Wildlife Festival

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 . . . ?