Featuring headline acts Alok, Steve Aoki, and Timmy Trumpet, the festival boasts the “strongest lineup presented in Portugal,” Tiago Castelo Branco, CEO of the promoter MOT – Memories Of Tomorrow, stated at a press conference today.
On July 5, the second day of the event, the organization is spotlighting the Dutch project ‘This Is Sefa’, which was unveiled today and merges electronic music with classical and rock genres. The festival invites local singers and musicians to participate in the performance.
The 12th edition of Somnii, the 11th in Figueira da Foz, introduces a new stage concept aimed at “celebrating the sunset.” The 55-meter-wide structure will be located on the north pier of the commercial port, facing north towards the beach and sea—a first for this location, announced MOT.
The festival grounds, which aim to establish themselves as “an event of experiences for a diverse audience,” maintain their size but include enhanced services, with new infrastructures and improved accessibility for individuals with reduced mobility.
Councillor Manuel Domingues announced that the Air Force Day will coincide with the festival and be integrated into Somnii’s program.
The municipality’s investment in the electronic music event is 105,000 euros, in addition to logistical support, with Turismo Centro de Portugal (TCP) maintaining a backing of 50,000 euros.
Anabela Freitas, acting president of TCP, emphasized the importance of the festival aligning with the strategy to position the Centro de Portugal region in the national tourism landscape.
Regarding electronic music specifically, the acting president of TCP joked that it is a topic that is “all Greek” to her.
Somnii will be the sole festival of its kind in Portugal this year, following the suspension of Beach Party (Matosinhos) and Sudoeste on the Alentejo coast. The promoter acknowledged this could benefit the event’s expansion, “having the elements for greater growth.”
“It’s not good for the industry, but I won’t deny that the lack of direct competition could offer a direct advantage,” Tiago Castelo Branco added.
One of Portugal’s top DJs, Pete Tha Zouk, marking 31 years in his career, returns to Figueira da Foz and Somnii, having performed there in 2014, for a show where the playlist is tailored on-the-spot to the audience’s demands, he revealed.
Regarding the age difference among the festival’s audience, Pete Tha Zouk explained to Lusa that his main concern “is to play music that people enjoy.”
“And I want them to be happy during the performance. I can play current tracks for an 18-to-20-year-old demographic and simultaneously play my classics for those who witnessed the start of my career.”
