HISTORY
The Big Chill is a multimedia festival, bar, club and record label dedicated to transforming the spirit of our times. The Big Chill Festival offers a highly evolved, all-round experience that is completely unique, with a wide variety of music and performance, art, comedy, dance and film; technology and its relationship with nature; identifying artists and nurturing their creativity. It is about energy, community and fun. The Big Chill Festival does not have a defined ethos, as such, but Big Chillers have been gradually shaping its feel and flavour over the years through input and involvement.
The story so far...
Founded by Pete Lawrence and Katrina Larkin in 1994, The Big Chill has grown from humble beginnings into a highly-respected organisation.
From its genesis as a Sunday all-dayer in Islington's Union Chapel, and an outdoor event the following summer which saw 700 people gather in the Black Mountains on the Welsh borders, The Big Chill's main annual event moved in 1998 to Dorset’s Larmer Tree Gardens as 'The Enchanted Garden', where it established its reputation as one of the most innovative new events over the next five years, as the number of Big Chillers grew from a few hundred to 5000.
After a one-off event at Lulworth Castle in Dorset in 2001, The Big Chill Festival upgraded to its new home, the Eastnor Castle Deer Park in the beautiful setting of the Malvern Hills in Herefordshire in 2002. It has since upped its numbers to 35,000 in 2007 whilst retaining its intimacy - principally by word-of-mouth recommendation - ensuring that those who come to the event recognise and respect its unique atmosphere. The community lives on throughout the year through our bars and, of course, this website and its associated forum.
The Big Chill also runs a record label, releasing newly-discovered artists and compilations. And with The Big Chill taking its ethos worldwide with events in India, The Greek islands, Cairo, Helsinki, Budapest, Prague, Australia, New Zealand and Japan we are spreading the chill-out vibe all over the world.
The Big Chill Festival Line Up - 2011
Kanye West, Rodrigo y Gabriela, The Chemical Brothers, Sharon Jones & The Dap-Kings, Spoek Mathambo, Steel Pulse, The Stepkids, Submotion Orchestra, Warpaint, Wild Beasts, xxxy,, Prince Fatty Soundsystem, Quantic and his Combo Bárbaro, Robert Plant and The Band of Joy, Rodrigo y Gabriela, Scuba, ~ Prince Fatty Soundsystem, Quantic and his Combo Bárbaro, The Midnight Beast, Mulatu Astatke & The Black Jesus Experience, Mr. Scruff, Neneh Cherry, Norman Jay, Plastician, Kissy Sell Out Symphony of Light, Ladi6, Liam Bailey, Lil Silva, Luke Vibert, Mahala BaÏ Banda, Matthew Halsall Remixed, Metronomy, ~ Janelle Monáe, Jaymo & Andy George, Jessie J, Jimmy Edgar, Just Jack (DJ Set), Kanye West, Katy B, Gentleman’s Dub Club, Ghostpoet, Global Communication (DJ set), Hercules and Love Affair, Horace Andy, Jamie Woon, Jamie xx, Fantastic Mr Fox, Femi Kuti & the Positive Force, Fenech-Soler, Flying Lotus (Live), Four Tet, Future Boogie DJs, Dirtyphonics, DJ Derek, DJ Food, East Park Reggae C, Empire Of The Sun, The Bullitts featuring Jay Electronica and Lucy Liu, Dionne Bromfield, King Midas Sound, Engine-Earz Experiment, Tom Middleton, Here We Go Magic, NZ Shapeshifter, Taylor McFerrin