Debuting in Australia last Autumn, Creamfields is stepping things up in its second year. With stops in Sydney, Melbourne, Perth and Brisbane, plus a satellite stadium show in Adelaide, the festival has of course secured dance music superstar Deadmau5 to lead the tour.

So, just what’s new in 2011? We put that question and more to one of the minds behind Creamfields, onelove Brand Manager John Curtin. After that round of questions, we talk to five of the line-up’s main attractions – Deadmau5, Martin Solveig, Surkin, Kevin Saunderson & Derrick May and Gabriel & Dresden – about what they’re bringing to the national roadshow.

First up, how will Creamfields have changed from 2010 to 2011?
In terms of the event, we have a larger event in Melbourne, new venue in Brisbane and stadium show at an amazing venue in Adelaide. I think as a business we have grown a lot.

Stereosonic was a huge success, winning Favourite Festival for Melbourne and Perth in the inthemix50, plus the top dance event behind Splendour in Queensland and runners-up in South Australia.

Creamfields 2010 for me was a great event, but also a launch for us into running multiple festivals. We will still have the indoor areas in Melbourne and the production level has doubled with Deadmau5 show. The tour run is amazing as well: Good Friday in Adelaide, Easter Saturday in Perth, Anzac Day/Easter Monday in Melbourne, then Saturday in Sydney and another Public Holiday Eve in Brisbane.

What were the highlights for you of the 2010 tour?
I thought Ferry stole the show; I loved his set, being a trance listener back in the day. Dirty South was awesome – it was the first time he had played to a big Melbourne crowd in a while, and the Beetroots live show was really cool. Green Velvet was also really good.

Can you tell us yet how many arenas/stages there will be, and how they’ll be themed?
Depending on the city, four to six stages and there will be a stadium show with two stages in Adelaide.

Deadmau5 has grown into true headliner material – are you excited to see the level of production he’ll be bringing this time?
It’s pretty amazing. I love Deadmau5. He is a great act, selling out shows worldwide and so interactive. He has a great branding campaign behind him. It freaks me out that he can produce so much, hang out with his cat Professor Meowingtons, play video games and tour, tour, tour.

It’s a great stage for him to play. He is on fire at the moment remix and production-wise and has a really tight show with obviously the LED mau5 head but also heaps of visuals, lighting and screens.