Words: Gentleman's Journal
Wilderness has been a highlight of the Great British summer since its inaugural edition in 2011, and every year it somehow manages to outdo itself. This year, the four-day, 10,000-capacity event, set in the bucolic Oxfordshire countryside, is taking things up another notch.
Introducing The Riddle. The brand-new music venue at Wilderness is the brainchild of festival insiders Will Kayll and Jemima Howden, whose paths intertwined at the festival years ago – Jemima has long been a resident on the festival grounds and Will’s journey with Wilderness began at seventeen, performing on one of its stages.
The space is designed to reflect Will and Jemima’s diverse tastes and the festival's eclectic spirit, captivating festival goers with a completely immersive experience. Artists slated to perform include a combination of young, emerging talents and renowned seasoned performers, from national DJ treasure Greg Wilson to accomplished Colombian DJ Julio Victoria, who will be performing with a live drummer and bass player, to Balearic house originator Trevor Fung.
At the centre of the venue is a secret walled garden with a dance floor – which will only be revealed to those who solve the mysterious Riddle. Those lucky enough to do so will discover a classic English country garden with many performers, decadent spaces, a bar and a club sound system.
An ever-changing project, regular Wilderness attendees can expect to have a different experience of The Riddle each year. But one aspect that will remain the same is the venue’s commitment to fostering genuine connections. Guests are encouraged to unplug from their devices and live in the moment. As a result, stickers will be handed out to promote a ‘no phones’ policy, making The Riddle a sanctuary of undistracted enjoyment.
Don't head to Wilderness without first reading our essential guide to nailing festival style...
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