So are we all recovered yet? I am already, but that's after finishing far earlier then planned (read: not going to after party after all :-( ) and having a lovely relaxing day at the Sauna yesterday.

But how was my 1st Dance Valley you asked? It was just lovely.. Let me tell you all about it :-)

We arrived quite early, so the queue was pretty much non-existent. I had been warned about not being allowed water in, so was non too shocked when they took my bottle of me. Really I think the whole not allowing food and water thing in is silly. Alcohol I get but when the forecast is 25 degrees Celsius you're putting people at risk of dehydration. But allas it's all part of the festival games to try and break some rules, let them have the bottle and be done with it haha.

Walking over the still quiet festival terrain you couldn't fail to be impressed already. Welcoming was selection of stages and tents representing all the different areas, plenty of toilets, bars and footstalls and an entire funfair, including a giant ferris wheel. The circus theme was everywhere and we were starting to get excited like kids on a school trip.

So we snaked off for a quick smoke on top of the hill where you could overlook both fields end the people arriving. Within minutes we were joined by some nice people who had been a bit to honest when asked if they had anything on them, and had their weed taken off them. So we shared our spliff and chilled for a bit waiting for things to happen. Suitably chilled we wandered round the ground as things started warming up.

We did spend a lot of time in the Defected area where Mr V was in charge at the moment. My partner-in-crime-for-the-day often works as a roadie at festivals with more rock and live music, but he really got into the music here. Beautiful to watch people losing themselves to 'my world'!

But the first visit was a brief one, we were off to the DSI/Hyves meet. Well, at this point I owe an apology to most of the people we were meant to meet.. once we got talking to one group of people who had really gotten into the festival spirit already (and were just too entertaining!), I forgot to look for others. Lesson for next year: make a sign! (check!)

There was a strong wind blowing (my dress went all Marilyn Monroe all day haha), but it kept the temperature down so it was very lovely with the sun out spending some time out on the field watching the world go by.

Only at festivals do you get such a diverse audience to mingle, there were the Ab Fabs and the cyberkids, the people who look like they were going on a hike and the people wearing nothing. Many wigs and props (love it!) and compliments over outfits flying about (apparently I resembled little red riding hood in my dress, I was told so at least 4 times haha). It's one big lovely freak circus with real circus artists on stilts and other performances thrown in for good measure!

Anyway by now the music is banging out from all sides and you can lose it either in the sun or in a tent. Somehow people do seem to dance harder in a tent, is this to do with darkness in clubs and losing inhibitions? Or maybe it's just by my observations, I must admit that I didn't go and see any of the real hard dance areas it's just not my thing.

So after a bite to eat at one of the many food stall we headed back to the mighty Defected to catch Copyright mixing it up very nicely. the tent was by now filled with people and some serious moves were being thrown about. Tasita D’Mour did a live PA, what a voice she has too. And Shovell was bewitching us all with his percussion magic.

Kenny was obviously a favourite for many as the place kept getting busier when he took over, but the Dutch crowd really went wild when Roog (Hardsoul) came on around half six. I've seen a little sexy little clown girl in ecstasy and some escaped prisoners in uniform jumping with joy, there a real party vibe going on by now.

We went for a quick round around the terrain soaking up some more atmosphere (and spliff, when in Holland.. right!) to get back just after Sandy had taken over for the last set. And then... it was all over.

Oh there was still the main stage and I'll believe anyone who says we missed the best bit. But it had been a long day, and at this stage we were still considering going to Amsterdam for an after, so we decided to avoid the rush and go get our bikes. And as we got to them the fireworks went off. AMAZING. They just went on and on, loved being in a quiet zone now just see it all going off above us.

Suddenly missioning on was off. Long story, but when Marc had left his wallet I'd given up hope and we went for a burger instead. Eh it's a festival, things don't always go as planned... and it being my 1st Dance Valley I can only learn how I'll do things differently next year.. like get transport sorted.

All in all an awesome day, special thanks to Defected. If I could just have one suggestion to UDC it was that the Defected and Carl Cox areas were too close together. It might have been the wind too, but whenever there was a pause there were such loud beats that they were actually vibrations coming through from next door, bit annoying. Think changing the angle from that stage might improve things slightly... but other hen that no complaints really!

Thanks see you all next year!!!

Sounds like it was quality Ingers. One for me to think about for next year. M

It would be a blast to have some of the old gang over and take over the Valley, I'll get in touch well before to see who's up for it next year, left it a bit late to organise this time as I wasn't sure if I could go after Guido had been ill. This time next year it'll be a nice break too maybe from planning a different kind of party all together ;-)

Sounds lovely Ingrid - any more piccies? Sounds like you managed it in fairly chilled stylee too - yeah, it would be lovely to come over for next year's event....

