Eastern Electrics returns this weekend

Returning to Morden Park over ​Saturday 3rd and Sunday 4th August​, Eastern Electrics will include a ​pool party​, vamped up VIP area and a host of top DJs. 

These include heavyweights like MK, Goldie, Orbital, Skream, Claptone and more. 

This weekend will again see the construction of the impressive Switchyard stage and a host of other arenas catering to varied electronic tastes. 

With variety in mind, day two will have a garage vibe with legendary UKG jock DJ EZ leading the charge, joined by DJ Spoony, Matt ‘Jam’ Lamont and many more. 

This year will also feature an after party at legendary London venue, Fabric, which will feature a DJ set from M25 rave icons, Orbital. 

Weekend tickets are priced at £57.50, plus booking fee, Saturday-only tickets are from £39.95 and Sunday from £20.

Tickets are available HERE

elrow Town brings the surreal and stupendous to London

Elrow Town breezed into London last weekend in a blaze of psychedelic colour, animatronics and banging tunes.

It is now a week since the second day kicked off and the hedonistic musical mayhem is still fresh in the memory.

Great sets from Claptone, Fatboy Slim and Idris Elba were the order of the day, seven days ago.

And last Saturday saw Paul Kalkbrenner, Paco Osuna and Steve Lawler entertaining up-for-it revellers across the Psychedelic Trip and Sambodromo do Brasil arenas.

Both main stages were incredible feats, with inflatable giraffes and other critters looming over the dancefloor in the Sambodromo and awesome ‘walking’ praying mantises stalking the massive pyramidal Psychedelic Trip.

The event, in the shadow of the Olympic stadium, in Stratford, brought a hefty dose of the surreal to this corner of East London, with smiles on faces wherever you looked. It was a timely reminder not to take life too seriously.

Here’s hoping elrow Town is now a regular feature.

Eastern Electrics 2018 Review

Two years after leaving Hatfield House, Eastern Electrics may finally have found a place it can call home, writes TopReviews4U editor Paul Christian. 

The roving festival, which has previously pitched up at Knebworth as well as in Hatfield, seemed settled in its Morden Park residence, a year after moving there.

This felt like it belonged, with room to breathe, reasonably far away from residents and with a knowhow brought about by learning from previous experience. 

Gone was the hated RFID pre-loaded payment system, which seemed to make the bar experience far more relaxed and leaving your stresses at the gate should be what festivals are all about. 

Also this year a second day was added on Sunday, featuring more urban acts to compliment the underground house and techno fayre, as EE added a third 'E' - expansion. 

But some things never change, thankfully.

The epic Switchyard arena was still a central feature and was packed full of up-for-it ravers under sunny skies.  

Also the ever-present Star of EE 'pub' was still there and always busy. 

The excellent new Defected tent was like a separate venue, with its entrance tunnel building anticipation, before a stepped dancing stage, the whole length of the marquee, came into view and quality house music filled the plush setting. 

The main stage offered some of the cream of the crop including Hot Since 82 and Jamie Jones.

But it was in the plethora of side stages where EE really excels with variety both musically and aesthetically. 

Everything just felt right at Eastern Electrics this year - long may it continue. 

Eastern Electrics 2017 review and pictures

Well what a great event Eastern Electrics was!

On the way out of the festival I overheard someone saying: “It wasn’t as good a venue as Hatfield House.”

But, I must say, I disagree.

As much as I don’t want to criticise the beautiful grounds of Hatfield House, it always seemed an odd fit to me and the whole event seemed cramped at the Hertfordshire site.

That was not the case at the latest home of EE – a sun-kissed Morden Park.

Whilst not exactly the most salubrious part of our fair capital, the expansive park offered Eastern Electrics room to breathe.

It was a triumph, with great line-ups, sensible position of arenas and an up-for-it crowd.

Sets from Steve Lawler, Carl Cox, Ninetyone, everyone in the Defected tent, Terry Farley and DJ Pierre were excellent.

This must be the biggest one-day incarnation of EE I’ve been to and it was great to have a voyage of musical discovery, as I ambled from tent to tent eager to hear more cutting edge electronic music.

I also felt there was more variation this time round, with great minimal fayre in the always brilliant Switchyard, and funkier and uplifting offerings in other arenas.

My only minor gripe was with the increasingly prevalent festival RFID wristband system (queue up to put cash on it, then queue up to get a drink using it – why?!).

That said, for a system which for me is pointless, it did run as smoothly as I’d hoped.

