Boomtown’s third chapter, Revolution of Imagination, was off to a flying start even before attendees hit the fields. For the first time post-COVID, the festival sold out – a much-needed win for the organisers, who previously announced that they had just broken even at last year’s event. Unlike many other festivals, it's easy to see where the money gets spent; Boomtown invests heavily in production design, from intricate staging to the interactive storylines and the actors who bring this bustling city to life. Although there are lingering doubts about Live Nation’s involvement, organisers insist they still hold full creative control and that Live Nation's partnership is essential for the festival's survival.
Held annually during the second weekend of August in Matterley Bowl, Boomtown continues to be a personal favourite of mine. Having attended since 2017, this marked my seventh visit to a city that now feels like home. I arrived on Wednesday around noon to witness the largest queue I’ve seen in recent years, with more and more people choosing to arrive early each year.
After observing the swelling crowd at the main gates, I hopped on the crew shuttle and quickly made my way to the relatively quiet Valley campsite, where I planned to set up. Arriving early meant I had the task of defending our spot, laying down a ring of belongings to secure a small patch of land. Thankfully, my friends arrived early in the afternoon, and by mid-day, our site was set up, ready for the adventure that awaited us. High spirits echoed through the campsite, with excitement building as we heard the deep, bass-heavy thuds from beyond the treeline.
Our first stop was Tangled Roots, a bass-heavy haven perched on a steep hill overlooking the city. This year, the sound was provided by the Lionpulse and Sinai sound systems, two of the UK’s finest. As an audiophile, I admired the attention to detail and care that Sinai’s owner, Huw, pours into creating an unmatched sonic experience – but trust me, earplugs are a must!
After an hour of dub steppas, we ventured into the city. Boomtown’s six districts, which were once spread more widely across the site, are now all housed in the main bowl for logistical ease. That said, there are whispers of expansion next year, with hopes of resurrecting fan-favourite stages such as the much-missed Psy Forest and Lion’s Den, an open amphitheatre-style stage for major acts.
The trek down the steep hill took us to the Teachings in Dub street party, a highlight for early arrivers. Powered by Bristol’s Firmly Rooted Soundsystem, this street party offered a heavy dub selection and an elated crowd eager to kick off the festivities. As the day continued, we explored Hidden Woods, a beautifully decorated forest venue that comes alive at night with twinkling lanterns, and danced to non-stop disco and funk at the Botanica street party.
Wednesday wrapped up with a visit back to Tangled Roots for a history of British music, courtesy of Boomtown’s former head of music, Kaptin Barret, who ended with a heavy jungle set that got the crowd roaring. Although the site quieted down at midnight, I chose to explore the silent streets of the Boomtown city districts. Walking through the empty avenues felt ethereal, surrounded by towering stages and remnants of the day’s energy.
Thursday: Calm Before the Storm
The official opening of Boomtown’s city gates came at 2 p.m. on Thursday, giving citizens a first look at their new home for the next few days. Although the larger stages remained inactive, microvenues opened their doors, and actors filled the streets, adding to Boomtown’s signature interactive storyline.
Despite a gloomy drizzle that descended upon the site, citizens were determined to keep the party going. By embracing the rain, the site transformed into a slippery, muddy playground, but the tropical sounds of Hippo Soundsystem at the Nexus stage kept spirits high. Thursday was also the day of the much-anticipated Odyssey Soundsystem free party, which maintained its roots in the UK’s illegal rave scene, showcasing jungle-tek, hardstyle, and hard trance.
Friday: The Grand Opening
Friday is the day at Boomtown, and the grand opening ceremony is a must-see for all. I found myself at Grand Central for a 15-minute choreographed dance spectacle, leading to the ceremonial opening track ‘Find Your Rhythm’ by Ed Solo, Mandidextrous, and A Little Sound. Following this, UK dubstep legends Skream and Benga reunited on stage, taking us on a journey through the history of dubstep under the shining sun.
Despite technical hiccups with the festival app, Friday was jam-packed with highlights. From catching The Pharcyde’s classic hits to experiencing the 30th anniversary of Rinse FM in Hidden Woods, the day delivered a wide array of unforgettable performances. The night culminated in Spectrum 360 where I danced to Spyro’s high-energy hardcore set, complete with a bootleg drop of “Sweet Caroline” – an unexpected but brilliant twist!
Saturday: Sun, Soul, and Rave
With the sun blazing, Saturday kicked off with soulful performances by Greentea Peng and Boomtown regulars Gentlemen’s Dub Club. A rare back-to-back set from DJ Rap and Ray Keith brought the old-school acid house vibes to Zenith. The day’s highlight for me was Marc Rebillet’s completely improvised set. Armed with a loop deck and a flamethrower (yes, really!), he brought an infectious energy that captivated the crowd.
Saturday night was dominated by drum and bass, with acts like Dr Meaker and Critical Sound taking over the stages. I closed out the night with viral sensation Fish 56 Octagon in Spectrum 360, whose mix of rave classics and funky bootlegs had the whole crowd buzzing.
Sunday: The Final Showdown
As the weekend drew to a close, the energy on Sunday was electric. I kicked off the day with Dutty Moonshine Big Band, followed by the Jungle Cakes takeover at Origin. Boomtown’s closing ceremony is a spectacle in itself, and this year I chose Origin to witness Pendulum close the weekend in style, dropping classics like “Tarantula” as the sky lit up with stunning visuals. The closing announcement declared Area 404’s The Collector as the new Mayor of Boomtown, but an ominous message – “The Mushroom is Coming” – left us eagerly anticipating next year’s Chapter 4: Bang Goes Normal.
Overall, Boomtown 2023 was my favourite edition yet. Despite a few post-COVID hiccups, the festival’s commitment to providing a platform for diverse art, culture, and music is stronger than ever. It truly remains a festival by the people, for the people.
