Just like that, Liquicity Festival 2022 is over for another year. Say goodbye to the Galaxy of Dreams and pack away your raving shoes… It’s now time to look at Liquicity Festival 2022 in review!
So if you haven’t heard of Liquicity, or if you don’t know much about it. Here goes…
Liquicity is a dutch record label founded in 2008 by Maris Goudzwaard and Mark van der Schoot (Maduk). From humble beginnings, they held their first event in 2013 and their first all-day event in 2015. Needless to say, things have come a long way since then with events now held across Europe in the Netherlands, Germany, Slovakia, Czech Republic, and the UK!
Liquicity 2020 and Liquicity 2021 were both postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, which meant that Liquicity 2022 was heavily anticipated. Taking place across 3 days (15th-17th July 2022) with a jam-packed lineup, Liquicity 2022 promised to be the biggest one yet!
So what did we think?
The vibe
The atmosphere at Liquicity festival is like none I’ve ever been to! I don’t want to be cliche and say it was magical… but it was very close!
Coming from the UK, I’m used to tent fires, public urination, and generally pretty grim festival antics…
However, coming to the Netherlands felt different. There was still plenty of fun and mischief to be had… But it was respectful instead. Let’s just say you don’t see people playing volleyball or cooking on their camping stoves in the morning at Boomtown or Reading festival!
Wherever you went there were friendly faces! From the bar staff to photographers, and of course the festival-goers, all were happy to be there sharing the same experience! Even the DJs were happy to mix in the crowd and enjoy the music!
Any rudeness and aggression were left behind and there was even a sense of cleanliness (if that’s possible for a camping festival)!
The whole vibe was very inclusive. For solo travellers, there was the option to register in advance to get a different wristband to help you meet fellow travellers at the festival. While the festival also welcomed those with disabilities and injuries as accessibility was made a priority.
All of which cultivated an atmosphere throughout the festival of people that had a shared love for the music and truly wanted to be there! Very open and welcoming Liquicity community.
The Site
Location
Liquicity Festival 2022 took place in Geesterambacht, near Alkmaar in the Netherlands.
We got the shuttle bus to and from Alkmaar Station to the entrance of the festival. This is probably the easiest way to travel to the festival and also meant we got a free lolly on departure!
The site as a whole was large enough to feel green and spacious and avoid clashes between stages, yet small enough to conveniently dash between stages or back to your tent.
Camping
There were multiple options at Liquicity festival from regular camping to teepees and their famous Kartents (recyclable cardboard tents).
The teepees and larger pre-pitched camping options did sell out in advance.
There was enough space for everyone to pitch up, without having to walk forever to get to the arena. And for once a festival didn’t feel like it was oversold (despite being sold out)!
The camping area looked like one huge Decathlon advert since everyone seemed to have the Quechua branded tents! There are plenty of Decathlon stores in Amsterdam if you need to pick up any camping gear. While there was also a Liquicity store to buy any equipment that you’ve left at home. Yes, they really thought of everything!
As with most campsites, there was minimal shade so I recommend bringing your own or getting creative.
Arena Setup (Stages/Decor/Theme)
The stages were stunning. Each of the three stages had its own unique feel fitting within Liquicity’s space and galaxy theme. The Galaxy stage: a big high-top tent with lasers galore and seating at the back. The Solar stage: a smaller, circular tent with a glitter ball to reflect the lasers. The Lunar stage: and lower-ceilinged, enclosed space reminiscent of a greenhouse covered with huge fans; perfect for heavy tunes.
Each also came with wooden paneling on the floor – a bonus for skanking. Each of the stages wasn’t too far from the next making it easy to move quickly between music.
There were plenty of places to sit – deckchairs, hammocks, tables, and chairs. Along with a few areas of shade that became busy during the heat of the day.
Besides the stages, the festival was littered with interesting quirks for those times that you’re not partying away. From gaming zones, ball pits, and swimming pools through to face painting, viewpoints, and a campfire (perfect for the end of the night). You could even have a Liquicity marriage at the makeshift chapel!
The Music
Music can be split into two parts: the lineup and the sound. We’ll start with the Liquicity lineup.
Liquicity Lineup
With three full days of non-stop drum and bass across three (+ one extra) stages, there was plenty to choose from. Headliners included Camo and Krooked, Maduk and Netsky. While other performances included classics such as Fox Stevenson, Stan SB Throwback set, and Sub focus; liquid masterclasses from Etherwood, LSB, and Hybrid Minds, as well as heavy-hitters including Alix Perez, Enei, and AMC.
This combination meant there was something for everyone and left plenty (myself included) struggling to decide on which artists to see.
Some of the DJs even played further into the night at the silent disco, helping ravers burn off some of that excess steam!
Liquicity Sound
The sound systems across each of the stages were fantastic. During the day, it was loud yet somehow I could still hear my friends talking. At night, they seemed to ramp it up a bit more to create more of a spectacle.
