"Don't only chase the biggest names"

Untold closed its eleventh edition on 9 August with more than 500,000 people through the gates across four days, up from 470,000 the year before. It sits third in DJ Mag's Top 100 Festivals. Nine stages, a lineup running from Sting and Lewis Capaldi to Carl Cox and Steve Aoki, and a main stage built inside Cluj Arena, the city's football ground.

Bruno Majdenic worked all four days of it, shooting Marshmello, Swae Lee, Solomun, Martin Garrix, Zara Larsson, Denzel Curry, Lost Frequencies and Afrojack. We asked him what this Romanian festival is actually like.

For people who have never been, what is Untold and what makes it different?

It's a massive annual electronic and pop festival in Cluj-Napoca, Romania, and one of the biggest in the world. Nine stages and easily one of the strongest and most diverse lineups of the year, everything from EDM and techno to hip-hop and live pop. What makes it different for me is the scale. The production is insane, the festival runs until sunrise, and every stage feels like its own separate world.

More than 500,000 people across four days. What did that feel like on the ground?

You could definitely feel that there were a lot of people, but it was managed really well. The grounds are huge, so the crowd spread out naturally and there were never any major bottlenecks or moments where it felt completely overwhelming. There were a few times when access to the Main Stage and the Galaxy Stage was temporarily closed because they had hit capacity for a headliner, but security handled those situations well and kept it organised and safe.

The main stage sits inside Cluj Arena, a football stadium. What does that do to the atmosphere?

It makes it feel much more intense and cinematic. The production is on an extremely high level, and the stadium lets them control every element, from the sound and lighting to the fireworks, lasers and other effects. With the stands completely full and the entire crowd focused toward one stage, every major performance feels like a stadium show rather than a festival set. At the same time you can move up into the stands and see the whole production from above, which gives you a completely different perspective. The same goes for the Galaxy arena right next to the stadium.

Which set was your favourite?

Hard to choose one. Sebastian Ingrosso, definitely, because Swedish House Mafia's music has always had a special place in my heart. Solomun was the other. He is one of my favourite artists and this was my first time seeing him live. Being able to photograph him while also fully enjoying the set made that especially memorable.

Which artist surprised you? Not the biggest name, the one you expected nothing from.

Manuel Riva, and Andrew Dum b2b. I went into those sets without any particular expectations, but the atmosphere was great from the beginning. You could clearly see how much the crowd was enjoying it, and that energy made those performances genuinely memorable for me.

Of the artists you saw, who should people go and see live as soon as they get the chance?

Shimza, Martin Garrix, Mau P, Carl Cox, Solomun and Denzel Curry. They all bring something completely different, but the energy during each of their performances is unmatched. Whether it's the atmosphere, the crowd control or simply their presence on stage, these are the artists who turn a set into a full experience. And their production teams were amazing, especially Garrix's.

What is Cluj itself like, outside the festival?

Really relaxed and beautiful. Interesting museums, great architecture, and several landmarks worth visiting in the surrounding area. I spoke with a few locals who told me the energy of the whole city shifts when Untold is on. You feel the festival everywhere, not only inside the grounds, which makes staying in Cluj during those four days a completely different experience.

Untold 2027 is 5 to 8 August. What would you say to someone thinking about going?

Don't wait too long. Untold is one of those festivals you should experience at least once, even if electronic music is not your main genre, because the lineup and the atmosphere offer so much more than that. Prepare for four intense nights, wear comfortable shoes, and give yourself time to explore beyond the Main Stage. Some of my favourite moments came from unexpectedly discovering smaller stages and following the energy of the crowd.

For photographers

Take us through your four days. How did you decide where to be?

My main focus was the Main Stage, Galaxy and Alchemy, because those had the artists and genres I most wanted to capture. I planned each day around the artists I considered the highest priority, while leaving enough time to move between stages. Whenever there was a gap, I went to the smaller stages to feel the atmosphere, discover different genres and capture a completely different side of the festival.

And the hardest set to shoot?

Solomun, for exactly the same reason he was my favourite. The Galaxy Stage was completely packed. I didn't have backstage access, so I had to move through the crowd with all my camera equipment and constantly search for a clear angle. And he is one of my favourite artists, so I wanted to enjoy the music too. The real challenge was finding the balance between working and being present in the moment.

You picked three photos as your favourites. Look at what they have in common.

All three are light rather than proximity. A silhouette, a laser rig, one beam. At a festival where the production is the spectacle, the lighting designer is effectively your co-author, and these are three frames that take that seriously instead of fighting it.

And what would you tell a photographer working a festival that size?

Plan your priorities in advance, but stay flexible. Distances, crowds and stage-access restrictions can completely change your schedule. Bring enough batteries and storage, and don't only chase the biggest names.

What's next for you?

So far I've really enjoyed the EXIT festivals I've been to, and some local ones in Croatia. Right now I'm following upcoming concerts and festivals across Europe and looking for the next opportunity to shoot. One immediate goal is to cover A$AP Rocky's show in Zagreb. In the future I'd love to work at some of the world's biggest festivals, Ultra, Tomorrowland, Dimensions, while continuing to grow as a live music and festival photographer. And maybe one day join an artist on tour as their personal camera guy.

Untold reminded me why I want to keep pursuing festival photography professionally. It's not only about capturing the artist on stage, but the connection between the music, the crowd and all the small moments happening around you. I'm grateful I got to experience and document such a huge event, and it's motivated me even more to keep improving, travelling and searching for the next story to capture.

Manifestation was the key for this to happen.

Interview with Bruno Majdenic. Every photograph here is his.