Back in July we shared the details of the new edition of Sophie Festival, a unique open-air electronic music series running across six weekends from June to September in Málaga. Now it’s time to look back at the closing weekend. After experiencing the final day first-hand on Saturday 13 September, with performances from Bicep, Overmono, Ross From Friends and many more, we can confidently say this festival has great potential and is set to become an essential stop on the European electronic calendar.
“It’s always great to be part of something fresh and evolving. Even though it’s only their third season, the resilience and progression have been incredible,” said Maher Daniel, one of the artists playing the closing weekend, when we spoke to him a few days earlier. As the American-born, Palestinian DJ pointed out, fans knew this was their last chance to be part of something so special this season. From the very moment we arrived at the gates, the excitement was palpable, with everyone ready to make this final dancefloor gathering a memory to last forever.
Since June, Sophie has brought some of the biggest names in international electronic music to its two stages. From Solomun and Charlotte de Witte to Ricardo Villalobos and Nina Kraviz, the line-ups across the summer have been on par with the world’s leading festivals. While the calibre of artists is undoubtedly one of its main draws, Sophie’s real distinction lies in the atmosphere: a welcoming energy that carries from the very first beat to the final note. Hosted at Ogus Park, just ten minutes from central Málaga, the festival is reshaping the region’s cultural landscape with its most ambitious edition to date.
“The goal is clear: to put Málaga firmly on the global map of world-class electronic music destinations,” explained Sophie’s director Felipe Kuo before the summer series began. “We believe this season will mark a cultural turning point for the city.” Now that the season has ended, it’s safe to say they are well on track. With an ever-growing international crowd joining the loyal local and national audience, the vision behind Sophie feels perfectly aligned with today’s scene and the public’s demand.
Split across two stages—one larger, reserved for headliners, and a more intimate one for those seeking music in a laid-back setting, whether dancing or stretched out on the grass—the organisers have clearly designed every element with the audience in mind. From rest areas and food stalls to visuals that elevate each set, nothing has been left to chance.
The closing day could not have been better. Alongside the already-mentioned Bicep, who delivered a stunning CHROMA AV/DJ set, Overmono, Ross From Friends and Maher Daniel, the line-up also featured Logic1000, Maxime dB and Mai Iachetti, rounding off a season that can only be described as a triumph. “There are no words to capture what we felt during the closing with Bicep and Overmono. What we do know is that this season will stay with us forever, and we are more motivated than ever for what’s ahead,” the festival team shared on social media. With such a strong foundation, Sophie’s future looks bright, and we’ll be keeping a close eye on what the next edition has in store.
