Chill Zones
of 2024
The 2024 edition pioneered the GRVF Chill Zone concept — a string-light-lit hammock village nestled between the beach and the tree line. Open 24 hours, fuelled by ambient music and a small bar serving chilled yuzu cocktails. The most Instagrammed spot of the year.
Henna, Art &
Temporary Ink
The 2024 Art & Body Quarter became a phenomenon. Twelve resident artists offered henna, traditional Japanese motifs, and custom temporary tattoos that drew queues from the first morning. The ocean-themed designs — waves, koi, sea creatures — matched perfectly with the festival's aquatic aesthetic.
The Year We Went Deeper
The brand new Forest Stage — tucked between the Shonan pine trees — immediately became the festival's most atmospheric space. 800 capacity, no phones allowed in the front section.
Korean indie act Seoul Wave became the first international headliner in GRVF history. Their bilingual J-pop / K-indie fusion had the Shonan crowd singing along in two languages.
The 2024 International Food Quarter launched with 30 vendors — ramen, tacos, Korean BBQ, vegan Japanese, craft beer. Voted "best festival food in Japan" by FoodTech Japan magazine.
Deep blue aquatic aesthetics — bioluminescent installations, large-scale ocean photography, and a water feature installation by artist collective Shonan Blue.
First year offering premium camping packages — glamping tents with beds, power, and ocean views. Sold out in 3 hours. Back for 2026 with double the capacity.
2024 saw 17 public proposals on the main stage steps — a GRVF record. The most famous: Haruka & David's now-legendary "takoyaki proposal" filmed by 300 strangers who all cried.
Words From 2024 Attendees
The Forest Stage completely changed how I experience festival music. Standing in the trees, 800 people, no phones — just pure sound. That's the future of live music.
Seoul Wave at GRVF was a pinch-me moment. I've seen them in Seoul, London, New York. But something about this beach, this crowd... it was transcendent. GRVF does something to music.
The henna artist in the Art Quarter did a full sleeve of ocean motifs on my arm. Three days later, half the festival recognised me as "the wave person." That's the magic of GRVF.
I came with my 6-year-old daughter for the first time. The Family Zone was perfect — she got her face painted, played drums in a workshop, and danced to her first live set. She's already asked when we can go back to "the beach music party."
As a music journalist, I've covered 40+ festivals. GRVF 2024 stands apart for one reason: it cares about every single detail. The toilets were clean. The food was extraordinary. The sound engineering was flawless. Someone truly loves this event.
Ocean Dreams, Captured
Friday Night
First Night
Village Sunrise
Headliner Set
Art Installation