Rumble in the Southwest

by Chuan Wang

28 Aug. 2011—Day 1 of the two day music festival was sold out even before I knew about it. I had been in London for not even a week yet at the time, but when I heard about this music festival I knew I had to get my hands on whatever was still available. The price for the Day 2 ticket was steep, but I had to have it. The name South West Four is permanently imprinted in my mind for, quite possibly, the rest of my life.

I have been interested in electronic dance music (EDM) for many years now, and I have been attending EDM events and have been part of EDM subculture for the healthy portion of three, going on four, years. By normal standards, the size and scope of South West Four, affectionately abbreviated to SW4, was average for an EDM festival of that caliber. I have attended much larger events and I have been to smaller ones. But this one would be my first one in London.

My friends who had weathered the first day of the event came back baring good news. The people were friendly, the music was good, and the venue was so packed the grass had been torn up and mud was ankle deep. But everything was “so much fun”. How could it get better than that?

I prepared for it the best I could. Although I have attended outdoor venues before, this was the first time I had to experience weather as cold as it was. I had no idea where Clapham Common was, after all I had only been in the city for a few days, but that didn’t even seem like a problem. It was not hard finding the way to the festival; after all, we just had to follow the other kids dressed to impress in their Sunday’s EDM best, with the brightest colors and the muddiest shoes. These were the warriors returning to the battle front, and they were ready for round two.

The festival had already begun by the time I arrived, and I was pleased to see someone had come through the night before and packed down the mud so that the earth. Not to say I didn’t get dirty still, but that is simply an occupational hazard. Unavoidable.

Among the lesser known DJs there were world-class artists. Headlining Sunday night was Drum&Bass legend, Pendulum. But this is simple technical jargon. What are important were the 4 massive stages, the carnival rides, and the seemingly infinite crowds of people. I mainly positioned myself at the two largest stages, but of course once the sun started setting just about everyone was posted at the main stage. I could look back and see a sea of people. I felt the bass and saw the lights streaming from the stage. It was a visual heart-attack, but I’ve never felt more alive.

When Pendulum hit the stage most of the audience was beyond intoxicated. Things got a little rough at the front, where I was, but to see the artist’s perform was well worth a couple bumps and bruises.

Needless to say, afterwards I was ready for another SW4.