The best just got better
“We’re really excited about playing Creamfields. We’ve dusted down the sharks jaw and we are ready to go. We can’t wait to get up there. Let the bass roar.”
Leftfield
“I’m very excited to be headlining the Creamfields Festival this year. Creamfields always has one of the best crowds in the world and I can’t wait to play some of the new music that I’m producing right now.”
Tiësto
“I’m looking forward to this year’s Creamfields where the Cocoon crew will be celebrating in the new Cocoon Arena for the first time. Dubfire, Marco Carola, Yousef, Raresh and myself are going to blow your skullcap off and give you a day to remember.
Sven Väth
“Creamfields is one of my highlights of the UK festival season, looking forward to it getting messy in there…”
Deadmau5
“I am so excited about hosting my first Pryda Arena, especially as I have some fantastic talent playing with me. This is going to be a very special night for me, and hopefully you.”
Eric Prydz
Following 2009′ sell out success which attracted a record breaking 60,000 people, last years UK Festival Award winners for ‘Best Dance Festival, return to Daresbury in Cheshire this August Bank Holiday weekend. This year Cream HQ have delivered arguably their biggest and best dance festival line up ever, securing a whole host of exclusive and fresh performances from the best of the best that dance music has to offer. James Barton and his team have come a long way since launching the event way back in 1998 The Speke Airfield in Liverpool which back then was only a one day affair. Since then Creamfields has gone global, Buenos Airies and Ireland soon followed, as did Spain, Uruguay, Turkey, Morocco, the Czech Republic, Peru, Chile, Brazil, Portugal, Malta, Australia and Poland. It goes without doubt that Cream has always been one step ahead of it’s rivals. The glossy and very clever adverts on the back cover of Mixmag paved the way for envious rivals to start booking double page adverts to keep up, Creamfields appeared and suddenly The Ministry of Sound, Gatecrasher and Godskitchen suddenly realised this is where it was at, but by then James was already renewing his passport and bracing himself for a barrage of air miles as he jetted around the world ensuring Cream was to become a truly global brand with events secured in most continents. Cream bowed out of their home Nation just at the right time as the music world’s infamous 4/5 year cycle kicked in again, suddenly raving all night was soooo not cool with the kids, they wanted to be rock stars and clubland faltered. Now we’re back, clubbing is back in vogue, numbers are up and it’s murder on the dancefloor once again with Cream still cream of the crop. So do yourself a favour. Get on your computers or pick up the phone and secure your tickets now, it’s the weekend of the year.
The Engine Behind Creamfields
Cream’s Gill Nightingale reveals all…
When will the preparation for 2011 Creamfields begin?
“They’ve already started!”
How many people work on the whole Creamfields event both on the ground and behind the scenes?
“About 2,000 people.”
What acts and DJs are the Cream office buzzing about this year?
“Deadmau5! He’s come a long way over the last couple of years, his new live show is awesome.”
What arenas should people check out that perhaps they don’t usually go to?
“You should definitely check out the Cream Arena this year which is an all new arena and bigger than ever, with a 12,000 capacity! It’s pretty awe inspiring just by its size, but combine that with some big gun performances from the likes Paul van Dyk, Sasha, Armin van Buuren and a live show from Leftfield, its going to be pretty special! We’ve also got 2 new arenas this year including ‘Pryda Friends’ which is hosted by Eric Prydz and Mixmag presents Cocoon – definitely worth checking out…”
How long is the cleaning up process?
“In terms of the arenas, a lot of them come down the day or two after the show, which is weird to see, considering it takes over two weeks to build the site.”
Who have been the best artists / DJs that have got Creamfields jumping over the years…?
“There’s been so many, its difficult to choose, but my personally favourites are…
1.Scissor Sisters
2.Deadmau5
3.David Guetta
4.Sasha
5.Paul van Dyk
6.Chic featuring Nile Rodgers
7.Tiesto
8.The Prodigy
9.Swedish House Mafia
10.Chemical Brothers”
What artists out there have you maybe tried to get and failed – or, which stars would you like to see up on stage that have so far eluded you?
“I’d love to see Daft Punk.”
What’s the best food stall at your event?
“The Paella stand!”
Are there after parties usually, or do you lot just slope off to bed?
“Since Creamfields became a two day camping show, we tend to slope off to bed, a 48 hour shift tends to do that to you! However, last year we all got together backstage and enjoyed a few beers to celebrate what turned out to be an amazing sell out festival!”
What other festivals are the Cream heading off to this summer?
“L.E.D Festival in London, Creamfields Malta, Creamfields Buenos Aires (end of the year) and Liverpool Music Week Festival.”
What one tune sums up Creamfields?
“This is very difficult, as every year theres a new one, but my personal choice which is an all time classic is probably Sasha’ ‘Xpander’.”
And finally, tell is something we don’t know about Creamfields?
“Daresbury where Creamfieds is held, is the birth place of Lewis Carroll, and the wood on the site that Creamfields is held, is a place he often frequented, and is rumoured to have inspired ‘Alice In Wonderland’.”
