Creamfields

Why should I go? Because you just can’t gurn enough at home.

Any interesting titbits of information? Legend has it that Daresbury’s woodland was the inspiration for Lewis Carroll’s Alice in Wonderland.

Having celebrated its 10th birthday last year by picking up its 10th award for Best Dance Festival, Creamfields has found a winning formula: amazing DJs and loud bands with good beats. Don’t expect it to start dicking about with jazz stages or clowning workshops for Tarquin and Jemima as it moves into its second decade. This is a festival to get very much fucked up at.

This year is no different. Rip roaring Tiësto headlines the Saturday night and Basement Jaxx top the bill for the Sunday, while a journey in almost every subgenre of dance is to be charted among the support acts so expect there to be something for every type of dance fan. 2008 saw drum ‘n’ bass DJs mashing it up next to house cats and techno types, so pack whistles and glow sticks to join in this year. But rest assured guitar bands (like Friendly Fires) will take the heat off when you want a mosh rather than a rave.

Last year was the first time Creamfields provided camping, and a whopping 78% of attendees took advantage of the opportunity to pitch up. This year, the camping facilities are back, and they’re bigger than ever. Just don’t expect to get too much sleep.

Incidentally, the Creamfields website is carrying adverts for Special K. What amazing brand synergy for fans of clubbing chemicals…

Ticket price: £100 (+ booking fee).

Accommodation: Camping, both regular and boutique.

Site opening: 9am, Saturday 29th August.

Capacity: 40,000

Stages: TBA.

Travel: Get the train to Liverpool Lime Street or Runcorn Station, then get a shuttle bus. There’ll be more shuttle buses running, so keep checking the website for more info. There are also special coach services running. Again, check the site for more details nearer the time.