Live Review

Creamfields; DJ Tiesto – Daresbury

• 9th Sep 2009

Just as the referee blows the final whistle signalling a historic day for Warrington Wolves Rugby League team, as they win the Challenge Cup for the first time since 1974. Happy revellers empty out of the pubs of Warrington and head towards to the bus station to hop on one of the regular shuttles, taking them straight to Daresbury for this year’s Creamfields.

The natural question swirling around the minds of many, like beer in the belly, centres on Tiesto’s main stage slot. In previous years, he has been used to galvanise the action in the tents, often clashing in part, with the Main Stage headliner. Many argue that he upstaged The Prodigy several years back and he is good value for his top slot.

Although, there is still the lingering doubt, as to whether someone who likes to build up in intensity and rhythm maybe restricted by a shorter, but expectantly snappier set on the Main Stage?

Low-key funky indie grinders, Burn The Negative provides those getting an early spot for Tiesto with some moody reflection, underlining the Joy Division and to a lesser extent, The Editors comparisons. One of the gems from debut album ‘In The Atmosphere’, in the form of ‘Wonder Why’, has a small disco smacking that mixes well with the alcohol and induces some good vibrations on the floor.You know a song is a good festival one, when you can provoke some overhead clapping to it and, the slightly bluesy ‘Low’, helps early gatherers feel involved.

For some reason, the splattering of rain and determination of revellers not to let it dampen enthusiasm gives the electro swaying Filthy Dukes set more gusto. Anthem ‘Messages’, seems to possess a little more bounce than any of the versions they have previously released. Lead man, Tim Lawton, shrugs off his apparent humble off stage demeanour and gives their The Rapture flirting vibe extra oomph.

At this point, it’s worth commenting that although it must be a mammoth task to organise and synchronise all the stage times for such an event. Creamfields always seems to suffer the most and, again this year stage time changes has many people in all of a dither, their best laid plans become scuppered.

This is why many people will have missed an apparently spellbinding set from David Guetta, as rumours of his cancellation spread and many don’t find out until too late that he did not cancel after all. I guess some statements are just meant to be ignored, Like the No Tracksuits rule evidently? It is later learned that Guetta simply had to postpone some of his set due to overcrowding in the tent.

Of the acts fraternizing in the House/Trance spiked Swedish House Mafia stage that seemed to be forever bouncing, Axwell tended to slow things down occasionally giving profile to his occasional soul funk fusions and Latino, illuminating the added variety and spice that is given to his music.

The Main Stage is packed for the entrance of Tiesto, who immediately shows that he can cut it equally as well on a Main Stage headline slot, as he can in any club in Ibiza. His version of ‘Handguns’, is one of those tunes that gets floor stomping and pleases the pop lovers as much as his hardcore fans. Naturally, the dyed-in-the-wool techno heads frown a little, as Tiesto gives Mark Ronson a run for his money and runs off versions of popular tracks by the likes of Kings of Leon. Strobe lights dash around increasing the energy. A generally satisfied crowd gives Tiesto their seal of approval.

Not many revellers leave the site or head back to their campsite feeling short changed today. Especially, with this being the only UK Festival to have reduced its price this year!