WALES - MAGIKANA FESTIE

From Saturday through til monday about 250 people partied in the middle of the welsh hills. Fuly advertised on the web it invited people to bring the kids and make a weekend of it.

In a spectacular valley at the end of a 3 mile access track a psy-trance / techno party kicked for 3 days as people came and went without any bother from the boys in blue.
A nice crystal clear 6k rig blasted out the music as the surrounding hills acted as a huge natural speaker with strobes, skylights, and projections on a huge tipee providing any extra needed visuals.

A couple of other smaller systems provided alternative tunes and chill out spaces, projections in the woods and food n water stalls added to the weekend and people were the friendliest I've ever encountered at a party. A true sharing spirit was well in evidence, the site was spotless throughout the weekend as everyone took care to keep the place clean - a local landowner paying the site a visit (one of several) was amazed at how sorted the space was - as were the odd bemused hiking party that passed through.

More people had been expected, but obviously the castlemorton party near bristol pulled large numbers (there had also been some nervousness worrying about the cops mistaking this one for the site for the FOL party). The event had a true festival vibe with people organising between themselves for whatever was needed. News of the fire on the roof of buckingham palace sparked mutliple conspiracy theories but everyone was best pleased to be out celebrating and affirming DIY culture rather than monarchy rule.

That said there were a few grumbles, some thought there would be more facilities like compost loos and that they main system didn't start early enough, but most people were just happy getting mashed and enjoying the company and surroundings.

The weather behaved itself pretty much, although the clouds did descend on the site late on on sunday and a bit of rain dampened things, but monday morning was sunny. The site was buzzed by a helicopter on the monday morning but it wasn't clear what flavour it was - police? local press? local millionaire? health and safety? forestry commission? - who knows, either way everyone left without any hassle. A top jubilee weekend :)


FOREST PARTY NR LONDON

About 1500 people had it in style within Bracknell forest just outside of london over the jubilee weekend. From saturday through till late sunday evening two main rigs played psy-teckno and more dubwise tunes. The setting was fantastic with a large arena area bounded by trees and bushes with lots of space to chill, lights, projections and backdrops all added colour.

Half of the london trance scene seemed to be there, many familiar faces, and not surprising given that two major squat parties planned for the jubilee weekend had been cancelled in favour of this, and other parties, outside of london.

No bother from the cops, although two did turn up on sunday morning and said it'd be nice if the systems were off by sunday evening. The forestry folk turned up on sunday as well and blocked any more vehicles getting on site, but were pretty chill, happy to chat, and fine with people walking on site. Another sorted party...


OTHER PARTIES

A multirig party kicked off in Norfolk, another nice festy style gathering with good vibes - two went off near peterborough, although one was stopped and a couple of small squat parties rocked in London itself.

Add to this all the other parties that have gone unreported and the big FOL castlemorton party at Stert Beach nr Bristol, and the free party scene is alive and well. The ghost of castlemortan has been laid to rest, the jubilee weekend rocked, and hopefully the tone set for more summer fun in the sun...

see you out there...