Milton Keynes. The (new) city of the concrete cows, Franchise FC and roundabout after roundabout after roundabout. It may takes its name after two of the great economic thinkers of the 20th century but the concrete metropolis is often derided for it’s lack of culture and historic importance. Perhaps your nans favourite historians Simon Schama and David Starkey aren’t rushing to make a BBC Two documentary on the subject but one thing that can’t be denied is the cities vital role in the development of the rave scene we know and love.
I was lucky to have spent my formative and literally wide eyed early years sucking at the tit of dance music living in the city. This meant any I time I travelled to the far parts of the country, whether it be Bournemouth, Brighton, Winchester, Birmingham, London or that scary place known as the north, I could be guaranteed to be asked by the stranger who had rapidly become my best friend where I lived. Without fail, when Milton Keynes was my elicited response, you could be sure in return the words ‘The Sanctuary’ would fall from their lips not long after.
For those who don’t know, The Sanctuary was a legendary venue opened in 1991 and rapidly expanded into an 8,000 superclub which had ravers all over the country flocking to its doors. Promoters who need no introduction such as Slammin Vinyl, Fantazia, Helter Skelter all provided the nights for ravers to reach for the lazers. Yet for all of these famous names, if there was one promoter who played the most vital role in the development of The Sanctuary, it was arguably Dreamscape.
In fact, it was ESP Promotions, the founders of Dreamscape, who helped create history when on Friday 5th December 1991 they hosted the first rave at the venue and would sow the seeds of the phenomenon the scene has become. While the Sanctuary closed it’s doors ten years ago this month, ESP have seen fit to return to the city and fly the rave flag once again, with Dreamscape – The Reunion.
It may not be taking place at its spiritual home but when the cities other major music venue is the National Bowl, it’s fair to say its not a bad compromise. The venue has hosted major acts such as Green Day, Eminem, Jay Z, 50 Cent, Oasis, Swedish House Mafia amongst others and in fact will also be the stage for another dance festival this summer, acting as the ‘London’ base of the American uber festival Electric Daisy Carnival.
So if you fancy spending the day going back to your roots or discovering the artists who helped build the scene, Dreamscape has you covered. With a main stage playing host to acts such as Grandmaster Flash, Goldie, Stanton Warriors and SL2, you could argue no other festival this summer has as many true rave legends as has been compiled here.
The fun doesn’t stop there though, with each musical lick being catered for with its own dedicated all weather tent. Junglists can take in the Accelerated Culture tent with acts such as Dillinja, Fabio, Grooverider & Nicky Blackmarket, while hardcore is catered for with Whizzkid hosting Hixxy, Breeze, Gammer and Force & Styles to list but a few and House heads need not fear with Ultra Vegas & Data Transmission playing host to Seb Fontaine, Black Box, Tall Paul & Sonique amongst others.
Last but not least this wouldn’t be a Dreamscape event without the Old Skool showing its head, with legendary acts like Rat Pack, Top Buzz, Jumping Jack Frost and Slipmatt b2b with Billy ‘Daniel’ Bunter spinning the decks.
So if you fancy asking Slipmatt to ‘Take me away’, while standing in a ‘Field of Dreams’ with Force & Styles and getting on a ‘Ragga Tip’ with SL2, Dreamscape – The Reunion has you sorted.
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