Raehills Meadows
Dumfries & Galloway.
11-16 June
2025
I was really deliberating whether or not I could do a festival before I set off, kinda thinking I needed a festival with 24-hour hot showers and a washing machine. I had friends who were abandoning plans because of the advertised rain and how wet it had been of late. However, Wednesday was a perfect Summer Day, so I started to pack in time for the 1.30pm 101 to Saint Annes. The journey takes about two hours. I had selected tunes the night before and was well rehearsed for my two Vishnu Lounge Sets and Sunday’s Guille Dhu Techno and House Set. My suitcase was very heavy, my rucksack light and Djembe wass light too, so I got everything on the bus to the bus very easily and I was off, Eden was calling.
The 101 Bus to Dumfries and Galloway has always been a very enjoyable journey because of how beautiful the Scottish Borders are. and it was a perfect day, I lost count of he sheep and lambs bouncing gayley. The bus drives right past The Eden Site but because of how busy the road is, the bus drops us off at Saint Annes, so its about a 1/4 of a mile trek back along the road to Rae Hills Meadows. I enjoyed the effort to get my gear to the field, my heart was beaming it felt so good. I quickly found somewhere to erect my tent and unpack. I was camped with lots of good friends, Dave the Gardener and Sax player was in his van home. It was lovely to see him. I headed down to Crew Kitchen for a tree hug with the tree by the pond, smiled the biggest smile, well it had been a year since I had hugged Mother Nature so deeply.
After a lovely Tea, I built a fire for the crew and headed for an early night. Foolishly I had left my tent open and was full of midges who had a blood sucking feast on me all night. My first night under canvas is always a disturbed sleep, so was up at the crack of dawn. for my 16th Eden Festival, have been DJDivine at every one.
I awoke early on my Thursday Morning, prepped the fire place, grounded the Angels and opened the vortex with the intention to ground the love into the festival for the duration, from now until the end of time. I do this at the tree in the Crew Kitchen too. Its a yearly ritual that I have been doing for years now. Eden is a very healing festival.
Once I had finished with the fireplace, I went in search of my wrist band, Artist wristbands this year. Although a crew wristband would have saved a lot of fuss. Thursday was a lovely day, bandad up I lit the fire that would burn until Monday. Thursday was to be my opening gig, in the Vinshu Lounge.
The Gates to The Garden Of Eden opened at 6pm, everything was prepped for such enjoyment, Eden, the festival site itself is static and has developed different mainstays over its 16-year history, The Vishnu Lounge, Rabbies Tavern and the cycle-powered Boardwalk have collectively helped to create one of the UK’s faveourite family festivals. With the Vishnu Lounge’s sunken baths and swinging hammocks and with a cafe serving yummy beverages and cake, 24/7 for the duration, with performance art and world-class DJs bringing the entertainment home.
It was a great honour to open the Vishnu Lounge with The Divine Hour. It was great fun, I was really hanging to experiencing Funky Frankies Mix later on that evening, Then it was back to the fire. As The Utah Saints took to The Great Mountain Stage, and was able to listen to that DJ Magik perfectly from The Fire. Having not really slept the night before, I headed for my tent at 1am and slept deep and long, Eden’s Healing Grace, soaking into me.
I awoke early that Friday morning, refreshed and comfortable, a healthy throng of musicians around the fire, allowing the creative muse to flow. Rumours of rain that day, intuitively, I knew it was going to be a dry day. I was looking forward to seeing The Girobabies and Bob Vylan on the main stage later on, but first it was Daniel Spanial playing his metal thing in The Vishnu Lounge.
The rhythm and blues of Zoe opened the mainstage, warming things up nice for the Girobabies. who gave a career-defining performance, encouraging all of the budding young Rock Stars in the audience to pick up an instrument and form a Rock band. Bob Vylan surprised me with a raw and rocking performance that utilised The Great Mountain Stage sound system to full effect. A very interesting and entertaining performance that left me wanting to know more about this wonderful piece of performance art. I split my day up well between Music and Flame, working through The Leftfield DJ set, I returned to my tent at midnight just as the Heavens opened and the heavy rain started, falling for the best part of the next 12 hours.
