Image: Ash Youd
South West Four, one of the biggest inner-city outdoor dance festivals in the UK, is back in London for the August bank holiday weekend, ready to throw an electronic music party like no other.
Just last year the festival celebrated its 10th anniversary, and now SW4 is back and returning to its sacred home of Clapham Common. Eighty of the world’s leading DJs and live electronic acts, as well as thousands of dance enthusiasts, are set to write the next chapter is SW4’s history.
Organisers have confirmed that there will be “eight individual worlds of music” in which the DJs will play. This is to ensure that a full spectrum of electronic music is catered for and, this year, there will be five brand new arena hosts.
Representing the centre of the weekend’s festivities, South West Four’s iconic main stage has witnessed a catalogue of incredible moments in its ten year history. On the Saturday, the almighty Above & Beyond headline the stage in what will be their only London festival performance of 2014 alongside Alesso, Fedde Le Grand and a host of other heavy hitting stars.
SW4 Saturday welcomes DJ Magazine to host one of the finest selections of underground house and techno the Capital has ever seen. With each of these acts cementing their status at the forefront of the scene over the past twelve months, it certain these each one will be at the top of their game.
Loco Dice will co-headline alongside Hot Creations boss Jamie Jones. Berlin tastemakers Tale of Us and the in-demand talents of Tiga vs Audion will also join them, in addition to Paco Osuna and Robert Dietz.
After Sasha’s ‘Last Night on Earth’ event destroyed Brixton Academy on New Years Eve, the icon will return to London to present the next instalment, this time called Last Day On Earth. Joining him, in his only UK show of 2014, will be Paul Kalkbrenner, alongside Seth Troxler, Booka Shade [Live], Guy Gerber and Magda.
On the Sunday the main stage will host some of the most vibrant and forward-thinking artists of today. Representing the biggest booking in South West Four history, deadmau5 makes his SW4 debut in his only London appearance this year. Set to release his first double-album in June (featured track below) his appearance is certain to be the highlight of the entire festival. More defining moments will come courtesy of Eric Prydz, Andy C and Pete Tong.
In one of the biggest debut performances of the entire weekend, SW4 Sunday will witness the birth of the Dream Don’t Sleep Arena. Hosted by Maceo Plex, the Ellum Audio boss will be joined by the undisputed ambassador of techno Marco Carola for his final London performance of 2014, as well as legendary Bedrock boss John Digweed. Dirtybird head honcho Claude VonStroke and Boddika.
As the most in demand DJ in British house music, Eats Everything returns to South West Four on Sunday 24th August to host a stage at a UK festival for the very first time. Looking to push boundaries wherever possible, Eats has curated a line-up that simply speaks for itself with names such as Laurent Garnier, Skream, Heidi and Catz N Dogz all joining him on the day.
So, if you’re longing for superclub sounds but are reluctant to spend the last days of the summer in a dark, sweaty club, head to SW4 for your fix of house, electro, techno and trance, as well as everything inbetween.
Weekend tickets are available at a bargain price of £102.50 and Saturday day tickets are £55 while Sunday tickets are £52.50. Weekend tickets increase Friday 16th May though so if I were you i’d snap them up while you can!
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