WILD LIFE Festival, which took place over the weekend of Saturday 11th-Sunday 12th June was a spectacle of music from Pop and House to RnB and acoustic sets. The eclectic line-up varied from James Bay to Busta Rhymes, with Disclosure and Rudimental headlining the weekend.
Located at Brighton City Airport in Shoreham-by-Sea, it was a short bus ride to the festival from the Brighton centre and easily accessible. Winner of 2015’s Best New Festival Award, the fun and busy weekend demonstrated why.
While the headliners are undoubtedly successful in getting the crowd moving, it was the smaller and more intimate sets that proved most enjoyable. Ratboy’s set on Saturday, for example, was not only a dance-fest but drew a crowd that varied from children to people in their fifties and sixties.
While the festival was undoubtedly aimed at the young music fan, it nevertheless drew in a diverse audience. Artists such as Ice Cube kept the energy levels up, as well as keeping the lineup fun and assorted.
Many different bars and food stands meant that audience members remained suitably fed and boozed up, with the fun fair also providing momentary relief from the dance sets. Tents spaced throughout the ground all with different sets, styles and genres ensured that whatever your taste and preference there was always something to see.
Equally, the main stage spacing out their sets meant that people were encouraged to amble and discover acts they would have otherwise not have seen. The music was, however, over-achingly electro-pop and House throughout the weekend, meaning that if this is not your preference you would at times be hard-pushed as to who to see.
With music running from 2pm-1am on Saturday and 2pm-midnight on Sunday, the festival remained energetic and bustling throughout, with people leaving on Sunday still craving more. Despite rain showers, the festival was a success and must for lovers of Dance and Pop.
Sasha Khan
Culture Editor