Review: Dekmantel offered up yet another joyous weekend in the forest

Nina Kraviz - Selectors Stage, Friday

After landing on Thursday and keeping things restrained, we were absolutely raring to go by Friday morning. The sun was shining, people were cycling toward Amsterdam Bos (the forest in which Dekmantel is held) and we were eagerly anticipating the day’s first heady pint of Grolsch. Despite a strong smell of cow manure wafting across site (rumoured to have been laid down by an angry neighbouring farmer), four hours of Nina Kraviz dropping disco, Italo and boogie at the Selectors stage was the perfect start. From Charlie’s ‘Spacer Woman’ to ‘Apples On The Snow’ by Russia's own Mamurov, it was fascinating to see Kraviz push herself with records you’ve probably never heard her play before. LAR

But she wasn’t finished there. Kraviz was one of a select few DJs to play multiple sets when she popped up by surprise at the Boiler Room stage early on day two. What ensued was an hour of power featuring swerving cuts like Drewsky’s ‘Wigged Out’ and ‘Twi Lite’ by Freestyle Orchestra as well as some trademark acid and techno. The perfect energy boost. LAR