All through the UK summer season there’s a music pageant going down someplace within the nation nearly each week.
Highlights embrace Radio 1’s Huge Weekend in Might to kick off the summer season, Glastonbury’s dominance in June, Latitude in July and the Studying and Leeds Financial institution Vacation extravaganza in August.
Some would possibly say British music lovers are spoiled for alternative.
There are some elements of the world the place you may’t dance with your mates in a discipline with a lukewarm beer whereas utilizing dry shampoo, shoddy telephone indicators and slogans like “Oggy, oggy, oggy, oi, oi, oi”.
Dua Lipa and her father Dukagjin hope to make a distinction by internet hosting the Sunny Hill Music Pageant of their hometown of Pristina, Kosovo, one of many world’s hottest music festivals There are only a few locations the place worldwide artists tour.
“I wish to change individuals’s notion of Kosovo and its war-torn state,” Dua defined earlier this 12 months.
“After I lived in Kosovo, not one of the artists I wished to fulfill got here down.”
Dua was born in Britain however moved to Pristina as a toddler after a warfare in Kosovo for independence from Serbia within the late Nineties left greater than 10,000 individuals useless.
it declares In 2008though some international locations, together with Serbia, refuse to acknowledge it.
“It is going to take longer than we anticipated to revive the nation,” Dukagin stated.
He stated having a spot like Sunny Hill in Pristina “has at all times been a dream” for Dua, who labored within the reside music occasions business for a few years earlier than turning into a world pop star.
In 2018, 10 years after Kosovo declared independence, Sunny Hill was launched – led by Dua, and 1000’s of individuals celebrated their nice achievement.
However convincing different world artists to carry out was tougher on the time, and the next 12 months, the “New Guidelines” star requested her pals Miley Cyrus and Calvin Harris to high invoice them, each for the primary time Carry out within the space.
This modified the way in which different artists and their administration groups seen the pageant.
“We actually punched nicely above our weight when it comes to the lineup,” Dukakin advised BBC Information.
“After I speak to artists about arising, I say, ‘Look, your cavalier might not have the tequila you need, however belief me, you are going to have one of the best sound tools cash can purchase.’ .
His newest figures estimate that round 40% of tourists come from exterior Kosovo, noting that this can be strongly influenced by the nation’s diaspora, as individuals with household ties right here carry pals.
Some got here from as far-off as Chicago, USA, to see artists like Bebe Rexha, Burna Boy, Stormzy and DJ Snake take to the principle stage final weekend.
Groove Armada, Black Espresso and Griff are additionally on the invoice.
Kosovo is taken into account to have the youngest inhabitants in Europe, with greater than half of the inhabitants estimated to be beneath the age of 30.
journey restrictions, until earlier this yearwhich means native musicians wouldn’t have the pliability to play in different elements of the continent.
“It is not that straightforward to be a musician,” explains singer La Fazani, who has performed Sunny Hill many occasions.
“The one approach to actually make revenue is to go to nightclubs.”
He just lately gained a serious TV present within the nation however says he would not have the ability to carry out reside in entrance of 1000’s of individuals with out Sunny Hill and hopes Lipa’s visitor checklist will enhance his profession.
“Sunny Mountain is among the greatest creators of the optimistic picture of Kosovo,” he stated.
“There are quite a lot of worldwide model individuals right here and I hope I can carry consideration to those that would possibly like what I do.”
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Dukakin, who has simply watched his daughter turn into one of many greatest music festivals on the planet, stated “Glastonbury is exclusive” and knew his mission Sunshine Hills can be tough to proceed because it was Held for the primary time on the new everlasting venue.
Nevertheless, he stated business pals akin to Coachella boss Paul Tollett have stated the mission reminds him of Glastonbury within the Eighties, and there are plans to make it greater than only a reside music pageant.
“I like artists who keep in Pristina for an additional day or two so that they have the chance to fulfill native artists and share concepts.
“Allow them to speak to individuals within the music business and hopefully subsequent 12 months we are able to begin a motion via some workshops,” Dukakin stated.
You’ll be able to be taught extra concerning the Sunny Mountain Pageant and the way Kosovo is working to alter its picture In “Business Daily”.