love was a hit. A significant number of people arrived thanks to the helpful gesture of the organizers, who, after the cancellation of the Dimitri Vegas & Like Mike show on Thursday through no fault of their own, extended the validity of one-day tickets to Friday. Hundreds of fans took advantage of this. “It’s an unprecedented gesture by Czech standards. We are pleased that the fans appreciated it and remained loyal to us,” said Rudolf.
SPECIAL SETS AND THE RETURN OF A LEGEND
On Friday, lovers of all genres of electronic dance music found their favorites in the program. D&B fans were delighted by Brit Metrik, known for his melodic performances, and the Empire stage was also full, where the masked German Holy Priest shone. Techno Dome by Proud was dominated by the German-Argentine combination of Sim Lorenz and Flug, while Arielle Free and Monki from Great Britain shone at Harmony House Square by Evropa 2. The last two projects belong to the newly created Beats for Love Special series. “These are completely unique performances that fans will not see anywhere else but at our festival. Whether it is the combination of artists or the way they play their sets, it is an absolutely unique experience,” explained the festival’s program director Jiří Ramík.
Traditionally, the biggest Love stage by ČSOB attracted the most attention. It featured the British D&B duo Sigma, known for their hit Nobody To Love, as well as the American star of recent years John Summit and the legendary Armin van Buuren. The Dutchman returned to Ostrava after three years. “And he even showed a big heart. He took the Slovak DJ Nifra, who performed on the Future stage, onto his private plane,” said Ramík. Armin van Buuren arrived in Dolní Vítkovice early, and then delighted fans with a 90-minute show culminating in his most famous hit Blah Blah Blah. You can already admire photos from the impressive performance on the festival’s social networks.
And Chicago native John Summit was also enthusiastic about the Ostrava audience. “I felt at home. I’ve played in Prague in the Czech Republic once before, but this was a completely different level. I honestly had no idea what to expect at Beats for Love, but I’m absolutely shocked. I haven’t experienced such a great reception in a long time,” beamed the 30-year-old American.
BEATS FOR BRAVERY
On the third day, festival visitors could support the charity project Beats for Charity, which accompanies the event every year. There are still several ways (the collection runs until August 31): scan the code in the festival newspaper, on social networks or the Beats for Love website, use interactive boards in the area, or stop by the stand physically. They can also help by moving around through the EPP application of the festival partner ČEZ Group. “We are glad that thanks to the festival we can use the great energy that prevails here among the visitors and together support families struggling with adversity. Since the beginning of Beats for Charity, we have donated more than two and a half million crowns to a good cause,” added production manager Gabriela Rudolfová.
Last year and the year before, the organizers, together with fans, raised 600 thousand crowns for charity. This year, the money will go to two families in difficult situations. After the death of their daughter, grandparents Bochňák from Přerovsko are raising their two granddaughters, while one-year-old Eliška Vozňáková from Karviná is bravely fighting a number of health restrictions. “Charity is an integral part of our program. We are happy that people stop by the stand, buy a beer, or send money digitally. We thank them for that. And we would like to ask those who have not yet donated to a good cause to do so during the last day of this year,” announced Beats for Love director Kamil Rudolf.
On Saturday, fans can expect a thrilling conclusion to the 11th year of the festival. The Beats for Love Special project will include a unique performance by British D&B musicians A.M.C & Koven. Singer John Newman, known for his hits Love Me Again and Feel The Love, will also arrive from England, and the highlight of the festival will be a show by Axwell, a member of the famous Swedish House Mafia trio. And breaking the absolute attendance record from last year is also at stake.
