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Festival review: Eastern Electrics

15 August 20130 view0

I wasn’t sure what to expect from Eastern Electrics, one of the foremost electronica festivals in the UK that has an ever-changing venue. Rocking up on Saturday morning, I was a mixture of excitement and anticipation. My first surprise of the day came with the ease of parking at the festival, which was organised and easy. My eagerness for the festival rose tenfold upon seeing a horde of happy campers merrily skipping towards the main area of the festival.

Passing the main entrance, we decided upon our first plan of action: the drinks tent (although my refreshments would be suitably soft). Walking around the festival you quickly realise just how easy it is to navigate, with everything situated along just a few long strips. Although this sounds like it would be overcrowded the reality was the complete opposite, with pathways and areas only feeling nicely busy and bustling.

Before we got to the drinks tent we heard the beats of Miguel Campbell emanating from the Outdoor Transformer Stage and couldn’t help but go for a quick dance. Suitably warmed up, we rolled away from the stage and headed for drinks – bracing ourselves for festival clichÃd extortionate queues – only to be pleasantly surprised by the hordes of staff that kept queues to a minimum.

Making our way towards the VIP camp – and passing a brilliant area where revellers where throwing masses of feathers at each other – we were welcomed by yet another party atmosphere that was well into its groove of smooth, feel-good house and sunshine-kissed dance. The VIP tent was adorned with a Moroccan theme throughout, with every smile in the vicinity a beaming one in-between puffs of shisha and epic dancing.

As we left the VIP tent we could hear thumping bass coming from the Krankbrother Outdoor Switchyard Stage that couldn’t be ignored. When we arrived at the stage it was absolutely rocking, reminiscent of the Seal Pit at Zoo Project Ibiza. After another heavy dancing session, we decided to recharge our batteries and grab some food in the sunshine. Rather than the bog-standard fast food at most festivals, Eastern Electrics offered a wide-range of cuisine, with us plumping for a great Caribbean meal to re-energise us.

Fully prepared for the evening’s fun, we ventured again to the Outdoor Transformer Stage to catch Hot Natured. The electronica supergroup had huge expectations put on them by the huge crowd – who spilled right outside of the tent – but they nailed their set perfectly, playing pieces from their latest album live for over one hour.

This was a truly great festival with a cruelly excellent line-up that made it hard to choose who to see next. If you’re looking for top electronica in an easy-going and good natured environment, then mark Eastern Electrics in your calendar. Nice one guys!