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Junction 2 Festival 2024: A Three-Day Odyssey of Beats, Sunshine, and Overpriced Vodka
The annual Junction 2 festival descended upon Boston Manor Park once again, gracing us with three days of unrelenting beats, sunburns, and that unmistakable aroma of overpriced Vodka. Yes, we journeyed through the highs, lows, and the delicious absurdities of this techno extravaganza to bring you this review.
Day 1: Friday – The Bridge, the Grid, and the Woodland Escape
Our Friday adventure began with a frustratingly familiar foe: London traffic. We arrived late thanks to the sheer volume of cars on the M25, a stark reminder of why driving in London is akin to willingly participating in a slow-moving parade of misery. If only teleportation were a thing!
We kicked off at The Bridge with the kind of energy that only a Camelphat-induced bridge party could muster. Yes, you read that right. The Bridge was absolutely heaving, like a techno Titanic but without the iceberg. Camelphat closed down the night, proving once again that they are the undisputed kings of making you question whether you’ve danced yourself into another dimension.
Meanwhile, over at The Grid, Paul Kalkbrenner delivered a live set so intense, it felt like he was summoning the techno gods themselves. Fearful? Maybe. Electrifying? Absolutely. Kalkbrenner had the crowd in the palm of his hand, or maybe it was the other way around.
And let’s not forget Ahmed Spins over at, who serenaded the woodland creatures with a set so smooth it almost convinced us that getting lost in the woods was all part of the plan. It was the perfect respite between stages, unless, of course, you prefer your raving with a side of mosquito bites. The shorts didn't help.
Photo credit: RobJones @hirobjones @khromacollective_0948
But before we dive deeper, a round of applause for the festival organizers is due. Getting into Junction 2 was a breeze. No standing around for hours, no dealing with grumpy security – just a smooth, efficient entry process that felt more like a VIP experience than a festival queue. A special shoutout to the security at the entrance, especially the one wielding a megaphone with comical effect. His hilarious narration of the ravers entering the festival ensured everyone started their experience with a smile on their face. The security team was one of the best we’ve encountered – engaging, entertaining, and genuinely adding to the atmosphere.
Once inside, the bars were staffed by an army of bartenders who ensured that even at peak times, you never waited more than a few minutes for a drink. The festival gods were smiling upon us!
Photo credits: RobJones @hirobjones @khromacollective
Day 2: Saturday – Legends, Masters, and an Embarrassment of Riches
Saturday was a veritable buffet of electronic excellence throughout the day. Over at The Bridge, Adam Beyer and Amelie Lens went back to back, creating a techno synergy so potent it probably altered the Earth's magnetic field. The Dome, hiding coyly behind The Grid, witnessed Reinier Zonneveld’s live afternoon performance that can only be described as a masterclass in how to melt faces with music.
Jeff Mills took to The Grid stage and cemented his legendary status with a set that had the crowd eating out of his hands – which, by the way, is much more sanitary than it sounds. The FABRIC 25 tent, celebrating a quarter-century of making us dance till we drop, hosted Rene Wise, who delivered beats so futuristic they made my smartwatch feel obsolete. DVS1 and DJ Nobu's back-to-back set was another highlight, serving up serious futuristic vibes that made missing Richie Hawtin's Dome-closing set a minor tragedy. But hey, you can't have it all, can you?
Let’s also not forget the strategic gem that was The Woods stage. A perfect escape between the major stages, The Woods offered a serene yet exhilarating refuge. If you needed a break from the main action (or just wanted to pretend you were a woodland raver), it was the place to be.
Photo Credit: JakeDavis_@jakephilipdavis_@khromacollective
Day 3: Sunday – Early Risers and Electrifying Closures
Sunday morning came and with it, the shocking revelation that my bed had not, in fact, caught fire. I was merely up early enough to catch B.Love’s set at the Fabric 25 stage, playing to the brave souls who were determined to squeeze every last drop out of their weekend tickets.
Fabric Residents Anna Wall and Bobby electrified the early afternoon opening set, proving that the party doesn’t start until they say so. Over at The Bridge, TSHA’s performance was a whirlwind of energy that kept the crowd buzzing. We closed our weekend at The Grid with ANOTR, who manipulated the crowd with the precision of puppet masters, leading up to The Martinez Brothers, who ended the festival with the kind of grand style that makes you forget you have work on Monday.
Photo Credit: SiennaGray_@siennalorrainegray_@khromacollective
Francesco Del Garda’s enchanting set at The Woods stage was the perfect soundtrack to a sunny, hazy Sunday afternoon. It was a pity we only caught a snippet due to the early stage closing, but it was enough to remind us that sometimes, magic happens in the briefest moments.
In conclusion, Junction 2 was a whirlwind of beats, sun, and unity among electronic music aficionados. The easy entry and efficient bars were the unsung heroes of the weekend, ensuring that the focus remained on the music and not on logistical nightmares (which to be fair, there were not). It was a three-day orgy of the best electronic beats anywhere in the world, a true testament to the power of music to bring people together. We can’t wait to see what next year holds. The dates are set, and consider this your official warning: be there or be nowhere. Or worse, be stuck reading about it while sipping on a subpar Vodka at home.
Photo credits: RobJones @hirobjones @khromacollective
JUNCTON 2 RETURNS 25TH - 27TH OF JULY 2025 STAY TUNED FOR UPDATES.
