EDC UK: What went down at the EDM spectacular

Two giant owls greet festival-goers as they enter the Milton Keynes Bowl for the third EDC. This one dayer is, of course, the UK version of the long-running Stateside fest; probably the nearest we have over here to a full on US-style EDM spectacular. So in the main arena punters are regularly deluged in streamers and ticker tape, there are leaping fountains, fireworks and a stage set that appears to be based on the Emerald City from the Wizard of Oz (plus those owls). As a spectacle it's undeniably impressive, but as an event remarkably relaxed - everywhere you look there are girls (and some blokes) with flowers in their hair.

Music-wise, away from the main arena there are three other stages broadly supplying breaks/bass, house and trance. By dusk the exit poll results are clear - Pendulum are greeted as returning heroes whilst Paul Van Dyk and Art Department play to a smaller but equally dedicated crowd. Everyone else, though, has left for the main stage and Tiësto, who delivers exactly what is required, sending arms skyward and most of us into the night with broad grins on our faces.

Best Thing: Watching the owls' eyes light up as dusk approached and Dimitri Vegas & Like Mike finished their set in the main arena. Beautiful, if a little bit freaky.

What could have been better: Steve Aoki: Endless exhortations to "make some motherfuckin' noise" and whilst we might be on the cusp of a 90s revival do we really need to hear 'Wonderwall' and 'I Like To Move It'?

Surprise hit: The pair of giant inflatable teeth that everybody at some point ends up taking a selfie in front of.

Tune Of The Festival: Hardwell 'United We Are' - The point, early in Tiësto's set, when any doubts you had of whether he'd storm it went out the window. That's why he's been at the top of this game for so long.

[Photo Credit: Jake West for Insomniac]