Dear Rainbow Serpent,

We’ve been together for about 5 years now, and it’s been wild. I remember the first time I set foot on your dusty golden plains, and was quickly lost in a tempest of sights and sounds. It’s in your company that I have met my new best friends, discovered new artists, seen things that can only be described as delightfully ridiculous, and laughed so hard I won’t ever forget it. Without you, my year just wouldn’t be the same.

Although my life has gotten a little more crowded this year, I was ever eager to see you once again and possibly acquired one or two speeding tickets en route to Beaufort late on Friday night. The rolling hills of your camping grounds were as crowded as I had ever seen them, but the buzz in the air (as one can only feel at the beginning of a 4 day party) and the muffled thud of a kick drum in the distance were infectious and after quickly finding a spare inch to place my belongings I ran straight into your arms.

Over on the Market Stage, Opio was laying down his closing track, and the look in the eyes of the floor suggested it had been an ever crowd pleasing performance. Later on, the throngs were clearly waiting for Captain Hook to kick off (who failed to materialise), and of course the night went on. The traditional yellow and orange shade sails of Market Stage had been swapped for crisp blues and purples, clear signs the unique and deft work of the Extradimensional Space Agency had made its way from Strawberry Fields to Beaufort.

Over to the Sunset Stage where the throbbing of a bass line dripping with jazz was immediately recognizable as the sound of Chameleon Recordings head honcho Steve Ward. His live performance was the undoubtedly the highlight of the night, a relentless adventure in big room house with a live accompanying guitarist as a chaser.

The next morning you reminded me just how good a cook and host you can be, as we feasted on poffertjes and chai while laying in hammocks as the morning sun gained heat. Behind Blue Eyes was a tasty second course, and by the end of Hypanog’s set I was primed for the rest of the day. You knew it was going to be a hot one too, and made sure that those fire trucks were there right when I needed them, spraying down the crowd on Sunset so much we were practically swimming in the sounds of The Riddler.

The madness proceeded during the bass assault of Tipper’s uptempo market stage set. Despite the snap & crackles of that Tesla coil causing a slight distraction from my reverie (while I love that your always trying to keep me entertained please have either zero or two next time) I finally had a chance to catch my breath again during the calm dub sounds of OTT opening up the Main Stage on Saturday night. Before I knew it that night was quickly lost in a bath of pyrotechnics and tomfoolery accompanied by the sounds of Kasey Taylor, Peter Horrevortz and Secret Cinema. Then, sleep (finally).