Sound Channel’s Island Of Dreams

The financial details of the deal, made with local partner Gratiosus, haven’t been disclosed. Dan Blackledge of Leeds-based Sound Channel says the island of Obonjan will become “a curated tourist destination.”

Unknown, which in 2013 and 2014 had taken place at Rovinj on the Croatian mainland with line-ups that included the likes of Nile Rodgers, Disclosure, Jessie Ware, Four Tet, and Chvrches, has skipped this year to concentrate on the purchase of its new real estate.

Entertainment events will begin on the island from summer 2016.

“We’ve been working on this project for three years which has given us time to carefully refine our ideas,” Blackledge explained. “Our vision for the island of Obonjan is to regenerate the island and turn it into a truly unique concept, combining art and music, wellness, sustainable living, amazing food and drink and fun and creative accommodation, all on an idyllic island paradise.”

Although Croatia hasn’t been well-known for staging festivals, in recent years Brit-run fests have mushroomed and now include The Garden Festival, Stop Making Sense, Dimensions Festival and SuncéBeat.