Bugged Out Weekender 2016: Laughing in the face of seriousness
The festival's fifth edition was another riot of fun
Sunday is a different beast entirely. About 50 per cent of people have left to make work on Monday and the remaining half are bang-up for the last day as there is still plenty of music to be enjoyed.
After the musical chairs in Reds, The Black Madonna puts in set of the weekend. Her energy is utterly infectious as she dances around and beautifully blends side-winding techno with face melting classics. 'Lazerbeams' by Green Velvet goes off and 'Under Pressure' by Bowie and Queen at the end is a much-needed injection of euphoria. Everyone falls in love with Marea Stamper, basically.
Bicep deliver fierce pace next, so much so that their closing set is extended by an hour. However it's King Kerri who wraps the festival up properly. He finishes things on Centre Stage and is incredible. Soulful house splashed with pianos raises more arms-in-the-air moments than a thousand Mexican waves. 'You're In My System' is a moment as our crew hugs each other and revels in joy.
Bugged Out Weekender isn't your average festival. It laughs in the face of the serious and gives it a slap with the absurd. There aren't many festivals where you can enjoy a main stage set from Kerri Chandler as much as dancing on the chalet balcony at midday to Sonique while the attendants in the car park watch on in disbelief.
We've been four times before and we can pretty much guarantee we'll be back next year for another go. Artwork will be giving it his all so really you have no excuse either.
Funster is Mixmag's Digital Music Editor, follow him on Twitter here
Patrick Hinton is Mixmag's Digital Intern, follow him on Twitter here
