Sea Star successfully kicked off the festival season, and the concerts held from May 22 to 25 were marked by epic performances from Eurovision sensation and Croatian crowd favorite Tommy Cash, Swedish music icon Loreen—who delivered one of the biggest pop concerts of the year in Croatia—and chart-topping summer hitmaker Lost Frequencies. EXIT’s stages transformed into a musical paradise thanks to Indira Paganotto, Patrick Mason, Paolo Ferrara, Senidah, Voyage, KUKU$ x Buntai, Marko Louis, DJ Jock, and many more. For the seventh time, the magical Stella Maris lagoon in Umag became home to some of the biggest global and regional stars, offering a haven full of good vibes, wild beats, and unforgettable memories for 44,000 attendees.
At the magical and stunning location on the Adriatic coast, in the Stella Maris sea lagoon, four spectacular and deeply emotional festival days radiated with positive energy, love, smiles, and hugs. In this seaside paradise, music united 44,000 souls from across the region and Europe, erasing all differences and borders, once again proving that EXIT’s Sea Star is more than a festival – it’s a unique experience that fills the heart. Every beat, every melody, and every cheer from the audience carried genuine passion and connection, creating unforgettable moments that write history and shape a better future. Sea Star once again proved to be a symbol of freedom, music, and the power of community.
Waves of emotion carried both the audience and the performers throughout Sea Star, which this year was especially dedicated to Ivana Kovačević. Deeply moving moments were created by the festival’s exceptional women, who touched the audience in special ways while paying tribute to the bravest and strongest of them all – Ivana. Indira Paganotto, Senidah, and Loreen each honored her in their performances. As dawn broke, Indira dedicated her final track to Ivana. Loreen paid tribute with her song “Euphoria”, and Senidah performed “Replay” for Ivana, the “Mother of Sea Star and EXIT”, delivering an emotional speech through tears.
The opening night of the festival began with the incomparable Marko Louis, whose powerful and heartfelt performance connected everyone present—he even joined the audience mid-set, performing among his loyal fans. The highlight of his set was the song “Vatra u mraku”, an anthem among Serbian students, during which he was joined on stage by Marčelo and Nensi for a rare and special moment. The energy was then fired up by pop princess Miach with numerous hits and special guest appearances. The fever-pitched crowd was then passed into the capable hands of KUKU$ and Buntai, joined on stage by crowd favorite Baby Lasagna. Over at the Nautilus stage, fans of the new trap wave enjoyed performances from Baks, Peki, 30zona, and Špiro and Teo. Meanwhile, in front of the main stage, the crowd danced until sunrise to the electrifying performances of techno giant Patrick Mason and the powerful Indira Paganotto.
The second main festival night featured some of the biggest performers from the region and around the world. The evening at Tesla Main Stage was kicked off by Thicc Boi, followed by a show-stopping performance from young Belgrade artist Voyage. The prince of the scene and favorite of the new generation sent the crowd into a frenzy, after which the goddess of the regional scene and Sea Star regular Senidah took the stage. With hits like “Slađana”, “Behute”, “Level”, “Replay” and “Senida”, she raised the energy in the lagoon to boiling point. Next came Tommy Cash—the Eurovision bronze medalist, “Kanye East”, Estonian star, and viral sensation behind “Espresso Macchiato” a hit that stirred controversy in Italy. A secret favorite of this year’s Eurovision, Tommy was awarded the most votes from the Croatian audience. Accompanied by provocative visuals and striking dance moves, he addressed the crowd:
“Umag, it’s so good to be here! Umag, Croatia, thank you so much for voting for us at Eurovision! I will never forget that, I will always remember that – thank you so much!”
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Following this year’s Eurovision favorite, the stage was taken over by a woman who made Eurovision history – Loreen. Dressed in a metallic costume with breathtaking stage design, she delivered the pop concert of the year. With raw emotion and a powerful voice, she completely captivated the Sea Star crowd and transcended them into a new dimension of music, ending her set with the touching words: “Thank you! I love you, Croatia!”
The night continued with DJ Lost Frequencies, one of today’s biggest hitmakers. His summery sound perfectly complemented the seaside vibe of Sea Star, where visitors enjoyed both new tracks and reimagined versions of his greatest hits. The crowd danced relentlessly, immersed in fresh beats, mesmerizing visuals, confetti, and fireworks. The main stage program closed with the eccentric duo One People and Divolly & Markward, who welcomed the sunrise with their signature dose of afrohouse.
Nautilus Arena echoed with hard beats on the festival’s second night, masterfully ruled by Paolo Ferrara. His powerful technometal set—fusing iconic metal hits with techno beats—sent the crowd into an ecstatic trance. Warming up the arena were Juno, Purple Mash, and Gumja, while beloved DJ Jock closed it out, guiding electronic music fans into the morning.
On the final day of Sea Star, the Electric Waves stage was lit up by top local and regional acts. Performing by the sea were Minolta, Laseech, Antonio Zuza, Makarun b2b Rilejt, one n, and Marcel.
The seventh edition of Sea Star Festival united over 44,000 visitors from more than 40 countries over four days of music on the shores of the Adriatic Sea. With a stellar lineup and the most impressive production to date, EXIT’s Sea Star has officially opened another summer festival season.
This year’s Sea Star Festival was made possible with the support of the Croatian Tourist Board, Istria County, the City of Umag, the Umag Tourist Board, the Istria Tourist Board, and Plava Laguna.
