Review: Boomtown Fair 2016, Chapter 8

Boomtown! As a young, hungry narwhal looking for a good time I was more than catered for in this uniquely crafted world of infinite excitement. Piecing together non-linear microfibres of memory – as well as fragmentary notes, and childlike sketches of dragons and love hearts – I will aim to relay the ecstatic joys of this corner of Hampshire with suitable character.

I entered vibes through the side door and started off swinging, taking a quick spin past Sector 6 on the outreaches, the structure providing a gargantuan nuclear backdrop to many a wonderful moment. This new construction both expands the spacious site and offers yet another area where you can connect with the swaying masses below whilst taking it all in from on high, before getting down and getting ploughed into the action. 

A stroll through the new thoroughfare between Sector 6 and Lion’s Den winds through the surrounding cornfields which marshal the perimeter of the area, providing a whispering agrarian environment containing more people than you’d expect.

Down at the Lion’s Den, a Friday afternoon jaunt through raucous dancehall was on offer from party crew Heatwave. Flowdan, Big Narstie, Skibadee, Tippa Irie and others combined to ramp up the energy and take everyone to the next level. This was a welcome springboard into the darkness which was not entered gently, but with rather a lot of shouting, spinning and dancing. 

Banghai Palace held prominence later in the night. I was reminded of the uniqueness of the place as I stood on the vast viewing platform looking out over the crowds to the sounds of Plump DJs and Stanton Warriors.   

Another new addition this year was Robotika, an outdoor space enclosed by shipping containers. This design means that you have a modern amphitheatre for bass-heavy wobbling where you can look up to the skies as you swim in the low-end. Mala – one of the most prominent proponents of bass in recent times – was able to ultimately showcase the sonic design of the space as his all encompassing rolls of bass circled around this wonderful new square of sound. He followed on where Special Request had left off, his set having developed towards a crescendo of hardcore/jungle which was highly impactful in this setting. 

At this point due mention should be made to the Asbo Disco crew whose steamy and seductive world of rinsin’ jungle and late night shenanigans provided hours of entertainment over the weekend and the remembrance of raucous, balmy times passed. 

After some standard late night action taking in the local scenery and moving from tent party to caravan party to cubical party, Saturday developed at a more sedentary pace as the wheels of the bus very gradually became realigned. Untwining in Tangled Roots was more successful than the name would suggest, and a heavy dose of bass, sand and roots was more than enough to re-energise all comers and quell any residual feelings of discomfort. The forest areas provided unique and special experiences over the weekend, from Hallucinogen to Chris Liberator, Raveyard to Roots – that compelling free party feeling was delivered, minus any sketchiness which might sometimes go with the territory.    

One of the most interesting elements of this festival is the range and diversity of micro-venues and areas, and how these varying worlds can be combined yet delineated. Hills and wooded staircases contribute to these distinctions and I even began to enjoy, or rather accept, the predictable sweat-doused heart attack I had every time I stomped up those stairs. 

Saturday soared to dizzying heights in the golden transition from late afternoon to early evening, where the sun’s angle, collective sense of excitement and developing levels of intoxication make for powerfully vivid moments. In this phase Mr. Whompy’s – a soundsystem built into an ice cream van – was a dreamlike setting up on the hill as the languid, balmy background acted as the perfect setting for Bristol-based four piece, Big in Lights, to draw many people from the passing crowds. 

Over in Sector 6 as the sun dropped below the bubbling nuclear waste and sky-high exhaust outlets more and more people flocked to this quarantined zone in search of garage and grime. There was a large turnout for Miss Dynamite, Newham Generals, So Solid crew and TDQ, as the programming enabled audiences to spend a decent amount of bouncing time in this new area. The full impact of this bouncing and grinding came to a head with a surrounding cacophony of crazy cool wiling out during the performance of Miss Dynamite’s similarly titled track. 

Late night fun was found at every turn, as we dipped in and out of all possible pit stops for raving and vibes to propel us into the final day. 

Sunday developed through sunshine-basking and collecting thoughts before another onslaught on every corner of the site. Walking from Downtown to Uptown is a good way to get an overview of what’s going on, after being suitably steeled for the journey. Here the forests came into their own again before a return to the Lion’s Den.

As things wound towards the inevitable end people streamed into this classic old haunt which has been central to the event and continues to play that role in the festival’s eighth chapter. It was apt that Fat Freddy’s Drop and Damian Marley were able to represent New Zealand and Jamaica respectively, and showcase the world of music which Boomtown delivers to delighted audiences year on year. Finishing this stage with praises to Jah and the joyous response of the great many amassed in the Lion’s Den offered a poignant note on which to leave the area this year.