Proof that the annual Singleton Park pilgrimage for every caner in South Wales will go ahead regardless of entertainment on offer was evident for Saturday’s Escape Into The Park. A lack of anyone exciting (unless you count Eric ‘Call On Me’ Prydz) in the headline slot on the main stage meant the festival was at its sparsest name-wise since its inception, but that didn’t stop the best part of 25,000 clubbers parting with their hard-earned.

You have to wonder what day-trippers and locals think of the swathes of fluorescent-clad lasses and topless heathens chanting and swigging cans of Carling as they swagger through one of Swansea’s beauty spots pre-noon. But beyond the pools of puke and scallies pissing in the bushes lies a chemical-fuelled nirvana of hedonistic rave under a blue sky.

Early sets from local heroes Big Al and Neil Navarra set a tidy pace at the main stage and Godskitchen vs Polysexual arena, while Lamerica’s VIP takeover made for a nice retreat at which to get served quickly and grab a pew. Not many threw themselves into Norman Jay’s drum ‘n’ bass openings mind, but he soon settled into the classic house sound that has earned him an MBE, and the movers and shakers came.

Area of the day had to be the Raveology corner way up on the hill, where an intimate stage was dwarfed by the hordes of d’n’b faithful who expressed their appreciation for storming sets from High Contrast, Chase & Status and Andy C.

It’s nice to think that those present consider the music and craic to outweigh the big names, but when the ticket prices are the same as previous years (£60 for VIP) it would be nice to know where the beans are being spent. If money’s no object for you, tickets for EITP 2010 have already gone on sale.

Words: Ryan Heeger