From EDM DJ’s to Drum and Bass dons: South West 4 brought us our Bank Holiday weekend…

Celebrating fifteen years of South West 4 festival, revellers packed into Clapham Common over bank holiday weekend to indulge in a bursting dance and electronic music line-up. From highly-reputed EDM DJ’s to Drum and Bass dons, even the weather was partaking in the extreme contrasts…

With Saturday’s line up host to household EDM names across the globe, American DJ, Marshmello and Dutch DJ Armin van Buuren took to the indoor and outdoor main stages for an intimate show at the 10,000-capacity festival.

Basking in the Great British sunshine, Dillon Francis was a highlight of the Saturday; bringing his upbeat and melodic American tracks to the fields of Clapham Common alongside pop-coloured visuals. Of course, EDM is renowned for its vibrant visuals, so it came as no surprise when Marshmello graced the stage donned in his usual headwear, providing Marshmello refraction glasses for everyone present at his set.

Dillon Francis at South West 4

With rain descending for the most part of Sunday, it didn’t stop the party. However, unlike the new generation of festivals, the SW4 stages were sparsely decorated and did not compliment the acts performing. It felt more like raving in muddy fields than the full sensory festival experience Britons are now spoilt with. Nevertheless, the variety of acts performing over the weekend was comprehensive and well scheduled giving lots of choice to the crowds.

Disciples’ Live set on the mainstage was an outstanding performance with multiple musicians and singers, the band rocked through Disciples’ back catalogue as everyone hopped around in the mud belting the lyrics back. The variety of musicians gave their songs a different feel than the studio albums and the whole act translated perfectly to the SW4 environment. With hits like ‘On my mind’ and ‘How deep Is Your Love’ the crowd grew until Disciples seemed like the most watched act of the whole weekend.

In the ‘Bassline Carnival’ tent, ubiquitous producer and DJ ‘Chris Lorenzo’ stepped up to deliver a masterclass of bassline and catchy rhythms. With his speedy mixing, Lorenzo glides through his sets playing a host of different styles. The music translated perfectly as hordes of youngsters were dancing around for the full hour… An absolute bassline workout.

Sub Focus taking over the indoor main stage

With an incredible Drum and Bass line-up dominating the Sunday, revelers were spoiled with sets from Sub Focus (who flew in on a helicopter from Creamfields especially for SW4), Wilkinson and Andy C, before finishing off the weekend with a live set from Chase and Status. Playing their new tracks with heavy jungle roots amongst the timeless classics, there couldn’t have been a better act to conclude the finale of South West 4’s fifteenth birthday.