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Godskitchen Global Gathering 2004 Review
Saturday 31st July @ Long Marston Airfield, Stratford
 On the week leading up to Godskitchen's Global Gathering 2004 the weather seemed a little temperamental to say the least, I was adamant rain and clouds would ensue - not that this would deter us of course. On the morning of the festival itself, our ritual Clubbing UK sun-dance proved invaluable with a clear sky and blazing sunshine, always an ideal festival indicator as I’m sure you all know.
With this being our 3rd Global Gathering (and only Godskitchen’s 4th), our expectations of a superbly executed production were confidently high. An administrational cock-up however, meant we spent our first two hours waiting impatiently outside the gate.. Grrr.
Inside we scouted round the site, soaking up some summer sun and complimentary cider at the Strongbow Lounge who’s DJ line-up’s keep getting bigger, better and stronger, festival after festival… The likes of Tom Middleton, Medicine 8, Jo Jo De Freq, Touché, Arthur Baker and the Glimmer Twins were all making considerable splashes in the Strongbow puddle throughout the night. The never too far away slightly insane and half naked perverted Cuban Brothers were mincing about with MTV in tow and a smoke signal machine, commonly known as cigars..
We opt for some dancing in the heat after getting slightly distracted we venture in to the Drum & Bass Accelerated Culture Arena where DJ Hazard has the Jungle heads mashing it up with some Reggae style rolling beats and breaks.
On to the main outdoor stage and Mr Roger Sanchez is in full swing with fit dancers, nipples and all a-go-go. The especially imported two tons of sand made for the perfect touch, the sun shinning, wind in your hair and dancing on sand at sunset is the ultimate experience - the pencil beard of ‘S Man’ stands out and he lays down some more vocal, sexy, hands in the air shit!
A quick skip-to-the-loo trip and out Plumps the phatter DJs jacking it up with a sample sounding like the Prodigy era, something very far from shit of course… This was in the Air Arena, catering for the ever increasing global Breaks following, other award winning sets worth shouting about came from James Lavelle’s UNKLE Sounds and Marine Parade’s Adam Freeland.
Flirting between tents we catch up with A-List celeb chum Erick Morillo dropping his Subliminal vibes via Deep Dish’s ‘Flashdance’ epic thriller, nicely linking with Mousers Kid Crème & Junior Jack gunning for the French connection posse with their funky chunky pace and a ’Stupiddisco’ edit receiving a huge response…
Back on the main Beach Outdoor Stage it went from one oober-star DJ to another, a personal idol who managed to blag his way in to the 80’s New York clubs by posing as a journalist - a bit like us today perhaps some might say? Living legend Mr Paul Oakenfold takes control and continues winding it up on the beach (well sandy field) as the glorious sun sets behind us, it’s one of those beautiful clubbing moments when everyone smiles around (or towards) you. As the darkness (not that freaky band) creeps in, Oakenfold takes it in to the deeper realms of techno and beyond - even the giant 300ft high
inflatable of Greek God Apollo (the God of Sun) was swaying in the breeze…. Although it must be said the only God’s name being chanted round here was Oakey’s for sure.
Walking past the Strongbow Lounge we started to bounce along to the dirty pumping vibrations coming from the ground via the Wiseguys DJ Touché, unable to prevent ourselves from crashing in to the Global Arena it was timed to perfection as the buoyant Coxy kept us afloat with his truly world-wide techno appeal crashing across the marquee.
As the vivacious Lisa ‘Luscious’ Lashes drops hard dance tunes to the day-glow masses, German trance god Paul Van Dyk is handing out flash-back memories on a plate via a hot remix of his own ‘For An Angel’ receiving possibly one of the loudest roars all night! TUNE!
As our feet start feeling heavier, international jetsetters James Zabiela & Danny Howells are still hard at work (debatable I know) in the Bedrock arena and both guys conjure up some rhythmic choons to motivate our weary heads and more importantly numb bodily limbs… Other outstanding killer sets came from Rob Tissera, BK, Dave Clarke, Trevor Rockcliffe, human beat boxer Killa Kella, Hype and Bryan Gee.
 Damn it, look at that - over already??? Bugger it… That’s the only thing I dislike about festivals - not being able to physically see every DJ/artist there. As anticipated the levels of production, stage management (lights and lasers etc) was absolutely superb. As far as the clubbers are concerned the perfect atmosphere and vibe is just right, security is tight… Global Gathering is just that and without a doubt, a serious contender for the Dance Music Festival of 2004. See you there next year!
www.godskitchen.com
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