With a full forecast of sun, a jam packed line up of activities, a plethora of musical treats and a rucksack brimming with sequins we knew that this was going to be a very special weekend, and we weren’t wrong. From first arriving at Wilderness it’s impossible not to fall in love with the stunning surroundings and fully immerse yourself into the free spirited festival life it embodies.

We were blown away from the huge selection of culinary delights and all the activities the festival had to offer including sock wrestling, lake swimming and Laurent Perrier drinking in the uber sophisticated Orangery tent.

Once we had slightly composed ourselves from all the excitement it was time to throw ourselves into the music. We couldn’t resist warming up with some pure disco vibes at the Peacock tent and we knew we’d certainly chosen the right place to start the party as an impromptu limbo competition broke out! The main stage was the place to be for sunset and as night fell the crowds flocked towards the beats of The Valley.

Our musical highlights across the weekend had to be surprise last minute announcements Maribou State on the Friday who had the whole crowd with their arms in the air, followed by PBR Streetgang bringing the late night boogie vibes that they do best.

On the Saturday a massive shout out to Crystal Fighters who had everyone feeling the love with their spirited performances of ‘Love Is All I Got’, ‘You And I’ and ‘I Love London’… what a perfect way to spend to experience a summer sunset. At nightfall it was back to The Valley for Maxxi Soundsystem who killed it into the early hours bringing the night to a close with Phil Collins’ ‘In the Air Tonight’.

After enjoying ourselves almost too much across the weekend the soothing sounds of Shura and Lianne La Havas were much needed on the Sunday. Glass Animals brought the fun with energetic renditions of crowd favourite ‘Gooey’ and their latest track ‘Youth’. The weekend couldn’t end without a one last trip into The Valley where Goldie and Tom Middleton ensured led us to the finish line with a bang!

Wilderness, you were sparkly, wondrous and full of magic. Can we go back and do it all again now please?

By Roberta Hickey