Just when you thought it was safe to invest in a few box sets, bulk buy the chocolate biscuits and plan a nice cozy weekend in – yep, along comes Creamfields. Running over two days this year, it’s going to be an epic party at Yas Arena, with sets from some of the coolest names in electronic music.
So get your glow sticks ready and pump yourself full of Red Bull – you’re going to need it.
December 8
It’s a British invasion kicking off the festival on Thursday night, with a line up dominated by DJs and musicians from the UK (and one eccentric Canadian). Fans of house, dubstep and UK garage will be treated to sets from some of the world’s most renowned DJs in a storming start to the weekend.
• Deadmau5
Don’t be put off by the weird name, or indeed the weird mouse head this DJ likes to sport. And actually, don’t even call him a DJ to his face – he doesn’t like it, preferring to describe his sets as a ‘technological orgy’. But whatever it is he does up there on the decks, both the masses and the critics seem to love it. Deadmau5 has sold out iconic venues such as London’s Earls Court and Ibiza’s Cream @ Amnesia to crowds that went crazy for the electro house and progressive tracks he is famous for. Deadmau5 has also picked up a string of awards, including a Grammy nomination for Best Remixed Recording in 2009 for his version of ‘The Longest Road’ by Morgan Page featuring Lissie. What to expect from the gig? Deadmau5 has said his motto is: ‘I try and keep it more my music than anyone else’s. If people come out to see Deadmau5, I want them to hear Deadmau5 music.’
• Magnetic Man
Magnetic Man is not just one guy as the name might suggest, but is in fact a trio of DJs and producers, Benga, Skream and Artwork. Hailing from Croydon, London, this outfit have been getting a huge amount of hype in the UK music press for their dubstep-meets-pop tracks such as ‘Perfect Stranger’ and ‘Getting Nowhere.’ Originally funded by the UK’s Arts Council, Magnetic Man has collaborated with vocalists Katy B (who is also performing at the festival) and John Legend to produce catchy, funky tracks that are sure to go down a storm with Abu Dhabi’s Creamfields crowd.
• Katy B
Katie Brien, better known as Katy B, might be just 22 but she’s been making waves on the British music scene with her unique dubstep, R&B, house and UK garage vocals. The south Londoner was nominated for the Mercury Prize this year.
• John Digweed
One of the UK’s best loved DJs, John Digweed is renowned for his progressive house sets. In addition to DJing, he’s also an acclaimed record producer, owns his own record label – Bedrock Records, has created soundtracks for a number of films and has even appeared in a few too.
Also playing on Thursday: Ferry Corsten, Markus Schulz, Danny Howells, Yousef, Jochen Miller, Mr Mr, Vas Floyd, Greg Stainer, Mister Outlaw and more.
December 9
We’re sure the crowd is going to take quite some warming up this evening, considering they’ll have been dancing all through the previous night and then sleeping all through day. But if anything can get Abu Dhabi’s clubbers back up on their feet, it’s going to be this line-up. With Holland’s finest, Tiësto, topping the bill and some interesting DJs appearing earlier on, it’s bound to be another exhilarating night.
• Tiësto
Fans of this superstar DJ will remember that Tiësto made a very controversial non-appearance in August last year due to technical problems at Adnec, where he was supposed to perform. However, he more than made up for it with a terrific set earlier this year at Flash Forum on Yas Island, so here’s hoping he can recreate the same atmosphere on the second night at Creamfields. Known primarily for his trance sets, Tiësto’s most recent album, Kaleidoscope, and tour of the same name have seen him experimenting more with other genres and interesting collaboratons, so we’re sure his set this weekend will have a few surprises.
• Tinie Tempah
One of the leading lights of the current British ‘rap pack’ scene, Tinie Tempah’s performance is one of the most highly-anticipated of the whole weekend. The bespectacled rapper will be performing hits such as ‘Pass Out’, ‘Frisky’ and ‘Written in the Stars’ as well as some of his recent tracks which feature a more electronic sound than his earlier works. Known for his collaborations with a diverse set of artists, we can’t wait to see what he’s got in store for Abu Dhabi.
• Laidback Luke
The second Dutch dynamo of Friday’s line up, Laidback Luke will be bringing the fun factor to the night with blockbuster beats, house tracks and quirky remixes of the year’s hits. His masses of Twitter followers (over 100,000) have been broadcasting their excitement about this set ever since it was announced, so here’s hoping it’s a good one.
• Marco Carola
Ready for some Italian techno? You will be. Marco Carola will be whipping up a storm on the decks, with tracks from his latest album Play It Loud, which was his first release in nine years.
Also playing on Friday: Derrick Carter, Riva Starr, Slam, Italoboyz, Madjam and more.
Need a Rest?
Don’t worry, no one is expecting you to dance for two days solid!
When you want a break, there’s plenty of chill out areas for you to unwind at Yas Arena. Visit the shisha lounges, massage areas, oxygen bars, rides and merchandise outlets across the festival while you recharge your batteries.
Creamfields takes place at Yas Arena on Thursday December 8, 8pm-4am and Friday December 9 6pm-4am on Friday.
Tickets available from Dhs325 at www.creamfields.ae.
