Damyn’s Hall Aerodrome in Upminster will see up to 50,000 dance music fans congregating over the spring bank holiday weekend as We Are FSTVL’s fourth run brings its biggest line up yet. More theatrical than ever before, including an Ancient Realm main stage (an “unearthed … historic masterpiece” found during last year’s clear-up efforts), 2016’s event promises two days of sixteen stages in five themed zones at a young festival crowned the Best International Festival at 2015’s DJ Awards in Ibiza.
Beginning as a celebration of techno and deep house in 2013, We Are FSTVL has seen a wider array of DJs booked and a more commercially-minded main stage line-up. This year’s lead performers are Steve Angello, who recently released his first solo LP after Swedish House Mafia disbanded, and 90s big beat pioneer Fatboy Slim. Ahead of them are an eclectic selection of proven performers, including infectious Frenchmen DJ Snake and Tchami, pop/bass infusers DJ Fresh and Sigma, BBC Radio staples Danny Howard and Mistajam, and garage revivalists Kurupt FM and Craig David.
The underground roots are not forgotten, as the festival’s escalation has allowed for figureheads from all around the electronic scene to curate their own label-based lineups. Sven Väth’s Cocoon outfit and MK’s Area 10 bring Richie Hawtin, Oliver Dollar, and Hannah Wants to their bills, and Sunday will see an onslaught of deep house grooves as MK’s place in the Ancient Realm arena is taken by Defected, topped off by Duck Sauce’s Armand Van Helden, and Jamie Jones’ Paradise in the Island Hideaway.
Fans of more aggressive bass-driven sets will find the likes of Sub Focus, Camo & Krooked, Shy FX, My Nu Leng, and Redlight at the Relentless Favela Fiesta, hosted by UKF on Saturday and Hospitality on Sunday. Nearby, the VIP zone will be graced by Todd Terry all weekend and, with 200 DJs over the weekend known for everything from minimal techno to rambunctious trap already on deck, there’s sure to be a FSTVL performance for every dance music fanatic.
For more information on the lineup, tickets and venue, visit We Are FSTVL’s website via this link.
