In what is now our second festival of the season with a major weather element introduced on the final day, Day 3 of Movement Electronic Music Festival was dictated by rain — lots and lots of rain. What started off as a light drizzle in the afternoon and early evening, quickly progressed to an all out torrential downpour but this did not stop many fans from braving the elements to enjoy a final day at Hart Plaza. The mood was jovial and celebratory, and for a crowd that was already feeling tight knit on the first days, things got even more communal in the inclement elements.
Zoo Project Festival takes over Donington Park
Last summer’s first ever Zoo Project Festival was, by all accounts, a huge success. As such, it’s no surprise that this year’s event is set to be even bigger and longer. Taking place over the weekend of 30th August to 1st September, the British festival (an off-shoot of the daytime Zoo Project parties in Ibiza) has relocated from a zoo in Kent to the sprawling Donington Park in the midlands.
Yet, anyone worrying that the increase in capacity might water down the festival’s charm can rest assured – the organisers have assured clubbers that despite the increase in size the three-day party will retain the magical, otherworldly aesthetic that made last year’s bash so memorable.
Taking place within the extensive wooded area in Donington Park, the festival will be host to ten uniquely curated stages across the three days, with sets from dance-music legends, underground heroes and fresh talent alike.
Hip-hop pioneer Grandmaster Flash might take top place in the big name billing, but if his recent sets are anything to go by he’s unlikely to leave a lasting impression (when I Voice last saw him he was spinning the likes of Maroon 5 and Black Eyed Peas).
Yet, with appearances from house music heavyweights such as DJ Sneak, Mark Farina and Derrick Carter, progressive-house innovator James Zabiela, downtempo maestro Bonobo and UKG legend MJ Cole there are still plenty of world-class headliners that will provide something more substantial.
Yet, as is always the case with big festivals, it is the undercard that presents some of the most interesting acts on offer. And with over 70 acts confirmed to perform over the course of the weekend, including the likes of Dusky, Nick Hoppner, Joy Orbison, Huxley, George Fitzgerald, Midland, October, Benjamin Damage and others, it’s no overstatement to state that the musical programme is bursting at the seams. What’s more, with the festival now in possession of a 4am licence, the party is set to continue long into the night.
But, it’s not all about the music. Zoo Project parties have earned a reputation for their grand flourishes and this year’s festival might just be their most ambitious visual statement yet.
Not only are most of the festival arenas going to be specially built within the forest, but the site will feature a host of natural installations and zany features, including the dubiously named Safari Spa, which will offer pampering for those who have partied a little too hard. What’s more, there will be a number of highly trained human and animal performers at the event, including a Human Millipede, Racing Ostriches and what have been described as ‘Pyrotechnic Chimps’.
There’s no shortage of British music festival these days, yet Zoo Project Festival’s unusual natural location, its carefully curated line-up and its ballsy approach to putting on a show, mark it out as something that can be considered genuinely unique.
Zoo Project Festival 2013
30th August to 1st September
Donington Park, East Midlands, England
Line-up
Acid Mondays, Angus Jeford, Beane, Benjamin Damage Live, Blackhall & Bookless Boddika, Boean, Bonobo, Breach, Cool Kid Music, Dana Ruh, DeepTone, Defex Derrick Carter b2b Mark Farina b2b DJ Sneak Djmag Allstars, Doffa, Dusky, Ethyl, Evan Baggs, Fantastic Man, Federico Grazzini Filthy Geeks, Francis Inferno Orchestra, Funk E, George Fitzgerald, Giles Smith Grandmaster Flash, Greymatter, Groove Syndicate Live, Hot_Waxx, Huxley Red HVOB Live, James Micallef, James Priestley, James Zabiela, Jay Gregory Jaymo & Andy George, Jimmy Kennedy, Joe Quinn, Jordan Gregory, Jordan Plant Kristoffer, KRL, Laura Jones, Lee Pennington, Lewi Scandal, Lobue, Marco Dot Maribou State, Mark A, Matt Neale & Stu Clark, Matt Woodhouse, Matty Morris Medlar, Michael James, Midland, Milhouse, Milou, MJ Cole, Mouj, Mountain People Nic & Kaleb, Nick Hoppner, October, Paul Woolford, Pedestrian, Perry Louis Phylo, Real, Richard Rowell, Ricky Humphry, Rozzo, Si Paste, Spencer Parker T Williams, TCTS, Throwing Snow Live, Tom Rankin, Toyboy & Robin, Virginia Von Wilder, Werkha, Wrighty, X-Press 2, Youandewan
