Highlights from Creamfields 2018

SAM | 28th August 2018

 

A star-studded range of world famous DJs thrilled more than 70,000 festival-goers over the Bank Holiday as Creamfields once again provided a shed load of entertainment during what was a washout of Bank Holiday Weekend.

 

 

It was evident that the ‘Cream-team’ had been hard at work getting ready for this blockbuster weekend what with the addition of new arenas and stages that were particularly impressive.

 

 

First things first, we headed to hospitality inevitably calling in to see Sub Focus and others on route. This gave us chance to familiarise ourselves with the new stages and – as part of the pre-festival procedure – make a loose plan to ensure we didn’t miss our favorites.

 

 

Having rocked out to special performances by Chris Wright and Thomas Tuft, we then made our way to the main arena.

 

 

 

First on our list was Oliver Heldens at the Horizon Stage, where we would spend most of our night retreating back and forth for VIVA’s top picks. Oliver’s performance of ‘Ghecko’, amongst his other classics, really set the bar for what was to come.

 

 

Idris Elba over at Area 10 was in demand playing remixes of the Natalie Woods – Circles and Skepta’s – Shutdown. By this point the party had well and truly started.

 

 

Of course, it would be rude not to visit the original ‘Funk Soul Brother’ that is Fatboy Slim, who always delivers impressive performances time after time. We have to praise you Fatboy! Not only was his music on form, the visuals and pyros surrounding the Horizon Stage were out of this world.

 

 

 

We meandered across the site towards the Steel Yard for Eric Prydz. Despite its whopping enormity, the Steel Yard was bursting at the seams with people but that didn’t stop VIVA getting a close-up view as we raved on to ‘Liberate’.

 

 

Alesso took things ‘Under Control’ in the Generator – the new stage with its own viewing gallery that gives a bird’s eye view of the action. Alesso also paid homage to Avicii with an incredible mashup of Tim Berg’s best works.

 

 

 

To end the night VIVA was torn between Martin Garrix and Tiesto. This meant we spent the first half of the final performances at the Horizon Stage watching Martin Garrix’s ‘Animals’, before heading over to the firework filled finale with Tiesto at the Arc Stage.

 

 

The colossal Arc Stage engulfed festival goers with Tiesto’s most celebrated songs, from his newest ‘Jackie Chan’ to ‘Hell Yeah’ – featuring Showtek. The night finished on a high.

 

 

The worst bit about the weekend is we now have to wait a whole 364 days to experience it all over again… or do we? For those hungry for more, the Steel Yard will continue touring the UK through 2019 with dates from London to Liverpool already announced.

 

Words and images by Wesley Griffiths.