The Secret Garden Party — A trip back to childhood...

A trip back to childhood...

Festival Life is a great thing isn’t it? The happiness, the freedom, the access to the vast amounts of sensory delights otherwise absent and unimaginable in your normal routine. This, and more is what defines Secret Garden Party.

The grounds of SGP are perfectly sized; you were close enough to everything on offer but it was large enough for you to get lost in the countless beautifully curated and often secluded spaces, being drawn in to the spectrum of lights – each one more illuminating than the next.

Thursday was very chilled, with music stopping not long after midnight. The atmosphere was expectant as people discovered the many visual amusements on offer and fully embraced the ‘childish things’ theme this year. Fancy dress was in full flow.

There was rain, yes. And it was persistent. Friday was a washout, but it takes more than that to dampen the spirits of the ‘Gardeners’. It almost created more of a community – everyone was wet, everyone was muddy. But it just didn’t matter in the slightest.

Jack Garratt put on a fantastically passionate show on the Great Stage, showing off his unmistakable funky, bassy electronics to a very receptive crowd. As you wander the grounds it’s very difficult to remain focussed and not get distracted – the ‘Dance Off’ area was truly like no other rave, hay bales and huge model robots surrounded the compound filled with dance moves and fancy dress. If that was too much, there were acoustic sets and tents filled with all the essentials: (amazing) chai tea, games, crafts, talks, massages and much, much more.

The Great Stage was fully packed for Jungle, the Friday headliners. The rain fell tirelessly, but the crowd were immovable and out in full strength. It’s not just about the music with Jungle, the whole performance is a spectacle – the lights, the energy, all culminating to produce something spectacular.

Saturday came, and it was sunny, yeah you heard me correctly. SUNNY. After getting through the Friday rain victoriously, we saw the light – literally. A reward some might say. Ibeyi brought their smooth summer sounds to the garden, whilst the Drop Stage crowd was flooded with people rather than rain, all directing their attention to the fantastic reflective DJ booth. People wandered around to the various tents and stages, chilled by their tents, took part in activities, discovered the vast array of food on offer (we had the BEST burrito at Carlito Burrito – check them out) – the list goes on. There was truly everything for anyone and anything for everyone. The fireworks over the lake were magical in the moonlight – although many are cynical about fireworks, these were truly something else. Cat Empire followed with an amped show, the crowd were buzzing throughout and it was a genuine shame to see the set end.

The hoards dispersed into the garden to continue their night. The Lost Woods and Labyrinth resembling enchanted forests filled with fantastical fancy dress, music and imagination, whilst Gay Bar, Disco Picnic and Dog House (you actually had to go through a doggy door) kept the dancing going until the early hours of Sunday morning.

The rain on Sunday became too much for some people, but the stalwarts remained. It was a wholly relaxed feel, there was a fantastic mariachi band, followed by a one man band which was fascinating to watch. The Great Stage hosted The Correspondence (this guy’s dancing was truly extraordinary). Gentleman’s Dub Club enthused the crowd. Roots Manuva rapped the rain away, and David Rodigan – the legend – put on an eclectically mixed set with Jungle, Ska, Reggae, Grime – all sorts. It went down wonderfully. The now ceremonious burning of the boat signalled the near end before Caravan Palace swung the crowd to the closing of another year at the Secret Garden.

It’s a real privilege to come to Secret Garden Party. It truly is about freedom, creativity and expression, and this is personified and engrained in everything that is done. People come from far and wide to the music festival, and there’s a reason why. Don’t believe us? Find out for yourself next year.