Picture your standard 5am on a Saturday morning ÔÇô most of you are probably only just getting in from a night out at Pryzm or Glam. Now picture this; a cold morning on the M62 with a colleague from Xpress passed out in the car and getting lost trying to find the entrance to Creamfields 2016. Once we arrived, all aerosols were confiscated ÔÇô the only festival I have attended where they seemed almost illegal. An odd thought, as IÔÇÖm sure you can imagine, we didnÔÇÖt get off to the best start.
When you think of festival camping most people imagine a soggy field with disgusting toilets and no showers; I can tell you that the Gold Campsite at Creamfields was the complete opposite of this. We were provided with complimentary use of showers, had our own food outlets, a pamper tent with hairdryers and straighteners, where the ÔÇ£scousebrowsÔÇØ came out in full force from the ladies, a hairdresser on site and ÔÇ£properÔÇØ toilets with no sign of your usual smelly ÔÇ£portalooÔÇØ. Not to mention the VIP hospitality tent we had access to; the cocktail bars, exclusive dance tents and sofas made it more Ibizaesque than anywhere else on the site. We had definitely landed at Creamfields alright.
At 10am the music hadnÔÇÖt started and the cans were already out in full flow. For me, this is what every great festival is about ÔÇô the atmosphere, as well as the music. So if you canÔÇÖt beat them, join them! Our neighbours had travelled from Kent, enduring at least a four hour drive, proving that Creamfields is still recognised as one of the most popular festivals in the UK. Other festival-goers had flown in from Spain and France showing that Creamfields has earnt its place as one of the leading EDM (Electronic Dance Music) festivals in the world.
The first day, although technically day 3 of the entire festival, ravers were treated to the likes of Otto Knows, Martin Garrix and legendary DJ, Pete Tong. Having had silent discos on the Thursday and artists like Alesso, Sigala and Martin Solveig on the Friday, everyone around us showed no sign of slowing down just yet. The highlight of the Saturday, for me, was of course Avicii. Having been a fan of his work since day one and having seen him live on numerous occasions, watching the Swede DJ never gets old. This time it was even more special, and emotional, knowing that this was to be his last ever UK performance. Guess what? He didnÔÇÖt disappoint. With a crowd of thousands trying to bust out their best dance moves to ÔÇÿWake Me UpÔÇÖ and pretending they know the words to ÔÇÿLevelsÔÇÖ, the atmosphere was electric. His entire set was a spectacle with an array of fireworks thanks to the Cream production team, which culminated in me having a tear in my eye┬á he left the stage thanking the UK for the last ever time┬á 2am and everyone heads back to their tents, needless to say the atmosphere of the arena spiralled out into the campsites where the party continued into the early hours.
2am and everyone heads back to their tents, needless to say the atmosphere of the arena spiralled out into the campsites where the party continued into the early hours. Only a few hours later and Creamfields was buzzing as the sun rose on its final day. We were extremely lucky with the weather; the heat just added to the electric atmosphere. The Sunday treated us to sets by Hannah Wants, the Disciples, Fatboy Slim and not to mention Calvin Harris. Our interviews with the likes of Seb Fontaine, Dutch DJ Dannic and Fatboy Slim taught us a lot about whether they prefer Cardiff or Swansea, the Welsh accent or the Scottish accent and Gareth Bale or David Beckham! TheyÔÇÖve even given us some tips for all of our Xpress Radio DJÔÇÖs starting out ÔÇô check out or interviews to get the full low-down from some of the best DJÔÇÖs in the world.
After the festival, Joel Davies from the Rhondda Valley said that he comes back to Creamfields every year because the line-up of artists always gets bigger and better. Speaking to Xpress Radio, the 23-year-old declared that ÔÇ£the new addition of the Steel Yard Arena to the festival this year was fantastic! It gives us access to more amazing DJÔÇÖs and provides fantastic opportunities for new ones coming through.ÔÇØ When asked about whether the festival was good value for money he told us that ÔÇ£┬ú230 for a four day camping ticket is great value! The only thing I would want to change about Creamfields is its location ÔÇô itÔÇÖs too far from South Wales!ÔÇØ
If you want a festival with a carefree atmosphere, dancing until you drop and an Ibiza experience without jetting off to the island, then Creamfields is the one for you. There was something going on everywhere you looked and the whole setup of the festival made it easy to get around. So for ┬ú230, a four-day ticket to experience all of this and the worldÔÇÖs greatest DJÔÇÖs, then you get your moneyÔÇÖs worth.
Thank you Creamfields for bringing the Ibiza party to Cheshire. I think my colleague may have even enjoyed herself too  yes, I saw you jammin to Eric Prydz Sara! Until next year my friend, until next year
For more information on Creamfields festival and getting your hands on 2017 tickets or other Cream events then visit: www.creamfields.com. Creamfields returns next year to Daresbury Estate in Cheshire 24th-27th August for its 20th anniversary.
Sophie Barnes ÔÇô Xpress Radio
