Wildlife Festival — Let's put on our own festival..? Sure

Let's put on our own festival..? Sure

Starting with hugely successful East London parties, then appearing at Glastonbury, Unknown Festival, Exit Festival and Space in Ibiza, what was the next natural step . . . putting on your own festival? Sure, it’s what we’d all do too isn’t it . . . ? Pretty simple really.

Not a lot of people knew about this festival, only the close followers of the performers or music-festival-lovers had it on their radar – but it was somewhat of a gem, and though tickets were hard to get hold of it ultimately offered everything and more than you imagined.

On a sunny Brighton day, the hordes of ‘Wildlifees’ (is that the correct collective term?) emptied from the trains and filled every affordably-priced hotel room available, all with the child-like excitement you get when your parents tell you you’re going to Disneyland.

It felt like a festival that had been running for years, developing the formula to ensure that everyone, from denim-clad teeny-boppers to sandal-wearing 40-somethings, had all their boxes sufficiently ticked.

The line-up, handpicked by Rudimental and Disclosure, was an eclectic mix of pure excitement. Rudimental selected Saturday’s line-up and Disclosure chose Sunday’s. Split over four stages, it was a small festival made to feel a lot bigger; you could bounce your way from one stage to another with ease, unless you get distracted by the bars that is . . .

The dilemma of who to see on what stage was inevitable, as it is with any music festival – this however does not make this choice any easier. The line-up was a treat.

Annie Mac, Skepta and Rudimental created a hype that only they can whilst the likes of Benji B and Joy Orbison continued to build the vibe that was consistent throughout the two days of the festival. No matter if you came for a day or the whole weekend you were left wanting more.

Disclosure teased us with a few tracks from their upcoming album ‘Caracal’, bringing on guest artists such as Kwabs and Gregory Porter, before finishing the set with the massive crowd pleaser ‘Latch’. It was a fitting ending to festival destined to get bigger and bigger.

Rumours of a repeat in 2016 you say . . . ?