The inaugural Suau Festival has carved out a unique space in Ibiza’s cultural landscape, offering a radically different alternative to the island’s high-energy club scene. Over three nights at Santa Eulalia’s Congress Center, this carefully curated neoclassical and ambient experience - with its distinct electronic undercurrent - proved that there is most definitely an audience for this genre of music in Ibiza.
Federico Albanese with one of the festival organisers, Elisa Ortiz (on the right)
Federico Albanese opened the festival in which he presented songs from his latest album, Blackbirds and the Sun of October (XXIM / Sony). The Italian composer and pianist performed in a solo format, combining piano, synthesised strings, and electronic textures with cinematic scope and emotional sensitivity.
It was a concert to be listened to with closed eyes as you went on a moving inner journey, characterised by atmospheres with both melancholic and dramatic aspects driven by hypnotic repetitive sequences. To close the performance, he presented “Feel Again” - a kind of inverted karaoke, with Federico playing live piano to accompany a recording of the Mercury-Prize nominated artist Ghostpoet’s evocative spoken-word vocals. The result was a hauntingly powerful collaboration, where Albanese’s subtle piano work and ambient textures merged beautifully with Ghostpoet’s emotive lyrics.
Night two belonged to Evgeny Grinko, whose performance was nothing short of mesmerising. The Russian composer created an astonishing depth of sound using just piano, cello and violin, occasionally layering in guitar and keyboard textures.
Accompanied by his regular musicians, the cellist Yana Chekina and violinist Pavel Matckevich, he played some of his best-known pieces such as "Valse" and "Lullaby for Erik". Masterfully working the rapt listeners, he had the entire audience effortlessly mirroring his moves, fingers snapping in synchrony. The production's subtle mastery - ambient lighting cutting through gentle mist - elevated the performance into a truly immersive experience.
The festival closed with Niklas Paschburg's wonderfully idiosyncratic set. The Hamburg artist immediately charmed the crowd with his playful German interjections - "Ja!" - before guiding us through his unique sonic world.
Surrounded by five glowing light columns and mystic mist, Paschburg moved seamlessly between grand piano, his grandfather's accordion and vintage synthesisers, building intricate soundscapes through live sampling.
What began as melancholic piano pieces gradually unfolded into expansive electronic compositions, each layer revealing another facet of the young artist's fascinating creative journey.
Two highlights were his tribute to the mountains, "Ried-Brig", inspired by his recent time in Mexico, and to the sea with his composition "Oceanic". Both took us on a journey that expressed deep respect to the grandeur of nature, in its wild and untouched state.
As for the reaction of the audience, it literally spoke volumes. It was clear many of them had found the experience deeply moving.
With such overwhelmingly positive feedback and obvious demand for more, the festival’s young, dedicated organisers, Elisa Ortiz and Carlos Vesperinas, are confident Suau Festival will return in 2026. This debut edition has set a remarkable precedent - proving Ibiza's appetite for contemplative, emotionally rich musical experiences matches its legendary party spirit.
For those seeking moments of genuine connection and artistic depth amid the frenzy of summer on the White Isle, Suau Festival has emerged as essential listening.
Header image | Niklas Paschburg
Photography | Alex Zito
