Creamfields has kicked off in Cheshire, but the legendary dance festival has undergone a transformation, welcoming a fully equipped gymnasium for the first time ever this year. Known for its hedonistic escape from reality since it first started in 1998, the festival now lists yoga, jigsaw sessions, sound baths and even “disco pilates” among its new additions.
From hedonism to health
The festival, which began as a one-day annual event run by Liverpool nightclub Cream, is famed for bringing the best in electronic music and attracting revellers out for a good time. Taking place over the August bank holiday weekend, the four-day event is widely considered the ultimate end-of-summer knees-up. However, over the years, it has seen drug-related deaths and a series of violent brawls.
The annual festival has taken steps to stamp out rampant drug use, with Cheshire police heavily policing site entry with a zero-tolerance policy on weapons and drugs. This week, police dug up a “sizeable” drug haul buried underground at the festival site in Cheshire.
Yoga and disco pilates
As well as live performances from Faithless and Underworld, and global legends including Calvin Harris, Carl Cox and Martin Garrix, there will also be fitness, wellness and sport facilities as part of the festival’s Downtown Village. Disco Pilates, yoga, bodyweight workouts and meditation are all on offer.
The Hot Curl Pilates Studio promotes on Instagram: “Hot Curl Pilates Studio takes over the Downtown area for an unforgettable weekend of high-energy instructor-led classes to get you feeling your best for the day ahead. Expect everything from our signature Disco Pilates to special Creamfields classics, inspire classes, energising bodyweight sessions, feel good stretch workouts and more!”
Sound baths and padel courts
The festival is also offering sound baths, a meditative experience where revellers let waves of sound wash over them. For centuries, many cultures – including Tibetan and Buddhist traditions – have used sound to ease pain, calm the mind, and support healing. Today’s sound baths use a mix of ancient and modern instruments, including singing bowls, gongs, tuning forks, bells or didgeridoos.
For a UK festival first, padel courts will be available at Creamfields, giving festival goers the chance to experience the world’s fastest-growing racket sport in the heart of Downtown. The Sunrise Strip will house the Creamfields Gymnasium and, for the first time, there will be two padel courts. The racquet sport, which combines elements of tennis and squash, is usually played in doubles and is fast becoming one of the UK’s most popular sports.
Darts, jigsaws and colouring books
There is also an introduction of a brand-new darts tournament at the festival. Chase The Bull – Darts Challenge brings “big-game energy” to Creamfields, with party people encouraged to “step up to the oche”. In this “supercharged take on a classic”, revellers will chance their arm at the iconic darts showdown at the Pavilion Darts League.
As part of its new wellness offerings, including pilates sessions, yoga, meditation and sound baths, there will also be a ‘sensory corner’ at Creamfields, featuring jigsaws and colouring books as the iconic dance event tries to retreat from the past hedonism of the festival.
