Review: Secret Garden Party 2010

When: 22nd - 25th July 2010

Reviewed by: Zurine Santander

Set in the tranquil countryside of Huntingdon, Cambridgeshire, the independently run Secret Garden Party has grown rapidly since its humble beginnings just six years ago. Since 2004 when attendance was only 1000 people, SGP has grown to record-breaking proportions. A massive 26,000 mad hatters descended on the 'Fact or Fiction' themed SGP this year, selling it out for the first time ever.

This year's event was blessed from the start. Despite the predicted torrential rain storms, party goers were greeted with glorious sunshine for most of the duration of the festival, adding to its magic. Unlike your average festival, thanks to its beautiful setting amidst the trees and landscaped slopes that surround a small lake, stepping into SGP felt like being dropped into an enchanted, Hansel and Gretel-esque, magical forest. As you make your way around this surreal haven, there is something amusing and confusing around every corner; odd creatures hanging off trees, brightly coloured lanterns, sand sculptures, origami penguins, a giant floating airship on the lake (The Blimp), a golden tank... not to mention the thousands of sailors, pirates, robots, animals, superheroes, fairytale characters and other hilariously and insanely attired “gardeners”, or attendees. SGP is the perfect excuse to get frivolous with fancy dress.

Creativity, participation, exploration and adventure are the motivators for organisers and gardeners alike. The many installations are there to be played and engaged with, rather than observed. Play being the key word; behaving silly and getting messy are encouraged and expected rather than frowned upon. There is so much to get involved with it was difficult to know where to begin – a quick stop at the quirky, flamboyant beauty station left me feeling protected from grime thanks to my one finger and two toe condoms; you could find your fortune at the astrology tent by having your bum lovingly read, become a human gladiator and battle it out with your mate in a giant bouncy baby grow, show off your moves at the dance-off station, join in a bit of medieval sword fighting, get down and dirty mud wrestling, take a turn on the Helter Skelter in the fairground, bet on your favourite at the snail races, enjoy some poetry... you could be forgiven for forgetting that this is actually a music festival. And music there was.

• Date: Thursday 22nd July 2010
• Event: Secret Garden Party at SECRET LOCATION
• Venue: SECRET LOCATION

The Valley of Antics saw the likes of beat boxer extraordinaire MC Xander. The Great Stage, set at the base of an amphitheatre-like grassy knoll, was graced with the beats of headliners Gorrilaz Sound System, ska legends The Skatalites and old skoolers Dreadzone.

There was something for everyone: blues, reggae, dubstep, drum and bass, acoustic, electro, house and breaks. My favourite stages included The Pagoda - a dance floor floating at the edge of the stunning lake. Security meant that the stage never got overcrowded and there was always enough space to rock your socks off in the sunshine. 

Another favourite and again floating in the middle of the lake was The Blimp, a massive airship crafted lovingly to look like something out of Howl’s Moving Castle. The highlight of this dance stage was without doubt bouncing around to DJ Ben Gomori’s (Data Transmission) euphoric electro/house set under the warm amber glow of the sun as it set down across the lake. The Blimp stole the show again on Saturday night when it was set on fire amid a stunning firework display. 

Among the performers here were electro-funk heroes Kraak and Smaak. Unfortunately the dance area was too small to allow more than a handful of revellers on (health and safety) and there were very few boats with sufficient capacity to carry ravers from the shore to the Blimp so many people were left waiting a long time and unable to see their favourite acts.

Other wicked tents worth checking out in years to come are the Where the Wild Things Are, Club Neurotica and The Artful Badger.

My personal music highlight was bopping to the beats of mystery guests, The Correspondents, whose fusion of swing, electro, dubstep and drum and bass is revolutionary and never lacking in energy. The Swing Tent offered similar delights on a more long term basis.

What makes SGP one of the most exhilarating and unforgettable experiences is the attention to even the smallest of details and the lengths to which organisers have gone to create a fantasy land, a utopia, as far removed from the reality of daily life as possible. SGP lives to break the rules. In keeping with the anti-commericalism ethos of event organisers, there is no advertising of any kind at SGP and there are no greasy spoon, burger flippin, fat-dripping food stalls found here either. All food and drink stalls are run independently, so finding delicious, healthy, original and worldly alternatives is never an issue.

For those with a bad sense of direction like myself, SGP could have benefited from a greater abundance of large and clear maps around the area. However, apart from this, and the fact that the music was shut off at midnight on Sunday, earlier than advertised, the only complaint would be that there just wasn’t enough time to enjoy everything! SGP could really do with an extra day or three. Take me back pleeeeeease!

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