  230 miles, six hours, three trains, two coffees and an angry inspection lady (who eventually kicked me off the train, adding an extra hour to my travel time) and I was at the gates of the Mint Festival with an All Access Pass and my Artist Band in hand. I was there to interview the DJs - some of the greatest in today's electronic music scene. Not a bad gig. In true English fashion, it was bloody freezing with drizzle creating a light fog. In true English fashion, most people were dressed like it was an Australian summers day. A circus themed field sprawled across Lincolnshire Showground with options to please any music junkie, on every notch of the spectrum. From disco to dub-step, drum’n’bass and techno – everyone was covered. A stellar line up on each stage proved it difficult to choose where to head to first. Personally the stand out sets that I had seen were Skream, Richy Ahmed and MK. I’d never been hugely interested in MK but his energy and the vibe he created on stage was epic. Skream left the stage with a banger of a "Sexual Healing" remix, to the extent that Hot Since 82 was a little ruffled as to how to take over the decks. With class he let the track play out and let Skream take his bow. It’s so refreshing when DJs treat each other amicably. Something the older generation can take note of. Egos and bad taste rivalry are so boring.  Richy Ahmed on the Paradise Stage The biggest disappointment for me was not getting an interview with Paul Van Dyk. Even though I am not into his music anymore, he is still quite the legend and has lasted the distance in an industry that can chew you up and destroy you within a few years. PVD had to rush off straight after his set – meaning literally off the stage and into a black car without even a moment to make eye contact. Boo. Sander Van Door - among a few others, had quite the expensive taste. Three bottles of Dom Perignon sat in his rider box. And no, I wasn't offered a glass. Vintage tequilas, top of the range gins ... not a beer in sight. Despite the dramatic weather the festival was an all rounder - well organised, well planned and well ... bloody fun. My favourite interviews were with the always smiling Dyed Soundorom, Ryan Crosson of Visionquest and Skream. Down to earth, funny and know a thing or two about music.
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 It's the day before the big race. After checking some CDs and finalising playlists, I set out for a quick tourist trip to Tiananmen Square and Summer Palace. Big bummer I can't make it to The Great Wall of China ... but hey, #firstworldproblem *** Observation #1 ... Unlike in Japan where every man, woman and child are wide-eyed giggling behind shy hands and asking for photos of you - the Chinese quite simply couldn't give a toss. I am quite clearly the tallest, blondest, most alien looking on the subway and no one even bats an eyelid. Talk about feeling invisible. Yet this quickly changes as I get to The Temple of Heaven. Tourists all pointing iPhones and gadgets this way and that, suddenly start asking for photos. Before I know it there is a queue - yes a queue, of little children and eager adults wanting a photo with moi at the steps of the Tian Tian - the Hall of Prayer for Good Harvest. I'm feeling famous! ...that is, before I get back onto the subway. Ba-humbug. Observation #2 ... Maps of any kind are completely useless and only there to confuse tourists. After asking concierge what the best way to the subway was from the hotel, after standing for fifteen minutes trying to decipher his broken English and after walking away two steps feeling pretty victorious the Chinese man stops me, points to the map and says "map no good. All map no good" shrugs, then leaves me to my own devices. Luckily my sense of direction is pretty good. I manage to figure my way around town despite the ridiculous amount of barricades that try to throw me off my path. |
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