Am I too old to rave? Not as far as I am concerned I’m not. After having just about recovered from Download I decided it was time for a weekend in Ibiza By The Don aka 90sFest/Summer Bowl at the Don Valley Bowl in Sheffield. Netti had talked me into it when she found out Five were headlining and she was miffed that I was seeing them at Download. When she told me Vengaboys were also there it was a no brainer and before we knew it we had a family outing.

Friday evening Joey joined us; it was the only day under 18s could go; for the 90s Anthems Live Orchestra. To be honest I wasn’t that taken by them but we still had fun. Netti, Joey and Kate went on one of the fairground rides. and we enjoyed a couple of drinks. A good way to spend en evening.

We got a big surprise when we got off the tram in Parkgate. It wasn’t Paul who had come to pick us up, it was Bozzie! She had decided at the last minute to buy a ticket and come and join us for the Saturday. It really was paaaarty tiiiiime now!

Saturday dawned bright, sunny and hot and by the time we tumbled out of the car to catch the tram we were all looking like boiled lobsters. We had decided not to go too early so we arrived in the arena just as Ian Van Dahl had started their set. Which was a bit of a bonus since we’d read that he had cancelled. Me being me managed to weave and wangle my way to the front where I did try and attract the attention of Netti and Kate a couple of rows back but the looked in every direction but mine. Suzy decided to stay outside the tent where it was cooler.

I must admit, it was nice coming back out into the fresh air. We decided to join the horrendous queue for the bar and get some drinks before making our way to the VIP area where we could sit in the shade for a while until there was a band or DJ we wanted to see. Whilst Netti and Bozzie wandered over to the main stage Suzy, Kate and I went over to one of the smaller stager where Kate wanted to see a DJ she liked. Enjoyed a bit of a bop to that one.

As we were returning to the VIP area for a sit down in the shade we had to pass the Uprising stage where as before Suzy found a spot that was naturally air conditioned by a cooling breeze whilst I wangled my way to the front to get some pics. When I returned to Suzy she told me that Kate had gone in to find me so, following her directions I went back in to find Kate. As I came up to her she commented “oh, there you are,” before uttering what became my catchphrase for the weekend, “I thought shit! I’ve lost my mother in the Uprising tent!” I explained that I hadn’t been lost I had just been at the front and promptly dragged her there.

We listened and bopped to a few tracks before deciding we needed to cool down. We headed back to Suzy and then over to the shade of the VIP area where we chilled out until it was time for A1. Suzy decided to stay in the shade since she wasn’t bothered about seeing them. As it happened they weren’t our cup of tea either so after taking a couple of pics we went back, via the ice cream van, to Suzy. Only to find she’d gone to the bar. Whilst we waited for her we found a couple of comfy seats at the back and phoned our drinks order though to her. It took her an hour to get served! She and Kate decided to stay put whilst I headed to the main stage to watch Five. I had been so far back at Download I didn’t get any pics so I was determined to get some this time. I didn’t quite get to the front but I was near enough.

When they had done I managed to make my way forward to join Netti and Boz. And that’s where I stayed for the rest of the evening enjoying the rest of the acts. There was a real party atmosphere in the air.

And then it was time to get on the Vengabus and head to Venga Airways. I make no apologies for enjoying the Vengaboys as much as I did and yes, I was shamelessly singing away at the top of my voice.

Once the Vengaboys had finished their set and as Suzy and Kate had already left we decided to get a drink and something to eat before setting off home. We were a happy trio as we wended our way to the tram stop. So happy in fact we have already got our tickets for next year.