The big one: Gatecrasher Sound System previewed

United Kingdom | by Daniel Fahey21 May 2008

What is it?

The Summer Sound System is choice selection of over 200 of the best electronic DJs and live acts joining together for a massive May Bank Holiday party. All the artists are handpicked by the one of the world's most influential and infamous clubs - Gatecrasher.

When and where?

It all kicks off this Saturday (24 May) at Turweston Aerodrome, Northamptonshire and runs through until Sunday (25  May) giving revellers that extra bit of time to recover on the Bank Holiday Monday. But you won't feel like you've wasted the extended weekend as you join up to 60,000 festival-goers to see 200 DJs and 20 live acts performing over 20 arenas.

Five to watch

The Prodigy – Saturday (Live Stage) – Loud big beat ravers return to the festival scene to show the latest upstarts how dance music really should rock.

808 State – Sunday (20 Years of Acid House Stage) – The acid house pioneers will be on hand to celebrate 20 years of the '90's defining genre. Bound to include their anthem 'Pacific State'.

Crystal Castles – Sunday (Live Stage) – Breaking Canadian electro-punk duo that sound like your little sister taking her revenge out on your Atari.

Roni Size Reprazent – Saturday (Drum n Bass Arena) – The DnB don returns with his latest version of his Mercury Prize winning album 'New Forms', re-rubbing the classic and bringing it up-to-date. Relive 1997 in all it's glory.

Dizzee Rascal – Sunday (Metropolis) – A chance to escape from the barrage of dance with some East London grime and plenty of naughty words.

One to miss

The Count and Siden – Saturday (Electric Stew) – Remember the scrawny kid that continued to sing 'I Know A Song That Will Get On Your Nerves…' even after you’d nipple-wrenched until he cried? This duo and their irritating 'Get Me On My Beeper' track is the aural version. And who even has beepers these days? They’re not doctors.

Playing a rare UK festival date

Gram'ma Funk – Saturday (Fantazia House Outdoor Stage) – Disco house and electronica chanteuse that sang on Groove Armada's 'I See You Baby (Shaking That Ass)' is set to funk out over the weekend.

Inside tip

Laidback Luke – Saturday (Cement) – Dutch DJ and producer who jumps through house, techno, electro and minimal beats without ever dropping the big room feel.

Worst clash

The Chemical Brothers (Live Stage) Vs Justice (Turbo Presents) – It's the big beat brothers against the rock-electro duo. It's the established versus the emerging. It's the hundred years war. Go for the tried and tested Chems with their unbelievable lightshow.

Be at Gatecrasher Summer Sound System if you like

Dance in all of its electronic exquisiteness, lightshows that’ll blow the National Grid, supersonic fairground rides and, by the looks of it, two-days of glowing sunshine!

Avoid if you hate

Repetitive beats, day-glow clothes with furry boots, staying up all night and people generally 'Avin' it!

Festival tactics

Get plenty of sleep before you even arrive because it's going to feel like a long weekend. Once you're there take a history lesson at the 20 Years of Acid House Stage before slowly dancing your way tent-by-tent to the back of the site to watch the big boys - The Chemical Brothers and The Prodigy.

Fashionista or folky?

A festival for the fashionistas of 1992 with plenty of dungarees, baggy tees, bright colours and more grinning than a packet of McCain Smiles – there won't be an acoustic guitar in sight.

Alcohol of choice

Vodka and Red Bull. A kick to keep those dancing legs moving as the night moves on and a bit of the Russian stuff to make sure you're warm enough as the sun disappears.

Take your mum score

3/10. Unless she was a cheesy quaver herself back in the day it's best to leave her at home. It'll be too loud and she'll think that all the songs "sound the same," plus she may be scared when a gurning youngster wants to give her a hug.

Can I still get tickets?

Yes, weekend tickets will set you back £115, while day tickets cost £59.50 each with VIP weekend on sale for £155. Click HERE to buy.