June 19, 2000 9:51

[b]SUN AND FOOTBALL WIN BUOYS FESTIVAL GOERS[/b]

The Sheffield superclub moves south and outside...

The second GATECRASHER SUMMER SOUNDSYSTEM took place on Saturday (June 17) at Turweston Park in Oxfordshire to the kind of weather festival promoters can only dream about.

Temperatures soared to over 30 degrees, bringing the dayglow massive out in their thousands to party.

Running from 2pm-6am, the five tents hosted appearances by all the Gatecrasher favourites - DJ's such as Paul Oakenfold, Judge Jules and Paul Van Dyk - along with a more eclectic selection such as Goldie, James Lavelle and Cassius.

The glorious sunshine meant that the Radio One Outdoor Stage was a huge success with their live broadcast. Other success stories of the afternoon included John Kelly's full-to-bursting set in the Gatecrasher Arena, and a floor-pounding set from hard house stalwart Rob Tissera.

England's success in the football - broadcast on the big screens - buoyed the mood even further, while a last-minute replacement for a late Dave Pearce created a full-on acid house frenzy as the sun went down. The two Pauls (Oakenfold and Van Dyk) were given a predictably riotous reception over in the Gatecrasher Arena, while Sasha and DJ partner John Digweed proved yet again why their names are held in such reverance, holding court both in the Gatecrasher Arena and in the more underground Progressive Arena.

Yet, while this was undoubtedly a day in which trance and hard house emerged as victors, the more eclectic tents still managed to hold their own. The house-tinged Bed Arena held a healthy crowd all night with French types Cassius deserving a special mention, and although the daytime trip-hop schedule was poorly attended, Goldie and Grooverider went down a storm later on in the Metalheadz Arena.