WINCHESTER was transported to Ibiza last night with a dance party like no other.
I wasn’t quite sure what to expect when arriving at the Ibiza Orchestra Experience, at North Walls Recreation Ground, but the atmosphere did not disappoint.
With Winchester only having one proper club, Vodka, which has been closed since May for a refurbishment, this was the party local ravers were craving.
The crowd is pumped and ready for #IbizaOrchestra tonight at North Walls Recreation Ground pic.twitter.com/fGMOinoLkb
— Adele Bouchard (@adele_bouchard) August 18, 2023
There were three areas with the main arena, disco dome and silent disco – which was hilarious and joyous to watch as people belted out their favourite classics (which people without headphones on couldn’t hear the music too), oblivious to the rest of the world.
It was magical to see everyone, young and old, bopping along to dance anthems and throwing their hands in the air.
READ MORE: 21 photos from the Ibiza Orchestra Experience in Winchester
Umbrella hats at the ready (Image: Adele Bouchard)
As well as music, there were plenty of bars and food vendors as well as a stall for ‘event essentials’ which included umbrella hats and ponchos to help keep people dry, with the rain coming out more as the event went on.
We opted for an ice cream, which was delicious and a great way to cool down in between all the dancing. However, long gone are the days when a 99 Flake would actually cost 99p as we paid a whopping £5 each for our ice cream cups.
Ice cream at the Ibiza Orchestra Experience (Image: Adele Bouchard)
But I feel like when you’re at an event or festival or event like this it’s easier to loosen the purse strings to immerse yourself in the full experience as I’m sure people will be doing at the Sausage and Cider Festival today at North Walls (August 19) – as hosted by the same organisers.
After an ice cream and a sit down on a slightly damp picnic blanket underneath my umbrella we moved closer to the stage as former JLS member Marvin Humes made his Winchester debut. He brought out all the crowd pleasers before finishing with his new track ‘Put Your Hands Up’.
Next at the main arena, was what everyone had been waiting for – the Ibiza Orchestra, a 26-piece orchestra with two star vocalists and a DJ performing alongside them.
The crowd erupted as the orchestra played their first notes, with screens either side of the sage allowing even people at the back to see them up close.
SEE ALSO: Sausage and Cider Festival reveals Winchester line-up
Ibiza Orchestra (Image: Adele Bouchard)
The group performed an incredible set including tracks from producers and DJs such as such as 808 State, Massive Attack, Ian Van Dahl, Daft Punk, Robert Miles, Energy 52, Tiesto, Fatboy Slim, Prodigy, Candi Staton and Faithless
The atmosphere was electric, with the light beams flashing across the field. Admittedly, you couldn’t hear the orchestra as much as I was hoping but nevertheless, the combination of the amazing vocalists, DJ, string and horn sections created a sound like nothing I’d ever heard before, with different instruments shining through on different songs.
I’d recommend the Ibiza Orchestra Experience for anyone looking for an elevated night out, with dance and house classics performed in real-life surround sound.
The rest of the tour is sold out as the tour moves on to Telford, Warwick and Exeter next. Tickets are still available for the Sausage and Cider Festival, open today from 2pm-11pm at North Walls Recreation Ground. To book go to sausageandciderfest.co.uk/winchester.
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