THIS WEEKS FEATURES OF THE WEEK:

THE FESTIVAL

On Saturday 2nd March The Legendary Cream in Liverpool held its first ever dance festival at The Bowl, near Winchester. It was to be the first time something on such a grand scale had been attempted. Of course there were those with memories of The Tribal Gatherings of years gone by, but this night was to wash away those memories to provide an introspective look into club culture.

The party was to last for a full seventeen hours and no less. Driving through the countryside, towards the bowl there was already a vibe in the air. People had travelled for miles to become part of Dance history and to be the ones to say "Cream fields 1998, I was there". So me and my sidekick DJ Rice took to the grass like a duck to water. We knew we had seventeen hours to see the best and we did....

13.30- Done the que taking no prisoners, Cream Fields we have arrived. Time to get our bearings and indulge in the atmosphere. The Main arena immediately catches your eye but thats just one of nine arenas as well as a chill out cinema tent and Muziks bedroom bedlam DJ tent. The Indian ropeman are first on our agenda but its not until getting to John kelly that you really begin to appreciate what you are going to become part of. It seems that commercial house knows where its at and nothing did it better than Tamperer. time to start the live acts we think and Slacker hits you in the face straight away in the Courtyard and inevittably its "your face" that gets everyone going. Over at the Trade tent (backs against the wall?) the Sharp Boys start to cause Havoc as grounds melts up to mud, we'd love to say but its almost five and Way Out West are on in the Courtyard. It seems that The lads know what to do and impressive video screens emphasise the dramatric impact of the classic "Domination" and "Ajare". The star for me though was to follow - Paul Van Dyk - playing the best trance set i've ever heard and as a result receiving many "TUNE" banners in response to his vinyl magic. BT folowed and rocked the pants off continuing the line of classic tune with "Flaming June" by now i am so high on the music that nothing could stop me.
But we need a breather so its over to Finley quaye in the main arena- to be honest though i am still making my mind up about this one. So back to the courtyard once again for the end of Nick Warren's set and The Man With No Name who continues the hard trancey standard aleady set - even finding time to have a dance. Quickly we depart and on comes the freaky alien mask which leaves people walking out of the way to get three rows from Judge Jules and Pete Tong warming up for the Essential Mix. But Roni siz is on now too and he deserved a listen so glow stick in hand we head off to the full cycle tent passing the Chemical brothers and then heading over to Daft Punk unfortunately let down by sound levels but still playing a blinding set. Oakenfold received the "TUNE" banners as he was put onto Essential Mix around 2.45 and he didnt dissapoint (as my wails in the background prove) and Pete Wardman at Trade had balls to Play the Nu-NRG version of "BACKSTREETS BACK".
Expecting Run DMC at 3.30 we head back to the MAIN ARENA but they leave us waiting for thirty minutes so Sasha keeps on playing, but that delay was worth every minute for the set they were about to give "IT's Like That" gets all the new kids rocking while "Mary Mary" "it's TGricky" and "walk this way" leave me gobsmacked - PEACE. We are coming to an end but still time to cram in John Digweed, Tony De Vit, Mr C and Danny Rampling ending rather appropriately with Leftfields "Song for Life"
Cream Fields will be one of those nights to remember forever and now i am one of those who will say in years to come "i was there".

for listings of the radio 1 essential mix broadcast, click here

and nowcloser to home.....

MIX MAG ULTIMATE TOUR

THE MIX MAG ULTIMATE TOUR hit Swansea University in April and what a blinder it was too. By 10pm the "great hall" was heaving unlike previous poor attended events. It was probably due to the fact that MR Carl Cox graced us with his presence. Trevor Rockliffe got the crowds warmed up, but all respect has to be given to shades of rhythm whose live P.A. got the atmosphere going especially the call to all those who remember 1991- check out the Cream Live CD on Pete Tongs mix to here what i mean "heres another chance for you to dance with me". When Mr cox came on the crowds euphoria was uncontrollable expecting a "will i like it" feel to the night, my doubts were easily overridden. A move away from the heavy techno i expected, Carl delighted us with some excellent Hard-house-Techno even finding time to slip in DA HUUL's - meet her at the love parade -....TWICE. the last time at the end of his set were he cleverly lifted a bar from it and proved why he is the master of 3 Decks for the final time that night!!! and when the lights came on he wouldnt stop until he'd almost done a full 3 hours it it was time to go home.

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