The Forte de Santiago da Barra in Viana do Castelo once again became the epicentre of electronic music, welcoming fans from over 50 countries for the 17th edition of NEOPOP. With tickets for all three days practically sold out, the festival continues to consolidate itself as one of the most important events on the global techno and house scene. The expectation grows with each edition, both among the public and the artists, who see NEOPOP as an essential platform to showcase their talent. And rightly so, as the festival has proved to be a resounding success, selling out tickets and camping capacity, with no major incidents reported.
The next edition already has a date: 7, 8 and 9 August 2025, and it promises to be even more spectacular. From HIGHXTAR. we went to the festival to see first hand why it is so successful. Below, we tell you how we experienced the three days.
Thursday 8 August: an explosive opening
The first night of NEOPOP 2024 started with an impressive force on the Neo Stage. Indira Paganotto wowed the crowd with an explosive mix of underground techno and psy trance. She was followed by Nico Moreno, who presented his new direction towards industrial rave techno, capturing the attention of everyone present. Closing the night was Joseph Capriati, who delivered a groove-filled techno set, showcasing his mastery and experience on stage.
Meanwhile, the Heineken Anti Stage hosted energetic sets. Ivan Smagghe took attendees on a sonic journey with his vinyls of shimmering darkness, followed by the seductive house of Jennifer Cardini. The night culminated with KETTAMA, whose infectious beats kept the crowd dancing until dawn.
Friday 9 August: the highlight of the festival
The second day of NEOPOP 2024 reached an all-time high in attendance, with tickets sold out even before the doors opened. The Neo Stage witnessed a magical night with MOCHAKK, the Brazilian star who, true to his style, explored the limits of techno in a set without boundaries. The night continued with the powerful presence of Jeff Mills and Salbany, who left an indelible imprint of Detroit in Viana do Castelo, followed by Chris Liebing and Luke Slater, who brought the timelessness of the genre to the stage. Klangkuenstler, meanwhile, offered a deep dive into current techno trends.
The Heineken Anti Stage vibrated with Freddy K’s 360° techno, raising the energy to new heights. Hector Oaks continued the party with his unmistakable beats, keeping the dancefloor full of happy faces and relentless dance steps. Dax J closed the night with his raw techno, providing the perfect ending that everyone in attendance deserved.
Saturday 10 August: a memorable closing
The final night of NEOPOP 2024 did not disappoint, with a sold-out line-up of artists that left an unforgettable impression on everyone present. Amelie Lens, Richie Hawtin and Josh Wink proved once again why they are regulars at this festival, delivering sets that spanned the entire techno spectrum, combining a visionary attitude with a deep knowledge of electronic music history. FJAAK impressed with an audio-visual performance rarely presented live, while Sama Abdulhadi closed the festival with a spectacular finale that left everyone wanting more.
On the Heineken Anti Stage, some of the most anticipated performances were reserved for the final day. Four-handed sets from Interstellar Funk and Priori, as well as Lewis Fautzi and Oscar Mulero, proved that collaboration can take music to new heights. Live acts by KI/KI and Mary Laake pointed to a new contemporary direction for dance music, closing the night on an innovative note.
NEOPOP 2024 has been a historic edition that reaffirms the festival’s status as a global benchmark in electronic music. With a diverse line-up and impeccable production, the festival has left an indelible mark in the memory of the attendees. The wait for NEOPOP 2025 has already begun, and it will undoubtedly be an unmissable event for all electronic music lovers.
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