But I don’t want to end on a negative, so I’ll restate just how much fun Eastern Electrics was this year and how self-assured this seemingly wandering festival has now become.

It has established itself as a staple of the summer and long may it continue – wherever it is.

   

Eastern Electrics 2017 festival: stage splits revealed CLICK TO VIEW

The stage splits for this year's Eastern Electrics festival have been announced. 

See below to see who is playing where on August 5. 

EXCLUSIVE: DJ Sam Feldt speaks to TopReviews4U ahead of South West Four 2017

With the dance music extravaganza South West Four approaching, TopReviews4U editor Paul Christian caught up with one of the stars, ahead of the two-day festival on Clapham Common, on 26-27 August.

Here Dutch tropical house DJ Sam Feldt exclusively answers our questions, ahead of his set at the long-running London showpiece.

• How would you describe your musical style?

My musical style is very much rooted in the melodic or tropical style of house. I’m inspired by all different types of music and I like to take elements of different genres and put them into my own productions.

• What is different/special about playing in the UK?

The crowd in the UK is similar to the crowd back home in The Netherlands. I’d say that the English crowd is more critical than anywhere else, but they also know how to have a good time.

• ‘Show Me Love’ was a massive commercial hit, what do you think of remixes of classic tracks in general?

I like them, only when they’re done right! I enjoyed creating my own version on such a massive hit like ‘Show Me Love’, where I added my own touch and style to such a well-known track.

• With tropical house becoming mainstream, in pop songs and charts, is there any way it can reinvent itself as an underground sound, and should it?   

I think it’s all about progression. Each genre evolves over time, it keeps the music interesting and it allows producers to become more forward-thinking and innovative when creating new music.

• Who are your DJ inspirations?

Tiesto was a huge inspiration to me starting out, and he still inspires me today. My peers are also a massive influence on my music.

• What is your favourite dance track of all time?

Gigi D’Agostino – ‘The Riddle’. It’s the first single I ever bought!

• Why do you think the Netherlands is consistently at the forefront of global dance music?

We’ve had so many great DJ’ing talents come out of The Netherlands, from the likes of Tiesto, Martin Garrix, Afrojack, Nicky Romero, Oliver Heldens, Fedde Le Grand and Hardwell, there’s too many to name! We also have great festivals in the Netherlands that specifically cater to dance music, as well as hosting Amsterdam Dance event each year. Thousands from all over the world to come and enjoy and experience dance music at Amsterdam Dance Event, the city really comes to life during that week. Dance music is very much cemented in our culture and I’m honoured to wave the flag for my country.

• You made it onto DJ Magazine’s Top 100 DJs - how important are these lists?

Lists like DJ Mag’s Top 100 DJ’s are important because it gives fans of your music the opportunity to get their voices heard. Although it’s mostly about popularity and doesn’t say a lot about the quality of ones set, it’s a big honour to be in the list!

• Where is more important in terms of dance music now, Las Vegas or Ibiza, or elsewhere?

Las Vegas and Ibiza are two of the leading places for dance music for sure. But there’s so many different places around the world that contribute to the dance music world, like The Netherlands or London. In London, you can turn on the radio and 80% of the tracks on mainstream radio is dance orientated. You guys have a massive dance scene over here!

• What can festival-goers at South West Four expect from your set?

Festival-goers can expect a fun, energetic set and can experience my music with my live band. It’s my first time playing at SW4 this year, I’ve heard a lot of great things from my fellow DJ’s and producers, I’m really excited to play.

For tickets and more information, click here 

South West Four 2017: New Sunday acts announced

New headliners, including John Digweed, Vitalic (live) and Carl Craig have been announced for the Sunday leg of this year's South West Four festival on Clapham Common, on August 27. 

Check back for further SW4 updates.  

South West Four 2017: More main stage acts announced - including Marshmello, Tinie Tempah

More acts have been unveiled for the Saturday leg of South West Four.
Bucket-wearing confectionery fan Marshmello and urban superstar Tinie Tempah will join others including Pendulum, Sigma and Duke Dumont on the Together main stage on Saturday, August 26, at Clapham Common. 

Check back for further updates on South West Four 2017. 

Eastern Electrics 2017 festival: Full line-up revealed - Carl Cox plus many more...

Festival Eastern Electrics will transform a new, as yet to be revealed, London home into a fantastical playground spanning seven stage areas, all soundtracked by the crème de la crème from the house, techno, disco, bass and garage worlds.

