Rhythms of Romania: An inside look into Summer Well Festival

Business Review sat down for an exclusive interview with John Varbiu, the organizer of the Summer Well Festival, to discover the past, present, and future of the Romanian music event, from lineup highlights to industry insights.

By Mihai Cristea

Can you share some highlights and memorable moments from previous editions of the Summer Well Festival? How has the festival evolved over the years?

It will probably take me a few good hours to highlight just a few of the memorable moments from past editions, as each one had its own personal magic. However, one of my personal favorites is from last year: the moment when Arctic Monkeys were performing their song Crying Lightning on the main stage and there was a real lightning storm in the background, lighting up the sky.

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The lineup for Summer Well Festival 2023 looks impressive. What can attendees expect in terms of musical genres and international or local artists? Any special surprises in store?

In terms of genres, we’ve tried to intertwine the enchanting notes of indie with the rebellious sound of rap, also adding a daze of dance and electro. It is already a tradition of the festival to bring together local talents and internationally known artists, offering an immersive experience that covers a vast area of musical preferences.

What will be some of the new or unique elements at this year’s edition of Summer Well? Are there any new stages, interactive experiences or collaborations that attendees can look forward to?

As our festival grows older we become wiser, we learn more from past editions, and we are able to improve attendees’ festival experience. You can expect a better venue, improved online top-up, 5 stages instead of 4, more interactive experiences created by our partners, and of course, new art installations.

Organising a music festival involves intricate planning and coordination. Can you shed some light on the business and production aspects behind Summer Well? How do you select the artists, manage logistics, and ensure a smooth experience for both artists and attendees?

We strive for perfection in our behaviour and mindset throughout the whole process. We are detail-oriented and carefully plan our deadlines. Acknowledging how quickly time passes from one edition to another makes us put a great amount of effort in selecting the appropriate artists while making sure that the administrative part is also impeccable.

Romania has a vibrant music scene and a thriving festival landscape. What sets Summer Well apart from other music festivals in Romania? How does it contribute to the overall music festival scene in the country and what kind of opportunities does it provide to both local and international artists?

Summer Well is not just a festival. It’s a whole cultural experience: an intersection of art, entertainment, and music, with the sole aim of creating an environment of relaxation and pure joy. Our contribution is focused on bringing new artists to Romania while elevating local ones. We believe in offering an experience based on the concept of discover-and-love: people are encouraged to find out about amazing artists and their stunning talent, while performers get a chance to come across the Romanian way of appreciating a significant piece of art, whether we’re talking about songs, art installations or activations.