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Picture this: the sun-kissed island of Malta trans- formed into a fervent hub of booming Hard Dan- ce, where historic chic meets new-age art. That’s exactly what XXL Malta 2024 delivered, setting a new gold standard for Techno festivals worldwide.
From May 24th to 26th, this inaugural interna- tional venture by British electronic brands Tele- tech and The Warehouse Project took the Med by storm. Selling out before the second phase lineup had even been announced, XXL Malta proved that sometimes, the best parties are the ones you don’t see coming.
An early boat party set the tone and set sail towards Comino island, with Manchester’s Leaha setting the perfect tone. Her playful mix of dark and bouncy club anthems had everyone on board grooving, with tracks like “A Little Closer” by Di- fferent becoming instant festival anthems. The afternoon’s real showstopper on the waves was enigmatic, can-only-miss-him-if-you’re-blind “prophet of pleasure” Partiboi69. Donning his tra- demark speedy sunglasses and hotel slippers (yes, you read that right), he unleashed a set that was equal parts ridiculous and sublime. From Bomfunk MC’s “Freestyler” to his own tracks like “Double Drop,” Partiboi69 had ravers in a frenzy.
Back on land, the historic Fort St Elmo became ground zero for hard-hitting Techno. Rising star blk. lived up to his reputation as a dancefloor des- troyer, bearing one of the festival’s most talked- about sets. His unique blend of hard Techno and infectious melodies entranced the crowd, with clips of his performance going viral on social me- dia days after the event. Sara Landry took things darker, easily showcasing why she’s become a glo- bal phenomenon. Her thunderous, hammering set transported the crowd to another dimension, de- monstrating that Techno can be both an art form and a visceral experience.
The festival was about more than just the esta- blished names, though. It perfectly captured the current resurgence of hard techno subgenres, gi- ving space to styles once considered fringe. From Gabber to Hardcore, XXL Malta provided a haven for the full spectrum of Techno’s evolution.
Kettama’s performance at Uno was a testament to his meteoric rise. Blending hard-hitting Hou- se with infectious club sounds, he had the crowd eating out of his hand. His mashups and rewor- ks, including clever interpretations of classics like Fatima Yamaha’s “What’s a Girl to Do” and The Streets’ “Blinded by the Lights,” showcased
his ability to read a crowd and deliver what they yearned for.
As night fell, Locked Club took over Uno Stage 3, bringing their unique brand of Slav-punk Electro to the masses. Clad in ski masks and chainmail, their appearance was as intense as their sound, creating a spectacle that was impossible to ig- nore.
XXL promised their production levels would be off the chart, and they more than lived up to their own hype. Five unique venues, each offering a di- fferent vibe, ensured that there was something for everyone. From the dramatic backdrop of Fort St Elmo to the laid-back beach stages and ex- clusive boat parties, XXL Malta 2024 wasn’t ‘just’ a festival but an all-out, balls-to-the-wall dan- ce music experience. Most telling was the lack of phones - that seem to plague every single other festival known to God and man. The kids on the dance floor, on the podiums, halfway up trees and hanging off the sides of stages were there to dance their collective behinds off to set after set after dynamite set, not film content for their so- cials. Refreshing is an understatement.
Teletech and XXL’s branding was omnipresent, with flags adorning venues and attendees proud- ly sporting merchandise. Some fans even proudly displayed Teltech tattoos, showing a level of de- dication that speaks volumes about the brand’s impact.
In the end, XXL Malta 2024 was more than just a celebration of Techno – it was a triumph of vision, curation, and execution. It set a new benchmark for what an international music festival can be, blending top-tier talent with stunning locations and flawless production.
As the final beats faded and the sun rose on the Mediterranean, one thing was clear: XXL Malta has firmly established itself as a must-attend event on the global techno calendar. For those lucky enough to have been there, it was a wee- kend of unparalleled music, connection, and me- mories that will last a lifetime. And for the rest of us? Well, there’s always next year. Start planning now – this is one party you won’t want to miss.
Text by: Sergio Niño
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