And here’s what to expect…
DJ’s are once again brought to the forefront, and following last years lock out of the Cream Arena, global phenomenon David Guetta returns to make his Main Stage debut on Saturday. Back by demand the mighty Tiësto returns exclusively to Creamfields, this time he hosts the ‘Kaleidoscope’ Main Stage and will close out the festival on Sunday night. Another exciting and exclusive addition to Saturday’s Main Stage is dance titan Deadmau5 an artiste that has dominated dance floors across the globe as well as the airwaves, and swept the board at this year’s International Dance Music Awards. After 3 years of negotiations we are pleased to announce the return of the forefathers of electronica Leftfield who make their Creamfields debut and will be performing in the Cream Arena which this year has increased to a colossal 12,000 capacity! Continuing on the live tip we welcome back self proclaimed re-inventor of disco Calvin Harris, who will be performing before Tiësto’ closing set on the Kaleidoscope Main Stage.
Cream Ibiza resident Paul van Dyk returns to host Sunday’s Cream Arena for an exclusive performance to celebrate the 10th Anniversary of his Vandit label. Following two sell out shows at the legendary O2 Academy Brixton friends of the Cream family Axwell, Steve Angello and Sebastian Ingrosso aka the Swedish House Mafia return for a third year to host their exclusive arena, without doubt one of the most exciting arenas at Creamfields – and if last years spectacle was anything to go buy, expect James Bond style production in abundance.
Techno fans are in for a real treat as Richie Hawtin revives his unique Detroit techno sound from the 90’s under his infamous moniker Plastikman for this English festival debut. Continuing with all things Techno, Sven Väth joins this years party for a 3 hour set joining forces with clubbing bible Mixmag to host an all new arena ‘Mixmag Presents Cocoon’, which promises to bring the hedonism of Ibiza and the coolness of Frankfurt’s Cocoon club to the fields of Daresbury.
Ticking every genre imaginable, trance fans will be pleased to see the world’s No.1 DJ Armin van Buuren returning after a four year hiatus and headlining the Cream Arena for the first time, other trance masters who will be exclusively performing include Ferry Corsten and Eddie Halliwell with his ED-IT Show concept.
Another new arena introduced this year is Pryda Friends, hosted by super producer Eric Prydz, who has chosen Creamfields to host his first ever arena. And if all of the above doesn’t get you excited these will, as Sasha, Laidback Luke, Crookers, Erol Alkan, James Zabiela, Pete Tong, Judge Jules and Marco Carola are just a few more names who will be making an appearance.
Annie Mac who flies the flag for all things leftfield will be hosting her very own arena for thethird year running. The ‘Mac’ is a formidable force when it comes to music and if anyone knows how to start the party it’s this lady. Expect a day and night of roof blowing performances from ground breaking duo Diplo & Switch aka Major Lazer, Ms Dynamite, Zinc and Riva Starr to name a few.
Clubbing bible Mixmag return under canvas this year, bringing with them the best of the best cutting edge artistes and fresh new talent. Sunday sees them join forces with Cocoon, whilst Saturday’s show will see performances from the likes of Kissy Sell Out, one of the UK’s most in demand DJ’s ‘Switch’, whilst French hip hop and electro DJ/Producer DJ Mehdi and Alex Metric complete the bill.
After two successful years hosting the Creamfields Drum and Bass Arena, Manchester’s ever popular club night APE returns once again bringing with them an unbeatable line up. For DnB fans the legendary DJ Andy C heads things up. Representing the best that dubstep has to offer DJ / Producers Caspa and Rusko make their debut appearance alongside dubstep founding father and one half of Magnetic Man, Benga, as well as Hospital Records favourite High Contrast with MC’s Rod Azlam, MC:GQ and MC Dynamite sharing vocal duties
Goodgreef Xtra-Hard have been brought in to keep hard dance fans happy, and with them, they bring another exclusive to the festival with Dutch hardstyle superstar and Hard Dance Awards winner Showtek making his live debut. Following on from his hard-tek set last year Bootek will be joining the duo with BBC Radio 1 resident Kutski who DJ’s back to back with Alex Kidd for an English festival exclusive. Representing the ladies will be Queens of hard dance Lisa Lashes and best selling hard trance and electro producer Anne Savage. Other titans of the hard style, set to blast the arena away are Andy Whitby, A.S.Y.S and Dutch Master.
Following the sell out success of last years all new Hospitality Arena, disco kings Hed Kandi return as hosts so get your hands in the air, get your soul fired up and get ready for the mother of all VIP parties. Back by popular demand is the Residents Terrace. In 2009 one of the UK’s leading club nights reeled in the crowds with amazing music and the friendliest al fresco festival vibe, this year Creamfields welcomes back those unsung heroes to take you through the day with the hottest diverse electronic sounds. The Dutch invasion on the dance scene continues, as the Go Dutch Arena returns bringing some of their Dutch musicality to Daresbury. And finally Strongbow return with their ‘Bowtime Bar’ structure featuring cutting edge DJ’s and Live acts.
Creamfields are delighted to have BBC Radio 1 return this year for exclusive coverage throughout the event broadcasting an array of live music. Stay tuned to be the first to hear fresh announcements in the run up to the festival.