The Balearic Sunday season is kicking off — and that’s definitely good news. Because we could all use a few positive vibes right now. Two chances (maybe even three, but let’s keep that quiet for now) in 2026 to once again debate whatBalearic actually is. Theory 1: the musical equivalent of glittering sunlight on the surface of the sea. Theory 2: an eternal Ibiza in the early ’80s. Theory 3: the most eclectic genre in dance music. Theory 4: everything between acid, afro, cosmic, disco, italo, post-punk, reggae, wave, zouk, and every conceivable proto-dance genre from Chicago to Lake Garda. Theory 5: not a genre at all, but a conviction — getting people dancing with positive music that refuses to sound overly uniform.

In the end, none of that really matters for the sheer pleasure ofit all once Karolina Bnv delivers her interpretation to the crowd — one informed as much by her beginnings in a rock band in Novosibirsk as by her love for jacking house and electro. Meanwhile, the ZMAR Festival has been spelling out the Balearic vibe for several years now in a Czech quarry not far from here. As a little teaser for this year’s edition from August 7–9, it’s sending over Mike H. and Divný útvar as theZMAR Soundsystem. And, as always, Balearic Sunday host Philipp Demankowski will kick things off with a comprehensive attempt at defining it all. Which remains to be proven.