A Look back in time, the outdoor illegal best promoters of the early 00s

LIQUID CONNECTIVE 2003

Friday 16th May saw the 3rd Birthday Gathering of Liquid Connective, the multi-media arts and music organisiation. The event, held in the beautiful Kent countryside, also coincided with the full moon lunar eclipse that had taken place earlier that morning. A unique gathering of creative minds and like-spirited beings celebrating their joy of life. The scene for the party was Lyminge Forest, a vast pine-forest near Folkestone, where a few years previously some 4000 protesters clashed with corporate entertainment’s giant Rank, whose plan it had been to turn this place of natural beauty into an artificial family stimulation holiday centre or holiday park. A liquid connective event is not just a rave or party, it is a holistic approach to gatherings - catering for all - in the healing environment of Mother Nature. What more could you ask for? Quality production and International artists in a breathtaking setting, all for a five pound donation!

The Liquid Connective have been involved in various parties in the underground psychedelic scene in the UK, Europe and South Africa; and have been involved from the early days of the ‘conscious partying’ movement and fluffy squat parties to high-spec productions at some of London’s more established venues with Tip World and many of the high flyers on the international circuit. But by far the most favoured experience is the magic found in the outdoor epics that the crew have been organising with Solar Soundstages, Conscious Cinemas, huge Psy-trance stages, live bands and complete madness scattered through some of the most beautiful sites you might find in the British countryside. The set up for Liquid’s 3rd Birthday was as fantastic as ever. Five spaces beautifully decorated, each one hosting a varied and vibrant line-up. ID Spiral were parked up with their double-decker solar powered cinema; the Photon Generator Solar Stage powered the Liquid Lounge chill out area, Project Ozma had brought a system to add supportive back-beats and various musicians performed in the new live acoustic tent.
Last minute problems with the late arrival of the main generator leaving the party without it’s main sound system and the Police blockading the forest, managed to make a dent on what was set to be a terrific night.
But, where there’s a will to dance there’s a way and all was recovered when the psy-trance stage switched to a smaller system where party-goers were treated with delights from Shakta, Rinkadink, Fatali, Shane Gobi, Aphid Moon and many of the Liquid DJs. At night, the forest was lit-up with fire performers and jugglers. Many colourful circus people and stilt walkers also graced the woods; a marvellous scene and start to the summer - a truly magnificent and magical event which will never be forgotten. The Liquid Connective are already working on the next big event, an evolution of last year’s 36 hour event; we are told to expect a three-day psychedelic event in late August showcasing some of the world’s finest acts, new Liquid artists from the Liquid Connective record label and stages from the UK’s underground and conscious partying scene.

There are also plans for a party in Portugal as well as a return visit to South Africa for the Annual Solstice Festival at Rustler’s Valley in December. Later in the year Liquid plan the launch of their long-awaited record label – keep your eyes and ears open for that!

Pictures by: Matthew Cameron Wilton and Glenn Dunwell