On August 5 the legend and unofficial ‘King of Ibiza’, Carl Cox, headlines the EE Main Stage; a face who has shaped the electronic underground for over two decades working with institutions like Space Ibiza and Privilege.

Prolific duo Âme (DJ) are also set for the main stage, along with Do Not Sleep head honcho Darius Syrossian and new school tech head Nick Curly. Finishing off the bill are dream team house duo Waze & Odyssey and Alexis Raphael. 

Eastern Electrics’ much loved Switchyard arena hands over controls to Hot Since 82 this year, who’ll bring his Knee Deep In Sound team to the industrial themed stage. As well as an anticipated set from the man himself, he’ll be joined by revered Italian duo Mind Against, a breakout success story of recent years. Plus, Desolat affiliate and craftsman Guti plays live, joined by Numbers’ poster boy Denis Sulta, and Deep House mainstay Serge Devant.

Skream makes a welcome return as an Eastern Electrics stage host, taking over The Bigger Top with an all-star cast in tow. Skream has evolved to be one of the most important British artists across the last decade, from his early days as a dubstep pioneer to his recent explorations of the house ilk. Helping Skream hold it down is Defected affiliate Dennis Ferrer, Watergate resident and Hot Creations / Rekids artist Butch, plus Glasgow selector squad Jon José & Celino. There’ll be some very special guests too - keep your eyes peeled.

This year’s Big Top is hosted by returning crew, Viva Warriors. Punters can see Steve Lawler, Art Department and Denny journeying through deeper house and tech. Also stepping up is newcomer Elliot Adamson, a producer who has shot into the public eye since working with Patrick Topping. Warriors resident Jamie Roy is also on board, a name with releases on Skream’s Ofunsoundmind imprint and 8Bit, plus trio Wax on Mare Street who’ll present sleazy disco explorations.

Making an EE debut is revered institution Defected, the London label which has grown into global club brand with their solid output, epic parties and much-loved artists. For their first EE stage, they’ve recruited a set of label pals; with first lady of Defected Sam Divine set to lay down some funky-filled house jams, plus favourite Sonny Fodera and Kings of Tomorrow member Sandy Rivera all on. Hotly-tipped producers Emanuel Satie, aficionado Franky Rizardo and Italy’s Dario D’attIs are another few names representing for the Defected camp.

‘The Star of EE Pub’ will be hosted by premiere London radio station; Rinse FM, who’ll take a darker stance with bass, grime and garage. Find sets from Bristol bass boys My Nu Leng, with twisted garage and bad boy bass. There’s a rare set from OG’s Heartless Crew (HEARTLESS!) with an old-skool flow that’ll get everyone hyped. Pirate radio don and king selector Oneman, grime favourite Sir Spyro, station associates Barely Legal and Sian Anderson are all set to play too. Finally, the VIP area plays host to a nostalgic ’30 Years Of Acid House’ theme, with a killer bill of veteran selectors, including acid pioneer DJ Pierre, proper house promoter Stuart Patterson, Terry Farley, Clive Henry and Back2Basics’ boss Dave Beer.

Fairground rides, street food, glitter girls, dress-up tents and much more on-site madness will be part of Eastern Electrics’ festivities this year, adding another dimension to the big day out.

EASTERN ELECTRICS FESTIVAL 2017

FULL EASTERN ELECTRICS LINE-UP

Main Stage:

Carl Cox - Âme (DJ) - Darrius Syrossian - Nick Curly - Waze and Odyssey - Alexis Raphael + more TBA

The Switchyard : Knee Deep in Sound

Hot Since 82 - Mind Against - Guti (Live) - Denis Sulta - Serge Devant + more TBA

The Bigger Top : Skreamizm

Skream, Dennis Ferrer, Butch, Jonjosé & Celino + more TBA

The Big Top : Viva Warriors

Steve Lawler - Art Department - Denney - Elliot Adamson - Jamie Roy - Wax on Mare Street

The Club Tent : Defected

Sam Divine - Sonny Fodera - Sandy Rivera - Emanuel Satie - Franky Rizardo - Dario Datts

Star of EE : Rinse FM

My Nu Leng - Heartless Crew - Oneman - Sir Spyro - Barely Legal - Sian Anderson + more TBA

VIP : Jock & Nerds - 30 Years of Acid House

DJ Pierre - Stuart Patterson - Terry Farley - Clive Henry - Dave Beer

Tickets available from £29.50: http://bit.ly/2hVFzVg