Top 10 Creamfields artists
- By Adam Holden -
- Aug 23, 2012
With marquee names pervaded across what seems every stage, Creamfields boasts a smorgasbord of disc jockeys that is the envy of every electronic music aficionado who is unable to attend this year’s Cheshire festival.
However, with so many artists on display, over a small timescale, it is a certain guarantee disc jockeys will clash and some will be overlooked, neglected or just simply missed. So which 10 should you definitely try and see?
10. Skream, feat SGT Pokes and Benga feat Youngman – Saturday – BBC Radio 1Xtra Stage
Skream and Begna, two thirds of dub step super group Magnetic Man will both be warming the stage before headliner Skrillex takes to the decks. It should be noted that Skream and Benga are not performing together at Creamfields, however, with the guys playing one after another, this will be a few hours of dub step heaven that is bound to make the hardcore bass followers weak in the knee.
9. John Digweed – Saturday – Pryda Friends Stage
One of the most experienced disc jockeys at the festival, Digweed has seen and witnessed pretty much everything there is to witness in the electronic world of house. Known for his progressive style, Digweed owns his own record label ‘Bedrock’ and works and produces the next generation of house DJ’s. His addiction to music is well known and is one of the DJ’s to survive from the old skool generation. There really aren’t many men or women out there who know there music as well as Digweed, which is evident in the occasional 14 hour set he can produce. Providing the penultimate slot on the Pryda stage for Eric Prydz, Digweed will be well worth a listen.
8. Nervo – Saturday – North Stage
Finding a female disc jockey is about as rare as Daft Punk playing in the UK (six years and counting). Finding a ‘pair’ of female disc jockeys is further more inconceivable. However, Nervo more than break the mould. The two twins, born in Australia have been writing and producing songs for Sony since they were 18, giving a helping hand in chart hits such as David Guetta and Kelly Rowlands collaborative hit ‘When Love Takes Over’. Mim and Liv Nervo seem to have the whole package, dressing like rock stars; they were originally models working for L’Oreal but have now began to pursue a career in spinning decks. At TomorrowLand this year, the duo was a surprise hit early in the day as thousands flocked to see them, so keep an ear or even an eye out for these attractive disc jockeys.
7. James Zabiela – Sunday – Mixmag All-stars Stage
Headlining the Mixmag All-stars stage is one thing; however, having electronic god Sasha refer to you as the guv’nor is another. Zabiela has that one trait that every DJ should possess. It sounds obvious and a specific requirement for disc jockey, but the man knows which tune to play at which time and how to mix it up; a skill that has been more than mastered by the man. Mixing his style of break beat and progressive house he frequently scratches over his tunes, a feat that is rarely seen anymore, especially in house music. Being brought into the industry by Sasha, this headline slot should not be one to be missed.
6. Tiesto – Sunday – Club Life South Stage
Tiesto is just simply the world’s biggest DJ, especially as Forbes magazine reported earlier this year that he had already banked over £14 million (the most for any DJ). However, on closer inspection, his pervaded behaviour is probably the reason why. Whether its 250,000 punters in Rio, packing out stadiums in the US of A or smashing clubs around Europe, Tiesto attracts crowds like no other. With numerous Grammy nominations, MTV awards and even a slot opening the 2004 Olympics, you’d be a fool to miss this headline set at Creamfields.
5. Axwell, Steve Angello and Sebastian Ingrosso – Sunday Club Life Stage – Saturday Size Matters Stage – Sunday South Stage Respectively
Yes, it is probably unfair on the three guys to group them together when they are playing individually throughout the weekend. However, with only ten slots available in this feature, it would further create anarchy if three slots were taken up by the guys who when morphed together create the Swedish House Mafia. Steve Angello headlines the Size Matters stage on Saturday night, which doubles as a record label in the real world and boasts an array of talent that includes the likes of AN21 and Max Vangeli (who play earlier in the day) Laidback Luke, Deadmau5 and Sander van Doorn (who are all present over the weekend). Ingrosso is a festival exclusive in the UK and his rise to fame over the last few years has been unprecedented, so be sure to catch his set before Avicii headlines the South Stage.
4. David Guetta – Saturday – North Stage
Headlining the North Stage on Saturday night is probably the most recognisable DJ in the world right now. Having worked with – well – basically everyone in the music industry, Guetta has sold millions and millions of records around the world working with the likes of the Black Eyed Peas, Akon and Kelly Rowland. He is seen as bridging the gap between pop and electronic music and frequently appears in the charts producing hits for many other artists. Having recently headlined TomorrowLand and pleasing the masses with his residency in Ibiza, Guetta is literally on top of the world at the moment, so be prepared for a set of classics.
3. Skrillex – Saturday – BBC Radio 1Xtra Stage
Like David Guetta, Skrillex is being touted as one of the major players in taking his unique blend of electro and dub step to the states and watching it blow up. At 24, the pint sized DJ has been through a lot, being forced to pursue home schooling due to bullying. However, it is Skrillex having the last laugh now, happily selling out festivals, arenas and theatres around the world making him the second most highly paid disc jockey in the world. With Skream and Benga on before, this is due to be stage where everyone will be getting low to the sound of dub.
2. Above and Beyond – Saturday – Cream Stage
With so much incredible trance on before them, it’s unfair not to mention the likes of Gareth Emery and Markus Schulz who will prepare the festival-goers for the emotional and hand-raising set of Group Therapy. Back by popular demand, the trio of Paav, Tony and Jono provide a unique show that tares through your emotions and brings them all to the surface in a way that no other artist can. From Beirut to Brixton, these guys know how to put on party. In 2007 on New Year’s Eve, they played in front of 1 million people on the beaches of Rio. Expect lots of lasers, hugs and hand rising moments in this epic set.
1. Deadmau5 – Sunday – North Stage
Joel Zimmerman, aka Deadmau5, is more than just a DJ, he is an electronic pioneer who even writes codes for his own musical software. To class he as just a disc jockey is truly unfair. The Canadian-born producer is a stadium-selling artist who is earning a hefty £7 million a year. His performances are likened more too live performances than actual DJ sets and it is why his name is seen as the marquee headliner to Creamfields, despite the stupendous amount of world class talent present at the festival. Headlining on Sunday and probably closing the festival, this is one not to be missed.
By Adam Holden.
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