After a two year hiatus, El Dorado festival returned to the beautiful grounds of Eastnor Castle Deer Park with its famous fancy dress and party extravaganza. The biggest edition to date, 2022 welcomed 12,000 festival goers and featured over 15 different venues across the site, including the new Vice City, a retro Miami inspired street with 6 immersive venues and even a Blue Tit salon delivering the best hair styles in town.

El Dorado’s opening night saw emblematic acts including Craig Charles conducting his usual mastery of soul and funk at the packed Cirque Du Soul stage. Elsewhere and to warm up the site, Lulah Franc’s high energy set kept the masses in awe for two hours straight at the El Paradisco tent.

The sun came up on Friday and the sound systems across the festival were on point. Mind blowing performances of the day included the 160 beats per minute mix of jungle, footwork and D’n’B by Sherelle. Performing tunes from his recent album ‘Reason to Smile’, Kojey Radical had the crowd singing along chorus after chorus followed by Shy FX delivering a powerful set of D’n’B.

It was clear that love was in the air during the whole weekend but especially on Saturday when festival goers became witnesses to a very special proposal at the top of the Motel Dorado. Highly awaited and super(styling) heroes of the night, Groove Armada came in with a live full band performance with their classic anthems as part of their last ever tour, the atmosphere was wild! Other highlights included iconic dj sets by Yung Singh, Prospa and the never disappointing mix of reggae and dancehall by David Rodigan.

Sunday and the last day of the festival saw a stellar performance from Björn Again during the evening sunshine ending on a high with Dancing Queen. At 5pm the crowd exploded into a ginger flash mob organised by festival goers; while at Motel Dorado the hoedown was taken over by unicorn cowboys. Earth, Wind & Fire Experience ft Al Mckay closed the main stage with a throwback to their glorious mix of jazz, R&B, soul, funk and disco. In the early hours of the morning, dubstep legend Skream closed the event with one of the best performances of the whole weekend leaving the crowd asking for more.

Other highlights of the weekend –

A double rainbow over the festival during Barney Artist’s set

The 20 piece band Old Time Sailors playing pirate shanties on a stage full of smoke bubbles

The incredible cabaret at Club Rouge, a selection of burlesque, cirqus and everything in between

Sue Veneer’s performances featuring Jane Norman, How Cross Fun, Coubs, Jake Reed and more!

Flatcap Carnival delivering their usual bongo bashing and maraca shaking skanival sound

Panels at Free Yard exploring topics across rave culture and making events safer spaces

Gastronomy-wise, kudos to the festival restaurant Hotbox and their delicious brunch. Thirsty festival goers also got to join cocktail workshops with El Dorado Rum across the weekend

And to end, stunning fireworks with rainbows and love hearts

El Dorado is part of The Association of Independent Festivals’ (AIF) Safer Spaces At Festivals campaign, which relaunched this year to address the issue of sexual violence and create safer spaces at live music events.

El Dorado took place between 30th June and 3rd July at Eastnor Castle Deer Park, Herefordshire, UK.