FESTIVAL REVIEW ::: Zoo Project

Born in 2007 with the concept to gather the party animals, Zoo project is one of the most unique venues in Ibiza. It has grown from strength to strength and is now one of the most talked about parties on the Island.

For one weekend in September the crazy Ibiza party came to the UK and unlike any other festival this year it was hosted against a real life safari park. Tucked away in Lympne Kent, hundreds of people came to appreciate some of the best dance acts Ibiza has to offer. With so many festivals hosting the same acts and sites, Zoo project has an edge against its competitors. How many people can say they have been to event where they’re raving one minute and the next they are face to face with a Rhino? It’s a bonkers idea but it works.

Hosting some of the best underground electronic acts courtesy of ten stage hosts, Zoo kicked off with the likes of Julio Bashmore, Eats Everything and George Fitzgerald. In true Ibiza fashion the party went wild, so much so that extra security had to be drafted in for the rest of the weekend. This dampened the vibe as staff were on a mission to police, however this didn’t stop the party goers. Revellers carried on skanking in their penguin and gorilla suits whilst the legendary Sasha played an incredible 2 hour set. It’s the first time he’s brought his never say never show to the UK and the crowd went bananas for it.

If you could find time to tear yourself away from the main stage there was a wicked face painting stall for you to release your inner animal. Not only was the painting cheap, there were no queues and I grew particularly fond of my Zebra/disco creation.

Zoo project has no limits and anything goes. Revellers are encouraged to lose their inhibitions during the 3 day musical extravaganza. With the friendly crowd and effort put into dressing up I often found myself taking double looks and admiring a particular ensemble. My favourite outfit had to go to the guy dressed as a leopard dead mouse, dedication!

Overall, Zoo project is one weekend never to be forgotten. It’s still a bit rough round the edges but it grows it has the ability to be a major player. What makes this festival is its laid back and low key vibe. It’s a festival for the underground scene that doesn’t need to cater for the mass; the music does all the talking.

Written by ::: Natasha Grech