Cream is now 25 years old and what an incredible birthday year 2017 has been for the iconic global clubbing brand from Liverpool with the phenomenal Creamfields festival in Warrington that just gets bigger and better every year and is by far the most technically advanced festival in the UK, also the London debut of the behemoth of a venue that is Creamfields Steel yard – a 20 foot high 10,000 capacity custom built feat of engineering that usually resides at Liverpool dock with cutting edge laser shows, the biggest DJ’s in the world on a scale never before seen in the UK it amazes me they can actually move this thing about!. Cream is not just confined to the UK – this year has seen other massive events around the globe including Majorca, Australia, Chile and still to happen this month Taiwan and Hong Kong. The level of organisation and attention to detail that goes into all of these events is astounding, a big credit to all the unsung heroes behind the scenes you never hear about, its these guys who make all of this happen.
What better way to end the year and celebrate the Cream brands 25th anniversary with a 3 day party at Butlins Minehead attended by thousands of revellers and 50 of the best DJ’s from the cream hall of fame from the last 2 decades including Erick Morillo, Roger Sanchez, Paul Oakenfold, Paul Van Dyk, Chicane and Judge Jules with other guests including the one and only Sister Bliss.
The main arena at the skyline pavilion is a large high capacity venue and a perfect setting for a Cream extravaganza with 3 large stages – the skyline stage, Reds and Centre stage and is packed full of bars and restaurants, a far cry from the Butlins I remember when my parents used to bring me on hols here when I was a nipper! I also worked at Butlins Bognor for the 1994 summer season so the nostalgia was strong for me this weekend 😊
Friday evening started with the talented Portsmouth based DJ and TV Presenter Andy Joyce kickstarting the party off in style and within an hour the arena was packed full of clubbers enjoying themselves – The atmosphere was electric throughout the night including sets from Eddie Halliwell and Paul Oakenfold, Roger Sanchez and everyone’s favourite Judge Jules bringing Friday night to a close in Reds nightclub finishing at 5am.
For all the early risers there was a pool party at 11am in Splash Waterworld but I have to admit, I didn’t make it!. General feedback from people that did get there said it was a good laugh, I was still in bed – I must be getting old!
Saturday was just epic with Chicane and Van Dyk on the skyline stage but the highlight for me was the Faithless DJ set by world renowned music producer, DJ and musical mastermind Sister Bliss. The general consensus amongst revellers that this was the best set of the night, in my opinion the best of the weekend. It’s a fact that nothing gets a crowd going crazy as when the rift to ‘Insomnia’ kicks in. Next on was Tall Paul another cream veteran, finishing with Andy joyce closing the night to a packed out centre stage until 5am. There was another pool party the following morning which I’m afraid to say I missed again! Well it was a late night. Next time..
Sunday nights headliners on the main stage were K-Class then back to some grass roots - Andy Carroll a name synonymous with cream and one of the original founders hit the decks on the centre stage opening and closing the night with sets from Guy Ornadell, Jon pleased wimmin and Alistair Whitehead in between.
This was the first Cream Weekender at Butlins Minehead which proved to be a resounding success. Check out the photo gallery to see what you missed. If you’re a dance music fan it simply makes no sense that you don’t attend next year!
Published on 11 December 2017 by Russ Collins
