THE CUFF: Global Gathering Vs Creamfields

First there were clubs, then there were raves.

Then the clubs became superclubs and the raves became festivals. Then the superclubs went back to being clubs, and the festivals went back to being nothing but fields.

Except two, Global Gathering & Creamfields; both vying for the Midland’s festival spend this year.

Here’s a quick look at the last men standing.

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Global Gathering (July 27th to 28th)

First held in 2001, to a 25,000 capacity sellout crowd, Global Gathering started life as ‘ravers in a field’.

Spawned by the success of Godskitchen, the original organiser’s humble (and no doubt cost effective) pure DJ/dance music mandate was replaced by high profile live acts from 2005 onwards; a change that would see artists including Dizzee Rascal, The Prodigy, Orbital, Kanye West, Orbital, Mark Ronson, Basement Jaxx, Groove Armada, Fat Boy Slim, Kosheen, Happy Mondays & Mylo play live sets, alongside the event’s continuously strong DJ line ups.

Globally, the Gathering has been (so far) been held in, America, Poland, Belarus, Ukraine, Russia, Turkey, Australia, South Korea & Malaysia – with an annual event returning to the original Long Marston Airfield site, in England, during the last weekend in July.

Now held over two days, with an estimated 45,000 attending daily, the UK Global Gathering continues to partner with external music promoters; including labels, radio stations and other club brands.

Global Gathering 2012 sees, Toolroom, Rinse, Hospitality & the Detroit based label – Vision Quest, all hosting arenas.

Headline acts this year include live performances from; Tinie Tempah, Chase & Status, Friendly Fires, Maverick Sabre, Magnetic Man & Nero,with DJ sets including, Armin van Buuren, Markus Schulz, Skrillex, Knife Party, Jaguar Skills, Above & Beyond, Gareth Emery, Annie Mac, Jamie Jones, Roni Size, High Contrast, Funkagenda & Paul Thomas.

Global Gathering 2012 takes place on July 27th to 28th, at the Long Marston Airfield in Stratford.

Tickets are priced between £65 – 180, varying with VIP & camping options.

For further details visit http://www.globalgathering.com/

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Creamfields (August 27th to 29th)

Cream; a club that needs no introduction across most of the dance music world, ran for 5 years before trying their arm at a festival.

Then, in 1998, the first ever Creamfields was held at Matterley Bowl in Winchester; to a 25,000 strong debut crowd.

The 1998 line up included performances from; Run DMC, Primal Scream and over 100 DJs including Daft Punk, Paul van Dyk, Paul Oakenfold and Sasha – representing a mix of live acts and DJs that would continue throughout subsequent events.

In its 14 year history, Creamfields has headlined live performances from artists including; Basement Jaxx & Pet Shop Boys (’99), Underworld & Faithless (’02), The Prodigy, The Zutons & Goldfrapp (’06), Chemical Brothers (’07), Kasabian, Ian Brown & Fatboy Slim (’08), Calvin Harris, Dizzee Rascal & David Guetta (’09) – before moving to a predominately DJ led bill in 2010.

Moving from Winchester to its ‘spiritual home’ of Liverpool in 1999, Creamfields has grown into a three day, 65,000 capacity event; making the initial jump after a two year hiatus in 2008. It has been held over the last Bank Holiday weekend in August since moving to Liverpool in 1999.

Worldwide, Creamfields has staged events in, Brazil, Chile, Mexico, Czech Republic, Poland, Portugal, Peru, Republic of Ireland, UAE, Uruguay and Australia.

Creamfields 2012 will see DJ sets from, Deadmau5, Avicii, Tiesto, David Guetta, Axwell, Steve Angello, Tiesto, Ritchie Hawtin, Sebastian Ingrosso, Skrillex, Chemical Brothers, Paul Van Dyk, Above & Beyond,  Ferry Corsten, Calvin Harris, Kissy Sell Out, Maya Jane Coles, Benga, Caspa, John Digweed, Eddie Halliwell, Funkagenda & Kim Fai. Sub Focus is playing live.

Creamfields 2012 takes place on August 24th-26th, in Daresbury, Cheshire.

Individual day passes are already sold out, with remaining tickets priced between £110 – £250, dependent on hospitality & camping options.

For further details visit www.creamfields.com