Simply City’s live recording from the opening Beach Party at Balance Croatia captures exactly what progressive house is meant to feel like at golden hour – patient, emotive, and quietly powerful.

Recorded on The Pier at The Garden Resort in Tisno, the set unfolds with the kind of control you’d expect from a longtime Stereo Montreal resident. César Romero – better known as Simply City – doesn’t rush the moment. Instead, he leans into it. Warm basslines roll in with restraint, percussive details shimmer against the Adriatic backdrop, and melodic phrases stretch wide without ever tipping into excess. It’s storytelling without theatrics.

But what makes this recording stand out is the atmosphere. The opening day of the festival carries that unique mix of anticipation and release – the crowd still fresh, the sun still high, the promise of days ahead hanging in the air. Simply City reads it perfectly. He keeps things driving but never aggressive, emotive but never indulgent. It’s music designed to connect bodies and minds without overwhelming either.

For a festival that marks 25 years of Balance Music – a label synonymous with documenting the evolution of progressive dance music – this set feels like a fitting statement. It’s rooted in tradition but delivered with a modern touch, bridging eras of the genre in a way that feels effortless.

Tickets for Balance Croatia 2026 are available here.