Find local news in Kent

Home   Romney Marsh   News   Article

Connected Festival to return to Lydd Airport for May Bank Holiday weekend

13:03, 08 April 2022

updated: 13:34, 08 April 2022

Thousands of people are expected to descend on a Kent airport for a dance festival this month.

Connected Festival was first launched in 2019 in the hope of bringing back the nostalgia of raves at Lydd Airport in the 90s.

Connected Festival will return to Lydd Airport this month. Picture: Dan Desborough
Connected Festival will return to Lydd Airport this month. Picture: Dan Desborough

The 2019 event saw 6,500 people party for 12 hours from 6pm to 6am the next morning, dancing to acts such as So Solid Crew, Andy C, Wilkinson, Problem Central and many more.

Following a two year break, the festival will return to the Romney Marsh airport on Saturday, April 30 - the first day of the May Bank Holiday weekend.

There will be five stages - offering a selection of Drum and Bass, House, UK Garage and old school club classics - and capacity for 10,000 revellers.

Acts due to perform include Nathan Dawe, Hybrid Minds, Kings of the Rollers, Sigma, Sub Focus, Artful Dodger, Danny Howard, DJ EZ, Wideboys and So Solid Crew.

Rohan Mulvaney, managing director of Connected Event Management, said: "Having successfully launched in 2019, the Connected Festival debut year saw generations come together as over 6,500 ravers danced through the night at the iconic Lydd Airport.

Thousands attended the party in 2019. Dan Desborough
Thousands attended the party in 2019. Dan Desborough

"The festival goers joined forces to generate an electric atmosphere, the stage production and music was on point to establish Kent's biggest dance music festival, one to remember for generations.

"The support from the Romney Marsh community for the 2019 event was unbelievable.

"Following a long break in 2020 and looking past the global challenges in 2021, Connected Festival will return to its home, partnering with Lydd Airport on May Bank Holiday to kick off the festival season in 2022.

"This year’s event will be a one day event hosting the biggest artists from the Drum and Bass, House, UK Garage and Old School Club Classics!"

The airport is expected to be transformed once again for the festival, with stages, tents, bars, food stalls and toilets set up on the grass close to the runway.

Parking and shuttle buses from Ashford are also being organised.

Luther actor Idris Elba will be performing a DJ set at Dream Valley. Picture: Harald Krichel
Luther actor Idris Elba will be performing a DJ set at Dream Valley. Picture: Harald Krichel

The airport will remain live during the festival.

Connected starts at 11am, and finishes at midnight.

Tickets start at £45. Visit here.

A second dance festival is being held at the airport, also known as the Lydd London Ashford Airport, next month.

Dream Valley, which will see more than 100 acts perform over seven stages, will welcome music fans on Saturday, May 28.

It was originally due to take place at Danson Park, near Bexley, before being moved to Lydd.

Luther actor Idris Elba will perform a DJ set at the gig.

Artists Basement Jaxx, Roger Sanchez and Charlie Hedges will also make an appearance.

This site uses cookies. By continuing to browse the site you are agreeing to our use of cookies - Learn More