The Doof Festival, one of the longest-running psytrance festivals in Israel, was one of Israel’s most iconic psytrance festivals. It has a significant history deeply rooted in the Israeli cultural landscape. This renowned outdoor trance festival was held annually during Passover at the scenic Golan Beach on the eastern shore of the Sea of Galilee (Lake Kinneret). It has captivated thousands of attendees with its atmosphere and underground vibe. In its memory, let’s explore its origins, highlights, how it ended, who played the last set, and whether the Doof Festival will ever be back.
What is Doof?
The term “doof” originated from the Australian Psytrance scene. It is commonly used to express underground psytrance parties, which became synonymous with these remote bush parties. These gatherings initially took place in the Negev desert, beaches, and forests, providing a unique atmosphere that blended ancient traditions with a modern revival of dance and self-expression.
The Israeli scene drew inspiration from the infamous Goa trance parties, popular among young Israelis who had served in the Israeli Defense Forces and then backpacked to India. Following their return, these enthusiastic travelers began hosting unauthorized parties in Israel, creating a distinct and ecstatic psytrance scene. These gatherings quickly gained popularity, attracting growing crowds from all over the world. Doof’s birth was no different, but it was the first Dark production in Israel.
When Doof Festival Started and Their First Events
The Doof Festival began in 2004 and was founded by childhood friends Shahar Zirkin, Yuval Ebenstein, and Guy Barkai. They were inspired by the psychedelic rock scene and Israel’s emerging electronic music culture during the 1990s. Before launching the festival, they organized underground desert parties named “Doof Project” starting in 1995. These gatherings focused on a rougher, darker style of psytrance compared to the melodic Goa trance popular at the time.
The Doof Festival embodies more than just an all-night dance party. It represents a journey of spiritual exploration and self-discovery. For many attendees, these events are an opportunity to transcend the boundaries of everyday life and connect with a larger community, sharing a common purpose. The late Goa Gil describes this dedication to the pursuit of happiness and joy in his perspective on the Israeli psytrance scene.
Doof Records – Music First
Doof Records was a renowned psychedelic trance label based in Israel, founded in 2001 by UV, Zirkin, and their friends Barkash and Rontal. The label emerged from the earlier Doof Project parties (underground psytrance parties in Israel’s deserts and forests during the 1990s). Drawing inspiration from their travels and exposure to electronic dance music, the founders created Doof Records to share their passion for psytrance with a global audience. Over the years, Doof Records has become a staple in the darker psytrance scene, known for its deep, hyper-psychedelic sounds and innovative artist collaborations.
Dooflex Sublabel
Later, Dooflex was established as a sublabel to complement its main label. It focused on lighter psychedelic styles and featured artists like U-Recken (The writers of these lines), Nitro, and I-Drop. Doof Records and Dooflex had cultivated a vibrant artist roster while continuously seeking fresh talent to keep the psytrance culture dynamic and evolving.
Notable Location and Features
While initially associated with desert landscapes, Most of the Doof Festival editions were held annually during Passover at the scenic Golan Beach on the eastern shore of the Sea of Galilee (Lake Kinneret), reflecting its family-friendly underground roots. This quickly made it one of the best events in Israel.
Collaboration with Paganka and Magaya Teams
Over the years, the festival expanded its musical diversity. The Paganka team joined in 2011, introducing progressive music, while the Magaya team brought alternative musical systems, workshops, and ecological design in 2013. These additions enriched the festival’s offerings beyond just music[1].
Ecological Vision
The festival’s commitment to preserving the environment, particularly the beaches of the Sea of Galilee (Kinneret), has become a defining feature. This ecological focus resonates with attendees who value sustainability alongside music and culture.
Lineup and Stage Evolution
Doof Festival has consistently hosted top Israeli and international artists. In addition to all of Israel’s best artists, Doof was known for bringing the creme of dark and finish artists like Salakavala, Parasense, and many more. This created unforgettable musical experiences for attendees across a 72-hour format, where over 50 DJs perform continuously.
Doof Stage – offered high-energy psytrance and dark trance. Paganka Stage – introduced in 2011, brought progressive trance, techno, and chillout vibes.
Magaya Stage – added in 2013, provides alternative music, workshops, and a family-friendly “healing zone” with activities for children.
Cultural Significance
Over time, Doof has become more than just a music festival; it represents a global meeting place for electronic music lovers and trance culture. Its ability to blend music with elements of the psychedelic movement and rave culture has made it an iconic event in Israel’s festival scene.
These moments showcase how Doof Festival has evolved into a cultural phenomenon while staying true to its roots in electronic music and sustainability.
Soup Anyone?
Doof Festival takes place on one of the beautiful beaches of the Sea of Galilee (a two-hour drive from Tel Aviv) amidst a shaded eucalyptus forest. The weather was sometimes tricky in this location, leading to a unique day that got the title “The Soup,” a giant mud dance where no one remained untouched.
Who played the Last Set?
U-Recken –Dacru Records (Me) played the last set in 2018.
It was not the first time I was in charge of this holy task, And Zirkin had complete faith in me to do the job right, and so I have. Doof closing sets were mainly me playing very long and unique DJ Sets with Remixes and mashups that were designed for the doof dancefloor specifically and intentionally. Out of all Doof Festival Editions, I missed the first and the last, which never happened, and I learned about the tragic news while touring in India that year. I am grateful to the entire doof family who shaped and made me who I am today as an artist.
Despite its popularity, the Doof Festival faced increasing challenges from Israeli authorities. In June 2019, police canceled the festival with short notice due to concerns about drug use at the event. This led to widespread protests under the slogan “Let us dance in peace,” with thousands demonstrating against what they saw as unfair targeting of music festivals. The cancellation marked a turning point for Doof Festival and other similar events in Israel. Since then, no new editions of Doof Festival have been reported. However, its legacy continues to influence Israel’s vibrant psytrance scene and remains an iconic chapter in global electronic music culture. While Doof official website is still active, It is most likely that Doof Festival will never return, At least not in the future, but we can’t tell for sure.
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Yaniv Ben Ari stands as a multifaceted creative force, carving a distinctive niche in the realms of music, technology, and entrepreneurship. Renowned as a Musician, DJ, Event producer, and Psychedelic Art enthusiast.
