Matala Beach Festival 2024

In response to the usual disastrous public relations work of the Matala Beach Festival organisers, especially online and in the social media, I was actually thinking of having a good rant here and now. Unfortunately, this is not going to happen.

Last year, cover bands from Abba, the Beatles and Bob Marley performed here, this year – Coldplay?

What’s more, compared to previous years, the younger Greek bands will usually be given prime time in 2024. Are the nostalgics (personally, I’m more of a best ager) to be pushed out?

Nope.

The majority of visitors to the Matala Beach Festival are young, Greek people, and they want to party and they can party. Which they do.

So the bottom line is that there is no reason to complain, on the contrary. Especially not when everyone – young guns and herbal witches, locals and holidaymakers – go wild in the early evening with the fantastic AC/DC cover band.

Everyone has their favourites. I’d like next year’s line-up to include my personal heroes such as Queen, Cure, Simple Minds and Neil Young. I would also like to find out a little more about the Greek bands in advance rather than nothing at all.

In any case, I will try to be there again one way or another. If only because the hosts never lose their nerve or their hospitality and the prices remain absolutely moderate even on the festival days, both for canned beer and for giros pita in the neighbouring tavernas.

This year’s Matala Beach Festival is once again an incredibly positive, peaceful and communicative event with a unique atmosphere in a fantastic setting.

As we made our way home late in the evening, the queue of cars heading towards Matala stretched as far as Pitsidia.

“Come on, baby, light my fire
Come on, baby, light my fire
Try to set the night on fire”

Light my fire, The Doors (was also nice)