Parklife Festival Review

The first ever Parklife Festival took place on Saturday 12th June at Manchester’s Platt Fields Park, kicking off the summer season for the many local students and festival goers enjoying the sunshine.

The one day event presented a value for money solution to the onslaught of music festivals currently emerging on the UK scene. A varied line-up that incorporated a host of international, British and grassroots talent provided an eclectic assortment of musical fun across six stages. Even Saturdays World Cup match between England and the US was played out across a hefty flat screen to an energetic audience of revelers (shame about the more than disappointing score.)

Parklife was organized by a collective of Manchester based promoters including:The Warehouse Project, Mad Ferret, Metropolis, Ape and The Deaf Institute. Perhaps the warm and fuzzy feel good atmosphere of the event was due to the collaborative nature that brought the festival together, or possibly it had more to do with the actual appearance of the British sun and an audience predominantly made up of students celebrating the end of their academic year. Nevertheless, the day was a satisfying amalgamation of good tunes, good weather and good fun.

Presenting a damn fine line-up of dance acts Parklife also played host to some MOBO veterans such as Goldie and Roni Size and an array of dubstep and grime infused ones-to-watch. There was more than a hint of hip hop on the day and two stages dedicated to Drum ‘n Bass, plus MOBO spotted UK star Akala of ‘XXL’ fame meandering through the crowds.

Magnetic Man headlined one of the stages, playing a world exclusive of the trio’s new set. Made up of pioneering dubstep producers Skream, Benga and Artwork the boys set to work on a bunch of electronic equipment to a braying audience.

Magnetic Man were supported by techno beats and African kuduro fusion masters Burka Som Siesta, blending together a mix of grime, breakbeat and hip hop in a truly dynamic performance. Earlier on in proceedings, Joker, the peddler of soul infused Grime and Dubstep beats proved why he has been hailed by the likes of Kode 9 of Hyperdub Records as the rising star of dub for 2010.

The popularity of Grime and Dubstep crossovers has increased rapidly amongst UK audiences and is progressively reflected in its burgeoning presence in music festivals, whose organisers are keen to appease their beat loving punters.

An exciting mix of great DJ’s and new music proved to be a winning formula for what was surely the best way to get into the summer festival spirit. 

For more information visit: http://www.parklife.uk.com/

Written by Claire Davies, author of online music blog  www.thistownisfolly.wordpress.com