Shapes Festival
Zakynthos
A conversation with Franck Alfier, Owner, Shapes Festival
Franck Alfier
Owner, Shapes Festival
Zakynthos is no ordinary festival backdrop. One of the Ionian Islands' most dramatic landscapes — clifftop views, pine forests, crystal-clear coves — it was the setting that convinced the Shapes team they'd found the right home for their summer edition. We spoke to the team behind Shapes Festival about why the Greek islands have become one of Europe's most compelling festival destinations, what makes a boat party at sunset genuinely different from a peak-time club set, and why keeping things intimate is a deliberate choice rather than a limitation.
"One of the things that makes Shapes special is that the artists become part of the full experience."
— Franck Alfier, Shapes Festival
Festivals in Greece is one of the most visited pages on festivalabroad.com — the demand for Mediterranean destinations is huge. In your eyes, why is Shapes Zakynthos the absolute must-do trip for anyone who wants to combine electronic music with a pristine beach holiday?
I first fell in love with Zakynthos when I was looking for the ideal spot to host the summer edition of Shapes Festival. The island has so many different sides to it: there's the lively tourist side, but also a wild and natural one, with incredible cliffs and rock formations, pine tree forests, lush vegetation, stunning sandy beaches and secluded coves with the bluest water you've ever seen. On top of that, you have welcoming locals, mouth-watering food and fantastic local wineries. When you combine all of this with the carefully curated line-up that Shapes is known for, set across some of the island's most unique venues, you end up with something truly special.
A boutique beach festival is as much about recharging as it is about dancing. How do you design the schedule and spaces so guests find that perfect balance between high-energy nights and deeply relaxing by the sea?
We love seeing festival goers explore the island. Our week-long festival gives them plenty of time to wander, swim and discover all the beautiful corners of Zakynthos. Zakynthos keeps on giving if you're ready to dive in.
At many intimate destination festivals, the artists don't just fly in and play — they stay, hang out, and enjoy the holiday alongside the attendees. Is this the case at Shapes, and how does that close proximity change the dynamic between fans and DJs?
Yes, absolutely. One of the things that makes Shapes special is that the artists become part of the full experience. We make a point of having most of them stay on the island for several days, enjoying the beaches, the local food and discovering as much of Zakynthos as possible. This creates a genuine, human connection and a warm, open atmosphere, where festival goers and artists come together naturally, sharing their love for music and the island.
A boat party at sunset requires a very different musical journey than a peak-time club set. How do you curate the lineup and the sound to perfectly match that transition from a sunny afternoon on the water to a Mediterranean night?
Simple — we don't rely on multiple DJs. It's a four-hour journey with a single DJ or DJ duo, carefully chosen for their ability to capture and elevate that exact vibe from start to finish.
For international music lovers planning their European summer: what is the single biggest advantage of choosing an intimate, boutique seaside event over a massive commercial mega-festival of 50,000 people?
Real, authentic connections, effortless vibes and a sense of being fully present.
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Shapes Festival — Zakynthos
Full lineup, dates, location details, and planning guide — everything you need to plan your trip to Zakynthos, Greece.
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An independent electronic music & festival researcher with 10+ years in the global dance scene.
