For such an iconic event in Europe, my first impression of Creamfields was a slight let down in Perth. Having been bouncing off the walls on the way to said event, eagerly anticipating a dance fest like no other, I must admit feeling a bit disapointed when I realised the festival had been crammed into a corner of the Claremont Showgrounds with no real flavour to the festivities. Rather than the wacky carnival-type atmosphere expected, I found myself surrounded by a horde of skantily clad teenagers all vying for a spot on the small sections of grass around the place. But then first impressions aside I soon got into the swing of things as I purchased a handful of drink tickets then bought a Creamfields bandana in the spirit of things.

From then it was game on. I downed a few drinks, slipped on my oversized red sunglasses and hurled myself into the rave pit. I don't have any idea who was playing or what time it was but that first half an hour was better than any nightclub with the atmosphere hot and heavy all round. As my white sneakers got steadily blacker I realised what had seemed like a neverending beat had actually seen a changeover in acts. The transition from one act to another was faultless. A nice change from waiting 20 minutes between live acts. Most of the crowd barely had time to catch their breath before the next round of DJs raged a full onslaught.

Out on the grass for a drink break I noticed the effort and thought some had put into their festival outfits. Leg fluffies, sequins, tutus and a lesbian couple dressed as bumble bees caught my attention, along with several people in head-to-toe spandex. Naturally I forced these people to have their photo taken with me. I like to seem cool like that. There were also a couple of guys sporting venom masks in the outdoor stage mosh. Just in case they were the Bloody Beetroots out in cognito I snapped myself with the duo.

The first act of mention for me was Zelimir. Being that I never expected to make it to the festival quite so early, I actually don't know much about Zelimir. I tried to wikipedia Zelimir and I still know nothing. Regardless, the guy packed enough punch in his act to inspire some enthusiasm for the slow-to-start festival. Kid Sister was up next. In fact you couldn't fail to notice the group of badder than thou hip hoppers as they cohorted around the stage. So needless to say I was right in the middle of it krumping. It was totally fun. Green Velvet took to the stage at 3.15pm. It was at this point, while I was bouncing around doing my super cool dance moves, that my boyfriend dragged me outside for a drink break. He said I was wearing myself out with another seven hours to go. I'm sure he was just jealous of my moves. So anyway I didn't catch much of this act. In fact we spent most of our time waiting in line for the toilet until the epic Dirty South were due on stage. I will mention however that the toilets were the only lines that bothered me. Lines for food, drinks and merch were amazingly dealt with in comparison to some of the bigger summer festivals. So a big thumbs up to the organisers for that one, it certainly made the day a pleasure.

So yes Dirty South saw me back in the pit again. A few trancy figures and some bassier tracks were all I needed to get back into it. By the time LMFAO took to the stage most of the early comers were well and truly exhausted. There seemed to be a mass movement of shattered dancers moving outside for air while large groups of new arrivals were filing in to check out the talent. I was being dragged outside for another drink break but I'd heard a lot about LMFAO so I chose to stick around for at least the first song to see what the fuss was about. Turns out I don't like LMFAO. But then I've never been a fan of vocal synthesisers. But not being their hugest fan didn't stop me from returning about midway through their set to get my dance on again.

When MSTRKRFT took to the stage they brought every bit of gusto that has brought them to the forefront of the dance era for the past five years. The toronto duo busted out some wicked remixes that for the life of me I can't remember. All I know is the duo got on with things and put out 100 percent in showmanship despite the two-way traffic that had begun again with non-fans of MSTRKRFT vacating the area as others entered. It did seem to be the venue itself that made the big transitions of crowds quite aparant. Anyway, at this point many had noticed the couple of posters tacked up around the place announcing headliner Steve Angello's cancellation from the bill - a discrepancy on the lineup sheets handed out. So Ferry Corsten was left to pick up the heat and put out an extra-long two-hour trance effectively putting the entire crowd into a stupor. Big chunks of crowds at the back ended up sitting for it, essentially waiting it out until the almight Bloody Beetroots would take to the stage. Don't get me wrong though, the trancy tunes were out of this world. But it was an effort. A real effort.

The Bloody Beetroots were soon up for the count and they certainly upped the ante on the festival. Not just because they were the headliner, but because for once it wasn't a couple of djs pressing the stop-start button behind a sound desk. Clad in leather jackets and venom masks, the beetroots rocked out with their full band Death Crew77. The vibe being put out from that stage plastered a permanent grin on faces as punters jumped as high as they could to the tracks that have haunted the dance floors for the past year. Unusually hit track Warp was jammed into the middle of the set and for obvious reasons we didn't hear Awesome, but regardless the show was the diamond of the lineup. So good that I abandoned my friends to hear the set through to the end despite their wishes to leave early and beat the crowds.

Creamfields wasn't particularly the magical experience I had expected, but it certainly brought something different to the mix of festivals. Personally I'm not complaining about having a major festival to look forward to in May when you'd typically be bunking down for the winter. The Robinson Pavillion wasn't the ideal venue but it retrospect at least it was a sensible move for any possible weather conditions. Next year lets cross our fingers for Creamfields to be every bit as wonderous as the festival's appearance in the Eastern States.

By Nikkita Dixon