It's a bit strange that after working in this industry for seven years (almost eight) I haven't been there once Holy ship! before this year. Hence, especially at such a historic event, it can be difficult to properly describe the atmosphere and serenity of such an event without the abundance of previous context that so many attendees rediscover year after year.
That being said, my very first holy ship! Wrecked was 100% a memorable experience.
When I arrived at the Hard Rock Riviera Maya in Cancun, after we had moved into our room and got our wristbands, we immediately strolled over to Marc Rebillet on the main stage, perhaps 100 meters away. At a festival it is not uncommon for the stage to be so close to the entrance, but at a resort festival your cozy room is of course not far away either. Not even the rooms of others, some of whom surround the stages. There is neither a variety of drinks and food, nor the beautiful sea.
That fact doesn't really hit you until you arrive, when you take it all in and the feeling of relief comes closest – and then the realization that you are going to have a fantastic weekend.
The Hard Rock Riviera Maya is a large resort, but nothing is more than a 5-10 minute walk away. In the morning we walked a few minutes to the nearby Toro restaurant where we got a selection of brunch items and some coffee and of course a mimosa before heading to the beach stage pretty much outside. Lots of waiters come by asking if you need drinks and the music is lively and loud so you never have to leave your seat if you don't want to. That's why we stayed on our beach chairs for a good five hours on Saturday and listened to Miane, Cloonee, Rebuke and Chris Lake.
Aside from the music and the atmosphere, Holy Ship! Wrecked had plenty of activities to offer attendees, our favorite of which was the Loop Daddy Brunch Cook Off with Marc Rebillet on Sunday.
On our last evening we decided not to mess around with the buffet and to really dine at Le Petit Cochon, right next to the Sunrise Stage. Some beetroot tartare, an endive salad and duck with celery puree with seasonal fruits was the perfect end to a brilliant event.
As for the individual sets, Alison Wonderland, Madeon, Deathpact, the Desert Hearts Crew, Ben Böhmer and certainly Marc Rebillet were fantastic. And the main stage of CharlestheFirst on Sunday needs special attention. It was brooding, beautiful, and dark, which contrasted wonderfully with many of the other acts at the event. Charles sadly passed away yesterday and we are honored to have heard one, if not his last, sentence.
Holy ship! Wrecked will return in 2022.
