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Connected Festival returns to Lydd Airport this Saturday with So Solid Crew playing

12:50, 27 April 2022

updated: 14:11, 27 April 2022

Work has started to transform an airport ahead of a dance festival this weekend.

Artists from the world of drum and bass, house and garage will take to the stage at Connected Festival on Saturday.

Work has started to transform Lydd Airport for Connected Festival. Picture: Rohan Mulvaney
Work has started to transform Lydd Airport for Connected Festival. Picture: Rohan Mulvaney

Old school club classics will be blasted from speakers during the party, being held at Lydd Airport on Romney Marsh.

Over the next few days members of the team will be busy putting in place the tents, sound systems, lighting and bar to ready the airfield for guests, with work already started to erect some of the tents.

Acts will perform across four stages - and a fifth in the VIP section - with up to 10,000 people able to attend.

Saturday's party will be the second Connected Festival at the airport, following its debut in 2019.

That first event saw 6,500 people party through the night for 12 hours, from 6pm to 6am, dancing to acts such as So Solid Crew, Andy C, Wilkinson, Problem Central and more.

Four main stages and a fifth VIP one will be established for the festival
Four main stages and a fifth VIP one will be established for the festival

Covid saw the festival take a two-year break, but it is now back, and has been brought forward so revellers can party from noon to midnight, with gates opening at 11am.

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

Rohan Mulvaney, managing director of Connected Event Management, said: "We want everyone to have a big party and to also kick off the festival season this Saturday.

"It will feel more like a festival this year, with the stages moved to the grass area and taking place in the day.

"Sales have rocketed in the last few days, and we're expecting 6,000 people to attend."

Thousands of people attended the festival in 2019. Picture: Dan Desborough
Thousands of people attended the festival in 2019. Picture: Dan Desborough

Discounted and group tickets are still available to buy online.

The inspiration behind Connected was to relive the nostalgia of raves at Lydd Airport in the 90s.

Mr Mulvaney added: “Having successfully launched in 2019, the Connected Festival debut saw generations come together as over 6,500 ravers danced through the night at the iconic Lydd Airport.

“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.

“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 will remain live on the day
The airport will remain live on the day

Food stalls, a bar and toilets will also be put in place. Parking and shuttle buses from Ashford are also organised.

The airport will remain live during the festival.

For tickets, visit here.

A second dance festival is also being held at the 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.

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