The crowds were easy to maneuver through so if the sound wasn’t hitting right, you could easily move nearer or further.
Performances
I can’t speak for all artists as unfortunately I didn’t get to see every set…
But I can give some highlights.
Netsky, a long-time favourite of mine, stole the show closing the whole festival with banger after banger. NCT was my surprise act of the festival, having not listened to much of their music before, I came away thoroughly impressed. Boxplot provided a memorable feel-good drum and bass set with the sun going down on the second day. And Enei really shook up the Lunar Stage with some frankly silly drops.
I can also comment on the variety and quality of MCs. Particular shoutout to Innate who performed with Blooom.
You can watch some of the live sets back on Youtube here.
The Food and Drink
If you’re not one for bringing your own food (and cooking it in the case of many people I saw with their own camping stoves), then there are plenty of options for you.
Food stalls were located both inside and outside of the arena, supplying the usual festival foods including pasta, burgers, crepes, chips, and wraps as well as other alternatives such as Vietnamese cuisine.
There were options for both vegetarians and vegans.
Other
Security
Liquicity festival is one of the safest feeling festivals I’ve ever been to. Primarily because of the culture and vibe throughout the site.
Though there is minimal security presence at the gates, there are emergency response team staff wandering around to ensure that everyone is safe and well.
LIQ points
Perhaps the only thing that I found annoying about Liquicity Festival was their cashless system based on LIQ points.
At the beginning of the festival, you buy a card and top it up with however many LIQ points you want. Then you pay for any products (food, drinks, merch) within the festival using these points.
Sounds easy, right?
Wrong. It’s just another way to confuse you.
When you’re at the festival, it’s easy to lose track of how much you have on the card as you try to convert pounds to LIQ points.
Toilets/Showers/Water
Toiles were readily available, surprisingly clean, and continuously refilled with toilet paper.
Showers had a long queue and cost 1 LIQ point.
Water equally had long queues due to the slow taps. Though this could’ve been due to the hot temperatures over the weekend.
Recycling
One of the things I loved about Liquicity Festival was how green they tried to be. This is a theme I’d seen throughout the Netherlands, how conscious they are and how eco-friendly they try to be.
Campers were given bin bags on entry with incentives to put rubbish away at the end. Drink prices were cheaper if you brought back your previous plastic cup. Much of the decor felt DIY and could be used again.
Even the culture of the festival was clean, tidy, and respectful. I was asked by fellow ravers if they were allowed to smoke in certain areas. Liquicity sold portable ashtrays. There wasn’t even anyone burning down their tents at the end (other than a few of the cardboard Kartents posted carefully into the bonfire!).
Leaving the festival it was amazing to see such little litter!
Merch
I’ve never been to a festival where so much merchandise is on show. Clearly, Liquicity fans are dedicated!
When I first, arrived at the festival I was skeptical, but there is so much choice and there was something for everyone. From clothing such as hoodies, socks, and t-shirts through to accessories like sunglasses, bumbags, and badges, as well as records.
Little touches like the Liquicity passport and free badge on arrival really make you feel welcome.
The weather
The opposite of the washout of 2019. Liquicity Festival 2022 was sun, sun sun.
Day 1 was warm, Day 2 warmer and Day 3 even warmer! So much so that some even went for a swim!
What more could you ask for?
The People
Staff
The staff were all so kind and helpful. From staff pointing festival-goers in the right direction, helping campers pitch up, explaining the LIQ system to foreigners, and giving out sun cream to those in need, it was all done with a smile on their faces. And all the while, the staff were enjoying themselves listening to the drum and bass too!
Ravers
Everyone and I mean everyone, was welcoming and there for a good time. And I’m certain that’s not even because half the crowd was on drugs.
The vibe amongst campers was jovial and light-hearted across nationalities. Even the morning after when everyone wakes up feeling like they’ve been hit over the head by a baseball bat. Whilst in the rave, they were polite and generous. The Dutch are a truly friendly nation and this translated into the people at Liquicity.
I also need to add how impressed I am by the enthusiasm and energy the Dutch put into their dancing. For hours every day, ravers would be hopping from foot to foot in time to the beat. It really puts the UK’s ‘gun-fingers’ move to shame…
Conclusion
I would wholeheartedly recommend this festival to anyone.
So if this review has convinced you to go to Liquicity Festival 2023, what are you waiting for? I’ll see you there.
Before you go
Thank you for reading my Liquicity Festival Review 2022. If reviews, guides, and travel content like this interest you, head over to my blog page to find out more.
If you are new to Matt’s Next Steps, check out the About Me page to find out a bit more about who I am, my travel adventures and why I wanted to become a travel writer.
Please comment below and let me know your thoughts and experiences, or if there is anything else you want information on.
Happy skanking!
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