Boomtown 2022
Where: Winchester, UK
When: 10th – 14th August
Who: Four Tet, De La Soul, Noisia, Koffee

Last weekend, the infamous Boomtown Fair finally returned to Matterley Estate after three long years of covid-related complications and cancellations. And following a potentially crippling pandemic, especially for an event of this magnitude and unbudging (until this week) independence, Boomtown’s return was well-marketed as both a metaphorical and literal rebirth. It was all-change as ‘Chapter One: The Gathering’ kicked off a new era for the festival with an all-new approach to just about everything, from the lineup to the locale. But whatever changes Boomtown would introduce this year, at the crux it’s still the same festival we all know and love.

In the lead up to the event, it would be fair to say that the anticipation was beginning to get the better of some, with cofounder Lak Mitchell even addressing concerns in a very frank, honest video post. ‘No superstar headliners’ and ‘new cashless system’ were among the talking points alongside the secret lineup, as well as a condensed footprint where all stages would now be part of the same arena.

As someone who’s worked in and around festivals for the best part of ten years, I feel it’s my duty to highlight the fact that Boomtown 2022 is even going ahead, is nothing short of a miracle. And even after a devastating three years, it’s a testament to this incredible team that they’ve still managed to deliver something so impressive.

Let’s start with the lineup. It’s easy to see where disappointment may stem from when comparing this year’s bill to the lost lineup of 2020; a lineup I called one of the best the UK has seen. But for the real Boomtown heads who’ve come to cherish their off-kilter leftfield lineups, this year’s offering was still distinctively true to Boomtown’s unapologetic roots.

Dnb legends Noisia played the final ever show in the UK, Four Tet closed the festival with an unmissable Sunday night set, and hip-hop royalty De La Soul complimented the scorching heat with a jazzy, feel-good set supported by a ten-piece brass band.

My Nu Leng and Mall Grab topped the bill on Saturday with arguably the b2b of the summer, Overmono delivered a stellar live show on Friday night, and AMC, Shy FX and Halogenix each delivered an onslaught of dnb shelling.

Music aside, many naive pre-Boom grumbles were surrounding the ‘smaller’ festival it was appearing to be. Granted there were fewer ‘arenas’, but these were instead shifted together into a singular, more economic footprint. This was a roaring (RIP Lion’s Den) success, with everything just a short stumble away. This of course encourages discovery and exploration and contributes to more of an integrated, immersive experience.

The stage and set designs were as impressive, perhaps even more so, than they’ve ever been in Boomtown’s history, with the gritty metallic The Grid, and the LED-powered Metropolis among the highlights. Decadent light displays, impressive pyrotechnics, and rolling water features were all complimented by boundary-pushing production and stellar sound.

And this is perhaps the most important, most notable addition and upgrade to Boomtown 2022: the sound. Gut-punching bass and a crisp vibrant sound were instantly apparent across all areas of the festival, and are without a shadow the best Boomtown’s ever sounded.

Boomtown 2022 was tipped as a reset and a return to its roots. And in every way it’s fulfilled this. It’s every bit of the Boomtown we’ve fallen in love with over the years, but with more of a measured, considered approach that encourages big things for the future.

Any doubts or preconceptions around this guinea pig-y instalment were left at the gates, with an unrivalled atmosphere and energy draped across the weekend. Once the tents were up and the cold ones were cracked, a wave of realisation descended on the Winchester wilderness: ultimately, we were all lucky to be here.

With its wholesale changes, a much-sneered cashless system that worked without a hitch, plus the relentless, unavoidable heat, Boomtown 2022 could have been plagued with complications. Instead, they’ve come out the other side not only intact, but with even higher expectations for what’s next. Bring on 2023.