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Balaton Sound Won't Return in 2025
- Authors
- Name
- Electronic Music Hub
- @electrohubhq
Balaton Sound, one of Hungary's iconic music festivals, will not be returning in 2025, marking the end of an era for the festival’s Zamárdi location. Since its launch in 2007, Balaton Sound has brought top-tier electronic and pop music to the scenic shores of Lake Balaton, drawing festival-goers from around the world. Artists like David Guetta, Martin Garrix, Kygo, and The Chainsmokers, among many others, have graced its stages, creating unforgettable moments year after year.
However, recent years have seen mixed responses from attendees. Many loyal fans expressed concerns that the festival has become increasingly expensive, which, for some, overshadowed the experience. Additionally, some pointed out that recent lineups seem to have shifted toward a more local audience, featuring a greater number of Hungarian artists than in the past. For some international fans, this shift felt like a departure from the festival's earlier focus on international acts, impacting its global appeal.
"We need to rethink the future, and for that, we need time. It is with a heavy heart that we announce that Balaton Sound will be taking a break in 2025, meaning the festival will not be held next year.", announced the festival.
The recent announcement detailed that economic challenges since the pandemic and a lack of agreement with Zamárdi’s local government have led to this pause. Despite 2023's successful event, which drew over 100,000 attendees, negotiations to renew the venue’s contract didn’t conclude favorably. This has left the future of Balaton Sound in uncertainty.
Over the years, Balaton Sound has transformed Zamárdi into a vibrant summer destination, boosting local tourism and becoming a hallmark of Hungarian festival culture. Although this pause is bittersweet, the impact and memories of Balaton Sound’s past years will remain vivid in the hearts of fans and music lovers across Europe.
The lineup over the years
| Year | Top DJs |
|---|---|
| 2007 | Adam Freeland, Basement Jaxx, Beastie Boys, Eric Prydz, Ferry Corsten, Roger Sanchez, The Brand New Heavies |
| 2008 | Armin van Buuren, David Guetta, Fatboy Slim, Massive Attack, Richie Hawtin, The B-52's |
| 2009 | Carl Cox, David Guetta, Erick Morillo, Kraftwerk, Moby, Röyksopp, Sven Väth |
| 2010 | David Guetta, Jamiroquai, Klaxons, Pendulum, Pet Shop Boys, The Chemical Brothers |
| 2011 | David Guetta, Mika, Portishead, Snoop Dogg, Stereo MC's, Tiësto, Underworld |
| 2012 | Afrojack, Carl Cox, David Guetta, De La Soul, Mouse on Mars, Paul Kalkbrenner |
| 2013 | Afrojack, Armin van Buuren, Avicii, Calvin Harris, Crystal Castles, The Prodigy, Wu-Tang Clan |
| 2014 | Azealia Banks, David Guetta, Disclosure, Felix da Housecat, Martin Garrix, Rudimental, Steve Angello, Sven Väth, W&W, Wiz Khalifa |
| 2015 | Afrojack, Boys Noize, DVBBS, Faithless, Hardwell, Joey Badass, Nicky Romero, Pan-Pot, Quintino, Roni Size, Showtek, Tiësto, Vinai |
| 2016 | Armin van Buuren, Chris Brown, Deorro, Dimitri Vegas & Like Mike, Don Diablo, DVBBS, Fritz Kalkbrenner, KSHMR, Lost Frequencies, Macklemore & Ryan Lewis, Madcon, Martin Garrix, Martin Solveig, Nervo, Oliver Heldens, Robin Schulz, Steve Aoki, Sven Väth, The Chainsmokers, The Game, Tyler, the Creator, W&W |
| 2017 | Afrojack, Armin van Buuren, Blasterjaxx, Corey James, De La Swing, Dua Lipa, Hardwell, KSHMR, Kygo, Marshmello, Nicky Romero, Robin Schulz, Tiësto |
| 2018 | Axwell Λ Ingrosso, Big Sean, David Guetta, Dimitri Vegas & Like Mike, Martin Garrix, Rita Ora, The Chainsmokers |
| 2019 | Armin van Buuren, DJ Snake, Future, G-Eazy, J Balvin, Marshmello, Sean Paul, The Chainsmokers, Tiësto, Timmy Trumpet |
| 2020 | Canceled due to COVID-19 |
| 2021 | Canceled due to COVID-19 |
| 2022 | Alesso, Alok, Becky Hill, Dimitri Vegas & Like Mike, Imanbek, Jonas Blue, Lost Frequencies, Marshmello, Martin Garrix, Robin Schulz, Timmy Trumpet, Topic |
| 2023 | Armin van Buuren, Blasterjaxx, Dimitri Vegas & Like Mike, Don Diablo, Goodboys, Halott Pénz, Hardwell, Justus, KSHMR, Kungs, Majka, Metzker Viktória, Ofenbach, Regard, Tiësto, Vini Vici, Yamina, YVES V |
| 2024 | Adam Beyer, Alison Wonderland, Amelie Lens, James Hype, John Newman, Kölsch, Laidback Luke, Lost Frequencies, Maceo Plex, Marshmello, Paul Kalkbrenner, Purple Disco Machine, Reinier Zonneveld, Sam Feldt, Stephan Bodzin, Timmy Trumpet, Vintage Culture |
Photo by Tomas Kral from Flickr