I awoke at about 5am, the rain was falling heavily, I reached for my waterproof trousers and hi viz raincoat and went in search of morning coffee via the fireplace to restock and dry some wood. The rain really was torrential, I got to the Vishnu Lounge for a cappuccino, freshly squeezed Orange juice and a big bit of cream cake. The ambience of the Vishnu Lounge was really lovely and welcoming. Massive lightning flashes stretched across the morning sky, and massive rolling thunder. Then a text message advising people to stay in their tents and avoid the stages, due to possible lightning strikes.
The weather was getting more and more surreal, and the rain kept falling harder and harder. The stream that runs through site became a raging torrent as new water features began forming. Because the weather had been so dry of late, the site was better equipped to deal with the soaking. The Woodland became a lake that complemented musical proceedings and dramatic lighting. Then by midday the storm had passed and the rain stopped. Things didnae get too muddy and it was good to be back at the fire building and feeding the flames. I had my 2nd DJ set at The Vishnu Lounge that evening at 7pm. I was ready, and the fireplace place was warm. and drying out.
Again, I awoke early to the sound of rain falling on my tent, soothingly serenading me back to sleep. when I awoke again, the rain had stopped and the sun was shining. I headed to the fire for a tidy up before heading to crew Kitchen for breakfast and then the Viishnu Lounge for Coffee and freshly squeezed orange juice. The Sun was shining and the vibes were good, DJ Alex Phalex delivered a very entertaining, family-friendly set, setting me off on my first dance of the day before returning to the fire until my evening and debut performance in the Ghilli Dhu. I had butterfly’s for this one. The soundsystem is so massive.
After my DJ Set, I packed my music and took it back to the tent, returning to the fire for the rest of the night. I did however catch a brilliant Irish Band called Lady Jesus. Where ever I saw the name of the band I read it as Lady Stardust. So it would have been rude for me to not make the effort. They were brilliant, full of Stardust and sexy swagger and the stage was really close to the fire. On the edge of the newly formed lake. The Lazers were fantastic and I had a brilliant dance. By midnight I was beyond tired. With a sense of accomplishment, I headed back to my tent and was out like a light.
I loved Eden this year, it was great teacher of how life has changed for me since last year. My first Eden without a bladder and a urostomy bag stuck to my abdomen. The stoma bags didnae like me bending and lifting wood. The stickiness was nae sticki enough. I managed to catch it before it got messy, becoming a dab hand at changing the bag discreetly and swiftly. Eden was the first time that I have attempted staying away from my flat since I got out of the hospital last year. Missing all of last summer’s shenanigans.
Eden was my first festival in 12 months. Rae Hills Meadows really brought its healing grace to the table for me this year. Yes, it was difficult camping with a stoma. I had a massive leak on the last night, which completely soaked my sleeping bag, making my need to get home on Monday night. important. After fire tending and performing for 5 days I was knackered on Monday, too tired to get it together for the last bus back to Aulde Reekie. I got a lift back with Alex, Landing home at 1am Tuesday Morning. So that I could make my Drs appointment to give bloods on Tuesday at 1pm. My 2nd immunotherapy appointment is on Thursday 19th. Moved from the 13th. so that I could do Eden. I am so glad that I did.
I learned lots of lessons and even with my new disability, which I am still wrapping my head around, Eden this year empowered me, Healed me and soothed me back to mysteries, Eden also set the challenge to do festivals, knowing what I need to find out, I refuse to be disabled by my disability. But then even accepting that I have one is progress.
This year’s Eden was life changing.
A Fantastic experience.
Mark ‘Divine’ Calvert
themumble.uk 