AFTER 20 YEARS, NEOPOP BECOMES ANTIPOP AGAIN
words by JOIAH LUMINOSA
In the misty landscapes of Viana do Castelo, Neopop Festival returns to its original name: Antipop - a name and statement that embodies the raw, uncompromising essence of techno and all its facets. Twenty years later, the intention remains the same.
After two years away, I return eager to once again experience the invigorating Portuguese spirit of rave, connection, and reunion. There is something particularly special about Antipop’s intimate setting: its stages allow you to fully immerse yourself in a DJ set without the lingering feeling that you might be missing out on another artist.
From the electric pulse of the Antistage to the grandeur of the Neo Stage and the experimental energy of the Back Stage, moving between them has been an exhilarating experience - each space carrying its own identity, rhythm, and atmosphere.
All the stages showcased exceptional talent, but my favorite was, by far, the Antistage. Hearing Goldie for the first time transported me back in time and made me realize just how much I had missed a proper drum & bass set. A pioneer of the movement, watching him behind the decks, twisting and turning through unexpected transitions, was a show in itself. His presence carried the weight of decades of rave culture, yet the set felt as alive and unpredictable as ever.
Another highlight was Enrica Falqui going b2b with Iwan Smagghe. Pure elegance and class. There was something incredibly effortless about the way they played together - almost as if they were performing in their living room at home, completely immersed in the music and each other’s selections. The chemistry made the whole experience feel natural, intimate, and familiar.
And then came the power duo: Quest b2b Adiel. They fired up the stage with nothing but bangers, moving through eclectic switches and unexpected turns that stayed with you long after the set was over. A proper reminder of just how exciting a back-to-back can be when two distinct musical identities collide.
The Neo Stage carried the energy of an entire stadium. I was very happy I hadn’t forgotten my earplugs, because it was loud, relentless, and pulsating.
The queen herself, Nina Kraviz, delivered yet another one of her unmistakable sets. Ever unpredictable, she surprised the crowd with sudden peaks of intensity, unexpected plot twists, and moments of pure release. Watching her dance her way through the performance only amplified the experience - her physical connection to the music becoming part of the show itself.
Ben Klock b2b Rødhåd felt more like watching two teachers delivering a masterclass to their students. Nothing but rolling, hammering, pulsating energy — a lesson in tension, precision, and pure techno pressure.
And perhaps that is what makes Antipop captivating: despite its scale, it never loses that sense of intimacy. It remains a place where music, people, and the environment converge — where you can move freely between worlds, discover unexpected sounds, reconnect with familiar faces, and surrender completely to the dance floor.