Boomtown: Chapter Four - Power of now!
Boomtown has always held a special place in our hearts. For the past three years, we’ve put all our energy into creating a safe place to step away from the hustle and bustle of the main festival streets. Over that time, we’ve hosted a large range of DJs, artists, and performers, along with the occasional morning talks and workshops. This year marks our fourth year at Boomtown, and although things are looking a little different, with a fresh new location and a slightly different musical approach, we are beyond excited to be back.
New location, New music, Same vibe
As many of you may know, the Mikata stage has made its home as the heart of Downtown Village for the past three years at Boomtown Fair. However, things have shifted slightly this year. We have moved to a brand-new location: Camp Orchid. This spot brings an entirely different atmosphere and crowd to what we have been used to, and with that change, we’ve adapted our approach to best complement the new venue.
For those unfamiliar, Camp Orchid is an upgraded camping area that can be added to your Boomtown ticket. It comes with a few luxuries - hot showers, a make-up parlour, and a range of amenities that add a touch of comfort to the festival experience. This differs quite significantly from the high energy of Downtown Village (Mainly in the evenings, mind), so we aimed to host something more for easy mornings and slow afternoons, music made to be woken up to, to relax to at the bar, essentially helping Camp Orchid residents ease into the day and get ready for the world before heading down to the bowl for the main event.
But that doesn’t mean we sat there twiddling our thumbs just because things were a little more laid back - no, no, no. We still threw ourselves into it, going all out to make sure the stage and Tipi looked as eye-catching as ever, sounded great, and carried that welcoming vibe we manage to pull off year after year. This new approach may have been a change of pace, but the Mikata crew rose to the challenge without a miss. The build team that comes together each year is solid, a blend of hard work and laughter along the way. It’s that balance that always reminds us why it feels less like a job and more like being part of one big Boomtown family.
Tipi and beyond
One of the unique things we get to do at Boomtown is run our very own stage, which only a handful of festivals and events invite us to take on. For many of us, being able to do this makes it one of the most anticipated and exciting events of the year, albeit being ever so stressful. It’s not just about the music or the setup; it’s about the freedom, creativity, and camaraderie that come with organising everything alongside the Boomtown crew, bringing something truly special to life. It’s a chance to put our own stamp on the Boomtown experience and share a little bit of who we are with everyone else.
For this particular event, we followed a similar layout to what we used at Mingle in the Dingle, using a Single Tipi layout with an Extension wall, which instantly opened up the space and made it feel far more spacious than before, allowing guests and DJs to move freely and enjoy the setup without feeling crowded. Then, when it came to sound, we brought along the same high-quality musical equipment from Mingle, but this time with the addition of our Martin Pro Audio Speakers. These delivered a clear, powerful sound that carried perfectly across the Tipi.
Our lighting setup was designed to complement that energy and ambience. We included Festoons, which add a beautiful, warm glow that’s perfect for creating atmosphere, alongside the essential Fairy Lights - because, let’s face it, no party is complete without them. To enhance the visual dynamic, we introduced Parcan lights, ideal for highlighting specific areas such as the stage or key focal points. Their focused beams and range of colours allowed us to really shape the mood for the event.
And of course, no Tipi of ours would be complete without being fully dressed in our signature Festival Decor. Every inch of the space was thoughtfully styled, with flowing drapes, a beautifully crafted fabric chandelier, and layers of bunting and hanging greenery that brought that unmistakable Mikata festival charm to life.
But that wasn’t all. Behind the scenes, we created a dedicated backstage area, complete with a Gazebo designed as our Green Room. This space served as a comfortable retreat for crew and performers, a place to relax between sets, have a chat, grab a drink, or even make a quick cup of tea before heading back out.
Another year, another Boomtown
As it all came winding down for another year, each year for us feels like it only gets better and better, in both our own experiences and as a crew, and ultimately our production. Each time we take down the Tipi after Boomtown fair, we leave a little of ourselves there each time, only to be reunited a year later. Whatever the next year or three will bring, we will always have a special place for Boomtown and the Boomtown family that surrounds it.