FATBOY SLIM, Paul Oakenfold, Peter Tong and are among a host of the biggest names in the history of dance music set to return to the club that started it all - on its 20th anniversary.
Cream's big birthday is in October and it has got plenty to celebrate. What began as a once-a-week night, in Liverpool's Nation club in 1992, was bought for £19m this year, as a brand, by Live Nation.
Everton-born founder James Barton was, in the process, made president of Live Nation Electronic Music. Not bad for a music fan who worked on market stalls as a teenager before launching his once-a-week club night Cream and turning it into a global entertainment empire.
Cream’s phenomenal story began back in 1992 when it staged its first event in a small 400 capacity venue in Wolstehholme Square.
It has since gone on to change the face of clubbing and become a leading global player in electronic music festivals.
So , say organisers, it is only fitting that the legendary Cream return to its spiritual home of Nation in Liverpool to celebrate this landmark occasion with two birthday bashes taking place on Saturday 6th and Saturday 13th October with a line up bigger than some festivals.
Kicking off the birthday celebrations on 6th October will be Steve Angello who brings his Size Matters label mates to host the Main Room.
Grammy nominated DJ and producer Paul Van Dyk will be jetting in to take control of the Courtyard.
He will be joined by Eddie Halliwell who returns fresh from his Cream Ibiza residency along with Adam Sheridan and Rob Harnetty. The Annexe will be hosted by the residents and at the helm will be Paul Bleasdale who is back in the saddle after nearly a decade away from the decks. Joining him will be Anthony Probyn, Jemmy and Lee Ellis
Fatboy Slim
The party continues on the 13th October which will see performances from some of the biggest names that have graced Cream’s hallowed decks over the year’s. First up is the ultimate party DJ Norman Cook aka Fatboy Slim, with a back catalogue of mammoth hits under his belt he is the ultimate king of big beats, not one to miss a shindig he’s back for this very special occasion.
Joining Norman in the Main room is Carl Cox. There are few artists who were there at the start of acid house and still remain at the top of their game, however, Carl is one such DJ – having taken the proverbial roof off Cream on many an occasion back in the day.
Topping off what is already looking like one of the biggest line ups any club could hope to secure is John Digweed - one of the most respected and revered figures in the international dance arena. Cream resident Jemmy completes the line up.
Over in the Courtyard you'll find Paul Oakenfold and BBC Radio 1’s Pete Tong.
Paul OakenfoldSays Oakenfold: “Cream is a legendary institution that has contributed so much to the history and evolution of electronic music. I was in Liverpool every Saturday night for two years back in the late 90s when I had my residency there and then I was resident for them in Ibiza.
“All of those shows were just amazing, so special. I've never felt more at home than when I've been behind the decks in the Courtyard at Cream. I felt like one of the family. To this day you'll be hard pushed to find another club in the world with an atmosphere like that.”
The Annexe is the room where it all began, so expect to find K-Klass and Andy Carroll and residents Andy Mac and Anthony Probyn.
*Cream 20th Birthday, Saturday 6th and 13th October. Nation,1-3 Parr Street, Wolstenholme Square, Liverpool, L1 4JJ. Times: 10pm – 6am (last entry 1am), Sawmill Bar open from 9pm. Tickets, £27.50 on sale now here
