Boomtown Fair styles itself as 'not your average festival' a place where music, theatre, gaming and amusment parks collide in a temporary world with spectacular sights and sounds.
Organisers promise you'll dance late into the night and discover pop-up parties, secret rooms, huge art installations and unlock hidden experiences. It's fresh, creative and genuinely a little bit different - including the aim to create a temporary community that inspires kindness, not competition, towards each other and the planet.
This year marks the 15th Boomtown Fair and runs from August 9 - 13 at the Matterley Estate near Winchester - making an easy weekend for curious north Londoners.
There’s a strong emphasis on “living theatre” rather than just bands and DJs playing to sun-dappled party goers so here are five reasons you should broaden your mind at Boomtown.
Anticipate The Acts
Boomtown has built a formidable reputation of closely safeguarding the musical line until the last minute. It’s not the big name stars party goers need to be lured in with, but they’re rarely disappointed. In recent years, Lauryn Hill, The Streets, Underworld and Gorillaz have all wowed the crowds. 2023’s line up is due to drop soon with one of the great dance anthem acts, Prodigy, already announced. Strong rumours abound that Cypress Hill will also be announced to celebrate the upcoming 50th anniversary of Hip Hop.
Sound system culture away from the choked streets of Notting Hill
Boomtown isn’t just about the big acts and the site is split into eight distinct districts, each with its own theme and ethos. Open-minded Londoners have long loved discovering sounds and subcultures they knew nothing about, without any effort in one weekend in the countryside, happily away from the choked streets of Notting Hill…
Explore Living Theatre
Although music and partying are key to Boomtown’s appeal, the festival proudly considers itself as living theatre with 15 years of informing an ongoing narrative. This year’s story is entitled “Chapter Two: The Twin Trail” and weaves AI, “systems of control”, and a rebirth of society into the story. The Boomtown team ask “Is our story one of control, fear and isolation, or one of freedom, love and connection? It is time to go deeper, walk the Twin Trail, and conduct a revolution of the mind.” One for philosophers then (or those fond of mushrooms).
Dress Up
With theatricality at its core, it’s unsurprising that Boomtown encourages its citizens to express themselves through costume, create their own character, and become part of the story. This year’s theme is “Duality”, based on the balance of opposing forces like fire and water and night and day. Expect out-there costumes.
Feed your sustainability
When considering what to pack, the festival suggests you think hard about where you’re sourcing your fashion - part of a wider green commitment that will see Boomtown become a festival run entirely on renewable energy, leaving minimal impact on the local environment.
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