There's some fabulous pics on *whispers* tillate (I, II & III). I just want to find a way to sneak in some bubbly and have Miss Didi do her thang next year, what you reckon. Want to dress up more and play with the lovely people (and their minds), haha.

Best festival I have ever done. Period.

The only words I can think of for anyone who has not been is MAKE SURE YOU BUY A TICKET FOR NEXT YEAR. YOU WILL NOT REGRET IT. Totally dicks on Global as an event.

Totally dicks on Global as an event.

TBH any event ive been to in holland has pissed on anything ive been to in this country,when you go to holland for a party that is exactly what you get,and you dont feel like you have been ripped of with the ticket price

Yeah, we were in awe of them to be honest. They have the best attitudes, the best vibe. In fact I am gutted Dance Valley was BEFORE Global on the calendar..................

total...leg-end
event
enjoy so much

HQ AND LOST N' MUSIC WAS AMAZING

the clowns where well wicked and scary
at the same time ...lol

I had an amazing event too, the end of the night was what humbled me tho, was stood on the hill near the main stage...the view was nothing short of spectacular!! but really humbling at the same time...im uploading my pictures/videos as we speak....be sure to check em out :))

I spent most of the day in and around the HQ stage...some of the best sets ive witnessed. Something about the place which made the experiance soo good i think!!! Lol!! Deffo will be back next year!! My plane ticket is already booked!

but really humbling at the same time

Tell me about it, the whole time i felt privileged to be there!! I keep trying to explain to people what it was like but words can't explain how amazing it was!

I'm still really looking forward to Global but after dance valley nowhere near as much as i was!

WOW totally impressed with the event !! I couldnt help but think if Dance Valley can get their organisation so on the ball, why cant promotions like Wildchild over here do the same ??? But it soon came obvious that the Dance Valley guys actually wanted u to have a great time !!

Boy did I have one.......Ive never been in such a massive crowd in great scenery and wicked tunes......The sheer scale of it blew me away !!!

If I am brutally honest I buzzed more at Peach a few weeks back, but only because of a couple of the trance sets there were right up my street........Still, what an experience, I didnt see a bad set all day.....Some of the decorations and layouts were amazing, yes the clowns freaked me out lol

Meeting and spending time with a few randoms was also fun ! Ill be back again sometime, maybe next year who knows, but im thinking of one of the sensation parties hhhmmmmmmmmm

*licks lips*

Defo the best festival i had ever done! Think of global but think of somethin even bigger, even better and even louder!! With even better organisation and a location to die for! I couldnt beleave it when i went into the techno arena and ther was a full funktion1 soundsystem throughout the whole arena!

What made it even better is the fact that i didnt even have to que up for anythin once at all. Walked straight on the coach to get to the event. Walked straight into the event! Then when it came to leaving i thought id be waiting at least an hour to get back onto the coach but no! Just walked straight onto the coach and left. 10 out of 10 to the organisers!

There is no chance i will be missing it next year. I would be stupid to do such a thing!

Absolutely blinding event, makes you realise how crap our country is for events.
Thousands of people, yet brilliant organisation and no queues for anything!!!

Spent most of the time in HQ but had time in all the tents/stages.... Proteus as always totally ruined me hehe -excellent... but loved it all.

Defo be back next year....

Oh all those ppl there I only saw about a handful of cybers... whats that all about!!!!!

One for sometime in the future then.

One for sometime in the future then.

definatly

Absolutely blinding event, makes you realise how crap our country is for events.
Thousands of people, yet brilliant organisation and no queues for anything!!!

Defo be back next year....

Oh all those ppl there I only saw about a handful of cybers... whats that all about!!!!!

think our country is called 'ripp off' britain from our continental 'neighbours' and they're not wrong either!!

possibly cybers! was so last year.... time for a change generally funk/punk still holds water theses days! lol! :-

Oh all those ppl there I only saw about a handful of cybers... whats that all about!!!!!

dutch don't cyber, or rarely... dance vally has only had and probably will only ever have a handfull of us. Mind you the 7 a.m. tram journeys back to hostel were interesting!

Really?? I was expecting thousands there,, like global.!... I didn't go proper cyber but my fluffy boots were well getting evils of ppl hehe!!!!!!!!!!!!

We got a taxi to avoid the tram biz !!!

will probably wear same outfit to creamfields, have to repair my wings though. they got trashed.