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Connected Festival, set for Lydd Airport, sees rise in sales

The man behind a new festival heading to Kent says he has nothing but "confidence", after two others were called off.

Connected Festival - a 12-hour dance rave - will see more than 100 acts play across five stages from dusk to dawn next month.

Connected Festival is coming to Kent next month
Connected Festival is coming to Kent next month

The overnight party will take place at Lydd Airport, on Romney Marsh, which hosted legendary world dance raves in the 1990s.

But just weeks ahead of Connected, two other festivals planned for the county have been cancelled.

Southbeats, set to feature Dizzee Rascal and based in Sevenoaks, was called off due to poor ticket sales and the Broadstairs festival Wheels and Fins was cancelled due to financial issues.

But one of the organisers of Connected says they have no intentions of following suit.

Rohan Mulvaney, from Dymchurch, said: "I have high confidence.

DJ Hazard will perform on the Breakin Science stage. Picture from connectedfestival.co.uk (16120036)
DJ Hazard will perform on the Breakin Science stage. Picture from connectedfestival.co.uk (16120036)

"It's a real shame about Southbeats and I do feel for them.

"We have no intention of stopping this event.

"We have indication that our ticket sales are in excess of others. It's definitely ramped up in the last few weeks.

"We don't know if we'll achieve 12,500 guests, but we're confident.

"Our ticket agent says we're in a good position."

Connected Festival has been organised Mr Mulvaney alongside Martin Hackney and James Tovey, who want to bring together old and new sounds.

Andy C, Dj and producer. Picture from connectedfestival.co.uk (16120039)
Andy C, Dj and producer. Picture from connectedfestival.co.uk (16120039)

The party will be ideal for fans of drum and bass and UK garage with four stages dedicated to the genres, and a further stage playing dance music.

Acts set to perform include Andy C, Wilkinson, DJ Hazard, Kings of the Rollers, Problem Central, Heartless Crew and Micky Finn.

Problem Central, So Solid Crew, Shadow Demon Coalition, DJ Die and DJ Hype will also be there.

Uncle Dugs, a double award winning DJ and presenter of Rinse FM, will also perform.

Mr Mulvaney said: "The mood out there for Connected is brilliant.

"We have the right artists and we believe we've hit the jackpot with our venue."

Wilkinson. Picture from connectedfestival.co.uk (16120041)
Wilkinson. Picture from connectedfestival.co.uk (16120041)
The rave will take place at Lydd Airport
The rave will take place at Lydd Airport

He added that organising such an event can be "nerve-wracking" but that you "have to trust the data".

And although all the acts have now been confirmed, the work doesn't stop there.

Mr Mulvaney says he has now locked down construction teams and spoken to security firms for the night.

And as well as music, guests will be entertained by performers - such as fire eaters, break dancers and people in costumes - who will take to the stages and walk among crowds throughout the night.

A massive outdoor cinema screen will also play footage from previous raves at the airport. There will be food and drink stalls too.

One of the stages will be set up in the airport's new hanger, while the other dance marquees will be positioned around the grounds.

The festival will not include a camp site, but ravers will be able to park at the site, or take advantage of coach shuttle services which will be set up from key locations, such as as Ashford International Station. Prices for this will start at £10.

The airport will not be operation during the festival, but the coastguard will remain operational for emergency purposes.

There is still a month left to buy tickets, currently on sale for £45, plus booking fee. VIP tickets are also available.

For everything you need to know about Connected Festival, visit here.

Read more: All the latest news from Romney Marsh

Why are so many festivals biting the dust? - read our story here.

For more ideas on days out and things to do, head to our What’s On section

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