I had never heard of this festival before being asked to go. To my surprise when looking at the line-up the event organisers has managed to compile together an all-star collective in the deep house scene. This lead to an undoubtable level of excitement for me and my mate who would be making are way down to Essex to “sample the delights” from the sunny North.
We Are FSTVL was held at - DAMYNS HALL AERODROME - 25 May 2013 -11am - 2:30am
On our arrival it was a bit obvious that the access had not really been sussed properly, the actual location was perfect for this type of event with its picturesque backdrop. Narrow country lanes and eager dance enthusiasts trying to get into the venue had come to a sudden Holt with the double decked buses & cars trying to negotiate the already busy country roads. That is where any neggy comments stop.
On entering the festival we came into the VIP section, it consisted of a few longue-like seating areas within dance tents, hot tubs, daybeds and a photo booth. It was fairly busy in this area for most of the day with a more relaxed vibe to the main arena. It was almost when you had enough you could come back into here for a haven like chill time, take a seat and soak in the rays and drink a nice cold beer. I had been to festivals where cash had to be exchanged for tokens, I think it may be to quicken the process! It definitely felt like it did. Never the less these were obtained from porter-cabins dotted around and did make the waiting time for cold beverages quite low.
The main area and VIP area consisted of 70 acts across 10 stages. On entering the main arena the Cocoon Hero’s line up was playing loudly and proudly making it even better to listen to. The following DJ’s Sven Väth, Ricardo Villalobos, Martinez and Sascha Dive made the whole day worth it for me; it also was getting the most attention through the duration of the event from the punters. This was a huge main stage decorated well and stunning to look at, with the sound of Sven Väth playing in the afternoon, the sunshine was out and the vibe was great. The organisers had a huge digital graphics arrangement stage with all the lighting extras. The visual pyro techniques and plumes of confetti added the whole experience; with the sound of deep house vibrating around the arena from day until night. Sascha Dive started the day and definitely warmed the flurry of people arriving and followed by the skills of Martinez. In the past four years, Villalobos has been messing around plenty with his modular system in the studio, learning its ins-and-outs well enough to take it on tour—in an experimental setting, you could say this was very apparent here and finished off the main stage in style. I found out that Sven Väth and Ricardo Villalobos had not played alongside one another in London & the South East since 2008, well done to the organisers to putting them together again.
In the far right hand corner of the arena was the Crop Circle / Mulletover stage - tent, a lot smaller than the main stage but at times just as busy, the line-up was sick and the more upbeat electronic house gave it a very up-beat and tap your foot, nod your head and can’t help but dance feeling. I’d have to say Kerri Chandler made it for me, entertaining the crowd by playing some classics and using his skills to provide us with the sounds that we were all there for. With the addition of Waifs & Strays, Maxxi SS, Huxley, Geddes, Boddika and Joy Orbison made this area busy from beginning to end.
Defected, Kigu, Art of Dark, Secret Sundaze, Crosstown Rebels, Speaker Box and Crèche all had something to offer also and different sights and sounds to take in. WE ARE FSTVL really had made the day by putting together a fantastic line up and overall experience. Once you were in the thick of it you could tell it had been run properly and smoothly, to say it was the festivals first year my overall feeling is that it was a huge success and I cannot wait to see what happens next year.
Well done guys, and overall success and you have my vote!
Hakan
Published on 31 May 2013 by Ben Robinson
