Event Review: Annie Mac Presents: Lost & Found Festival 2016

We headed to sunny Malta to check out Annie Mac’s big party in a castle..

Annie Mac’s curly locks and tantalising voice have long been associated with the best of ‘up and coming’ electronic music within the UK and here, in sunny Malta, her eclectic taste was very much on display throughout. The opening gambit, taking place on a Aquarium terrace overlooking the Med, certainly impressed. The crowd welcomed Skream and Jackmaster with open arms; the pair rallying the gathered mob into full voice as they spun out of Armin Van Helden’s classic ‘You Don’t Know Me.’

The festival engages with the island’s bohemian nature; the dusty cars, closed shops and bemused locals playing into the ticket holders hands, lavishing in the escapism that the fiesta gives them. This was particularly prominent on the first day – the Double Bass pool party in the sunken Qwara Palace hotel offered a heavy dose of nostalgia via the wonderfully impressive Madam X. Her set (“the best of the whole weekend”) saw the crowd devour each garage classic she unleashed on them. The newly crowned Queen of the island was quickly followed by Redlight, whose ‘Gold Teeth’ is now timeless; his endless enthusiasm for a ‘9TS’ throwback provided the perfect foil for his predecessor.

Numero Uno, the main festival site, was situated in an abandoned business park. Superbly run, we entered via ‘The Palace’ stage to catch Eats Everything whose set was the perfect antidote to some of the sound issues that were blighting Monki and Redlight’s sets at the Tropicana stage. When he finally unleashed ‘Dancing!’ on the crowd the festival went into orbit.

Unsurprisingly, Toddla T’s ‘Pull Up!’ party on the second day provided more memorable moments; David Rodigan MBE proving once again that a pair of orange loafers and some sing-a-long reggae anthems are the perfect antidote to any sore head. Numero Uno was equally as impressive on the second evening, highlights skillfully provided by Dusky, Toddla T and Stormzy. However, it was an old master in DJ EZ who drew the largest crowd of the night; his garage anthems still a hit with every festival crowd.

This year, Annie Mac introduced ‘Castle Raves’ alongside her hugely successful boat parties. Sunday’s party was a huge hit with its weary looking crowd; Bicep and Jasper James matching chart topping Disclosure blow for blow. As the sun sank across Malta the view prompted mass sing-a-longs and the crowd to throw arms around friends and strangers alike. The evening provided a final party with festival goers digging deep; Julio Bashmore toyed with an ever growing crowd at ‘The Palace’ finally unleashing ‘Au Seve’ to a football-terrace-esque eruption. Groove Armada provided some 90’s throwbacks within their set, dropping ‘Let Me Love You For Tonight’ much to the delight of some seasoned ravers around us. Finally, the Queen of dance music herself closed her set with Prince ‘Controversy’ a fittingly regal end to a festival that is sure to gain noble status.