Creamfields UK 2003 Review

Saturday 23^rd August Bank Holiday Weekend

Just once in a while a diverse range of nutters happen to stumble upon an old airfield somewhere in Liverpool for Creamfields UK 2003, all in the name of music or should I say TUNE! Summer I'm told is almost over and there be few more memorable closing parties than this and I’m not just talking about the ridiculously short skirts and stupid outfits. One night of summer madness with the cremé of the dance fraternity in attendance (Step up Messrs Chemicals, Unkle, Oakie, Paul Van Dyk, Massive Attack etc)! Creamfields Crowds image

The original party posse had now dwindled to a mighty two, a fearsome duo for any festival to reckon with. Look out Liverpool! After casually gazing out from the Brighton beach-front HQ for a few minutes too long it dawned on us that maybe it would be a good idea to leave before lunch time. If I may turn to the facts quickly; 300+ miles, 3pm kick off, train cancellations with consequent congestion and two frazzled souls braving it all. A swift departure was strongly advisable. My mate’s desperation had even extended to a methadone-like yearning for energy in the form of an imminent Ginseng delivery door to door (some herbal Chinese upper - apparently)!

Vaguely prepared we set off on the lengthy 4 hours plus journey north... We pulled up for parking to a fairly modest queue and despite the fact that the better part of the day had been spent getting 'well done' in our oven on wheels, the company Vauxhall Corsa, the sky had taken on a mesmerising deep shade in near perfect temperatures. I was hoping that the stereotypes of Scouse/Gypo hybrids what be just that but alas no; trachhhhie tops and baseball caps et all were in 'da house.

Jules @ Creamfields image By the time we got in that most verbose of DJs, Judge Jules was in full effect playing a surprisingly old school housey set aside from the obligatory cheesy wit. "We’ve got more fake tan on show here that David Dickinson." Things were really taking off with Armin Van Burren playing an upfront set to an animated crowd. Bootlegs were thrown in including the first (but definitely not last) appearance of the night for Benni Benassi’s "Satisfaction" anthem. The Riddim Killa himself Rodney P was then to take the stage with the Stanton Warriors meriting many a giggle with his shouts of 'DUTTY!' before their fab collab "Bounce" was performed.

To our utter disgust we had already missed such awesome acts as Gus Gus, Audio Bullys, and Erol Alkan but now was no time to dwell on the past or indeed weep. Can of Bud in hand, we headed straight off for a tent by tent "reccie". There were several arenas and stages including the main Cream Outdoor Stage, The Radio One Essential Mix Arena and the wonderfully eclectic Sunday Best Tent. Off course we would have to spare a little time to lust after some beautiful ladies on show as well.

After such a heavy week and a long trip up, a good laugh and a means of easing ourselves into the night, was warmly welcomed. Thanks to the Cuban Brothers in the Sunday Best arena we were treated to wonderfully hammed up, fake tash & tanned renditions of such crowd pleasers as Oliver Cheatham’s "Get Down, Saturday Night", Lionel Ritchie’s "All Night Long", a little "Billie Jean" and even a free-styled "Just A Little Samba" from Ugly Duckling. With their claims of Michael, Oliver and Lionel asking them for help writing the songs apparently since stolen from them, the very thought left smiles everywhere. While one brother cut it up on the turntables the other two would get busy Creamfields stage image breaking it down on the stage including some hilarious body popping and NAKED break-dancing! Yes that means meat and two veg also! To say these boys were brilliant showmen tends to talk a show up too much, not this one.

With newfound zest we proceeded to breeze round the harder sounding tents where the masses were having it in a big way. Get your glowsticks and lose the shirts. What particularly impressed us was the layout of the site. Still no-one could remember where everything was but at least it was spacious. Just us and 34,998 others. Whilst discussing the ever evolving complex game plan we stumbled across the tail end of the Massive Attack show. We caught them as the band wound up with an emotionally climactic "Unfinished Sympathy". Many a hair was standing to attention on many a neck and the visuals were second to none with all manner of obscure statistical information to make Stato piss his pants.

Creamfields UK 2003 review continued...