Words, selections, and hazy, happy memories, care of our favourite four-to-the-floor expert, The Insider. 

How can you pick ten moments from Love International? It’s pretty much impossible considering the sun-kissed haze I was in. Three years have past since this massive love affair last took place, and swarms of UK regional teams covered the tiny town of Tisno. The Leeds, the Brum, the Brighton, the Mancs and the Cockneys, all back to the cove on the stunning Dalmation coast, ready to dance all day on the beach stage, jump about on the Argonaughty, splash in the Adriatic, rock til four at the Olive Grove, disco boogie at Barbarella’s until the sun comes up, then make their way to a sunrise session to sit out an all-nighter on the rocks. Nestled on a small but perfectly formed stretch of the Croatian coastline, the Garden Village plays generous host to 3000 sun-worshipping, music lovers. Dave Harvey and his Team Love ensure that you can bake your hangover off on the beach during day to great vibes, or lounge on the rocks and wait for the sundown and the sunrise to come. This annual love fest is programmed to the max by the Bristol crew, giving air and stage to rising talents, scene mainstays, as well as keeping its tight-knit family and loyal attendees close. As I skipped around Tisno last week, these are 10 tracks that stuck in my mind. Lord knows there are hundreds more. If only I could remember what they were…

1.ALEX KASSIAN / STRINGS OF EDEN

Some call him James Holroyd, others call him Boggy. The original Tisno crew member played many a set, but he dropped this at the Test Pressing Sunrise Sessions. What a tune.

2. MASSIMO BARSOTTI / WHOLE LOTTA OF LOVE

Love International main man Dave Harvey and the best looking crew of shipmates, Felix Dickinson, and Christophe, took the helm of the Argonaughty for the Futureboogie voyage. I was so thrilled that one of them played this! It might have been a little Christophe edit I reckon, minus the vocals. Selector!

3. BOOKER T / WE COULD STAY TOGETHER

My mind is foggy about this one but I’m pretty certain it was Paul Byrne aka Apiento, who dropped this dreamy bomb early one morning on the rocks.

4. PATRICE RUSHEN / HAVEN’T YOU HEARD

On closing Tuesday the furry bears of Horse Meat Disco manned the box at Barbarella’s. We twirled and swirled and put our arms in the air – reaching for the massive disco ball – to Patrice Rushen.

5. BILLY PAUL / ONLY THE STRONG SURVIVE

Half of Rub N Tug, Eric Duncan, kept popping up all over place – some serious dance moves were flexed by the Love International regular. Dr Dunks laid down the law with this stone cold classic by the great Billy Paul.

6. GERALDINE HUNT / CAN’T FAKE THE FEELING

One of my favourite afternoon’s was spent grabbing some lunch on The Terrace while Barbarella’s gatekeeper, Leena, played the most delightful set with Sebastien. Dean ’Sunshine’ Smith and Luke Una at the lunch table made for a perfectly silly afternoon in the sun.

7. CRAZY P / LIKE A FOOL

Love International cornerstone act Crazy P took the daytime beach stage by storm with the Soundsystem in full effect. Jim Baron and Chris Todd manned the decks, with frontwoman Daniel Moore risking life and limb in the spotlight to a massively ‘up for it’ crowd at 4 in the afternoon.

8. MADONNA / HOLIDAY

Love it or hate it, Artwork closed the Homoelectric with Madonna. It was pretty much the best boat ever, so he got away with it. Was it worse than Raw Silk playing the VengaBoys on the Crazy P boat?  Probably not. But we love Arthur so he can play what the fuck he likes.

9. BOBBY THURSTON / YOU GOT WHAT IT TAKES

The Beach Stage was treated to the undeniable charm of Dan Shake, expertly selecting like only he does. The crowd erupted to Bobby Thurston and this massive tune. Happy days..

10. LINKWOOD / TEARS

I slipped this in, since it was THE TUNE on my terrace. If you made it onto my guest list, and you were part of the crew, you’ll know that I played it again and again and again. 

There were banging sets played by Luke Una, Gina Breeze, Sanky and Peter Leung, Paranoid London, Antal, Hunee, Not Nn Animal… but I can’t for the life of me remember any of the tracks that got spun. I was in way too deep, and wrapped up tight in the moment.