Friday 24th – Saturday 25th July 2009

Long Marston Airfield – Stratford Upon Avon

Dreading the same fate as Bestival 2008 I was extremely thankful and relieved to arrive at Global in glorious sunshine. Hearing from other gatherers before arriving at the festival it had been apparent that extensive and very thorough searches had been taking place at the main gates leaving campers stressed and frustrated and wanting more entrances due to long delays in getting into the festival.

After enduring a reasonable amount of traffic surrounded by the beautiful scenery we made it to global a little after the gates had opened finding no problems queuing and only a small problem with finding a camping space as the field was very busy when we arrived but once a space was found we were in the arena in no time.

Vip upgrades were available which I would highly recommend with the short waiting times for beer, Jacuzzis, flushing toilets and up close and personal dancing area right in front of the main stage.

Friday was amazing and totally won over with the outstanding performance by the Prodigy they truly are masters of there art with hits like breathe, fire starter, voodoo people and smack my bitch up which went down a storm. The crowd itself was amazing with glow sticks galore and raving bright tutus and outfits.

Night time is most definitely the best time at global with funfair rides flashing away and setting the tone of an electric festival that never sleeps. My favourite tents were most defiantly Gods Kitchen and Mr tool Room which kept throwing out the hits again and again so you couldn’t help but jump around like a nutter along with other global fans. The atmosphere on the Friday was immense and the people were amazing and you could just breathe in the excitement for what was next to come. Bopping around the festival from tent to tent you would be greeted with screams of raver’s being thrown around by the extreme machine and yells from the bungee jumpers.

I would 100% recommend seeing Axwell, Mark Knight and David Guetta who really did pull out all the stops and made those glow sticks punch up to the ceiling.

Saturday morning was fantastic the sun was once again shinning and stayed glowing throughout the day. However after a heavy evening heads were buzzing slightly and water was in desperate need. As I hadn’t purchased my G.G guide yet I was unaware of the map and where to find water and none of the security team seemed to know where it could be found except in the main arena which wasn’t due to open until 2pm. I can’t complain too much as eventually one of the security team did venture into the arena for me and fetch me some water but if there had been better signage my thirst could have been quenched a lot earlier and been less frustrating.

By far my favourite stage on the Saturday was the Tuborg which featured live acts such as Frankmusik who was brilliant, electric and just what you needed after a heavy night. He is so full of energy and his band was fantastic.

The atmosphere on the Saturday seemed different to the previous day and the crowd appeared to be more hard core and maybe not as friendly. This festival defiantly doesn’t give off the family vibes as fests like Glastonbury and Bestival. Outfits were once again bright and beautiful and very impressive from the ravers that bopped till 6am Sunday morning. Paul Thomas was probably most appreciated at the main stage on the Saturday but personally I would have preferred some more chilled out music during the daylight hours before the dancing in the evening. The highlight of the evening had to be Shape shifters as they throw out tune after tune from old school to new and properly mixed it up.

Global Gathering wouldn’t normally be top of my list of festivals but I feel I have been converted and I would highly recommend the VIP area as an upgrade for anyone. In regards to camping and arrival times, be prepared to queue early in the day and expect searches. The security were all very friendly but do get a guide to know where everything is. Parking was free and I would recommend standard parking as this is closer to the exit rather than vip.

Holly Tomkins