When Outlook announced that the 2022 edition of the festival would be held in the UK, we all raised an eyebrow or two. But after taking a look at that outrageous line-up, we decided we couldn’t be happier that the festival is taking place on home turf, just an hour down the road no less! Here’s a preview of what’s to come next week.
For the first time in its 14 years running, Outlook is ditching the sunny shores of Croatia for the quaint countryside at Cholmondeley Castle, Cheshire. The festival starts on Thursday 30th June, commencing a four-day long celebration of sound system culture, where the biggest names in bass-heavy music will come together in one field. Outlook is renowned for its unique programming and commitment to keeping things authentically underground, and it looks like this year’s edition will not disappoint.
(Photo: Callum Chaplin, 2019)
The opening day line-up alone, is huge. Giants of the UK dance scene, Hessle Audio and Rupture, will each be taking over a stage to mark their 15-years of filling dancefloors. Meanwhile, Drum & Bass royalty – Calibre, is headlining the main stage, with Al Wootton closing for ZamZam sounds. Things don’t let up from there, with the big talk of Friday being whether Skream will deliver a highly anticipated Dubstep set, as he did at Coachella earlier this year. It’s safe to say that if he does, it will blow the metaphorical roof off. Highlights on Saturday include Mungo’s Hi Fi and Keep Hush takeovers, with Kode9 and Yung Singh on the bill for the latter. Not to mention, the likes of Shy One and LCY heading up the Pretty Weird stage. Sunday sees Fabio & Grooverider headline the main stage with The Outlook Orchestra, and night-time festivities close out in style with arguably the UK’s hottest DJ right now – Batu.
Sound system heavyweights Channel One and Iration Steppas will undoubtably bring their usual fire, but it’s only right we give a special shout out to Sheffield’s own Sinai Sound System. They’ve got 42.5kw of RMS sub & bass ready, which they’ve been working on for the last year and is sure to make the ground rumble.
As well as the music, there’s a whole host of workshops, talks, cinema and delicious food, providing wholesome entertainment for those breaks between dancing. And if you’re missing the beaches of Tisno, fear not! There’s a lake by the castle that’s open all weekend for swimming, so don’t forget your bathing suit!
