This all-night dance party prelude to Summer Sonic is exactly the kind of mixed bag we've come to expect from promoters Creativeman. To be fair, Sonicmania has plenty going for it: a live performance by mashup masterminds 2 Many DJs, DJ sets from UK dance icons Basement Jaxx and Simian Mobile Disco, and a gaggle of top-flight European electro artists including Surkin, Para One and Club Cheval. But any potential hipster cred is automatically voided by the presence of Pitbull at the top of the bill (what were they thinking?). Thankfully, they've stuck him on first (you can see a timetable here), so you can avoid him altogether by doing what any hip party person would do anyway: turn up late.
Lineup: Basement Jaxx (DJ set), Club Cheval, Far East Movement, Madeon, Marble Records All Stars (Surkin, Para One, Bobmo), Pitbull, Simian Mobile Disco (DJ set), Soulwax, 2 Many DJs, Zedd