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Junction 2
Boston Manor Park, London
A TECHNO festival under the M4 motorway may sound unconventional, but it's actually a nod to Britain's illegal rave tradition of the 1980s and '90s, when DJs were forced to perform in all manner of out-of-the-way places.
Junction 2 seeks to recapture that vibe, does so remarkably well and its Bridge Stage, hosted by Adam Beyer's Drumcode label, has garnered legendary status. The stage has always hosted the big man himself alongside other techno heavyweights, from Carl Craig to Ben Klock.
This year it's Carl Cox, who for the first time ever performs a back-to-back set with Beyer. Cox, who has always defied the looking-cool DJ persona, is grinning from ear to ear while making the odd shout out to the crowd. Their set, amid some impressive lasers at the back of the stage, is one to remember.
Another major highlight, and it's a shame her set clashed with the headliners, is Russian DJ Nina Kraviz. She performs at the huge outside arena The Hex and the techno goddess's set is impressive enough to even pull people away from Cox and Beyer.
Elsewhere, The Woods stage, on the small side for the crowds it pulls, hosts the likes of Joy Orbison, while The Warehouse tent — think Glastonbury festival's Block 9 but without the Tube train smashing through the fifth floor — features, among others, Berlin's Len Faki and a great three-way set from LSD (Luke Slater, Steve Bicknell and Dave Sumner aka Function), and The Pavilion has a six-hour set with Dixon and Ame.
All in all, this is arguably the best techno festival in London — Junction 2 is the one to beat.
