Winchester bowl was above our heads and the sky below us. Then seconds afterwards we thought we saw Tim Deluxe playing in Arena 2, although that could had been Jazzy Jeff from Arena 4. No hang on, the live arena was now up in the sky. The sky was beneath us again and what was that raver doing flying around?

That was exactly how disorientated we were thanks to the spinning fairground attraction at this years Homelands festival. Mind you, there were probably thousands more Homelands visitors feeling the same way thanks to little white pills which had been smuggled through the gates earlier that May Bank Holiday afternoon. As this was the first Summer festival of 2004 and it was a stormer!

For those of you who haven't ventured to a dance festival before just imagine a super nightclub erected in the middle of a field. The rooms are marquees positioned in a semi circle shape with the waft of junk food polluting the once fresh air. Beats of music blared from speakers playing a wide variation of music from hip-hop to dance clash between marquees and an atmosphere which would give this years FA Cup Manchester United fans a run for their money. This is just half of the Homelands experience.

Wrist-banded up we started the early evening inside the VIP area which had it's own interment dance tent giving delight to press Mongols,DJ's and any freeloaders who manage to donate £5 to

charity in exchange for a free ticket. At the far end was the entrance to the backstage production area where a chosen few could followin ABLE2UK's footsteps and mingle with the artists backstage at the Live Arena.

The Live Arena packed up at 11pm, although a pretty early time in comparison to other tents which pumped out beats 'til 6am the Live Arena was far the best. Kicking off with Stateless the stage had acts from Lamb, a fall from Scissor Sister (the singer fell arse over tit mid song!) and the giants of live music acts, Faithless.

When the arena lights came up and shun upon the litter which had been culminating over the past ten hours ravers had the opportunity to explore the rest of the site. All the other arenas were ready to play thud tumping tunes until dawn with the exception the the Radio One

Scissor Sister cut the

tension with a camp track.

Outdoor stage which also pulled the plug at 11pm after memorable sets from Judge Jules and Paul Van Dyk among others.

Arena 1 had guests dazzled with laser lights which wouldn't seem out of place from a Jean Michel Jarre gig (ask your Dad!). Heavyweights such as Roger Sanchez played to a massive crowd of hyperactive boys and girls. Arena 2 gave House lovers a treat with a DJ set from Groove Armada and the only time it all

went Pete Tong was when the man played a blinding set. Elsewhere in the field of raving dreams Arena 3 which was not in-between Arenas1 & 2, just to cause headfucks from those pill-droppers. The arena hosted by 'Movement' saw the best in Drum n Bass with Roni Size working up his crowd to a frenzy.

Radio One's Tim Westwood was 'bombing the bass', or whatever the hell he does, at Homeland's newest arena, the Hip Hop marquee. Another act at Arena 4 was the Mercury award wining Dizze ('He's such a..) Rascal and granddaddy Grandmaster Flash.

The fifth and final arena was the home to dance. Acts such as Mr. Scruff gave beats per minute to the array of waving hands in the air. Elsewhere the Strongbow Rooms had it's own lineupand a tasty free Bar B Q hidden backstage for the invited cider loving guests. We were treated to Lamb burgers and free booze, which we can't really complain about!

All too soon the night turned to morning and ravers turned to their beds after enjoying what was Possibly the best Homelands to date. And the locals of Winchester could sleep again, well for twelve months at least!

Guests are asked to

raise hands if they

need the loo.