This is one house party where there was an obvious reason for a gathering in the Godskitchen. Situated on a dis-used airfield, Global gathering boasts up to 100 world renowned DJ's. Year on year this is why tens of thousands of people gather to celebrate life on a field in the midlands. Friday's bad weather couldn't stop the event taking off and the girls were flying in to show us all how a British summer festival should be opened. The evening's crowd swamped the main stage to witness headliners Faithless add a melody to the atmosphere with their gifted lyrics. Offering one of the best views, elevated 15ft above the rest of the main stage crowd, Vodaphone's VIP suite awarded its customers with an exclusive view along with tours of back stage, certainly an attractive perspective.
Though once the pioneers of hard dance The Tidy boys did nothing to stimulate the downed atmosphere at the Polysexual stage. Only the die hard followers were to be revived with a characterful performance by the legend Lisa Lashes and her bottle of wine. As we made our way over to the Global arena, fellow festival goers gave rave reviews of the Radio 1 DJ Kissy Sell out's electronic bassline set in the Spectrum arena. Chase and status's hit set in the Global arena was built on a refusal to tinker with today's exhausted hit dance tracks. Unlike the majority it must be said, they stayed true to their heavy dub step sound and contributed to their spiraling reputation.
The festivals 3 main arenas stood out from the rest with there consistently emphatic pyrotechnics and synonymous DJ's, however this was at the cost of some the smaller stages that required an increased presence. At Godskitchen Armin Van Buuren filled the last slot of the night, unleashing some of his finest trance tracks. Clearly seeking to prolong their party, the crowd numbers swelled and the atmosphere thrived! as the end of the first nights performances drew to a close. The crowds were halted and transferred from arena to campsites, performance may have finished but the festival had only just begun..
After a refreshing visit to VIP showers (leaking pipes), you were then able to familiarize yourself once again with the exclusive VIP area that opened three hours before the main site. New comers to the package would feel relaxed amongst the tribal themed design and luxury food stalls. Though returning VIP's were left searching for the jacuzzi and baths which had gone missing since last year. Once the main gates re-opened, an up turn of weather and increased capacity (due to one day admissions) hit all the right notes for Saturdays familiar festival scene. This was complimented by a flawless set from Jaguar Skills on the main stage and sun kissed Balearic house beats from the smaller stages.
Live sets are always those which catch the eye at a dance festival, Bloody Beetroots full instrumental set was original and deserved its large support as the crowds took there place for the following act Dizzee Rascal. An element of euphoria erupted as Dizzee Rascal appeared to entertain the masses that overwhelmed main stage, the eagerly awaited 'Bonkers' was to complete what for many had been of great importance for their time spent at Global Gathering. It managed to culminate everything that was to be wanted at a festival, from the high octane atmosphere to the ever present and hyper audience.
Normal service was resumed after the commercial hip hop artist, the Carl Cox revolution arena was devoted to providing a list of Ibiza's 'most wanted' such as Bookashade, Simian Mobile Disco and Yousef. This kept the rhythm of carnival heading for the small hours. After gathering many views and experiences of this years Global crowd, it appeared that little had been done to damage its image on this the 10 year anniversary. Sander Van Kleinenberg expressed the following view at this years Global Gathering "This festival is always a positive experience, its thousands of years living on this god damn island! 30,000 people celebrating life in the middle of a field is obviously culture"
Published on 09 August 2010 by BenBrand
