With it being an epic task to put on a festival with such a small team, none of the team has yet to put together a mix for our website in the 2 years. Not a one! Enter our resident house music botherer and Beatport underachiever, Cy Humphreys, who’s hastily put together a weighty mix from our farm to your table.

So how did you come to be involved in the festival?

“Well, I’ve been involved from the very start of the road I’d say. I first met the guys at gatherings and parties in remote parts of North Wales about 2007 – come to think of it, I distinctly remember my first ever encounter with Ste (Chesters) – him telling me he wanted to create a festival environment with some of the biggest artists in the world. You hear that sort of thing all the time and I laughed it off as easily. They set up shop in Withington and Audio Farm opened the doors in the Northern Quarter’s Moho Live, early 2009.
After a flurry of events with the likes of Derrick May, Shonky, Radioactive Man, Evil 9, I ate my words, moved up to Manchester and joined the circus. I’ve never really looked back. I’ve watched the rabble grow into a thriving, busy village of super-talented heroes make some truly breath-taking festival moments I’ll never forget”.

Like?

“The production value that went into the Forest Stage last year was outstanding I think it was a guy called Daniel Jacques that came up with the design. I apologise if I leave anyone out. Our décor crew like Sonya and Dawn, source such odd and unique pieces. There’s not too many times I walk round the site when I don’t have to do a double take.
Last year the crew managed to get hold of some of the set from the BBC show, Peaky Blinders, they turned a passport checking booth into a bar. I do get chuffed pointing it out to people like I had some credit in that happening. Reflective glory!”

What do you play at the festival?

“House and disco (no edits) with a bit of techno like Robert Hood or Anthony Shakir with acapellas, Rick & Morty clips. There’s no real standard format. But the bulk of it is house…… A few rave records. Everyone plays rave from time to time these days. I’ve got some stuff that I’ve made that’s exclusive to me that I’m too lazy to get released”
“I played a dubstep remix once, too.”

What are your highlights to check out at this year’s Festival?

“The line-up this year has to be a favourite from my point of view, as I own at least one record of every artist at the top of the bill. Carl Craig will surely be something special and I’m handing over the headphones to DJ Sneak this year, too.
As far as people off the beaten track so-to-speak? Someperson. He’s, like this dusty, Dilla-esque guy from round my way. Sam Watson is always good. We’re also having a Human Shield event to mark our lovely friend Pete Mangalore, who sadly passed this year. This will be a permanent fixture at the festival now as he was a highlight at every event we put on.
Errr, Barry Gammon and The Midday incident, as I want to know what Paul’s done with his viral fame after his offer of “12 free bales of hay” post went viral with hundreds and thousands of shares across the globe last winter. You’d think they didn’t have free hay in Japan, not to mention the delivery charge on that from Preston?”

Could you give us a few of your favourite memories behind the turntables at the festival and are there any special tracks reserved for your Audio Farm set?

“Last year, I did 5 back to back 18 hour shifts then went to warm up for Lone on the Forest Stage.
A few years ago a guy didn’t turn up for his set and Pete (Mangalore) came running past me saying ““Matt’s (Black Eyes) try’na blag it – grab yer records – we’re not gonna let that c**t get away with it”.
Once there he demanded we were doing it topless”.
I guess I’m known at the festival for playing the Ashley Beedle remix of The Streets ‘Weak Become Heroes’ as a closer”

Tell us about your mix?

It was recorded live in one take on a Sunday morning in Hoole with my girlfriend when we were dog sitting for my mate, Danny. He’s got some decent kit so I pugged in and played for a bit.
I’ve only got one turntable and no mixer at home so I took the rare opportunity. There wasn’t any planning that went into it (as will become apparent)

Intro with Amy Poehler.
D Train you’re the one for me
Gary’s Gang – Lets Lovedance (Danny Krivitt Edit)
Gene Chandler – When You’re #1
Dan Shake – Magic Marcel
Global Communication The Way (Secret Ingredients Mix)
Roman Rauch – Too Many Things
MF Doom- Devil’s Shoestring (Cody Currie’s Re-Jazz)
Kyle Hall – Tomorrow is the day
Mr G & G Flame – G’s Sound Dub
Anonym – Deep Ending
Round II – New Day
G Prod – D-Light
Kink – Chorus
Russ Gabriel – Change
DJ H – Come On Boy (Larry Levan Mix)
Marques Hawkes – Basement is Burning
Koenig Saatgut – The Spirit
Doc Daneeka – Never Wanna Lose Your Love
Duke Silver – DugOut
Unbreakable Kimmy Choir – Ellija Rise