Winner of last years “Best New Festival” at the UK festival awards 2013, We Are FSTVL really needed to echo its 15,000 capacity sell-out with a spread of the best electronic dance DJ’s around to maintain its reputation within the industry of festivals….

So with Ibiza opening parties kicking off on the white island was this the preparation needed by any hard-core house clubber to get them ready for the season, or was this a great start to any festival lover's summer?

In our opinion YES YES YES!

With over 150 artists across 16 stages spaced over 2 days this was truly one of the most intricate eclectic festivals we have attended.

Photo: Luke Dyson Photography

Arriving on the Saturday to the “Airfield of Dreams” in Upminster was a breeze, with informative sign posts and Hi-Vis wearing security/stewards to point you in the right direction. Straight into the car park, through some soon to get worse boggy ground, and you’re at the gates. Through the We Are FSTVL fascia, past the sniffer dogs and a quick pat down from the friendly security then BOOM music pumping, eye catching art work and the colourful tents and stages.

So with the free Lanyard round our necks complete with Map, Line up and travel information we set off to We Are FSTVL Main Stage to an ever increasing crowd where Rob da Bank, was dropping some crowd pleasing techno beats getting the festivals feet moving, who was shortly followed by White Noise duo Disclosure who shared a bass thumping set. With a slight need for food we started to head towards the VIP village to be greeted by many mouth-watering options - but favoured one of my restaurant favourites and also sponsor to the event, Nandos. Not overly priced for a festival and was cool to see/hear the DJ spinning some happy tunes from above the stand.

Now stocked for the next set we headed through the security to be greeted by a red carpet and MK getting some selfies with the crowd. With Kevin Saunderson just finished and Shadow Child, Route 94 and Lee Foss keeping everyone’s mind on the music and not the weather. Ready for her live performance was Anabel Englund featuring MK as she took to the front of the stage to belt out “Electricity” - followed by some playful taunting of MK of how shy he was being. Little did the crowd know this must have just tee’d him up for his very own set of happy house which regularly included a finger point, bass drop and crowd interaction; making many very warm and wanting to bounce and mimic them finger points. Although MK headlined, the favourite act of the day goes to the gorgeous talented Sam Divine in the Defected in The House tent. Your feet couldn’t stop moving, head shaking and our body and arms throwing some serious shapes. Take a bow Ms Sam Divine. Nice touch with the Defected in The House team throwing out freebies to the crowd throughout the day including lanyards, goody bags and T shirts….

Photo: Luke Dyson Photography

Many would say the Sunday line up was not as appetising as the Saturday, the tents and stages appeared to be less congested but this may have been a reflection of the weather being so lovely on the final day. With Alex J kicking off in the silent disco early doors we aimed to get there early but unfortunately his set got cancelled due to power issues. With a decent crew, ready to see what today had in store we started with Tom Staar, Friend Within and Riva Starr. Creeping in at the back to finally end up in the middle as more and more people piled in to appreciate some fine tunes. Next skipping over to VIP to catch some of Kevin Saunderson in the Desperado tent, before checking out the Pamper Parlour run by Love & Lacquered where women were having their nails and hair treatment free of charge.

We next caught one of Ibiza’s regulars, Davide Squillace who seemed to attract a good following as he had many of the crowd not looking like they wanted him to finish. The Eat Sleep Rave Repeat main stage had a decent finish with some household Disc Jockey names including Amine Edge and DANCE who played in the VIP tent on the Saturday followed by Duke Dumont, Annie Mac and finally Fatboy Slim who took over the sky with Lasers, fireworks and some ‘real’ bangers. My highlight of the day was Ministry of Sound Toolroom Knights legend Mark Knight with a 5 star non-stop, hair standing on end, foot shuffling, house raising performance. Truly ear pleasing for every house music fan.

Photo: Paul Underhill

We Are FSTVL, a massive pat on the back from us, it's easy to see why it was last year’s ‘Best New Festival’ with some of the best artists around for the festival genre. The food was spot on, the security were professional, with good banter and the team of organisers and staff created a class amazing event….

My only criticism of the weekend, the queues for non-VIP on Saturday. Also the poor maintenance and long queues in VIP for the toilets, thankfully it was resolved by Sunday.

Thank you We Are FSTVL for an amazing weekend, look forward to seeing you in the Airfield of Dreams in 2015.

Review and other photos: Wayne Monaghan