Mixmag promoter spotlight: Matthieu Corosine

In the ever high stakes and always evolving world of festival promotion, navigating challenges is par for the course. For the team behind MOGA, the past year has been a testament to their resilience and adaptability. Originally slated to take place in Essaouira, Morocco, the 2023 edition was cancelled due to the aftermath of a devastating earthquake. Yet, undeterred by adversity, preparations for the Caparica edition of MOGA began in earnest and led to the discovery of Praia da Morena—a hidden gem boasting two beach clubs nestled along the coastline.

As the final countdown to the 4th edition of MOGA Caparica at the end of May commences, founder Matthieu Corosine has revealed the intricacies of orchestrating this immersive experience and how the transition to a new venue marked a pivotal moment in MOGA's evolution. "We mostly wanted to find a place where we can reproduce the concept that we have in Essaouira, to have multiple stages, from small to big so our tribe can discover new talents, with different genres of music and also to maintain this feeling of intimacy. We are a boutique festival with a limited capacity but spread across four stages so it feels comfortable and every one can enjoy their own styles of music without the feeling of an over-packed dancefloor."

Maintaining an intimate vibe amidst growth is a paramount goal for MOGA as its essence lies not in its scale, but in curating a holistic experience where attendees can immerse themselves in diverse musical offerings and connect with like-minded individuals. "It is important to grow organically" says Corosine," but we are also kind of forced to grow this way because the business models of music festivals are more often than not very risky, with a profitability around 95% of capacity. But overall, our goal is never to be a huge festival but more to be a huge experience in a boutique festival, where our crowd can discover music and arts via different crews local or international, take care of their body and spirit, and connect with other people."

Drawing from Corosine's extensive expertise in the festival industry, MOGA's lineup reflects a curated blend of house music spanning different genres and eras. From iconic OGs to emerging talents, the roster embodies the festival's ethos of inclusivity and cultural exchange. "At MOGA we like house music and all its variations," explains Corosine. "Funky, disco, afro, tech, minimal, we try to put a large array of house music, by programming a good balance between classics and discoveries and also promoting the local scene. By having two editions in Morocco and Portugal, it is also an amazing occasion to display talents from both countries to an international and mixed crowd."

Beyond the main event, MOGA's recently unveiled OFF parties offer a deeper exploration of the festival's host city. These free-form gatherings provide a platform for local collectives and businesses, fostering community engagement and cultural discovery. "The process was to push the concept of destination festival and make the place that welcomes us, the headliner of the event," says Corosine. "We believe that in order to highlight the destination, to allow our tribe to properly discover and wander around, five days is a better format with 2 days of “OFF” program so we can provide a local promotion platform, gather collectives and local businesses and offer access to free events, panels, workshops, masterclasses, physical activities like yoga, surfing, kite surfing, biking and so on”.

Despite the triumphs and tribulations inherent in festival hosting, Corosine's unwavering commitment to MOGA's vision remains unshakeable. Beyond the allure of profit margins lies a deeper purpose—to bridge divides, spark connections, and create lasting memories for attendees. He says that "it is truly a mission for us to take part of a more positive, understanding and loving world through music. There is nothing more fulfilling than seeing people, throughout the 5 days of the festival, connect, bond, create circles of friends or couples of lovers, sometimes even babies!"

Looking ahead, Corosine envisions MOGA's continued evolution into a multifaceted brand encompassing music labels, hospitality ventures, and immersive experiences. Yet, amidst these grand ambitions, the essence of MOGA—rooted in community, creativity, and celebration—remains unchanged. For first-time MOGA attendees, Corosine offers sage advice: embrace the journey. |I highly recommend that you come early and enjoy the “OFF” events as you can do some groovy beach hopping between the amazing locations Costa Da Caparica has to offer, for 2 full days of free access parties. For the party connoisseurs, do not forget your ticket for the boat party as it is the best way to enjoy the sunset on the Tagus river between Lisbon and Almada.

Once again from May 29th to June 2nd, MOGA promises a kaleidoscope of experiences for the senses and the soul with Acid Pauli, Dekmantel Soundsystem, Dixon, Jan Blomqvist (Live), Luca Saporito (Audiofly), Mr. ID, Pachanga Boys, Satori, Xinobi, Desiree, Francis Mercier, Lee Burridge, Agoria, Acid Arab (dj set) and many more all lined up.