The award winning We Are FSTVL returns to Upminster, Essex, this June, and once again looks set to be one of the biggest dates on the dance music calendar this summer. Despite only being in its third year, (and being hosted in a county known more for its tans than its techno), the festival has already secured some of the hottest labels, clubbing brands and artists in dance music to help oversee your weekend.
Here's our roundup of why We Are FSTVL is a must this year…
- Remember that AMAZING night at Cocoon? Or was it Defected? Or that one time in Paradise? Well this June you can re-live all those magical moments right here at home, as some of Ibiza's best loved parties are taking over stages at We Are FSTVL. Defected In The House will be back for a third year, bringing some of their finest house talent to the new Very Big Top stage, including home-grown artist Christoph, and the man behind one of their biggest tracks of the year, Oliver Dollar, whilst techno legend Sven Väth will also be making it a hat trick with his revered label Cocoon, over in the Techno Warehouse.
- Over 150 artists will be gracing the festival's stages over weekend, with some of the biggest names in dance music set to touch down on Essex soil. Saturday night you'll find Mr Carl Cox himself headlining the Main Stage, joined by the likes of Gorgon City, Hot Since 82, Nic Fancuilli and Seth Troxler. Other highlights include Solomun, Adam Beyer, Recondite and Hannah Wants. Sold.
- One name in particular that's got us drooling over our keyboards is Loco Dice. Distance makes the heart grow fonder and, after getting only two chances to see him in Ibiza over the summer, we're all for any Dice action next year! Taking over the Techno Warehouse, he's partnered up with We Are FSTVL to bring his former Ushuaïa party, Used + Abused, to Saturday's line-up.
- The VIP area actually looks worth the extra pocket money. If you think the extra whack festivals charge for their VIP tickets is all for fancier burgers and posh loos, think again. We Are FSTVL have made sure you're going to get your money's worth if you splash out. As well as the expected creature comforts, the VIP area boasts its own stage, where over the weekend you'll get to see the likes of Mark Knight, MK, Shiba San, and Ben Pearce.
- Let's just remind ourselves – We Are FSTVL is right here in the UK. Yes, having beaches and hot weather at festivals like Hideout is all very nice, but jet-setting doesn't come cheap. The chance to see all our favourite DJs in one place, without the hefty price tag of flights? Sign us up.
- And just when you thought it couldn't get any better… We Are have just announced even more huge names in their third line-up announcement. Sunday's Main Stage has been revealed, and heading things up will be one of our favourite Swedish house stars Steve Angello. Among the acts joining him are some of the white isle's party residents – Steve Aoki, The Martinez Brothers and Amine Edge & Dance. Other highlights include Music On's Marco Carola on the Paradise stage, and Andrea Oliva topping things off for Defected in the House. And there are still three more announcements to come, so watch this space!
VIDEO | The official aftermovie from the 2014 edition of the festival.
STAGE PARTNERS ANNOUNCEMENT
Loco Dice's Used + Abused / What Hannah Wants / Defected In The House / Mark Knight's Toolroom / Sven Väth's Cocoon / Hospitality / Jamie Jones' Paradise / MK Area 10
FIRST ARTIST ANNOUNCEMENT
Carl Cox / Gorgon City / Hot Since 82 / Monki / Nic Fancuilli / Secondcity / Seth Troxler / Loco Dice / Amad Beyer / Enzo Siragusa / Recondite Live / Tale Of Us / Yaya / Hannah Wants / Friend Within / Gotsome / Kidnap Kid /My Nu Leng / Oneman / T. Milliams / Waze & Odyssey / Christoph / Noir / Oliver Dollar / Sam Divine / Simon Dunmore / Sonny Fodera / Mark Knight / Dosom / Purple Disco Machine / Shiba San / Tube & Berger / Wankelmut / Dennis Ferrer / Tensnake / Mark Storie / Pete Griffiths / Sven Väth / Dixon / Ame / Ricardo Villalobos / Camo & Krooked / DJ EX/ Etherwood / MJ Cole / Fred V & Robin / Spy / Metrik / Logistics / Nu: Tone / Lynx / Krakota / Jamie Jones / Jackmaster / Mark Jenkyns / Patrick Topping / Richy Ahmed / Russ Yallop / Steve Lawler / wAFF / Andhim / Anabel Englund / Ben Pearce / Dantiez Saunderson / Kant / Kevin Saunderson / Lee Foss / Pleasure State Live / Shadow Child
Date | Saturday 30th and Sunday 31st May, 2015
Location | Damyn's Hall, Upminster, Essex
Price | From £49
Website | wearefstvl.com
WORDS | Joanna Wright
