PHOTO WALK THROUGH A SPECTACLE AT KASTEL: FRESHWAVE FESTIVAL 2025 OPENS WITH A BANG

The Freshwave Festival 2025 officially kicked off in Banja Luka with an electrifying atmosphere and an unforgettable turnout on its first night! Thousands of visitors began arriving at Kastel Fortress well before the gates opened at 7 PM, forming long lines and bringing a contagious energy that signaled a night to remember.

The festival's grand opening featured the Red Bull FMX Jam, an adrenaline-fueled freestyle motocross show that left the crowd breathless. The show began at 8 PM, and fans welcomed the world’s top FMX stars with roaring applause as they soared over the audience, performing jaw-dropping tricks like cliffhangers, supermans, backflips, and many more gravity-defying stunts.

The jumps were enhanced by pyrotechnic effects and a live musical backdrop from DJ Kosnik, turning the event into a full-blown audio-visual spectacle. Guiding the audience throughout the evening was the charismatic TV host Srđan Erceg, who energized the crowd and encouraged them to return the energy to the riders with thunderous cheers.

The star of the show was Spanish Red Bull athlete Jose “Mincha” Canosa, joined by FMX legends Mario Lucas, Troy Verburgh, and Jens Hvolboll. Each rider showcased their own style and technique, thrilling the audience with unforgettable performances.

Following the FMX show, the program shifted to the festival stages, where the Main Stage exploded into life with a set from Kobosil, the Berlin-based techno icon. His dark, pulsating beats hypnotized the crowd as the ancient Kastel walls echoed with raw energy. Kobosil delivered a powerful, precise, and deeply immersive set – a true signature of the Berlin underground.

Up next was Aiden, one of the rising stars of the new techno generation. Seamlessly taking over, Aiden maintained the intensity while bringing her own flavor – a high-octane mix of industrial and hardcore sounds that pushed the energy even higher.

While the Main Stage pulsed with techno, festivalgoers explored other areas of the venue, each offering a unique vibe. A standout of the night was the Nirvana Stage, which captivated audiences not only with its psy and experimental soundscapes but also with a stunning visual identity – light installations and futuristic design turned it into a true festival oasis.

The Funk You Stage was no less vibrant. Local Banja Luka DJs brought the heat with high-energy sets that had the crowd dancing non-stop. The local scene once again proved its strength and quality, with fans staying loyal to their hometown artists from the first to the last beat.

The entire night passed in an atmosphere of joy, dance, and uncontainable euphoria – with no incidents reported, just smiling faces and unforgettable memories echoing through every part of the fortress.

Freshwave Festival has once again confirmed its reputation as the premier electronic music festival in Bosnia and Herzegovina and the region.

Kastel continues to pulse to the beat of Freshwave, with more surprises and unforgettable moments still to come.